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    Gaia Sagrada Eco-Lodge & Retreat Center

    249 reviews
    #1 of 111 Specialty Lodging in Cuenca
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    Via Jadan, Cuenca 010150 Ecuador
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    Guests1 room, 2 adults, 0 children
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    5.0
    Excellent
    249 reviews
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    Sleeps 46. Relax in the real countryside of Ecuador on a mountain where a real Ecuadorian community thrives, enjoy fresh air and quiet, a hike, or sit by the campfire! Just outside of Cuenca, Ecuador, Gaia Sagrada is easily accessed by car, bus or taxi (driver must know where we are). Bring your own food and cook for yourself if you are staying between retreats, or enjoy one of the many retreats we offer. AYAHUASCA RETREATS and SAN PEDRO RETREATS with real Ecuadorian shamans are offered monthly, providing a safe, secure, nurturing environment in which to experience this amazing adventure. Wifi Internet, Clean, modern housing, electricity, 24hr hot water, Sauna, Hot Tub, Hiking, Kitchen to cook for yourself or $15/day for food during retreats even if not participating in retreats, help yourself to the buffet! Yoga room, movie room, games, light a campfire at patio if you like, walk 3/4 mile to little store nearby, gardens, organic farm, fireflies, stars and moonlight! See our Ayahuasca Retreats and San Pedro Retreats with Ecuadorian shamans schedule if you are interested in Ayahuasca Retreats dates.
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    249Reviews14Q+A51Room tips

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    The Learning of a Lifetime
    If you have heard the calling of the plant medicine Ayahuasca' Gaia Sagrada is a magical place to answer that call!! Originally I was a guest at Gaia Sagrada in April 2018 and it vastly changed and improved my life. The beautiful grounds of a Gaia, the amazing staff, volunteers and incredible Shamans made this experience as valuable, safe , comfortable and accessible as possible for your average westerner who has sought the medicine. I returned this June(2019) as a volunteer(wex'er / work exchanger) and am incredibly grateful for the experience it turned out to be. Should you have any curiosities about volunteering at Gaia I strongly suggest looking into it, it may not be everyone's calling but especially building on the experience of being a guest it is an amazing opportunity to learn, be in service and be immersed in a place and time of great joy compassion and healing; as a volunteer it a great way to open yourself to some extra time with the medicines and learning through the shared experiences with the guests as well as the immensely rewarding experience of being in service to your fellow humans.…
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    Date of stay: June 2019Trip type: Traveled solo
    Amazing
    If safety is important to you, this is the place. Gaia offers professionalism, cleanliness and compassion from the owners to the shamans to the staff/volunteers. The grounds are beautiful, the medicine is powerful and the ceremonies are facilitated in such a beautiful and sacred way.…
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    Date of stay: July 2019
    Apprehension
    I wasn't able to make it to the retreat I was signed up for because my father-in-law was in the ICU. I emailed them about my situation with my father-in-law. At first, someone named Sinclair let me know that they recommend everyone get travel insurance and they can't offer a refund. I gave more details and offered to send a doctor'rs note as evidence and asked to talk to the owner. He didn't respond to my request to talk to the owner but he said I would get to transfer my deposit to a different retreat within the next year if someone else signed up for my spot. After someone signed up for my spot, he let me know I had a year to sign up for a different retreat (with a $150 "transfer fee"). I was very satisfied with that and it seemed fair. A few days later, I received an email taking it away. I'm not sure if there are overtly malevolent forces at play necessarily, but I didn't leave the interaction feeling seen, heard, or valued. My request to talk to the owner was not only not granted, but it wasn't even acknowledged. They kept over $800 of my money for no services at all except a couple emails. It is important to insist on high standards of care in the ayahuasca community, because of the nature of the work at hand. I regularly feel concerned about the eventual fate of the medicine as it gains popularity because there's money to be made and many of us human beings, myself included, are still struggling to integrate our shadows. Last summer, I went to a retreat in Ecuador at a place called Chakapita. It is much lesser known and the accommodations are humble, so the reason I signed up for Gaia instead of going back to Chakapita was because I was looking for something more structured and established. Comparing the two experiences, I would recommend Chakapita if you're looking for medicine in Ecuador. The shaman, Miguel, was very responsive and he viewed us all as unique individuals in need of healing. He video chatted with my friend multiple times before we went to Ecuador and helped her start her healing before we arrived. As far as I can tell, he has a pure heart and pure intentions. This purity is what we must support while working with the medicine.…
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    Date of stay: July 2019Trip type: Traveled solo
    I can't imagine a better place to do ceremony.
    I recently attended a 12-day retreat at Gaia Sagrada. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself, for my family, and for everyone with whom I come in contact. The ceremonies gave me exactly what I needed. I went to Gaia Sagrada intending to release some trauma residue, experience myself as powerful, and pierce the veil of duality. I did all of that, to one degree or another. Obviously, this is the work of a lifetime, but I made significant strides in the space of 12 days, thanks to the wisdom, compassion and skill of the shamans, the staff and the volunteers (and of course, to my own willingness to do the work). I felt completely cared for and held in a safe and strong container. The property was beautiful, the accommodations were comfortable, the food was absolutely delicious, the classes and workshops were super helpful. Ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremonies are not for everyone. But for those who feel called to work with these medicines, I can't imagine a better environment in which to do it. I will be back.…
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    Date of stay: July 2019
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    Trip type: Traveled solo
    If you want to experience ayahuasca, this is the place!
    My wife and I planned a 6 day retreat here and it was awesome. The staff and volunteers were all so friendly and the area is so relaxed. Our ceremonies were perfect with indigenous shamans. They were so compassionate and knowledgable. The family had great benefits attending the ceremonies. We are planning to return here thats for sure. If you are looking for an ayahuasca or san pedro experience in Ecuador this is the place to be!…
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    Date of stay: July 2019
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    LOCATION
    EcuadorAzuay ProvinceCuenca
    NUMBER OF ROOMS
    18
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