Close your eyes and picture your Ayahuasca retreat center…
If what you see looks something like this, you might already be picturing Harmonica.
- A small group
- A down-to-earth vibe
- Next to a nature reserve
- Modern built
There is no seat number 13
We cap every circle at twelve. It’s one of the things our guests mention most — and love most. (Why it matters: how group size shapes an Ayahuasca retreat.)
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12 people, maximum. Every circle.
Known by name
The team knows your story, your intention and how you’re doing — from the first call to the last circle.
Small shifts get noticed
With fewer people in the maloka, facilitators see when someone needs a hand, a word or simply space.
A circle that bonds
Twelve is enough for a real group to form — and small enough that nobody gets lost in it.
Harmonica has one of the strongest reputations in the industry
Especially for the five years we’ve been operating — and built without inflating a single review.
- No coupons or free gifts in exchange for stars
- Freely written reviews — Google, Reddit, Retreat Guru
- Sceptics welcome — come and see for yourself
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Don’t take our word for it
Ten guests, in their own words, on what it felt like to be held at Harmonica.
The whole team was wonderful and I felt very safe, which is so so important especially if you do it for the first time.
I’ve attended ayahuasca retreats before, but this was my favorite one. I felt so secure, seen, and held.
A very safe and open vibe which is absolutely key for experiences like this. You could really feel that all people involved in making this experience really did it out of love.
Most importantly — I felt I was in good hands so I could immerse completely in the experience.
From the first online call with Oliver we felt this was the right place. Safe, reliable, knowledgeable and in the middle of nature.
A great retreat especially for your first time. Very safe & supportive & caring.
Safety measures were meticulously implemented, ensuring the well-being of all participants.
Made us feel safe and comfortable at all times, the girls in the kitchen will make you feel at home.
Oliver, Sergio and the team create a comfortable and safe environment.
Beautiful place, beautiful experience, thanks to the service of all the staff who helped us spend unforgettable days and supported us every second.
Our recipe for the Harmonica vibe
- 3–10years on the medicine pathEvery single person on our team.
- A therapeutic backgroundIntegration support grounded in psychology, with Carolina Forero, PhD.
- A medical doctorIntegral part of the team, not an afterthought: Dr. Kevin Zapata, MD.
Deeply familiar with the indigenous medicine — and with what life in the West looks like, and the challenges that come with it.
Ten generations of taitas
Our ceremonies follow the tradition of the family of Mama Concha — a lineage passed down, taita to taita, for ten generations.
- Colombia
- Alto Putumayo
- Sibundoy Valley
- Kamsá Biyá people
- The family of Mama Concha
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Mama Concha is our teacher and elder. All we do is thanks to her, with her permission. Ceremonies are led by our yagecero Sergio Henao, who has trained within the tradition for more than 16 years.
A location made for Ayahuasca
“I know we’re biased — but I couldn’t think of a better location to drink Ayahuasca.”
Oliver Glozik · Founder
Serene nature
- Bordering a protected natural reserve
- Our own waterfall on the land
- The end of the road — only birdsong after that
Modern amenities
- Beds you’ll actually sleep well in
- Hot showers and wifi when you need it
- A maloka designed and built for ceremony
Accessibility
- An international airport less than 90 minutes away
- Direct flights from the United States
- No jungle boats, no multi-day journeys
Weekend or a full week retreat?
Already experienced? We also hold a one-night ceremony every second month. See upcoming dates →
Retreat activities shouldn’t feel like your work calendar…
We fill the program with purpose — and deliberately leave room for you.
- Practice
- Space for yourself
- Sharing circle
- Rest, nature, journaling
- Ceremony
Illustrative day — the exact program varies by retreat.
Activities that support the medicine
Each one is there to help you open up, process and land.
Group dynamics, held with care
We actively manage how the group moves together.
Tools you take home
Healing practices like breathwork and cold exposure that you can keep using in daily life.
The best value for your dollar
Not the cheapest — but the most of what matters for a powerful and safe experience, per dollar spent.
Comparable retreats are typically 50–100% more expensive. Relative scale, not exact prices.
With global inflation, we will (unfortunately) need to keep raising our prices over time. Yet we work hard to keep Harmonica accessible.
What an Ayahuasca retreat costs, and why →A library you can keep coming back to
Long before you arrive and long after you leave, you’re never left guessing. It’s one of the most extensive educational platforms in the industry — and it’s open to you.
- 80+Blog articles
- 40+YouTube videos
- Preparation course
- Integration course
- Monthly integration calls
A center that invests this much in education is a center that wants you prepared — not just booked.
Is Harmonica a natural fit for you?
There’s only one way to find out. Talk to us — ask the hard questions, notice how it feels, and decide from there. No pressure, ever.
- Max 12 people per circle
- Kamsá Biyá · 10 generations of taitas
- Team on the medicine path 3–10 years
- Medical doctor & therapeutic background
- Nature reserve · waterfall · maloka
- <90 min from an international airport
- Best value for what’s included
Frequently asked questions: choosing an Ayahuasca retreat center
How do I choose the right Ayahuasca retreat center?
Compare the things that shape your experience: group size, track record, emotional safety, the team’s values, the lineage, location, retreat length, supporting activities, budget and education. Then talk to them. A good center welcomes hard questions and doesn’t pressure you to book. Our safety checklist gives you the questions to ask any center.
How many people are in a Harmonica retreat?
Never more than 12. Every retreat and ceremony is capped at 12 participants, so the team knows your story and notices when you need a hand or some space. Read more on why group size matters.
Is Harmonica a good choice for a first Ayahuasca retreat?
Yes. Many of our guests come for their first ceremony. We meet every participant on a call before they join, our physician reviews all medical information, and the weekend retreat is designed as a gentle, complete first encounter with the medicine. Start with our first-timer’s guide.
Which Ayahuasca tradition does Harmonica follow?
The Kamsá Biyá yagé tradition of the Sibundoy Valley in Alto Putumayo, Colombia, through the family of Mama Concha, our teacher and elder. Ceremonies are led by our yagecero Sergio Henao. Learn more about Putumayo, the home of yagé.
Where is Harmonica and how do I get there?
In the mountains of Girardota, Colombia, at the last house on the road, next to a natural reserve. It’s about 1.5 hours from Medellín’s international airport, which has direct flights from the US, and no jungle boats or multi-day journeys. See our location.
Should I choose the weekend or the one-week retreat?
The weekend gives you two ceremonies: a first, complete encounter with the medicine. The week gives you four, with room to go layer by layer, plus sound baths and art therapy. Go back to your intention and the topics you want to work on. This guide on how many ceremonies you need can help.
Why are some Ayahuasca retreats cheaper than Harmonica?
Cheaper retreats often leave out things we believe are essential, such as a small group, medical screening, an experienced team or integration support. Retreats that offer what we offer are typically 50–100% more expensive. Here’s a breakdown of what an Ayahuasca retreat costs.
Is there medical screening at Harmonica?
Yes, every time. You share your medical history and medications, and our physician, Dr. Kevin Zapata, MD, reviews them. If it isn’t safe for you to drink right now, we tell you and explain why. Read who should not drink Ayahuasca.
Still have a question?
Ask us on a free call →
