Eden
Sanctuary
Ayahuasca & Well-being Retreats in Brazil
Eden Sanctuary hosts small-group retreats in the mountains of Chapada Diamantina, combining carefully facilitated Ayahuasca ceremonies with well-being practices, nature, rest and personal support.
Our signature program, Know Thyself, is available in 5- and 8-day formats, with a maximum of 12 participants.
Know Thyself
Know Thyself is Eden Sanctuary's signature Ayahuasca and well-being retreat, created for people who want to step outside their usual environment and give real time and attention to what is happening within their lives.
The program combines Ayahuasca ceremonies with meditation, breathwork, yoga, movement, music, therapeutic practices and time in the nature of Chapada Diamantina.
But the experience is not limited to the ceremonies or scheduled practices. There is time to rest, walk, swim, share meals, sit by the fire, be with others — and be alone when you need it.
Each group is limited to 12 participants, allowing us to offer personal attention throughout the experience.
Looking for something specific? Visit the Know Thyself website for complete information about the program, preparation, ceremonies and participation.
Know Thyself · 5 days
Our most frequently offered retreat format.
A focused five-day experience with two Ayahuasca ceremonies, well-being practices, nature immersion and integration.
With more dates available throughout the year, the 5-day retreat offers greater flexibility when planning your visit to Eden.
Know Thyself · 8 days
Our most complete and spacious retreat format.
Eight days allow for three Ayahuasca ceremonies, with more time between experiences for rest, nature, well-being practices and integration.
The 8-day retreat is offered on selected dates during the year for those who want to dedicate more time to the experience.
What’s Included
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Two ceremonies during the 5-day retreat and three during the 8-day retreat, facilitated by our experienced team.
Kambô Sessions
Kambô is usually offered during the morning, depending on the flow of the retreat and individual suitability.
Preparation & Integration
Personal consultation and health screening before acceptance, preparation guidance before arrival, integration during the retreat and support afterwards.
Yoga, Meditation & Breathwork
Gentle practices adapted to the rhythm of the retreat and the needs of the group.
Cacao, Music & Movement
A cacao ceremony, live music, movement and other shared practices are woven into the program.
Nature Experiences
Guided visits to rivers, waterfalls and trails in Vale do Capão and Chapada Diamantina.
Therapeutic Spa
Turkish sauna, herbal baths, clay therapy and other restorative experiences included in the program.
Accommodation
Comfortable accommodation at Eden Sanctuary for the full duration of the retreat.
Three Meals a Day
Fresh, nourishing meals prepared at Eden, with different dietary needs accommodated whenever possible.
Small-Group Facilitation
A maximum of 12 participants, with the retreat facilitated in English and Portuguese.
Dates 2026
1 – 8 October — Know Thyself · 8 days
29 October – 2 November — Know Thyself · 5 days
18 – 22 November — Know Thyself · 5 days
30 December – 3 January — Restart · New Year’s Retreat · 5 days
Dates 2027
7 – 11 January — Know Thyself · 5 days 8 – 12 February — Know Thyself · 5 days 24 – 31 March — Know Thyself · 8 days 21 – 25 April — Know Thyself · 5 days 4 – 8 August — Know Thyself · 5 days 6 – 10 September — Know Thyself · 5 days 6 – 13 October — Know Thyself · 8 days 2 – 6 November — Know Thyself · 5 days 15 – 19 November — Know Thyself · 5 days
Explore Know Thyself in Detail
This page gives you an overview of our retreats at Eden. If you are considering joining us and would like to understand the experience in greater detail, we have created a dedicated website for Know Thyself.
There you can explore the day-by-day programs for both 5- and 8-day retreats, upcoming dates and prices, accommodation options, our team and their backgrounds, guest testimonials, preparation guidance, and more detailed information about the ceremonies and retreat experience.
Safety & Participation
Safety begins before you arrive at Eden.
Participation in Know Thyself is confirmed only after a personal consultation and health screening, where we review relevant medical history, current health conditions and medications.
Ayahuasca is not appropriate for everyone. Certain physical or mental health conditions, as well as some medications, may make participation unsafe. When information identified during screening indicates a significant risk, we may recommend postponing or declining participation.
Each participant receives preparation guidance before arrival, including information about diet, medications and substances that may interact with Ayahuasca. Prescribed medication should never be stopped or changed in order to participate without first consulting the prescribing healthcare professional.
During the retreat, groups are limited to a maximum of 12 participants, allowing our team to provide personal attention throughout the ceremonies and the days between them. Preparation, rest and integration are considered part of the process — not only the ceremonies themselves.
Support continues after the retreat with guidance for integration and the transition back into everyday life.
The Rhythm of the Retreat
Know Thyself follows a carefully prepared program without turning every day into a rigid timetable. The rhythm changes between ceremony days, nature experiences, practices, integration and rest.
Mornings are generally gentle, with time for yoga, meditation, breathwork or simply resting. Kambô sessions are usually offered in the morning when appropriate, depending on the flow of the retreat.
Nature is an important part of the program. Some days include walks to nearby rivers and waterfalls, swimming and time outdoors in the landscapes of Chapada Diamantina.
Ayahuasca ceremonies usually begin in the afternoon and continue into the evening. The following day is intentionally more spacious, with time for rest, reflection, conversation and integration.
Shared meals, practices and group experiences bring people together, while enough personal time is preserved throughout the retreat. You are not expected to participate in activities every moment — quiet afternoons, time alone and simply resting are equally welcome.
The 5-day retreat follows a more concentrated rhythm, while the 8-day program creates additional space between ceremonies, activities and integration.
Who Is Know Thyself For?
People come to Know Thyself for many different reasons. Some arrive during a period of change, others feel stuck in familiar patterns, and some simply want the time and space to look at their life from a different perspective.
The retreat may be a good fit for people who want to:
understand themselves, their emotions and recurring patterns more deeply;
look at difficult experiences from a different perspective and explore what they may still be carrying from the past;
gain clarity around relationships, important decisions or a period of transition;
become more aware of habits, beliefs or ways of reacting that no longer feel helpful;
explore what feels genuinely important to them and how they want to move forward;
You do not need previous experience with Ayahuasca, meditation, yoga or retreats. Many participants come to Eden for their first experience, while others arrive with previous experience and are looking for a more intimate and carefully supported setting.
Know Thyself is not appropriate for everyone. Participation is considered individually through our consultation and health-screening process before your place is confirmed.
Guest Experiences
“My experience at Eden went far beyond my expectations. The beautiful nature allowed me to deeply connect with my Ayahuasca journey. I’d recommend Know Thyself and Eden to anyone on a path of self-exploration — it truly changed my life for the better.”
Millie Twigger, Nurse, United Kingdom
“Through the Know Thyself seminar and the three ayahuasca ceremonies, I have made significant progress in my personal development. I always felt a certain sense of loneliness within me that weighed heavily on me. During the ceremonies, I was confronted with this loneliness and came to understand that I always have the choice to feel connected to divine love, even when I am alone. This deeply felt connection will, I hope, accompany me for the rest of my life. My heartfelt thanks go to Paul and his entire team for making this experience possible.”
Dr. Nikolaus Treiber, Germany
“The retreat in Eden was for me the perfect context to take ayahuasca: beautiful nature all around, harmonious and thoughtful constructions, nutritious and delicious food, various practices to help get into the body, very nice and supportive group. I really appreciated being able to enter three ceremonies, putting less pressure on just one and allowing for a deeper work.
During the ceremonies themselves, the music felt transcendental and was incredibly supportive of the journey, being both a bridge and a portal between dimensions. The ceremonies were extremely powerful, joyful, and transformative, and left me with immense gratitude for my life, happiness, and unexpected new reflections and directions.”
Angeline Paulaine, France
Get to Know Eden
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Have Questions? Talk to Us!
If you are considering a retreat, an individual stay, or bringing your own group to Eden, you are welcome to speak with us directly.
We can answer your questions, understand what you are looking for and help you decide whether Eden is the right place for you.
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