About Us
A school of Andean wisdom
Kinti Yaya is a sanctuary and a living school of the Andes, rooted in the Kichwa lineage of Ecuador.
Our Vision
Heal yourself, become your own healer
Kinti Yaya Healing Sanctuary was founded in 2003 by Tayta Willak and his brothers in the Kichwa community of Agato, Ecuador.
It was born from a deep connection with the wisdom traditions of the Andes and a commitment to creating spaces for transformation, healing, and reconnection with nature. Over the years, the project has been nurtured with dedication, creating the foundation for the work that continues today.
Today, Kinti Yaya is not limited to a single physical place. Its essence lies in the space that is consciously created for healing, learning, and connection. This allows the work to unfold in different locations, in resonance with the people and the land. For this reason, retreats and gatherings are currently offered in various places.
The center is guided by Tayta Willak and Maja, who share a common path and a deep commitment to holding a safe and authentic space for personal and spiritual growth.
Our Founders
The hands that hold the medicine
Tayta Willak
7th-Generation Kichwa Yachak
Born into a family of healers in Agato, in the Otavalo region of Ecuador, Tayta Willak has carried the medicine for nearly 30 years. He is a Yachak — a knower — trained in Ayahuasca, sacred fire, medicinal plants, sound, and ancestral ritual in the lineage of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfathers.
Maja Krauss
M.Sc. Green Care · Psychedelic Guide
Maja holds a Master of Science in Green Care (nature-based therapy) from the University of Vienna and is a trained psychedelic guide. She bridges Andean tradition and contemporary integration practice, holding preparation and integration in English and German with deep care for each participant.
Our Sanctuary
Rooted in Perucho, Ecuador
Our home is in the gentle Andean highlands of Pichincha — just one hour from Quito’s airport, on the equator in Kayambi territory. Rolling green hills, waterfalls, fresh fruit and ancestral history surround the sanctuary.