Maharani

Ithaca, New York 5.0 (111)
#1 Aya in the USA $300 – $800 Book Now

About this retreat

Maharani is a non-profit sacred healing circle based in upstate New York, operating as a mobile ministry that serves both the Northeast and the high desert of Arizona. Rated #1 for plant retreats in the USA on AyaAdvisors, Maharani has been facilitating healing gatherings since 2018 and has now served over 110 retreats — with 111 five-star reviews to show for it.

What distinguishes Maharani is a combination of intimate group sizes (never more than 10 participants), a strong staff-to-guest ratio with 3–4 facilitators per retreat, and an exceptional emphasis on music as a healing vehicle. Facilitators bring extraordinary musical gifts to each gathering — steel drum, flute, and traditional healing songs — which participants consistently describe as central to their experience.

The center brews its own sacred medicines in-house from sustainably sourced materials, prepares one batch at a time for each specific gathering, and places heavy emphasis on integration both during and after the retreat. As a registered non-profit and church, Maharani operates with a universalist spiritual orientation that is welcoming to participants of all backgrounds and belief systems.

Set within the Amazon wilderness, the center is designed to feel immersive yet safe — open enough to feel the jungle, structured enough to feel held. Guests consistently highlight the quality of care from the team, the nourishing food, and the warm, home-like atmosphere as central to the experience.

Read full description on AyaAdvisors

Recent Guest Reviews

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sairanaze
March 16, 2026

I have been working with Maharani Medicine since Feb 2023 with exception of a few gaps. I have seen them multiple times & seen them progress and evolve in their facilitation along with their ability to deeply connect with the participants.

I can genuinely say that my first ceremony experience changed my entire existence. Not only because of the medicine but because of the container and the support the feeling of connection and oneness I had that first night.. which was only possible because of the way the team setup our evening.

I am forever grateful to Eliana for the work that she does she is a literal gem and her voice… the way the music flows through her nothing short of angelic. I was very nervous for my first time I had no idea what I was getting myself into.. the whole crew made me feel so welcome and supported the entire weekend – and this is every single time I have sat with them.

It can be daunting to find the right circle and people who are operating in integrity in this space so I’m beyond blessed I was able to connect with these beautiful people who truly want to help others.

They also provide integration support which is very helpful and Austin makes some really goooooood food lol my only recommendation for ceremony is with Maharani Medicine you will get soo much out of the experience.. healing, connection, community, and an unforgettable experience & I also met my now best friend at one of their ceremonies the love and respect I have for Eliana & Austin runs eternal. This circle truly changed my life.

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Brionna Reynolds
December 19, 2025

My love for Eliana and Austin is nothing short of deep respect, awe, and admiration. I was blessed with the opportunity to attend my first [sacred plant] Retreat in October when they traveled to Northeast Ohio and brought their medicine, altar, and courage. I was honestly terrified going in, not personally knowing Maharani or the other facilitators. When I first inquired about the retreat, I was able to hop on the phone with Austin. He took the time to answer my questions, offer encouragement and shared his story with the medicine and Maharani. I felt his sincerity and it was enough for me to commit.

The ceremony itself was life changing. They whole heartedly offered prayers, intention setting, sacred space, music, songs of spirit, guidance, insight, vulnerability, laughs, smiles, ritual, integration and reverence for the plants.

To me, Eliana and Austin are called to this path and are devoted to the medicine. Who better to receive from than individuals who are consciously doing the work and showing up for themselves and community even when its hard.

I have been able to stay connected to Eliana post ceremomy. Shes been a guiding light and sounding board. She takes the time to drop in, listen, and offer any messages coming through. Her and Austin are definitely people you want in your corner cheering you on ✨️

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JenMinuti
November 11, 2025

This previous weekend was my third ceremony sitting within the span of one year. Through an amazing soul: my soul brother, I was introduced to the Lighthouse and Maharani Medicine. I have been called each and every time so strongly and deeply.

I cannot even begin to express in words how powerful the medicine is. How powerful the space that is held for us. How powerful these beautiful people are. The hospitality, the instant connections, the warmth and safety – it is all undeniably a place (the only place) that has healed such incredibly deep wounds.

Without the community, ceremony, facilitators, hosts, Eliana and Austin, the land, the dedication and love, care and compassion continuously provided by these amazing beings, such power could not exist. Anyone can meet the medicine, but without everything that goes along with it, I believe the healing could not be as profound as it has been each and every time.

I truly cannot describe the indescribable, but I hope my words can at least carry through this message to encourage anyone and everyone who hears her call, that this beautiful place will provide nothing but love, safety, and the purest essence of compassion and light.

This place is my family from now until the next life that I was so humbly shown. Trust the process and trust yourself. Trust the Spirit. Trust the healing. Aho!

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frankg
November 10, 2025

I am blown away. This was the medicine space that I knew existed, yet didn’t find earlier in my healing journey. Every single part of the ceremonial weekend was so perfect, and SO deeply in integrity.

The entire container: the hosts, the facilitators, the temple room, the retreat space, the medicines and energies put into them, the music, the nourishing foods, the animals, the people who attended. Every single piece came together to create the perfect space for the healing that was necessary for each of us.

There is a deep sense of safety and trust and a reverence for the process that is facilitated and honored by Maharani Medicine. Sure, healing is hard if we choose for it to be. We can continue to blame others for not wanting our own healing, but that is our problem to begin with. When we truly embrace the process, and allow our trauma, fear, anger, and sadness to feel safe, honoring those parts, we will always find beauty on the other side.

That is exactly what was given and gifted to me, to release all of the parts that have been keeping me from being truly myself… So that I can finally feel safe in this world simply being me. I cannot be more grateful to Maharani Medicine Circles for creating and holding this sacred sacrament with absolute reverence. Now the real work begins. Aho!

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bellebloom
September 9, 2025

Everything about my retreat weekend blew my mind. I knew I wanted to do [plant medicine] this year and I didn’t want to go abroad for it.

When I discovered Maharani, I reached out and heard back right away. Scheduling a call with Eliana was really easy – every part of our communication was easy and accessible. I had a ton of questions as a first timer and she made me feel so at ease and comfortable right away.

There was transparency and relevant information shared right away, which I appreciated. We had a call ahead of time to ask questions, which was also very helpful for understanding more of what I was doing and seeing faces before the actual retreat.

Once I arrived, I was met immediately by some of the facilitators who helped me carry my stuff into the house and get me set up. The entire experience was life changing, which I knew it would be. But also with Eliana and Austin’s guidance, support, kindness, compassion and ability to hold space for very big and heavy emotions, it was clear this is a very, very safe and loving space.

I would recommend this retreat to literally anyway. Yes, they’re guiding you in plant medicine so there is a certain energy to that which is really incredible, but they are also really grounded, approachable people, which made it an ideal balance.

I felt supported the entire time, even after the retreat. There’s a strong emphasis on community even post retreat, which is also so helpful. All in all, 10/10 and would do again 🙂

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