Get to know our detailed ‘Return to the Heart’ program. Discover our ceremonies, rituals, yoga practices, and the purpose behind every encounter in the sacred territory of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Begin your journey toward inner reconnection today
Upcoming dates.
2026
- 📅 Oct 22 – 26
- 📅 Dec 10 – 14
2027
- 📅 Feb 25 – Mar 01
- 📅 May 06 – 10
We are here to support you on your journey. If you have any questions, feel free to message us on WhatsApp or reserve your spot by completing the form below
- Gonawindúa territory
- The Purpose: Transformation and Liberation
- Cacao ceremony
- Nature Immersion
- Yoga, meditation and pranayama breathing practices
- Psilocybin Medicine
- Temazcal ceremonies
- Experience the soundhealing with tibetan bowls, flutes and rapé medicine in the waterfalls
- Immersive concert, receptive music therapy
- Ancestral Kogi Indigenous ritual
- Who are we?
- Program
We invite you to an encounter in the sacred Gonawindúa territory of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Indeed, this gathering returns us to ancestral customs and the elemental aspects of life. It helps us find the divine within ourselves, fostering reconciliation with nature. Ultimately, you will build deep peace within yourself, with others, and with the universe.
What is the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Gonawindúa territory?
It is a majestic mountain system located in the north of Colombia. In fact, it is the highest coastal mountain range in the world, rising over 5,780 meters above sea level.
Moreover, this is a sacred territory for the Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa, and Kankuamo indigenous communities. They believe the mountain is the heart of the world. Therefore, it represents a vital space for inner reflection and spiritual connection with nature and ancestors.
A Space for Connection
Spiritually, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a powerful center of energy and wisdom. This encounter allows us to immerse ourselves in a land where ancient traditions survive. Consequently, it invites us to rediscover our place in the cosmic balance.
At the Taorayiná nature reserve and ecolodge, the elements and exuberant nature serve as powerful tools. Specifically, they help you let go of what is heavy or unnecessary.
Furthermore, this retreat is designed as a path of sensations and emotions. It encourages you to transform and begin new life processes that are calmer, simpler, and more peaceful. In short, our goal is for you to leave behind what does not serve you and nourish yourself with the pure joy of living.
From this territory comes the Cacao that we will share in this gathering. It is a unique organic fruit, characterized by floral and citrus aromas with soft notes, nurtured by the dual influence of the Caribbean Sea and the highlands of the Sierra.
In this encounter with Cacao, we connect with our body’s blood flow, unconditional love, with the heart chakra which in turn unites the earth with the sky.
•Drink the handmade Cacao from the Sierra Nevada.
•Let yourself be carried away by live organic rhythms (drums, flutes, chants).
•Dance and move to express emotions and release blockages.
•Share in a circle around the fire and sacred plants.
An Encounter with the Self
In this encounter with Cacao, we connect with the blood flows of our bodies and the frequency of unconditional love. We activate the heart chakra—the bridge that unites the earth with the sky—allowing the emotions that traverse the heart to flow freely.
The preparation of this Cacao from the Sierra Nevada is an artisanal labor of love by women, who transform the fruit through every stage: from harvest and fermentation to roasting, grinding, and the final sacred product.
Sound and Conscious Movement
The vibration of sound weaves integrally with the activation of the heart and this elemental food. Through rhythms and beats from traditional Colombian drums (Caribbean, Pacific, and Andean), along with winds and melodies, we create a space for manifestation.
This gathering invites you to express emotions, desires, and blockages through dance and liberating movement. It is an opportunity to observe and feel the body as a sacred vehicle, revealing the magic of existence. The music accompanying the ritual is entirely live and organic, featuring folk percussion, traditional flutes, guitar, and ancestral singing.
The Circle of Celebration
The meeting will last approximately 2 to 3 hours, held in a circle around the fire and the altar. We will harmonize the space using:
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Sweet plants and floral waters.
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Tobacco, copal, sage, and palo santo.
We will experience the medicine of Cacao in different textures—seeds, liquid, and a ceremonial scrub applied to the body for cleansing and nourishment. Together, we will vibrate through music and dance, connecting with the joy of the heart to celebrate and give thanks to life.
Hiking through primary forests to natural pools, rivers, and majestic beaches.
Daily Practices:
Hatha yoga, pranayama (Breathwork practices), and sunrise meditation classes.
Therapeutic Psilocybin Journey
The encounter with magic mushrooms (psilocybin medicine) leads us to a state of full self-observation. Specifically, it helps us identify blockages, unhealthy patterns, fears, or anxiety. Consequently, we release these tensions to restore harmony to our physical and energetic fields.
Furthermore, it has been scientifically demonstrated that psilocybin mushrooms can benefit mental health. For example, studies show that these encounters facilitate deep introspection, promote feelings of connection, and enhance creativity.
To achieve this, the experience is organized into five harmonious stages:
1st stage
2dn stage
3rd stage
4th stage
5th stage
The temazcal is a pre-Hispanic steam ceremony performed inside a small, circular structure. Specifically, it resembles a mud or stone igloo. Its name comes from the Nahuatl word temazcalli, which means “house of sweat”. Indeed, more than a simple sauna, it is a holistic healing ceremony that seeks physical, mental, and spiritual purification.
The ritual is guided by Catalina del Mar, a medicine woman and guardian of the Pájaro Jaguar reserve. In this space, she uses the four elements to create a deep atmosphere of introspection. The circular structure itself represents the womb of Mother Earth.
How the Ceremony Works
Upon entering, participants sit in a circle around a central well. Then, volcanic stones are placed red-hot in the center. Finally, water infused with medicinal plants is poured over the stones to generate steam. This intense heat induces deep sweating, which helps detoxify the body.
Main Benefits
- Physical: Helps eliminate toxins, improves circulation, and benefits the immune system.
- Emotional: Facilitates the release of tension and stress, promoting deep calm.
- Spiritual: It is seen as a process of “rebirth” to reconnect with your inner self.
Experience sound healing with Tibetan singing bowls and traditional flutes by the waterfalls. Indeed, this experience takes place in natural pools immersed in the forest.
Furthermore, we will share the sacred medicine of rapé. The vibration of the instruments blends beautifully with the natural sounds of the water. Consequently, this combination allows a deep relaxation of the nervous system, leading you to a state of profound well-being and inner reconnection.
Receptive music therapy is an immersive experience designed to generate deep well-being. Specifically, it helps relax the nervous system and fosters states of inner peace, calm, and inspiration.
Through the power of vibration, melody, and rhythm, we connect with other dimensions of being. To support this, instruments from different parts of the world accompany the session. We invite you to experience Aluna Janchagachey (thinking and feeling beautiful in our hearts), the medicine of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
The Sacred Mambeo and Traditional Dance
Around a fire and in a circle, we will learn to work with the sacred and sweet word of life. Specifically, we will share two ancestral elements to guide our connection to the territory:
- Ayú (coca): The living word of indigenous peoples. It is a feminine plant that teaches us the power of silence.
- Tobacco: A masculine plant that helps us nourish the word and bring harmony to our thoughts.
In addition, we perform traditional music and dances with our elders of the Kogui people. Indeed, they are guardians of an ancient wisdom that protects life in all its dimensions. Ultimately, these dances are shared as an offering to the land, inviting inner peace and gratitude.
Meet Your Guides: Olga, Alejandra, and Marán
Olga Cucardo, Alejandra Grillo, and Marán are Colombian musicians, percussionists, and songwriters. Moreover, they are dedicated walkers of the traditional medicines of Colombia.
For the past 8 years, we have inhabited the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. In fact, this territory serves as the heart of our personal encounters with art, forest conservation, and the restoration of sacred plants. Therefore, we weave a life dedicated to the protection of this ancestral land.
Retreat Program Details
Welcome to our nature reserve and ecolodge. On the day of your arrival, we will provide a fresh lunch, followed by an opening integration session and rest. In the evening, we will share a cacao ceremony at sunset, dinner, and rest.
For the following days, you will experience yoga, pranayama, and meditation classes at dawn. Additionally, we will hike through the forest to waterfalls and natural pools. Our schedule also includes sound healing, rapé circles, a psilocybin ceremony, a temazcal session, ancestral Kogui rituals, and a visit to beautiful beaches.
First day
Arrival at the nature reserve – welcome and integration – lunch- installation in cabins – rest – сасао сeremony – dinner – sleep.
Second day
Hatha yoga, pranayama, and meditation sunrise classbreakfast – rest – 25-minute hiking through the forest to waterfalls and natural pools – Sound healing with Tibetan bowls and sharing of rapé medicine – return to ecolodge – lunch – rest – psilocybin ceremony – sleep.
Third day
Breakfast – ecstatic dance and ceremonial cacao – visit to waterfalls and natural pools – lunch – return to eco-lodge – rest – share indigenous Kogi wisdom with traditional dances – dinner – sleep.
Fourth day
Hatha yoga, pranayama, and meditation sunrise class – breakfast – Temazcal (inipi) ceremony and Kogui indigenous ritual on the beach – lunch on the beach – return to the ecolodge – rest – dinner and music – medicine concert – sleep.
Fifth day
Breakfast – farewell – departure to the airport (with the option for each person to continue their trip if they so decide).











