An Ayahuasca retreat could be the best experience of your life, or it could leave you worse off, confused, or traumatized.

Your outcome depends upon 3 things: your readiness, preparation, and your ability to choose a high-quality retreat.

1) To help you assess your level of mental and spiritual readiness, take this short quiz.

2) If you'd like to understand more about the nature of who and what you really are, the potential and limitations of psychedelic healing, and how to choose a quality experience, read this.

3) If you're feeling ready for a retreat, then congratulations! Whether your first or your 10th retreat, this is a momentous occasion.

Like most things in life, there are a broad variety of Ayahuasca retreat options, and a number of factors that effect the quality and cost of an ayahuasca retreat.

Here are 12 recommendations to help you avoid sketchy options and choose a safe and transformational experience:

1. Safety First: Unfortunately, many small retreat centers are not in a position to make meaningful investments into screening and safety. Even if you're fine, someone else on retreat might not be, which can effect the overall experience. Our recommendation is to choose a retreat provider that does in-depth conversational, medical, and psychological screening to protect your safety and well-being.‍
   ‍
2. Legality:  Experienced practitioners who have dedicated their lives to plant medicine typically live in locations where the work is legal, so they don't have to live in a state of "what if". Our recommendation is to travel to legal locations where you can benefit from legitimate healers who operate above the radar, so you can truly relax on retreat. That's kind of the idea, right?
   ‍
3. ‍Size of the group: It's common for retreats to have 20, 50, even 100 people in ceremony, which can be chaotic to say the least. In such large groups, there's a lot of collective bucket-time in the room, and you are less likely receive the level of attention from healers that you are probably looking for. Our recommendation is to choose a retreat with an intimate group of say, 8-15 people.
   ‍
4. ‍Length of the retreat: Shorter retreats feel rushed, don't support the cultivation of meaningful relationships, and there are limits to what can be achieved in a few nights. We recommend you spend at least a week for an ayahuasca retreat to give your mind, body, heart, and soul the attention it deserves. ‍
   ‍
5. ‍‍Comfort: We recommend you choose a retreat where you are confident you will be physically comfortable and have your own private bedroom to decompress and integrate, especially if this is your first time. Go for the full jungle mosquito immersion another time, your future self will thank you later.
   ‍‍
6. Energetic Alignment: Select a retreat that feels energetically aligned and allows your own subjective experience to unfold naturally. There's no right or wrong here, but it's worth recognizing that there are many different cosmologies (ways of seeing the universe), and having the energy of a different cosmology pushed through the ceremonial space may or may not be in your highest healing interests. This is also particularly relevant for first-timers.
   ‍
7. ‍Holistic approach: Work with an organization that takes a holistic approach to working with plant medicine, and has options to support and guide your mental and emotional evolution alongside a retreat. If a provider implies that "medicine will solve all your problems", proceed with caution (because it won't!).
   ‍
8. ‍Service: Select a retreat that you believe can meet your individual needs. Are you being treated as a human, or as participant #22 in their fourth retreat this month? Consider whether or not they've taken the time to get to know you and understand you, or it's more of a take it or leave it retreat center.
   ‍
9. ‍Booking process: Take the time to speak with the provider before finalizing your booking. If it's all 100% online, ANYONE could be sitting next to you in ceremony. Everyone deserves to heal, but it's unlikely you want to be sitting in ceremony with a recovering addict going through their process next to you
   ‍
10. Expertise: Find an organization that emphasizes healing, and you believe has the breadth and depth of expertise to guide your transformation. Look for facilitators and healers who have a lightness of being and a sparkle in their eyes. Healing work is all about the transmutation of energy, so you are looking for people who have the energy you aspire to. If they aren't able to keep their energy right, that tells you quite a bit about either where they are at and their capabilities.
    ‍
11. ‍Reputation: At a minimum, Google the provider, you may be surprised by what you find. If there's not much information, that is also information :) You may also like to look up the Founders and see what their energy is all about (hint hint). A famous comedian recently went to one of the most popular Ayahuasca retreat centers (known for large groups) and mentioned there were people on the retreat who didn't even know what Ayahuasca was. Yes, seriously.
    ‍
12. ‍Volunteers: Please support ethical plant medicine work by selecting an organization that pay their team. Unfortunately, it is common practice for retreat centers to cycle through young, eager, and worn out volunteers and/or not pay healers fairly. If the people supporting your retreat aren't living their best life, they're not going to be able to lead you to yours. Not the right vibe. Don't be shy to ask this question directly when you speak to prospective centers.

‍

Who you choose to attend an Ayahuasca retreat with is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions in your life, especially the first time.

We encourage you to take the time and energy to do your research, follow your intuition, and to know why you are choosing a specific retreat.

If our recommendations resonate with you, and you'd like to explore a transformational journey with Behold, click on "Begin Your Journey" below to request a complimentary Discovery Call with one of our Medicine Guides.

{{btn-begin-your-journey="/utility/components"}}

‍

Want to gauge your mental and spiritual readiness for an Ayahuasca retreat?  

👉Take this short quiz below

‍

Given the potential, power, and sensitivity of working with ayahuasca, who you choose to journey with is one of the most important decisions of your life. So, without a doubt, it’s worth taking your time. 

If you're in a position to do so, the best way to go deep with ayahuasca is in a private retreat. If this feels aligned for you, (trust your instincts), you’re welcome to explore an intimate journey with Behold.

‍

{{btn-begin-your-journey="/utility/components"}}

‍

‍Behold Retreats > Blog > Best Ayahuasca Retreats

Ayahuasca Retreat Australia

Ayahuasca Retreat Australia

Disclaimer: Ayahuasca and ayahuasca retreat Australia is not legal in Australia – yet.

There is definitely the existence of underground ayahuasca retreats in Australia. But is the “underground” where you feel safe finding a reputable retreat center with experienced healers?

People who have experienced ayahuasca often report profound insights, increased self-awareness and a deep connection to Spirit. That being said, this plant medicine can be challenging – it’s not for everyone.

Before committing to an ayahuasca retreat, ask plenty of questions and get a feel for the center and the guides. Ayahuasca is not a quick fix, despite what some retreat operators might claim. It’s a powerful medicine that requires respect and preparation.

‍

‍

If you’re ready to face yourself (and inner self) with humility, vulnerability, and honesty, an ayahuasca retreat is the journey of a lifetime.

A NOTE about COVID19 Travel: No matter whether you are taking a plane, train, bus, jeepney, ferry, tuk-tuk, ride-hailing taxi, truck or car, it is essential to keep up preventive measures to protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19. Take all the protective measures you can before, during and after travel.

‍

The Top 5 Ayahuasca Retreat Australia or nearby

In Australia, many people have heard about ayahuasca and are curious about this unique experience that can help you connect with your true self, heal your mind and body, and make profound life changes. The Amazon rainforest in Brazil is definitely a hot spot but there are few places where you can go to try it for yourself.

Here are five retreat facilitators near Australia where you can try ayahuasca:

1. Behold Retreats

For those who are seeking an authentic experience with a small group of thoroughly-vetted guests, Behold Retreats is a great choice.

Behold does not facilitate Ayahuasca in Australia, but does offer a variety of retreats in Costa Rica, Mexico, Portugal, and the Netherlands. 

Past guests have praised Behold for a high level of attention to safety, gorgeous locations, and and expertise in guiding the facilitation and integration of ayahuasca ceremonies that integrate traditional practices in a context suitable for the Western psyche, and with a high degree of attention and care given to each guest.

Ready to experience ayahuasca in a small group of thoroughly-vetted guests? Get in touch with Behold Retreats here.