A Hero's Journey to find the Philosopher's Stone.
A Hero's Journey to find the Philosopher's Stone.
Healing Retreats, Mystical Adventures &
Mystery School In Peru
"The Alchemy of Self" is a platform to design your spiritual experiences in Peru, aligned with your intention, time and budget, while still supporting the local communities.
It’s also a donation based course about safe and respectful plant medicine use, that can help you prepare for your inner journey.
Upcoming Retreats
Please choose one of the retreats below to explore more about the details and pricing:
2025 March EQUINOX AND JUNE SOLISTICE
11 days Footprints of the Gods – Andes Retreat: Experience the serene majesty of the Andes mountains, a place where ancient traditions meet modern healing practices. Let the high-altitude landscapes inspire profound growth and rejuvenation on your spiritual journey.
Select the retreat that resonates with you to learn more.
Healing
Retreats with Natural Medicines: Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Mushrooms, Changa, Yopo, BUFO, Kambo, Cacao, Temazcal, Saunas, Hot Springs, Breathwork, Yoga, Bodywork, Ecstatic Dance & Sound Baths.
HEALING
Retreats with Natural Medicines: Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Mushrooms, Changa, Yopo, Cacao, BUFO, Kambo, Temazcal, Saunas, Hot Springs, Breath work, Yoga, Bodywork, Ecstatic Dance & Sound Baths.
ADVENTURES
Sustainable Tourism: From ancient portals in the Sacred Valley of the Incas to The Amazon Jungle of Peru. Experience the mystical side of Peru while supporting the local communities.
GROWTH
Mystery School: Learn about respectful and safe way of psychedelic therapy, shamanism, preparation, integration, prepare your own medicine and experience the ancient local traditions.
"Nature loves courage. You make the commitment and nature will respond to that by removing impossible obstacles."
TERENCE MCKENNA
Holistic retreats
experience design for groups and individuals
Previous
Next
Working with experienced facilitators of Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Mushrooms, Changa, Yopo, Cacao, Rapé, BUFO, Coca, Mambe in order to allow going deep within, unlearn harmful behavioral patterns, heal and reintegrate yourself.
In depth preparation and introduction sessions for each plant medicine in order to safely navigate through the experience. The science, the tradition, the characteristics and the risks.
High quality spaces and full presence assisting reconnection, relaxation, expression, vulnerability so that the healing of addictions, anxiety, depression & traumas can happen on the deepest levels.
After each experience we we hold integration circles or one on one sessions, opening a safe space for expression. We’re also sharing tools for proper integration and stay in contact after the retreat is over.
Classes of Yoga, Dance & Movement, Trekking, Massages to support your healing and integration. The grounding of body work and the release of trauma stored in the muscle memory is an important part of the healing and empowerment process.
Creating spaces for safe expression and transformation of emotions through Art. Inner child work helps us to transform our processes and assists the integration allowing playful reconnection with our intuition – the life navigation system directing us towards our true selves and life purpose.
Visit the mystical Sacred Valley of Peru, situated along the old imperium of the Inca civilization, nestled in the powerful Andes full of quartz crystals, gold and copper, lagoons, ancient ruins and pre Inca power places.
Learn from the plant teachers, the Andean Cosmovision, ancient mystery schools, yoga, sacred geometry, new age ideas and science in order to uncover the secrets of the universe and gain broad understanding of the self.
Mystical tours
Explore power places in The land of peru
The Alchemy of Self
DONATION BASED COURSE ON AYAHUASCA, SAN PEDRO AND FUNGI
MODULE 1
History of Plant Medicine used among ancient cultures around the world.
MODULE 2
Getting to know Plant Medicines, science, chemistry, dosages, risks and benefits.
MODULE 3
Shamanism vs. Psychedelic Therapy. Pros & Cons of both approaches.
MODULE 4
Preparation for the Psychedelic Experience & How to be a good psychedelic guide.
MODULE 5
The Psychedelic Experience, Ego Death, Healing, Hero's Journey and communication with the spirit realms.
MODULE 6
Integration of the Psychedelic Experience, how to use neuro plasticity & avoid going back to old behavioral patterns.
READ, LISTEN & WATCH
Each module has been written and recorded in the Amazon Jungle of Peru. Enjoy the PDF, Audio Book and extra Videos where ever are & when ever you can.
EXTRA CONTENT
Lots of bonus content, shamanic breath work music mix, sound meditation journey, extra videos, opening and closing music performances.
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY
Uncover ancient Hermetic and Gnostic wisdom through the Alchemical Journey and a set of practices called 'The AZoth Ritual'
The Alchemy of Self
DONATION BASED COURSE ON AYAHUASCA, SAN PEDRO AND FUNGI
MODULE 1
History of Plant Medicine used among ancient cultures around the world.
MODULE 2
Getting to know Plant Medicines, science, chemistry, dosages, risks and benefits.
MODULE 3
Shamanism vs. Psychedelic Therapy. Pros & Cons of both approaches.
MODULE 4
Preparation for the Psychedelic Experience & How to be a good psychedelic guide.
MODULE 5
The Psychedelic Experience, Ego Death, Healing, Hero's Journey and communication with the spirit realms.
MODULE 6
Integration of the Psychedelic Experience, how to use neuro plasticity & avoid going back to old behavioral patterns.
READ, LISTEN & WATCH
Each module has been written and recorded in the Amazon Jungle of Peru. Enjoy the PDF, Audio Book and extra Videos where ever are & when ever you can.
EXTRA CONTENT
Lots of bonus content, shamanic breath work music mix, sound meditation journey, extra videos, opening and closing music performances.
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY
Uncover ancient Hermetic and Gnostic wisdom through the Alchemical Journey and a set of practices called 'The AZoth Ritual'
Years of experience with the plant medicines
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Ceremonies
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Participatns
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Educational Reach
Dawid 'Raq' Rakowski
Founder of ‘The Alchemy of Self’
Psychedelic Guide coming from Poland and living in Peru. Working with different plant medicines, movement and sound for 20 years. Dedicated to intuitive shamanism, modern psychedelic therapy and assisting the local Quechua & Shipibo communities. Working with The McKenna Academy, The Modern Mystery School carrying the legacy of Terrence and Dennis McKenna. Founder of ‘The Alchemy of Self’ online course focused on plant medicine education & integration. Facilitator of plant medicine healing spaces, practitioner of hermetic and gnostic teachings. Musician, DJ, music producer and the host of Ecstatic Dance Sacred Valley series of events. Guided by Grandmother Ayahuasca to stay in Peru and create bridges between worlds.
Facilitators
Alliance
Matilde
MATILDE HAS DEDICATED HER LIFE TO THE TRADITIONAL TEACHINGS OF SHIPIBO SHAMANISM, WITH OVER FORTY FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE AS A CURANDERA (HEALER). DURING THIS TIME MATILDHE HAS COMPLETED AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF AMAZONIAN PLANT DIETAS, WHICH ASSIST HER IN ALL OF HER SHIPIBO HEALING METHODS. MATILDE HAS HELPED MANY PEOPLE SUFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL AND ENERGETIC ISSUES BOTH WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, AND THROUGHOUT PERU.
Huni Kuin Tribe
The Huni Kuin village of Ikamaru resides deep within the Amazon jungle. It has been named after Pajé Ika Muru Shuku Shukui, a famous healer and leader of the Huni Kuin people. Ika Muru’s legacy continues to live on through his children and grandchildren. It was his dream for them to travel and share these teachings with the world. They are now actively fulfilling this dream. They facilitate healing through human connection.
Carmen
Carmen Santillan has been working with Ayahuasca for over 15 years. Taking the path of the original shamans, Carmen was called to drink ayahuasca by herself, alone in the jungle… many, many times. Her energy and icaros are pure and powerful, coming from her personal connection to the medicine and her presence in the moment as though being in constant conversation with the plants themselves. As a mother of five, Carmen embodies the Divine Feminine with style and grace. She has been creating safe spaces for countless guests without commercializing her sacred service.
Meredith
LONG TIME FACILITATOR OF AYAHUASCA CEREMONIES WITH THE SHIPIBO, HUNI KUIN AND YAWANAWA TRIBES. USING SOUND HEALING AND THE DIVINE FEMININE ENERGY TO CREATE AND HOLD HEALING SPACES.
Stephano
PSYCHEDELIC GUIDE AND FACILITATOR FROM PERU, WITH 10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, CONNECTING THE ANDEAN COSMOVISION WITH MODERN SCIENCE, WORKING WITH DMT, WACHUMA AND MUSHROOMS IN ANCIENT POWER PLACES.
Tamara
Tamara has been holding space with kambo ceremonies for 9 years. After several years healing herself from autoimmune conditions and seeing the incredible benefits of Kambo she decided to go to Brasil to connect with the natives and meet the frogs. She trained in the Amazonian jungles of Brasil in the estate of Acre with the Katukina (Noke Koi indigenous tribe)
JoLyn
JoLyn is a food alchemist and kitchen herbalist certified in holistic health and nutrition. JoLyn creates high vibrational food through singing mantras and medicine songs, infusing prayer and intention into every meal, and using the most highest quality local and organic ingredients including edible flowers and special herbs to bring transformational healing of mind, body, and spirit.
David
Writer and certified psychedelic integration coach who transformed his life through the use of plant medicines. He now provides support to those looking to begin their own healing journeys by providing preparation, planning, and after care for integrating their experiences. His specialty is coaching for "deepening surrender," for those looking to grow their relationship with plant medicines or overcome challenges and blocks in surrendering.
Gheert
Gheert works with Bufo and Breathwork, he has been learning to facilitate ceremonies in Peru and Tulum, he was also initiated by the Seri tribe in the Sonoran desert. According to the history, this was the first tribe that used Bufo as a medicine. He also spent time training to assist preparation and integration sessions in order to create the safest possible spaces for plant medicine work.
Miguel Mendiburu
Since he was a boy Miguel has always strong conection with nature. When he was 17 he has his first experience with the huachuma medicine. Since then a journey of no way back began. At the age of 23 years old Miguel left his conventional life in the city behind and began his training to be a huachumero. Miguel has been serving the medicine for the last 15 years in the sacred valley in Peru.
Aiwinyana Marlene
Marlene is a passionate Massage and bodywork therapist who studied various techniques like ayurveda, trauma release, deep tissue, reiki, etc. She holds space for bodywork with psilocybin as well as the powerful heart opening medicine of cacao.
Felix and Mali
Currently live in Pisac, Peru working with the medicine of Bufo. Together, Felix and Mali have facilitated hundreds of ceremonies in private sessions and retreats all over the United States and with people from around the world here in Pisac. They have also worked with the Seri tribe in Mexico.
Niels Radtke
Niels has been working over the last years on an Integral fourfold approach of worlds most powerful Indigenous Medicinal and Spiritual practices: Ayurveda, premodern Hatha Yoga, Non-Dual Vedanta and Shipibo Shamanism. A practice he coined YOGARAO.
He is currently developing these processes of waking up, growing up, cleaning up and showing up into precisely woven retreats, treatments and dietas in the Sacred Valley and the Jungle of Peru.
www.thatwhatis.com
Institutions
Alliance
McKenna Academy
Conceived by visionary Ethnopharmacologist Dr. Dennis McKenna in 2018, the McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy explores modern and traditional practices, ideas and technologies that foster the understanding of nature, consciousness, the cosmos and their interweavings with humanity.
The Academy’s mission is to be a catalyst for the transformation of global consciousness, through educational experiences that interweave our collective intelligence, science, and ancestral wisdom.
San Francisco Psychedelic Society
Our group is devoted to the exploration of the expansion of consciousness – and we’re fascinated and thrilled as we learn about the profound role psychedelics have played in the evolution of human consciousness over the past tens of thousands of years. It’s awesome.
We work to create safe spaces to foster discussion and community between consciousness seekers: psychologists, artists, philosophers, hippies, makers, scientists . . . I hope you can join us at a future meetup.
Testimonials
Very best opinions
‘I’ve been immersing myself in the course and honestly loving every bit of it. I feel like it’s been nourishing so much growth and understanding- I’ve had so many moments where things have just clicked for me. I work with a holistic therapist on a weekly basis, and have been trying to manifest confidence in myself to walk this path- there’s not a doubt in my mind that this course is apart of that manifestation.’
Katrina
26, USA
"My first time working with plant medicine was with Dawid, and I couldn’t have asked for a more powerfully transformative experience working with San Pedro for the first time in the Sacred Valley.
The entire experience, from drinking the medicine to hiking through the breath taking valleys to the closing ceremony, felt like an incredibly safe container where I could allow myself to explore the realms of where my consciousness wanted to roam.
Dawid and the local Peruvian family he co-creates these experiences with instantly felt like family after my first Huachuma hike. I’m looking forward to the day I get to return to the sacred valley and journey with mi familia again! 🙂 "
The entire experience, from drinking the medicine to hiking through the breath taking valleys to the closing ceremony, felt like an incredibly safe container where I could allow myself to explore the realms of where my consciousness wanted to roam.
Dawid and the local Peruvian family he co-creates these experiences with instantly felt like family after my first Huachuma hike. I’m looking forward to the day I get to return to the sacred valley and journey with mi familia again! 🙂 "
Desirae
28, USA
"I really recommend Dawid’s ceremonies. I did two in two weeks and I felt very comfortable with him, I was able to go to some challenging & vulnerable places and he showed himself to be full of compassion and understanding. Both him and Santiago offer a safe space for your journey and out of all the medicine experiences I’ve had in the last 5 months in the Valley, I trust them the most. Thank you!"
Cam
28, AUSTRALIA
‘For many years I have been remembering and hearing the call to the sacred lands of Peru. A beautiful connection lead me on a magical adventure with Dawid and his loving community💖 Dawid holds a beautiful, safe container with his frequency of love💚 My sisters and I sat in a sacred circle and participated in a medicine journey. Walking the sacred lands in this journey was very powerful and the deeper we journeyed the more supported I felt. The only way I could describe the day to my family was “best day ever”. If your new to the connection with Dawid and his community, in full faith I recommend them with my whole heart💖 I look forward to my next journey with this community 💫🙏🏻🦅’
Lisa Selby
"I organized a private ceremony with Dawid for our group of 17 women during our retreat in Peru. This day-long experience we had amongst the beautiful scenery of the lagoons was by far, THE MOST incredible experience we had in Peru. He was accompanied by a local Peruvian shaman & other medicine brothers & sisters. They played live music and also had members of the Huni Kuni tribe that performed rituals for our group. Walking through the mountains and lagoons was so breathtaking. Dawid holds such a beautiful divine masculine presence and had such sweet, tender & comforting energy that allowed for so much inner healing for the women of our group. To have a gentle masculine presence to listen to their stories in front of the fire, and to hold such sweet space for their healing was priceless, especially since most of their pain was inflicted by the darker masculine frequencies during their childhood. We also had a locally grown & prepared meal at his shaman’s house who’s family was the sweetest. Their food was so delicious & prepared with so much love. Anyone considering sitting in ceremony with Dawid, I HIGHLY suggest it. I look forward to organizing more ceremonies with him & my retreat participants."
Veronica
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Contact Me
We are stationed in the Sacred Valley of Peru but we also operate in the Amazon Jungle.
Please free to reach out and we can design a special experience for you and your tribe.
Headquarter
Sacred Valley, PERU
BASE CAMP
Jungle, PERU
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