I was finally called to Ayahuasca this year and a quick Google maps search in both Peru and Bolivia led me to the Pisatahua Retreat center. Immediately the vibes I got from the Google maps page and the website let me know it was the place I was looking for. And after going through the retreat, it is clear I read the vibes correctly. Right off the bat, Erik was super prompt and helpful with arranging logistics, flights, and answering questions even before coming to the retreat. The retreat itself was unlike what I really could have imagined having never done Ayahuasca myself (only watching/reading about accounts from others) but it was such an amazing place with incredibly supportive people and environment. I definitely underestimated the extent of the physical ailments I would be going through during this process but knowing I was supported by an experienced healer and staff was very reassuring. I felt well taken care of during the retreat and any concerns and questions I had throughout the process were all addressed. Overall, it was a powerful and transformative 11 days and new perspectives and realizations continue to sink in weeks after the retreat. The kind, loving people that make up Pisatahua along with Franz's abilities of facilitating participants’ healing is unparalleled. It was absolutely clear how devoted Franz was to helping us heal. He led discussions about our intentions before and after the ceremonies so he was informed about what he was assisting us with. Franz's “Shamanic Wifi'' as he calls it was obvious because he seemed to know what everyone needed and when, at least that was my experience. Franz’s assistant, Agniezka, was also attending to everyone’s needs during the retreat and gave us very helpful tips, pointers, and wisdom as well along with leading a couple very encouraging yoga sessions which are the best kind for not-so-flexible people like me. Her loving and helpful presence was much appreciated throughout the retreat. Erik and Sasha have done an amazing job at creating a beautiful retreat center in the Bolivian Amazon which left me feeling transformed and totally in love with life itself. What more could I ask for? I almost did not want to leave, as the place was so beautiful and peaceful. If I ever feel called to Ayahuasca again, I would without a doubt return to Pisatahua. The energy and support I experienced at Pisatahua is definitely unforgettable.

Living in the fast paced, overcrowded, technological city life, you tend to forget how life can be. Pisatahua is a place of peace and happiness. A place where you discover the meaning of life again. How it should be. Calm, relaxing, and peaceful. My fiancé and I had a custom visit of 6 days and 2 ceremonies and were the only ones there. “VIP” as our healer Franz called it. It was mainly because we couldn’t make the 10-day retreat work with our family visit/ vacation time in Bolivia. Though after our experience we would’ve been more than happy to do 10 days. This was our first time taking Ayahuasca and we couldn’t have asked for a better place. From the landscape to the care takers, everything made you feel as if you were in the right place. Good. Safe. Our healer was Franz, and his assistant Aneshka. They were both wonderful and very caring throughout our time. I found out from Franz that most Shamans prefer to be called “Curandero” (Healer), because that’s what they are and that’s what they do. They heal. They both ensured our time with mother Ayahuasca was comforting and meaningful. I can say this plant medicine is no joke. She is powerful and can slap some sense back into you. My personal experience with her was more physical and more on the grounds of how she works. I could feel I needed more time with her after the 2 ceremonies, and Franz confirmed it. Hence why I plan to return and do a full 10-day, 4 ceremony experience. My fiancé’s experience on the other hand was more emotional, and she was able to let things go and forgive. It was beautiful for her, and I couldn’t have been happier. The conversations you have with the Curanderos after each ceremony are very meaningful and bonding, and we are truly grateful for those. While there you’re served a specific diet. No added salt or sugar. Very clean. Which was surprisingly tasty. We had a tour of the jungle seeing the many plants that grow amongst each other. There are some massive trees who protect the Amazon and connect with Shamans. Also, a nice boat ride on the river to see more wildlife and amazing views of the Amazon. There were many times I found myself laying down and gazing into the sky. Mind clear of thoughts and peace with oneself which is an amazing feeling. I can’t thank the team at Pisatahua enough for their kindness, hospitality, and the time and effort that they put into this place to make it a place that brings peace back into your life. Thank you so much to Erik, Sasha, Franz, Aneshka, and the caretakers. You are all wonderful individuals, and the world needs more of you.

Pisatahua is in harmony with everything around it and allows you to step inside this space to reconnect with yourself and everything that makes us whole. When looking for a retreat space, I initially chose Pisatahua because it offered just the right balance of (group size/healer ratio, security, comfort, remoteness and beauty). Although the photos of Pisatahua do show the true beauty of this area, the most profound part of this place are the people who have created and continue to honor it. The founders Sasha and Erik are amazing individuals who's vision for the space and helping others experience the medicine in a safe space really shines true. These people are true humanitarians. The healers who I had the opportunity to work with (Wara and her assistant Adrienna) both express so much love for the medicine and work selflessly in a profession that has chosen them, to help other do the real work in such a sacred setting. They are strong, knowledgeable and pure hearted. Their voices carrying you as you navigate the ceremony, always keeping you grounded and always there to help you work through the difficult times. I still their beautiful Icaros in my dreams. I do plan on revisiting with Pisatahua and the magnificent people who make it what it is.

This past journey down to the Bolivian Amazon was my 2nd time at Pisatahua. This time around I did 4 ceremonies with their shaman Franz and was blown away by the whole experience (again). Aya is a powerful, challenging and beautiful medicine...in order to get the most out of a psychedelic journey like this one you have to have a setting that is safe with professionals that know how to work with the medicine. Pisatahua provides exactly that. Erik and Sasha are amazing hosts that truly care about the experience of their guests. They bring in shamans for the retreats that have decades worth of training and know exactly what they are the doing. The setting in the Aquicuana Reserve is stunning, and the cabins and grounds of the property are the perfect place to unplug from civilization and get in touch with the universe and your soul. Embrace the mystery of the Amazon Rainforest, embrace the power of Mother Ayahuasca, and embrace the personal journey that you can go on with Pisatahua...it will impact your life in truly monumental ways.

A beautiful transformative experience in a paradise in the Bolivian jungle. Pisatahua is a magical place where you can find peace, strength, joy in a happy and healthy environment. From wonderful food, yoga classes, jungle walks to traditional plant medicine, all to the care of great guides, healers, staff, friends. I highly recommend to everyone

A marvelous place. It absolutely changed my life. It wasn't always pleasant, it was work, but I got so much out of it. Sasha, Erik, and our healers Wara and Eneida, were truly amazing. I would highly recommend Pisatahua to anyone who is trying to become a better, more complete person.

I am forever grateful to the guides at Pisatahua who curated a safe space and supported me through a profound, life changing experience. It's been almost two months since I've stayed at the retreat in Riberalta, Bolivia, and the gifts keep unfolding. Since I've been home, there has been an immediate integration of the lessons I've learned and the awareness I've gained unlike any other medicine or therapy has ever gifted me in the past. My experience at Pisatahua has helped me gain a stronger sense of confidence. It affirmed me in my life path and heightened my understanding to the gifts I have to offer. There is a magic that has blossomed from my heart chakra, and it only continues to grow stronger by the second. The shift is palpable. Pisatahua is a sacred space, and the healers are wise beyond their years. The ceremonies are held to respect the ancestral tradition and sacredness of the plants. Pisatahua lives in harmony with Pachamama. The sanctuary of the cabanas are a most restorative and reflective space... Swinging on the hammock and overlooking to Acquicana Reserve, I spent many hours journaling about the experiences flowing through these newly opened channels. Investing the time and energy to arrive to Pisatahua is absolutely an investment in oneself... You will be greeted with an abundance of grace, respect and guidance the moment you choose this journey... You will never be alone in the process, and the effect of the love and joy you feel from the space around you will lift you to a higher vibration like never felt before! I have so many thanks to Pisatahua, and can't wait to return.

Pisatahua changed my life. Not only because of Wara and the Aya plant, but also because of the place that deeply affected me. I recommend to everyone to come to this magical place. The curandera Wara and her "nurse" Eneida were jewels with us and we all worked together a lot on our wounds. Go for it, it is the experience of a lifetime :)

Well, that was definitely a difficult process, but I got so much out of it. Being honest I don’t know how I could thanks Wara, the shaman, for the amazing work she did. She is the definition of kindness. She cared about us so well, going way beyond what we all expected of her. She is also a working beast, never stoping, to make sure you get what you truly need. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with such a beautiful soul. And Marlene, the volunteer assisting Wara during this retreat, was completing her perfectly. Looking out for us at all time. Always so considerate, with compassion and love. The place is beautiful, the food was great (the strict diet wasn’t a problem for me at all), ceremonies felt safe and well handled, but Wara and Marlene are what made it so special for me. If my journey leads me to the medicina again, I’ll most definitely seek them out.