The Wounded Healer

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Embracing Your Healing Journey

Do you carry the weight of past traumas or emotional wounds that shape how you show up in the world? Perhaps you feel called to transform pain into profound purpose, yet find yourself caught between honoring your suffering and stepping into your power.

This path is for those who have endured life’s deepest cuts and now seek to transmute that experience into healing—for themselves and others.

Is there a part of you that longs to reclaim the strength buried beneath your scars, to feel whole once more? You might struggle with self-compassion or find it challenging to trust your capacity to lead with empathy. This journey is for the wounded healer ready to integrate their past, shine light on their shadow, and emerge as a beacon of transformation.

Through an ayahuasca ceremony in the heart of the Colombian Andes, you will receive loving support as you relive pivotal moments of grief. Guided by expert facilitators, you will safely navigate the landscapes of memory, discover the hidden gifts of your struggles, and recover the wisdom born of adversity.

In our sanctuary of silence and supportive practices, such as loving-kindness meditation and compassionate movement, you will learn to nurture your inner child. In this space of radical acceptance, you will rediscover self-kindness, dispelling harsh criticism and cultivating deep self-love.

As you emerge renewed, our speaking circles and leadership workshops will support your integration and provide you with practical tools to share your gifts. Develop the confidence to share your personal experiences and learnings, whether in professional, family, or community settings, transforming personal recovery into collective empowerment.

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A message from our Taita to you

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Journeys of Transformation:
What Our Guests Say

  • A Place for Deep Healing

    “If you carry past wounds and want to understand and heal, this is the place where true answers and profound relief are found.”
    ChooseHappy
    Participant

  • A Life-Changing Journey

    My life has changed for the better. Here, I found answers, I found love, and reignited flames I once thought were extinguished.”,
    angelrules78
    Participant

  • Find Where You Belong

    “Everyone there greets you as family upon your arrival. When you leave you will truly feel that you are a part of it all.”
    Tony Videen
    Participant

Our Healers

Our ceremonies are led by respected Taitas from the Muinane and Siona tribes of Colombia, who bring decades of experience working with sacred plant medicines. They are dedicated to sharing the ancestral wisdom of their traditions in a way that honors their cultural heritage while making these powerful healing modalities accessible to those who seek them with respect and sincerity.

All our Shamans are trained Healers and Elders who strictly follow traditions set forth by their ancestors. They prepare the medicine themselves according to sacred traditions, ensuring its purity and potency. View this video to learn a little bit more about Camino al Sol.

Diego Marmolejo

I am Diego, a traditional healer from Puerto Asís, Putumayo. I specialize in developing remedies for all types of illnesses and providing spiritual counseling. For more than 25 years, I’ve received teachings and ancestral wisdom from the elders of the Lower Putumayo region. I’m a husband and father of two children who are also on the path of yagé medicine.

carlos marmolejo ayahuasca master shaman at authentic camino al sol retreats

Carlos Marmolejo

I am Carlos, a traditional healer from the forests of Putumayo, Colombia. My path has been guided by ancestral teachings, sacred ceremonies, and years of service to my community. I am also a musician, photographer and artist, using sound and image as tools for healing. I’m a father and grandfather, living in devotion to the yagé tradition.

Andrea Diaz

I am a woman, wife, mother, and community leader, dedicated to ancestral medicine. My work focuses on the holistic care of families and children, guided by sacred and medicinal plants. For over 25 years, I have practiced ancestral therapies such as body massage, herbal baths, specialized treatments for women, and group workshops.

samuel velez

Samuel Vélez

I’m Samuel Vélez Arismendy, husband, father, and lifelong student on the medicine path. As an apprentice and practitioner, I accompany those who seek to grow, heal, and live with greater purpose. Above all, I’m a human learning how to truly live.

What You Can Expect

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be held in a space of safety, care, and deep intention. Each element of your journey is designed to support your healing, clarity, and transformation — all in harmony with nature and tradition.

  • Airport pickup
  • Ayahuasca ceremonies
  • Bed and bedsheets in shared cabin (optional upgrade to private cabins)
  • Plant baths for cleansing and energetic preparation
  • Homecooked meals
  • Time for reflection, rest, and reconnection with nature

Essential Details for Your Journey

The ideal diet before and after an Ayahuasca (Yagé) ceremony is light, plant-based, and easy to digest. Eat vegetarian meals with low salt, sugar, and fat for at least 3 days before and after your retreat. On the day of ceremony, raw fruits and vegetables are best.
Avoid completely: pork, alcohol, red or heavy meats, fermented foods (cheese, miso, soy sauce, sauerkraut), smoked or processed meats, yeast, and dried fruits.
Stay well-hydrated but avoid excessive water intake directly before or during ceremony.
If you want to learn more you can read our blog post that goes deeper into the ayahuasca diet recommendations.

In our tradition, the menstrual cycle is considered a sacred time of deep spiritual connection. Women who are menstruating do not participate in Ayahuasca ceremonies, both for energetic reasons and to avoid possible adverse reactions with traditional medicines.
We recommend planning retreat dates around your cycle. If your period starts unexpectedly, you’ll be moved to a separate space and offered alternative supportive therapies. This is a gesture of respect, not exclusion.

After booking, you’ll receive a welcome package with all details, including:

  • Packing list: comfortable clothing, toiletries, journal, headlamp, suitable shoes.
  • Flights: fly into Medellín (MDE) or Bogotá (BOG).
  • Airport transfer: we arrange pick-up to bring you to the retreat.
  • Visa: most nationalities can stay in Colombia visa-free for 90 days; check before traveling.

We accept COP, USD, and EUR in cash, as well as bank transfers, Wise/Revolut, and cryptocurrency. ATMs are available in El Retiro and at Medellín Airport. Choose the option that works best for you and contact us for details.

We prioritise safety with medical screenings, experienced shamans, and trained support staff. Each participant completes a health questionnaire before acceptance. Ceremonies maintain a high facilitator-to-participant ratio, and we have first-aid-trained personnel on-site. Ayahuasca is sourced ethically from indigenous communities to ensure purity and respect for tradition.

After booking, we’ll send a welcome package with packing tips, climate advice, and travel logistics. Arrive at Medellín Airport (MDE); our retreat package includes transfer. Begin a “digital detox” before arriving for deeper connection.

Mornings start with a light breakfast, followed by meditation, gentle movement, or nature walks. Afternoons include integration circles, ancestral wisdom talks, or personal reflection. Evenings host the Ayahuasca ceremony or quiet rest, depending on the day. Meals are plant-based and locally sourced.

We offer post-retreat integration workshops, tools for mindfulness and grounding, and connections to our community for ongoing support. Optional follow-up calls or online resources help you apply insights in daily life.

They’re the same medicine—different names and spellings. In Colombia, the local term is Yagé. “Iowaska” is a common phonetic variation.

A ceremony includes an opening circle, guided medicine intake, songs (icaros), and personal reflection. Trained facilitators support participants throughout, ending with a closing sharing circle.

We combine authenticity, safety, and a serene environment in El Retiro, Antioquia. Ceremonies are guided by indigenous Taitas with decades of experience, supported by ethical sourcing and sustainable practices.

Yes. Ayahuasca (Yagé) is legal in Colombia when used in traditional, ceremonial contexts led by recognized indigenous practitioners.

Light, breathable clothing, layers for cool evenings, rain jacket, headlamp, reusable water bottle, sandals, journal, and any personal comfort items.

Absolutely. Many of our guests are first-timers. We provide detailed preparation guidance, personal support, and a safe, caring environment throughout your journey.

El Retiro has a mild mountain climate year-round: warm days (20–24°C / 68–75°F) and cooler evenings (10–14°C / 50–57°F). Rain showers are common, especially in afternoons.

Ready to Walk This Path?

You’ve felt the call — now take the step. If this path speaks to your heart, we invite you to begin your journey with us. Your purpose is waiting.

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