7-Day Ratanakiri Cambodian Plant Medicine Retreat

I spent time with Eileen and her team during two separate ayahuasca retreats in Cambodia (one 5-day and one 3-day retreat), and it’s hard to put into words how profound the experience was.

Eileen is a very experienced and exceptionally gifted shaman, spiritually connected and completely unrestricted in how she guides you. She is open to letting you go as deep as you’re ready to go to discover what is beneath the surface and the different layers of your personality. We tackled so much during both retreats that it took me several years to process. I am still discovering the effects of that work.

The other shamans are just as striking: highly professional, vibrant and deeply empathetic women, each very gifted in her own way. During the ceremonies, they stayed close, helped when I got stuck, guided and saved me when I needed it. Their presence brought tremendous depth and soul to the experience.

The setting added to it all. The first retreat was in an old lodge with a spiritual, almost ancient energy. The building and everything around it felt like a living organism, somehow becoming part of me and the journey itself. The second was in Kampot next to caves where rituals have been performed for generations. Deeply rooted in rural Cambodia and immersed in the nature and animals that came to visit us, it was the most magical energy.

The ayahuasca is responsibly and ethically sourced, which matters a lot to me personally. Between ceremonies, we did integration sessions and learned about Cambodian culture, ceremonies, and martial arts. The aftercare is very thoughtful. The team checks in and is there to help if you're struggling once you're back home.

During the short times I spent with the Somaya team, I had some of the most profound and transformative experiences. I was able to let go of infantile parts of myself and old patterns that even years of therapy wouldn’t manage to get rid of. Along the way, getting a glimpse of what I believe to be my deeper cosmic origin and experiences beyond this lifetime. I guess every ayahuasca retreat is different, and not every retreat is right for everyone, but I can't recommend Somaya highly enough. Who would have thought that in the middle of Cambodia I would find such a gem. It was a difficult and strange ride, but I wouldn't change any bit of it. It was perfect.

Somaya retreat was unforgettable! It exceeded all my expectations. I couldn’t ask for a better experience.

The homestay was perfect, a very peaceful place surrounded by nature on the river in Kampot.

The staff were amazing. They were great at communicating before we even arrived, assisting us with all our inquiries in a timely manner, and making sure our journey was running smoothly until we arrived. We got a warm welcome when we finally arrived, followed by a delicious home cooked meal. Everyone was kind and caring, making us feel very comfortable during our first experience with the plant medicine. They guided us through the ceremony, and made it a safe place to explore ourselves. I learned so much from our shaman, as she spent a lot of time with us one on one. Not only during the ceremony, but also before and after. The other facilitators were also really inspiring and shared a lot of knowledge and wisdom with us. I am really grateful for this experience, and I’d love to come back again to learn and grow. I highly recommend Somaya!