Ek Balam, Yucatán, MEXICO
Our ceremonies are held in a small village near the well known archeological site Ek Balam and the astonishing Xcanache Cenote. They take place in a maloka nestled in the jungle on land that was a part of the Mayan (Ek Balam) territory from 300 BC to 900 AD. This setting supports a distinctive approach to healing—one rooted in an authentic relationship with the local village, a tranquil connection to water and land, and a felt sense of Source.
January 4th - March 21st 2027
The ceremonies run twice per week, starting the week of January 4th, 2027 and running to the third week of March (March 15th to 20th). The ceremonies are held on Wednesday and Friday evenings.
You may choose a single ceremony retreat or choose by the week.
At Popo Niwe, the sacred aspects of each ceremony are emphasized and we are honored to be doing this ceremonial work on the traditional land of the Mayan people. It is a great privilege to be able to do ceremony in this way, for us as practitioners and for the people attending. Every circle is sacred.
PRICING:
Every person attending is different. If you consider the “suggested price” to be a barrier please refer to our “Sacred Reciprocity Policy” page for information on how to get to Popo Niwe in a way that is aligned for you financially.
SINGLE CEREMONIES:
A single ceremony retreat includes one ayahuasca ceremony, one community integration session, and one private 1-on-1 session. It also includes accommodations and meals for 3 nights. This retreat is a good way to get to know Mark and Tara and their medicine. It is also a good way to meet the medicine if you have never sat with Ayahuasca before. The suggested cost of the retreat is $550US and runs Monday to Thursday weekly.
WEEKLY RETREATS:
A weekly retreat includes two ayahuasca ceremonies, two community integration sessions, one private 1-on-1 session and one private integration session (generally online). A single week includes accommodations and meals for 7 nights.
The suggested price for a weekly retreat is $1100.
MULTI-WEEK RETREATS:
FOR multi-week retreats we have created suggested discounts to offer a “typical” pricing scale (based on how long you are here):
For multiple weeks, there is a suggested discount of $100 for every additional week booked. If you book for 5 weeks or more there is an additional discount of $100 per week. For example, if you book for 5 weeks, the standard discount is $400 and the additional discount is $100, for a $500 total discount. If you book for 8 weeks the standard discount is $700 and the additional discount is $400 for a total discount of $1100. Please also note our Sacred Reciprocity policy.
Multi-Week retreats are a good way to go deeper into your healing. During this time, specific ailments, parts of your body (including the impact of a compromised nervous system) are doctored in each ceremony with time to rest and recuperate on site. There is also the opportunity to open a dieta (see below). Finally, there is a rhythm in the village that shows us ways of living a better life, in flow with mother nature and each other.
Each person is unique, so the length of an individual’s stay is up to each person attending, however, you may also seek guidance through an online consultation session with Mark or Tara.
The Ceremonies
Dieting / going deeper
After you have sat with Mark and Tara and Mother Ayahuasca at least one time, you may choose to open a “dieta” that is aligned with you and your path.
Mark works with very specific plants and energies (such as Piñón Blanco, Sage and Tobacco) that foster self-actualization, the healing of the body, mind and spirit, and connection to Source.
If you would like to hear more send us an email or text to set up an online conversation.
Additional ceremonies
Private ceremonies are also available for individuals, partners, families or close friends. These can be very sacred gatherings and are offered to participants who are attending a retreat or have sat with Mark and Tara before. These ceremonies are generally held on Saturday evening.
Furthermore, Kambo is available for cleaning and purifying the mind and body before ceremony. Bufo and mushroom ceremonies are also available under specific circumstances. Details available upon request.
REST AND REPAIR
There will be ample opportunity for rest and integration in your cabin. Fundamentally, these retreats focus on specific areas of energetic cleaning and healing, as well as on deepening an individual’s relationship with both ayahuasca and themselves.
Getting to Ek Balam
We are located two hours from the Cancun airport. When you book a retreat we will help you find your way here either by hired car, taxi or bus to Valladolid and a local “Colectivo” (shared van) or taxi to the Ek Balam Retreat Center.
Accommodations
Your accommodation and space for meals, rest and recovery will be in our Ek Balam Retreat Center. Here we will gather for integration, meals and one-on-one sessions.
Ek Balam Jungle and Ceremony space
Mark and Kristina after a Temazcal, 2023
Mark and Tara preparing for ceremony
Testimonial:
“I’ve just returned from a retreat with Mark and Tara, and it’s difficult to put into words how profound the experience was. From the very first ceremony, it was clear that their work is guided by deep integrity, humility, and a genuine devotion to the medicine. The space they hold is unmistakably heart-opening—safe, grounded, and infused with care.
The ceremonies themselves were extraordinary. The Shipibo icaros and medicine songs were unlike anything I’ve encountered before—precise, powerful (to say the least). Each song felt purposeful, as though it was meeting something specific within me, opening pathways inward that I hadn’t been able to access before. Through their guidance, I was able to go deeply into myself and touch a level of healing that felt real, embodied, and lasting.
What stood out most was the authenticity of the work. This did not feel commercial or diluted—it felt rooted, traditional, and true. I left with a sense of clarity, renewal, and trust in the path I’m walking. I know I’ll be returning to continue the journey.” - Luke