Make the medicine. Then drink it. On select dates at MahaDevi, you can join Taita Miguel in preparing the Crudo Ayahuasca (Yagé) that will be served in your ceremonies. Over two mornings, you work entirely by hand, following the same Camsá process his lineage has followed for twelve unbroken generations. The medicine you help prepare is the medicine you receive. That continuity is the whole point. This is not an apprenticeship or healer training. It is something simpler and, for many, more profound: a chance to sit with the plants before they sit with you, and to understand where your medicine truly comes from. Day one is the heart of the work. It opens with a purification and protection ritual, then Taita introduces the tradition before the hands-on preparation begins: cleaning and cutting the Chagra leaves, smashing them and the ayahuasca vine with a wooden mallet, mixing the plants, and setting them to rest. Four to five hours of real physical effort, shared in a small group. Day two is shorter and focused: drawing the medicine out, the final preparation of the Crudo, and a closing of the space with Taita Miguel. No machine touches this process at any stage. Taita Miguel Mavisoy of the Camsá tribe carries twelve generations of ayahuasca lineage. He received the medicine at six months old and became a Taita by fourteen. He grows the plants on his own land, prepares each batch fresh, and personally leads every ceremony. His brew is known across Colombia for its notably sweet taste and the warmth of his presence. The Medicine Maker experience is an optional add-on to the full seven-night MahaDevi retreat in Putumayo, near Mocoa, a cooler, low-mosquito highland setting, not a remote jungle camp. Every guest, whether they join the preparation or not, receives the complete retreat: three ayahuasca ceremonies with Taita Miguel, both Crudo and traditionally cooked Yagé, all meals and accommodation, two-way airport transport, a hike to the Fin del Mundo waterfall, Rapeh, Sananga, sound healing, breathwork, and cacao circles. Care extends well beyond the week itself, with structured preparation before arrival and ninety days of integration support afterward. Full medical and psychiatric screening is required of every participant, with no exceptions, and a 1:2 facilitator-to-guest ratio in ceremony. This is for you if you want to deepen your relationship with plant medicine beyond ceremony, feel drawn to indigenous knowledge, and are open to hands-on work. It is also a grounding first step for those new to ayahuasca who want to connect with the medicine before it meets them. Come work with your hands. Drink what you make. Leave with a relationship, not just a memory.

Retreat Date(s)

July 24th – 31st (2026) August 16th – 23rd (2026) September 6th – 13th (2026)

Itinerary

A seven-night, eight-day retreat in Putumayo, Colombia. The structure below shows the full arc, with the Medicine Maker preparation added on select dates before ceremonies begin. Arrival and settling in: airport pickup in Puerto Asis, drive to retreat center, welcome, and orientation to the land and the week ahead. Medicine Maker mornings (select dates, optional add-on): Day one opens with a purification and protection ritual, followed by Taita Miguel's introduction to the tradition, then four to five hours of hands-on Crudo preparation, cleaning and cutting the Chagra leaves, smashing the leaves and ayahuasca vine by hand with a wooden mallet, mixing the plants, and setting them to rest overnight. Day two is shorter and focused on extraction and the final preparation of the Crudo, closing with Taita Miguel. Ceremony nights: three ayahuasca ceremonies with Taita Miguel, working with both Crudo (cold-brew) and traditionally cooked Yagé, selected by Taita based on what the group needs. The medicine you helped prepare is the medicine you receive. Throughout the week: a Dragon's Blood purge ceremony, Rapeh, Sananga, Mambé and Ambil circles, sound healing and breathwork, a cacao ceremony, daily sharing circles, one-on-one time with facilitators, and a hike to the Fin del Mundo waterfall. Rest and integration days are built into the rhythm so you never have to think about what comes next. Your only job is to show up.

What's Included

• Seven nights and eight days at the MahaDevi retreat in Putumayo, Colombia • Three ayahuasca (Yagé) ceremonies with Taita Miguel, with both Crudo and traditionally cooked preparations • All meals, nourishing and locally sourced • Accommodation in your chosen room type • Two-way airport transport from Mocoa • Dragon's Blood purge ceremony, Rapeh, Sananga, Mambé and Ambil circles • Sound healing, breathwork, and cacao ceremony • Hike to the Fin del Mundo waterfall • Daily sharing circles and one-on-one facilitator time • Structured preparation before arrival, including a discovery call, full medical screening, preparation modules, one-on-one call, and group calls with your facilitator • Ninety days of integration support after departure, with monthly one-on-one calls, group calls, integration modules, and lifelong community access • 1:2 facilitator-to-guest ratio in ceremony

What's Not Included

• International flights • Travel insurance • Visa fees, if applicable • Hotels before or after the retreat dates • Optional extras available on site for an additional fee: a day ayahuasca ceremony in nature, and massage sessions • The Medicine Maker add-on ($850), which is optional and added to the retreat fee on select dates

Food (if applicable)

All meals are included and locally sourced, prepared fresh to nourish you through the physical and emotional demands of ceremony. The menu follows the dietary guidelines that support working with ayahuasca, with preparation and diet covered in your pre-retreat modules so you arrive ready. Both vegetarian and meat options are available. For those who eat meat, we serve chicken and fish. Vegetarian meals are fully catered for as well, so whether you prefer plant-based or include animal protein, you'll be well looked after. Dietary needs and restrictions are accommodated, the kitchen adjusts to the group, so share yours during the screening and preparation process.

How to get there (if applicable)

Fly into Bogotá (BOG) and stay overnight, this gives you a buffer in case of any flight delays so you don't risk missing your onward connection. The next day, take a domestic flight to Puerto Asís (PUU) in Putumayo. We will pick you up at the Puerto Asís airport and provide your transport to the retreat. Two-way airport transfers are included, so we will also get you back to the airport at the end of your stay.

Other Cancellation Policy (refer this if "Other" is chosen in Cancellation & Refund Policy section)

A $500 USD deposit confirms your reservation. You have a 14-day cooling-off period: cancel within 14 days of paying your deposit and it is fully refunded, no questions asked. After 14 days the deposit is non-refundable. The remaining balance paid online follows this schedule: • Cancel 6 or more weeks before the retreat: full refund of the balance • Cancel 4 to 6 weeks before: 100% credit, valid 24 months • Cancel 3 to 4 weeks before: 85% credit, valid 24 months • Cancel 1 to 3 weeks before: 55% credit, valid 24 months • Cancel less than 1 week before, or no-show: no refund or credit Credits are valid for 24 months from issue, may be applied to any future MahaDevi retreat, are non-transferable to another person, and cannot be redeemed for cash. If MahaDevi cancels a retreat for any reason, you receive a full refund of everything paid, including your deposit, with no cancellation fees. You may instead transfer to a future date with a 10% discount. Refunds are returned to the original payment method, typically within 5 to 10 business days depending on your provider. Exchange rate fluctuations and bank fees may affect the final amount received. We strongly encourage comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical care, and emergency evacuation, as MahaDevi is not responsible for travel costs incurred for a cancelled retreat. Note: a cultural contribution (equivalent to $550 USD, paid in Colombian Pesos in cash directly to the Taita on arrival) is separate from online payments and is not covered by this refund policy.

Past Reviews (optional)

"My first retreat of this kind, and a profound journey. My first ceremony was incredibly intense, but the support I received afterward was life-changing. From the facilitators to Taita's entire team, I felt truly seen and cared for. That support was essential for me to process and fully embrace the remaining ceremonies. If I ever do this again, MahaDevi is the only place I'd go." — Gus (Google) "Whether you're new like me or a seasoned veteran, MahaDevi Putumayo is absolutely the place to be. From the first discovery call, I knew I was called to the right place. The setting is out of this world, and the care Ania and Yasha put into integration and inclusion is second to none. I came down a stranger and left with new family. I cannot recommend them enough, no matter what stage of the healing journey you're on." — Jonny (Google) "After three years on a healing journey, I was burnt out and giving up on feeling free. My experience at MahaDevi was the rebirth of my faith and permission to finally exhale. Yasha and Ania are some of the best facilitators I've ever connected with: kind, prepared, and deeply knowledgeable. Ania brought me through each ceremony understanding exactly what I needed. The location is stunning, the integration clear and powerful, and the food healthy and tasty. The prices are incredibly fair. For first timers especially, MahaDevi is the right choice, and I'll be back." — Emily (Google) "In 2025 I sat in ceremony at several ayahuasca facilities. MahaDevi didn't just stand out, it redefined what a ceremony should be. You're not a slot on a schedule. Some places treat ayahuasca like a volume game; MahaDevi is the opposite, tailoring each ceremony to you and staying supportive through every cup. Post-ceremony there's no sales pitch and no pressure, just a real integration plan and regular follow-up calls. If you want truly guided care before, during, and long after, MahaDevi sets a standard I didn't know was possible." — Charles (Google) "Ania and Yasha work seamlessly together over the week and beyond to ensure the highest level of comfort, healing, growth, and integration, and the results are uniquely priceless. Highly, highly recommend MahaDevi to anyone, regardless of background, age, or experience level." — Sam (Google) "I attended the July 2025 retreat in Putumayo, my first such experience, and I was admittedly nervous. Yasha and Ania went above and beyond to alleviate that: exceptional medicine, comfortable accommodations, plentiful meals, and individualized plans during and after. They provide airport transport and warmly greet guests no matter the arrival time. The ceremonies were beautiful, each building on the last. Their follow-up care greatly exceeded my expectations. I am truly grateful." — Chad (Google) "An unsolicited video after my very first night of ceremony: if you're on the fence about Ania and Yasha's retreat, don't think twice. The experience is absolutely spectacular. The setting is breathtaking, and the whole team, including Miguel and the shamans, made it unforgettable. Stop doubting, just book it. You won't regret it." — Lester M.