Mazatec Mushroom Retreat - Colorado
With Hugo Esteban Perez, Kesem Itzchaki, Eva Evers and Kate “Sunny” Ziesenheim, PA-C
April 16 - 19, 2026
You are invited to participate in an intimate retreat that includes two ceremonies in the ancient tradition of the Mazatec people of Oaxaca, Mexico. These ceremonies are profound spiritual undertakings that trace their origins back through generations. It became known worldwide in the 1950s and 60s through Maria Sabina, a medicine woman who first opened the ceremony of the holy children (mushrooms) to the world. Centuries of wisdom and reverence for the “holy children” have culminated in a sacred practice designed to facilitate deep introspection, spiritual healing, and divine communion.
Beyond the two ceremonies, we offer traditional Mazatec readings, healings, and teachings, together with thoughtful preparation and integration support before, during, and after your ceremonies, so you can embody and sustain the wisdom of this experience over time.
THE LOCATION
Our center is immersed in nature, set on five acres of land and backing up to the National Forest just a short drive from Idaho Springs. It is an intimate space filled with natural light, featuring an open communal area designed for connection and reflection.
Ceremonies take place indoors by the fireplace, offering a sense of warmth and containment while being surrounded by the majesty of the natural landscape just outside. The center sits alongside Fall River, with great hiking trails and mountain lakes only a few miles away. Amenities include hot tub and river access.
This peaceful setting is ideal for turning inward, reconnecting with oneself, and experiencing a ceremony rooted in an ancient lineage.

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WHAT TO EXPECT
The ceremonies take place at night, enveloped in a tapestry of songs, prayers, and a profound connection with the divine. Above all, it embraces the sanctity of silence, providing a sacred space for connecting with the profound depths of your soul.
Within the Mazatec community, psilocybin mushrooms are seen as sacred allies, bridging the gap between the physical and spiritual realms. They are believed to carry the essence of a divine consciousness, offering healing, wisdom, and connection to the sacred forces of the universe.

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One of the spiritual leaders of this tradition, “Hugo Esteban Perez,” will join us to share three ceremonies. He started working with Maria Sabina when he was 9 years old as her translator and continued his studies with many of the Mazatec elders. He is recognized by the Mexican government as a healer of this tradition and has received legal permission to work with psilocybin mushrooms.

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We take a holistic approach to optimal wellbeing and spiritual development designed to deepen your experience and offer extensive preparation and integration support before and after focused on lasting results. During the retreat, we use several modalities to enhance your experience, such as breath work and meditation. To help you feel at your optimal best organic and locally sourced (where possible) meals are included during your stay with us.

PREPARATION |
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In the 4 weeks leading up to the retreat, we will virtually support you with your preparation.
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RETREAT |
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This is a 4 day in person retreat starting on Thursday afternoon and concludes on Sunday morning.
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INTEGRATION |
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We offer integration support for 4 weeks after your retreat to transition what you have learned in your day-to-day life.
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About the Facilitators
Hugo Esteban Perez
Hugo Esteban Perez is a Mazatec mushroom ceremony facilitator with over 50 years of experience in the Mazatec healing tradition. He began working with the healer María Sabina at the age of eight, serving as her translator in Huautla de Jiménez, Mexico. He continued his studies with many other respected healers from the region, deepening […]
Learn more about Hugo Esteban Perez
Kesem Itzchaki
Kesem is an initiated facilitator in the Mazatec tradition, an apprenticeship program teacher, and a close collaborator of Hugo Esteban Perez, supporting ceremonies including translation. As an emotional healing therapist, she works with clients from around the world. With nine years of dedicated study and practice in the Mazatec mushroom tradition, she is deeply committed […]
Learn more about Kesem Itzchaki
Eva Evers
Eva is a retreat, excursion, and ceremony facilitator, as well as one of the teachers and the program manager of the Mazatec Apprenticeship Program. She is a certified transformational and integration coach specializing in psychedelic therapies and spiritual development. Eva has worked with clients around the world for over 25 years. Her experience includes personal, […]
Learn more about Eva Evers
Kate “Sunny” Ziesenheim, PA-C
Sunny is a certified physician assistant, combining her expertise in psychiatry and addiction medicine with over a decade of spiritual practices, including meditation, breathwork, Native American sweat lodges, and indigenous earth medicine ceremonies. Her work bridges ancient wisdom and modern healing, fostering personal growth and connection.
Learn more about Kate “Sunny” Ziesenheim, PA-C