6. Retreat Policies

Leaving the Retreat Early

If you choose to leave the retreat before your reserved stay is over, no full or partial refunds will be available. You will be responsible for arranging transportation to the airport in Quito or offsite. Included airport transfer is only available at the close of the retreat.

Travel Delays and Disruptions

Delays and cancellations happen, and we recommend making sure you have plenty of time to make connecting flights, and to be at the airport for the group pickup at 3pm on the first day of your retreat. Traveling to Ecuador can be a long process from many countries, so traveling a day before your retreat begins is recommended. You will receive information about travel into Quito and lodging recommendations via email when your reservation is accepted. 

If you miss your flight or it is cancelled, and you will arrive after the first medicine ceremony (evening of Day 2) we will not be able to allow you to join the group and you will not receive a refund. We have this policy to protect the energy and integrity of the group space and experience. We are not responsible for financial losses due to travel delays, flight cancellations, border closings, illness, medical issues, personal matters, visa status, or acts of God.

Travel Insurance

In light of COVID-19, Mystical Heart Collective strongly recommends all retreat participants to purchase flight and travel insurance to cover all contingencies, medical care, quarantine costs, and nonrefundable deposits, fees, and expenses – see more information in COVID-19 section below. 

If flights are cancelled or borders are closed in your home country or Ecuador due to COVID-19, deposits and retreat fees paid are non-refundable, and will be credited for use in a future retreat within one calendar year of the date of the border closing. In the unlikely event that a retreat or program is cancelled or postponed by Mystical Heart Collective due to COVID-19, our Retreat Cancellation and Refund Policy will remain in effect, and we will offer full credit of all deposits and fees paid for a future group program within one calendar year. 

Mystical Heart Collective disclaims all liability from travel delays, disruptions, and cancellations due to COVID-19 and again, strongly recommends purchasing flight and travel insurance that covers COVID-19.

Comparison shop for travel insurance here. 

Behavior Guidelines and Rules

We respect and value your retreat experience, healing processes, and personal boundaries, and expect that you will do the same toward our staff and your fellow guests. We have a zero tolerance policy for certain behaviors that are harmful, disruptive, or dangerous for the group. Committing one of these offenses is grounds for removal from the retreat with no refunds. Removing someone who has broken their commitment to respecting these guidelines is at the sole discretion of Mystical Heart Collective staff. 

• • Sexual harassment 
  • Abusive or threatening behavior toward others, including racism, sexism, homophobia, or other offensive language or behaviors
  • Patterns of disruptive behaviors inside or outside ceremony that create discomfort for other guests, or significantly interfere with the healing process of other guests
  • Using cell phones or electronics during ceremony
  • The use of alcohol, substances, or drugs of any kind 
  • Leaving the retreat venue without a staff member’s knowledge
  • Behavior that puts your own or others’ safety at risk
  • Theft  – we create a trusting family environment where everyone feels that they and their belongings are safe 

Sinclair FLeetwood and her collaborators reserve the right to ask anyone to leave at any time at our discretion.

Privacy and Confidentiality

What you share and experience in retreat is private to the group and is treated as confidential by retreat staff and other guests. We do not share personal, contact information, medical information, or confidential information with other guests or outside persons without explicit permission from the guest. 

Please read our Privacy Policy for more information on how your information is used and stored.

Medical Fitness and Safety

If it is deemed medically unsafe or dangerous for you to participate in any ceremony or sweat lodge (i.e. recent prescriptions taken that are contraindicated with ayahuasca, illness, accident, or other health or safety conditions) we reserve the right to withhold any medicines or ceremonies that may be determined to cause harm to you or others.

No specific medical or health issue will disqualify you from attending a retreat with us, however your safety, health, and wellness is our first priority, and we cannot accept applications from guests who could experience harm, damage, or death from participating in our events and retreats. 

We respectfully ask for your complete honesty and frankness on your application form so that we can determine if our retreat experiences is right for you. We can only do this in good faith if we have all the facts and information. 

We reserve the right not to accept reservations from guests based on health, medical, or safety concerns at any point in the application and interview process, or onsite at the retreat. If for any reason it is deemed unsafe or dangerous for you to participate in the retreat upon your arrival, no refunds will be given. 

Please purchase travel insurance. 

Cell Phones and Social Media

Plant medicine retreats are designed to create a safe space for disconnection from the distractions of the outside world so that we can go inward. Nothing is more disruptive to this process than cell phones and social media. It is a vital component of the healing process to disconnect from our devices as much as possible during the retreat. Our suggestion is to check in with your people when you arrive, and turn off your phone for the duration of the retreat. We know this may not be possible or desirable for everyone, so we ask that you use discretion with devices, laptops, and cell phones whenever possible. 

Devices are not permitted in ceremony spaces, yoga rooms, during meals, workshops, or meetings. Any gathering with the group requires our full attention and we ask that you please respect this request and refrain from using your device in these shared spaces. The best choice is to leave it in your room.

• Posting private or personal images or information about the retreat staff or other guests on social media without permission is not tolerated and could result in removal from the retreat. Please get consent to take photos of others, and to post photos of others publicly. Not everyone is out of the psychedelic closet. 
• Photos are not allowed of the ceremony spaces or during ceremony, and it is not allowed to listen to music or use headphones during ceremony. Please do not bring phones or cameras to ceremony.