Welcome to hotel ayahuasca of Ecuador. Such a lovely place. This retreat happens to be the epitome of how sacred medicine is westernized as a casual drug experience. Literally, absolutely nothing about this retreat is spiritual and/or authentic. However, it’s a nice ayahuasca-motel experience, where they don’t bother with the fireplace at “temple,” (there is no Chosa or a tribal presence) forget about spiritual blessings, ceremonial rituals, a regular, average dosage (they micro-dose, why? Because they don’t wanna bother with 12 people throwing up and getting sick), or cleansing. The Shaman “Don Carlos” didn’t seem like he enjoyed cleansing ceremonies. Numerous times, I found him tired and trying to fix his voice while chanting, couldn’t keep it going. His heart and soul was not there. He deserves a good rest for his age. Interestingly, the participants are allowed to roam around and leave the “temple,” at any time during these ceremonies wearing head flashlights. Never seen anything this bizarre. The participants were walking around under the ayahuasca influence. Most of the participants are from Czech Republic or Europe. One American guy from Colorado left the day after saying that “I don’t feel welcome here.” I personally neither felt welcome nor unwelcome. Can it all get worse than that? Actually yes. Translation from English to Spanish back to English and then to Czech 12x is boring, time-consuming, and draining. While most participants don’t care about your personal experience with ayahuasca. I felt I was back in college listening to lectures again. I had to zone out since I was hearing a lot of nonsense about private sessions, costly offerings, etc. At some point, I grabbed my phone and started browsing the internet. The bottom line, this retreat doesn’t serve the higher power but money. There is no heart and soul. No one is ‘holding the scape’ during the ceremonies, which is important for authenticity. Not a five-star retreat for sure. Wasted time, money, and energy. The owner is claiming the financial help with tribal territories, protecting their land. They keep this retreat a secret place from Tena and neighboring towns in the meantime. They don’t want the trouble. Ya, all very questionable and sketchy. All in all, I have no hard feelings. This was one of the eye-opening experiences since it helped me see how something so sacred is modernized, structured, and mishandled. I met good people there, some of them lost and some very confused and drained from life. I gave this retreat the benefit of the doubt but the reality wasn’t pretty. Peace

In late September I was privileged to take part in a 13 day retreat. Having never in my life taken part in anything like this and with no experience with medicines/psychedelics of any type I was honestly a little unsure of what to expect, yet had high expectations. My experiences with Ayahuasca were very challenging-- it's very powerful-- and within the first 30 minutes of ramping up and up and up I was sure I'd bitten off more than I could chew. My psyche was split into at least three. My mind-body and spirit became separate parts of the whole as flashing visions of spirals and tunnels of lights and thought streams took me to all kinds of strange revelations that I'm still trying to comprehend. Yet not once during my 4 ceremonies did I feel any fear, or apprehension. The professionalism and genuine care we received from Jan, Omar, Don Carlos and the team was second to none. They looked after us so well that even at the peek of Ayahuasca's influence I felt perfectly safe. The retreat was an amazing place. I'd honestly use the word "magical" to describe it. The fire-flies at night moving through the trees and following the paths between the huts and the temple were dream-like. The Amazon jungle too surprised me with the shear variety of plants and insects and animals. The noise of the jungle nightlife was really quite loud to be honest, but still a pleasant sound. Even the smell of the jungle, that natural perfume, it didn't fade, if anything it grew stronger as the days progressed. I loved the fact we had no electricity, no radios, no WIFI for social media to distract us from living. Swimming in the sacred river, walking through the jungle, or swinging in the hammocks gave us plenty of time to rest and integrate what the medicine was teaching us. Oh yes, the food too was amazingly good. I could not have wished for a better group of people to be with and to share the experience with. Thanks Jan and the Team, I would do it all again. Tim T (New Zealand)

Feather Crown is absolutely magical! It was our first time sitting with Ayahuasca and I'm so happy we went here! It's a very intimate experience, I think they only allow up to 12 people at a time. So you get one on one time with the shaman during the ceremony. I've now done the 5 day and 13 day experience. I definitely recommend the 13 if you can. Taking 2 weeks to really be in it and focus on healing was the best experience I could have given myself!! The complex is super rustic, but very comfortable and built in such a sustainable way! I felt my entire nervous system relax when I arrived. And you can go swim in this incredible river that's just a short walk from the cabins. We were there daily. It's high enough altitude that there really aren't mosquitos (huge plus haha). The entire staff has a heart of gold. Everyones super welcoming and knowledgable, the food is AMAZING! I also love that you don't super pack in ceremonies, especially for beginners. They take safety super seriously and really honor doing the experience in a gentle way and having plenty of time for rest and being with nature to integrate what you learn. And you get to go on rainforest walks on the off days and learn about other medicinal plants in the area. I also love that they have a really close working relationship with the Indigenous communities in the area and do a lot of environmental advocacy. Feather crown is the real deal. You'll be taken really good care of and they have a psychologist on staff and the Shamans have like over 50+ years of experience.

Feather Crown is the perfect Retreat Center to experience plant medicine whether it is your first time or 100th. Jan and his professional staff will ensure that your stay is all that you could ask for. The location, the food, the activities and experiences are all top notch. Hope to return one day!

I spend a 5 day Ayahuasca in Jan’s retreat. First: Location - it’s in the heart of the Amazon forest next to a river where you can take a dip. At a cloudless night you can see so many stars it’s beautiful. The cabins are spacious and have everything you need. Second: Staff - everybody is warm and wonderful. You feel like part of a loving family. Everybody takes care of you which is so important because you have to trust them during the ceremonies. I felt 100% comfortable the entire time and I would love to go back

Greetings from Ezili Anna del Rio! I very much appreciate my experience at feather crown. My first introduction to Ayahuasca was in 1992 way before it was a"thing to do". Don Carlos is the real medicine man. I can not put in words the experience. Jan is knowledge of plants wonderful. Omar has a beautiful connection with the medicine and the jungle. ¡VIVA PIATUA LIBRE!

I participated at the Feather Crown retreat in November 2021. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Jan is very passionate and have great knowledge that will make you feel safe when doing the ayahuasca ceremonies. Experiencing the ayahuasca ceremonies with the amazing Yachak Don Carlos was truly a journey in itself. The retreat team with Omar as a guide and the kitchen staff takes care of you during the stay at the retreat. You get good and healthy food and get to experience the surrounding jungle with medical plants and an amazing nature life. If you feel you want to experience the power of ayahuasca but feel unsure about which retreats are serious, Feather Crown is the place to go. I will for certain do the ayahuasca retreat again at Feather Crown and I warmly recommend their retreat for anyone who are interested in doing ayahuasca.

Feathercrown was a perfect tonic in my life and a great excursion into the magic of the forest of the Amazon. Removed from daily life, rustic for a full experience of nature and the remarkable healing qualities of plant medicine practiced for centuries under the watchful eye of native healing masters. the results have been lasting and we will find our back to this remarkable place time after time.

My experience at Feather Crown was amazing! I attended the five day experience. The staff worked hard to ensure everyone was comfortable. The grounds were amazing; literally right in the heart of the Amazon. The river was great for swimming and the sound helped me fall asleep. The hike was gorgeous (and a bit physically challenging). This experience was life changing. I've been home for a week and I feel so light in spirt, confident in my healing journey, and grateful! If you're thinking about taking this journey - DO IT! Jump off the edge of your comfort zone and let yourself experience freedom. I'm sure I'll return and bring friends with me!

The best 5 days of my life. I met such amazing people. I mean the most amazing souls. Jan is amazing and such a great host. Omar was such a kind soul. I have so much love and respect for them both. I did not miss watching TV or using my phone. It had not taken me long to adjust to the natural environment. My spirit is already yearning to be back. The food was amazing and I miss the meals. I lost my appetite after the ayahuasca ceremonies and couldn’t eat all my delicious meals, which I wish I could have brought home with me. I had the most amazing tasting apple. The fruits in the US don’t compare. I feel like I’ve grown and learn so much about myself in the 5 days than I had in 33 years. The world had me convince that something was wrong with me and I was bad. During my first ayahuasca ceremony, I was forced to face what I thought of myself. I was forced to say it out loud. Then I was forced to see how wrong I was. That in fact, I was good and pure. And I was forced to speak that truth to myself out loud. Then I purged. I was able to see my ego apart from my true self. And saw how it fed off my insecurities. I was able to put myself above my ego. I can’t wait to go back...

Wonderful introduction to plant medicine. As a 67 year old, it was with some caution that I signed up with Feather Crown. What a pleasant experience, safe, secure, in good caring hands under Jan's leadership. Great folks, wonderful location, an overall excellent experience. Looking forward to returning in 2021.

I had an exceptional experience at Feather Crown. I went for the May 2022 retreat and Jan and the rest of the guides/staff were incredibly kind, welcoming and ensured we had a comfortable stay. During ceremonies, I felt very safe in their hands and knew it was the perfect place to kick start my Ayahuasca experiences. The location is exceptionally beautiful nestled right in the jungle, around nature, rivers with accommodations that make the landscape beautiful. I enjoyed my stay here and recommend it 100%. I can't wait to go back! :)

Feather Crown exceeded all expectations. If you are looking for an authentic experience, Jan is the man! Him and Don Carlos and all of the amazing staff make you feel so comfortable. From the knowledge of the beautiful surrounding nature, to the compassion of a healing space Feather Crown possesses a vibe that resonates true. With preplanned transport to and from destination, hot showers, delicious food, all while being surrounded by pristine jungle Feather Crown makes it hard to want to go anywhere else. This was my first retreat and I’m sure it won’t be my last. So much gratitude to Jan and everyone with Feather Crown for an experience of a lifetime.

I have just had the privilege of taking part in a 5 day retreat at Feather Crown. It was a wonderful experience and I would recommend it to anyone interested in experiencing with Ayahuasca. All logistics were managed efficiently, Jay and his family were welcoming hosts, the food was great, the set-up ideal, and the ceremonies expertly managed. Thank you for the amazing experience. Yves

I participated in 5 day retreat with Feather Crown and now I wish I had stayed longer. I felt completely safe and welcome during the stay and the healing I got from Ayahuasca and Don Carlos was more than I could have imagined. The center is located by a beautiful clean river and you're surrounded by a lot of nature, even though it's still quite close to a town. Jan, the owner of the place has built a beautiful garden with all kinds of medicine plants and he was happy to tell you about them. There's also animals around, both pets and wild, if you're a lucky enough to encounter them. The cabins were comfortable and hot running water was appreciated, because it got chilly at nights. We had plenty of free time just to observe the nature and meditate by the river. Jan and his whole team was so incredibly friendly and helpful, they were there during the ceremonies and activities, and cooked us delicious food. Omar, one of the staff members, was really knowledgeable about the forest and it's plants and animals, you can learn a lot from him. And Jan walking around and playing his flute created a positive environment, and I felt like I could get help and guidance from him anytime I needed. And the ceremonies, they were the most beautiful experience of my life. I have so much gratitude for Don Carlos, he guided us with his singing and did powerful healing. I reacted strongly to Ayahuasca and it taught me a lot, but even if you don't have visions, I think it would still be a healing experience. I could write an essay about my experience, but I just say that if you're looking for healing and want to learn more about nature and yourself, you want authenticity and want to support the local communities, I think this is your place. Thank you for everything Jan, Don Carlos and the team, I'm so grateful!

The five-days that I spent here was so beautiful. The staff makes you feel so welcome and safe. The vegetarian dishes were so good. The river and Hikes that we did were beautiful. Omar, Jan, and Don Carlos were wonderful during the ceremony. I would recommend doing Ayahuasca here to everyone.

It was an amazing experience. I was rather sceptical about this kind of things, but the experience really changed my opinion. The whole stay in Feather Crown retreat was amazing, beautiful location in the jungle close to the river, friendly hosts and exceptional Ayahuasca ceremony experience. I wish I stayed for a longer time. I definitely want to return.

Such an amazing experience at Feather Crown! We did the 5 day retreat and it was awesome. Jan is a great teacher and facilitator. He has built such an amazing space on sacred land that is the perfect place for holding ceremonies. We felt comfortable, safe and well taken care of the entire time. Learning about the plants was great, and being in such wild nature was the perfect setting. Would recommend 100% and I will surely return!

The place is amazing. I participated in a 5-day retreat and stayed over 4 months as a voluntary. Jan is a great person and an expert in the sacred plant medicine, his family and the rest oft the community are so lovely and helpful which makes this place wonderful. Perfect to learn about the traditional living of the Kichwas and the medicinal plants of the Amazon in a familiar atmosphere. I fell in love with the place and the people. Thank you!

As a solo female traveller, I had some trepidation about joining an Ayahuasca retreat, on my own, in the Amazon rainforest. This was also my first experience of Ayahuasca, so I was quite anxious. The environment at Feather Crown felt very safe, calm and peaceful. The retreat is in a stunning location in the rainforest and on a beautiful river. Jan and all the family are very gentle and kind. Everything was very clean, comfortable and well maintained. The food was absolutely delicious and very healthy. Even if you don’t want to experience the Ayahuasca, this is a great place to relax and tune in to nature. There is no WiFi or phone signal, so you feel very cut-off from the outside world. The Ayahuasca journeys with the shamans felt very authentic and for me personally, were a very good experience. I would highly recommend this place.

I had an awesome experience with Feather Crown. The whole staff was so accommodating, and friendly throughout the entire experience. They offered private transportation from and to the airport, which made it super convenient for someone who has never been to Ecuador before. The food was amazing, and made using simple fresh ingredients. The location was also the perfect environment for the retreat, and to be able to reset, and recharge from modern society. Being able to swim in the river everyday was an amazing experience, as well as going on walks in nature, and learning about the plants in the jungle around us. The staff was very knowledgable about the native plants, and their medicinal, and practical uses. When it came to the ceremony the staff was extremely helpful, and made you feel like you were in a safe environment where you could feel secure enough to relax and enjoy the experience. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in a genuine ayahuasca experience.

I can't really put into words how amazing it was to be here. Jan is amazing, Omar is awesome and the entire staff is awesome. Everything is beautiful there, the jungle/amazon, the river, the waterfall. Our shaman was so amazing and inspiring. I met some great people here. I miss everyone and miss being there.