What to expect
A cosmic experience that’s totally down to earth
Wondering what exactly to expect from a psychedelic retreat? We’ve got you covered.
If you’re like most people who are considering something like Alalaho, you want to know as much as you can find out before making a decision. That’s to be expected: this is a big, new experience — and you’ll want to go into it feeling prepared.
There’s one thing to note, though:
Reading about it can only take you so far.
Every psychedelic experience is different. We think about it like this: the medicine seems to give you the journey you need right now.
There’s no way to know exactly what will unfold during your time at Alalaho — and that’s part of the magic.
But we can share a little about what the whole process looks like, to help you get ready (and see if it’s the right fit for you, right now).
A complete programme of transformation — with guidance every step of the way
A lot of people come to us thinking it’s all about the psychedelic ceremony. And yes, that’s a profound part of the experience. Here’s the thing though: psychedelics are powerful, but they’re not magic. While the ceremony itself only lasts around 6 hours, real transformation takes more than just one powerful experience.
That’s why we’ve designed a complete, six-week programme to complement your retreat, where you’ll be guided through the full process of transformation.
Before the retreat
We’ll share our top resources and tools to help you prepare, including a live group session with your lead guide about two weeks before the retreat.
- You’ll get clear on what you want to address or explore
- Learn what to expect and how to work with the medicine
- Get resources and exercises to help you prepare
At the retreat
Five days of workshops, one-on-one support, and (of course) the ceremony — plus lots of time to just enjoy the gorgeous setting.
- Experience a carefully guided psychedelic journey
- One-on-one sessions before and after the ceremony
- Workshops to help you explore new ways of being
After the retreat
We’ll help you head back into your life with a ton of support, including our favourite resources, integration exercises, and three live group sessions.
- Make sense of your experience
- Get ongoing support turning insights into real change
- Experience lasting community and connections
Think of it like this: the psychedelic experience opens a door, but it’s everything around it that helps you walk through that door and actually change your life.
The group experience
If you’re feeling nervous about doing this retreat with a group, don’t worry. Many people who join us at Alalaho feel the same. But after the retreat is done we hear the same thing, over and over: that the people — the group — was actually the best bit.
Small, intentional groups of 10-14 people
Lots of 1-to-1 support with four facilitators per retreat
Professional pre-retreat screening process
No pressure to share more than feels right
Individual attention and support throughout
Lots of free time to relax and recharge
Who comes to Alalaho?
A chance to remember what being human is all about — alongside some of the best humans you’ll ever meet
Curious about who you’ll meet at Alalaho?
We get an incredible range of people, from all walks of life and every corner of the world. They’re doctors, artists, day traders. Everything.
At heart, what they have in common is this: curiosity. A desire to change. A hope (even if it’s faint) that change is possible.
And — having welcomed over 1,300 people into our retreats since we started in 2016 — they’re also some of the kindest, most beautiful souls we’ve ever met. Every time.
We don’t expect you to be an expert in psychedelics, meditation, or personal development — that’s our job. Many who join us are completely new to this world.
We’ve designed Alalaho to be a space where you’re free to explore. You’re welcome no matter what you believe (or don’t) — no crystals necessary (but you can bring them). Just bring an open mind and your sense of adventure.
What actually happens at a retreat?
Your 5-day retreat takes place in a stunning venue designed to support deep transformational work.
Day 1
Arrival & Setting the Container
- Afternoon arrival and tour
- Opening circle to ground ourselves and connect
- Evening gathering to prepare for what’s ahead
Day 2
Preparation & Ceremony
- Morning practice to center and ground
- “Flight instructions” — practical guidance for your journey
- A one-on-one checkin with your guide
- Afternoon ceremony (around 3 pm to ~9 pm)
- Gentle evening wind-down
Day 3
Reflection and integration
- Quieter, contemplative day
- Space to process and rest
- Sharing circle
- Solo time
- Evening gathering around the fire
Day 4
Connection and Celebration
- Interactive workshops
- A chance to explore your emerging self
- Building on insights through connection
- Evening celebration
Day 5
Closing and Looking Ahead
- Morning practice
- Integration circle
- Guidance for the journey home
- Departure at 12:30 pm
“Life-changing. And it’s not just about the psilocybin. It’s a flawless blend of a beautiful venue, a perfected programme of activities, amazing food, and an incredibly talented and dedicated team of facilitators.” Martin, UK.
What to expect from the psychedelic experience
Here’s the deal: the one thing you’re most curious about, is also the one thing that words cannot do justice to.
Before your retreat, we’ll share our “Flight Instructions” — everything you need to know going into the psychedelic experience, including all of the details of dosing, and how to prepare your body and mind for the experience.
In the meantime, we recommend Michael Pollan’s Netflix documentary, How to Change Your Mind (based on his book of the same name) as a good starting point to learn more about the psychedelic experience. You can also read about one of our participants, Nomi, and what her journey with Alalaho was like. But absolutely nothing will compare to experiencing it for yourself.
Have more questions?
We have answers.
Here are a few of the top questions people have before they join a retreat. Have a question you don’t see covered? Send us a message.
We hear you. And you are so not alone.
When we survey our participants, it’s clear that the #1 thing people worry about before the retreat is the group.
But those same people go on to say that the group is also the top thing that made their time at the retreat so wonderful.
In our experience, the thing people fear is also what becomes their greatest medicine. There’s something profoundly healing about going through this experience with others by your side — witnessing and being witnessed. And the connections you create at the retreat are deep and lasting, even in a few days.
Those connections (and the group itself) also become an incredibly valuable resource and source of support during your integration phase, and you’ll keep them long after the retreat has ended.
It’s completely normal to feel some hesitation, especially if you’re at all introverted — but don’t be surprised if the group actually ends up being one of your favourite parts of the experience.
The psilocybin ceremony and psychedelic experience is — of course — a huge part of the Alalaho experience, and probably the thing you’re most anticipating. But the retreat is really about so much more.
Psychedelics are just one tool of many we use to help you create change in your life. We’ve carefully designed every element of the retreat to help you go deeper, and make sure you get as much as you can from this experience.
This includes ample time for intention setting, along with time to start integrating what you’ve learned into how you live — making sure you also have lots of time to work with our onsite team of professional therapists and psychedelic guides. Plus, we have a feeling you’ll appreciate having the time to just enjoy your post-ceremony glow.
We’ve tested our process over the course of at least 100 retreats now, and we’ve found that five days is optimal for the best experience and results.
When you go through a psychedelic ceremony, it will bring up a lot of material for you. We find that so much comes through a single ceremony, that it’s important to have time to process and integrate, before going back for another deep dive.
Also, unlike some other psychedelics, where it’s common to have multiple ceremonies in a row, your body quickly builds tolerance to psilocybin — which makes it difficult to dose even if you wanted to have further experiences.
We’ve said it before: this experience is about something much deeper than a psychedelic trip. It’s about uncovering rich material and insights that have the potential to completely transform your life.
Instead of just trying to blast you open and give you a fun time, we’re here to help you open your mind and your heart — and then make sure you take the time that you need to harvest all that gold you uncover, and really use it to make a change. By taking the time to integrate this experience fully, you’ll be able to bring those insights back down to earth, so you can make deeper, most lasting changes over time.
I’m feeling a bit nervous. How do I know if this experience is the right fit for me?
First, it’s completely normal to feel nervous. This is a big thing, and it’s normal for fears to come up along the way. It’s part of the process. You’re about to undertake an epic journey of self-discovery, and that takes courage.
There’s no way to know exactly what will happen on your psilocybin journey — it’s different for everyone. This is why it’s so important to create a safe space where people can have these experiences alongside professional therapists and guides, so we can help you process whatever comes up, and help you have the most meaningful experience.
By the time you arrive at the retreat, we’ll already have started working with you — setting intentions for your retreat, answering any questions you have, and helping make sure you feel ready. The goal is to make sure you’re safe, supported, and well held every step of the way.
We’re also here if you want to ask us any questions before you join, to get our take on whether or not this is a good fit for you right now. Just reach out.
We’re here for you! We’d be happy to discuss any questions or concerns you might have. This is a big step, and we want you to feel completely comfortable.
Remember, the psychedelic ceremony is just a beginning, and we’re here to guide you through the bigger journey that unfolds.
Reach out to us with any questions.
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