FAQ
Common questions
Everything you might want to know before walking with us. If your question isn’t here, just write to us.
Safety & The Medicine
Is Ayahuasca safe and legal in Ecuador?
Ayahuasca is a powerful medicine, and like any deep physical and psychological process, it carries real considerations, but with proper preparation and experienced guidance, it is administered safely to thousands of people each year around the world.
At Kinti Yaya, ceremonies are held by Tayta Willak, a 7th-generation Kichwa Otavalo Yachak (Kichwa: Shaman) with nearly 30 years of experience, who has guided thousands of people through their healing journey. He is supported by co-facilitator Maja Krauss, who holds a background in nature therapy (M.Sc.) and completed a specialized training as a psychedelic facilitator in 2024 — qualifying her to conduct screenings and to accompany participants before, during, and after ceremonies.
Before you arrive, we ask you to complete a medical and psychological screening. This covers current medications (especially antidepressants/SSRIs and other substances that can interact dangerously with ayahuasca), your general health condition, pre-existing heart conditions, and any personal or family history of psychosis and psychiatric disorders. Being transparent with us during this process is essential for your safety.
During your stay, ceremonies take place in a held, supervised setting, with Tayta Willak and Maja present throughout the night. Integration support afterward helps you process what comes up, rather than leaving you to make sense of it alone.
Ayahuasca is legal in Ecuador. For thousands of years, it has been a sacred and integral part of Indigenous life here, and Ecuador’s constitution honors this deep-rooted heritage by protecting the traditional, ceremonial use of ayahuasca as part of the country’s cultural identity. This allows us to work openly within this living ancestral tradition, carrying forward wisdom that has been passed down for millennia.
If you have any doubts about your eligibility, we’re happy to talk it through with you before you book.
Who should not drink Ayahuasca?
People taking SSRIs, MAOIs, lithium, or certain other medications; anyone with a history of psychosis or schizophrenia; people with serious heart conditions; and women who are pregnant should not participate.
Epilepsy and severe liver disease also need to be discussed carefully with us — these don’t automatically rule out participation, but require individual assessment as part of your screening.
We discuss all of this carefully with you before reserving your place. In more complex cases — for example, if you’re managing significant depression or another ongoing mental health condition — we ask that you first check with your treating psychiatrist and/or psychotherapist about whether participation is advisable, and share their input with us as part of the screening process.
In the days before ceremony, it’s essential that you are able to avoid addictive drugs (for example cocaine, opioids), as combining them with ayahuasca can lead to dangerous interactions.
Will I be in altered states alone?
Never. Every ceremony is held in circle with Tayta Willak and Maja. You are supported throughout the night and the next day.
The Sanctuary
Where exactly is the retreat?
Perucho, in La Ruta Escondida — the gentle Andean highlands of Pichincha province, Ecuador. One hour from Quito’s international airport (UIO), at roughly 1,800 m (5,900 ft). Rolling green hills, no steep mountains, no malaria, no dengue.
What are the rooms like?
Rooms are double or twin rooms, typically shared by two guests. Couples are welcome to share a double room together. For guests who don’t already know each other, accommodation is arranged by gender to ensure everyone’s comfort.
If you’d prefer more privacy, private room bookings (a double room for sole occupancy) may be available in special circumstances. Just let us know when booking, and we’ll see what we can arrange.
How do I get there?
Fly to Quito (UIO). Airport transfer is included in all retreats we collect you and bring you home.
What is the weather like?
Perucho enjoys a spring-like climate year-round, thanks to its altitude. Days are pleasantly warm: T-shirt and light pants / shorts weather, but rarely really hot — while nights cool down perfectly for sleeping.
The dry season (May to October) is mostly sunny and dry. During the rainy season (November to April), it’s still pleasant overall, with only occasional, usually brief rainfall.
We recommend packing layers, comfortable walking shoes, and white or natural-fiber clothing for ceremonies.
Retreats & Logistics
How big are groups?
Always small, with 8 to 10 people maximum per group, so you are seen and supported as an individual. This fall we offer something very special: Groups of only 4-6 guests, to make it even more intimate and family-like. Retreats will be held in our home with three guest rooms.
What is included?
Your retreat includes airport transfers, all meals, lodging at the sanctuary, all ceremonies, sound healing and Kuyuriy sessions, and your online preparation and integration sessions — everything you need to fully immerse yourself in the experience without worrying about logistics.
Not included are your flights, visa fees, and personal expenses.
What languages are spoken?
English, Español, Deutsch and Kichwa. Maja holds preparation and integration in Spanish, English and German.
Is the food included?
Yes, and for us, food is part of the healing, not just fuel along the way. Meals are prepared with care from local, mostly plant-based ingredients, following the ayahuasca dieta to support your body and the process.
Directly before each ceremony, you’ll fast for several hours, which is an important part of preparing the body for the medicine.
We’re happy to accommodate allergies and dietary needs. Just let us know in advance so we can take good care of you.
What if I cannot afford the retreat?
If finances are a genuine barrier, please reach out. We never want money to be the reason someone is turned away from the medicine.
What is Kinti Yaya's cancellation policy?
We understand that plans can change, and we always aim to handle cancellations with fairness and compassion. At the same time, our retreats are intentionally kept small to ensure a deeply personal experience for every guest. For this reason, the following cancellation policy applies.
Booking & Payment
To reserve your place, a 50% deposit is required at the time of booking.
The remaining 50% is due 30 days before the retreat begins.
Cancellation by the Guest
• More than 90 days before the retreat: We will refund your deposit, minus a 20% administrative fee.
• 45–79 days before the retreat: We will refund 50% of the total amount paid.
• Less than 45 days before the retreat: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a refund.
If you need to cancel, we are happy to offer one complimentary transfer to another Kinti Yaya retreat within 12 months, subject to availability. Transfer requests must be made at least 30 days before the retreat start date.
Cancellation by Kinti Yaya
If Kinti Yaya needs to cancel a retreat for any reason, you may choose between:
• a full refund of all payments made, or
• transferring your booking to a future retreat date.
Reservation Process, Preparation & Integration
How do I book a retreat?
Ready to begin your journey of personal growth and healing? Reach out to us through our contact form or by email at info@kintiyaya.com, and we’ll arrange a free discovery call to get to know you, walk through the medical and psychological screening together, and answer any questions you have. Once we’ve confirmed you’re a good fit, you’re welcome to book your retreat.
Booking & Payment
To reserve your place, a 50% deposit is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due 30 days before your retreat begins. All prices are listed in USD. We accept Paypal, E-transfer (Canada) and regular international bank transfer.
Do I need to prepare?
What about integration after?
Integration is where lasting change actually happens: Ceremony and the retreat itself open the door, but the work afterward decides whether insights become real, lived shifts.
There’s a neurobiological reason for this: substances like ayahuasca appear to open a temporary window of heightened neuroplasticity, when the brain is unusually receptive to forming new patterns. Without integration, this window can close before the insights take root.
That’s why every retreat includes two online follow-up group integration sessions with Maja. She also offers ongoing 1:1 online integration outside of retreats for those wanting deeper individual support.
We treat integration as essential, not optional.
Still have a question?