EUROPEAN TOUR
What to expect
The Dragon Lineage invites committed seekers to our yearly European Tour. As every year, we offer both committed students as recent inquirers on the mystic path opportunities to measure and gap the space between one mystery and the next. We do this through visionary ceremonies, yes, but also by exploring the world around us.
Europe is the birthplace of modernity as well as the budding realm for intellectual discussion. It is only fair, then, that we take to exploring the spirit scientifically here also: by weighing each virtue against each vice we are able to gain the good. Every year our destinies change; this time we take to a region hitherto unexplored by our past travels.
The Western Balkans is a land of authentic rhythms, sweet flavors, open hearts and deep-rooted traditions. From the melodic sounds of pedestrian streets to the profound resonance of mystic majesty, this region offers the opportunity to explore the spiritual through the cultural and vice versa.
A fantastic region of our planet, often vilified and misunderstood, the Balkans offer an incredible taste of history and religion. Here it is where the most populous abrahamic religions collide and collude: the presence of Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, as well as Islam, offers the view of a region often scarred by war and mended by tradition.
We’ve designed this pilgrimage to be a truly unforgettable experience, suitable both for seekers who’ve just become open to the path as well as for seasoned veterans of the mystic vision. We call on all to join, knowing that in the rapture and ecstasy of the source, we’re all beginners anyways…
For that’s the meaning of initiation.
What to expect
The Dragon Lineage invites committed seekers to our yearly European Tour. As every year, we offer both committed students as recent inquirers on the mystic path opportunities to measure and gap the space between one mystery and the next. We do this through visionary ceremonies, yes, but also by exploring the world around us.
Europe is the birthplace of modernity as well as the budding realm for intellectual discussion. It is only fair, then, that we take to exploring the spirit scientifically here also: by weighing each virtue against each vice we are able to gain the good. Every year our destinies change; this time we take to a region hitherto unexplored by our past travels.
READ MORE
The Western Balkans is a land of authentic rhythms, sweet flavors, open hearts and deep-rooted traditions. From the melodic sounds of pedestrian streets to the profound resonance of mystic majesty, this region offers the opportunity to explore the spiritual through the cultural and vice versa.
A fantastic region of our planet, often vilified and misunderstood, the Balkans offer an incredible taste of history and religion. Here it is where the most populous abrahamic religions collide and collude: the presence of Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, as well as Islam, offers the view of a region often scarred by war and mended by tradition.
We’ve designed this pilgrimage to be a truly unforgettable experience, suitable both for seekers who’ve just become open to the path as well as for seasoned veterans of the mystic vision. We call on all to join, knowing that in the rapture and ecstasy of the source, we’re all beginners anyways…
For that’s the meaning of initiation.
VISION
After decades of touring the Amazon, Western Europe and India, the Dragon Lineage now brings forth an unexpected retreat: the Balkan getaway. The wonder-child of Simon Andov, this retreat is an echo both of his experiences with the Dragon Lineage as well as his love for both his home-country and the neighboring peoples that surround it.
Simon had joined in retreats in Europe, India, Peru and Brazil before he presented his wish to conduct something similar, but altogether original, back in his motherland. Having run ceremonies already in Macedonia, Shar Khan trusted Simon to build a month-long pilgrimage that could bring people together both in ceremony as in adventure.
In this retreat we will experience the magick of the three shamanic sacraments, Teonanacatl, Wachuma and Ayahuasca. Though having their own power, they will enable us both to produce the questions that our pilgrimage will answer, as well as challenging whatever concepts we already have of what the spiritual actually is.
It is important to mention that neither Shar Khan nor Simon nor the Dragon Lineage as a whole have any intent in teaching, converting, or preaching about any particular religious viewpoint. We invite people from all faiths to participate with an open mind, resting assured that there is no indoctrination here, only experience.
It is often that people hold beliefs as a residue of unchallenged habits. In this retreat we invite everyone to open up their perspective of the sacred beyond what they have been taught, to accept the mysterious fully; and if in this endeavor your faith is inspired or renewed, why would we talk of belief any longer?
For we know then: and that’s the meaning of wisdom.
VISION
After decades of touring the Amazon, Western Europe and India, the Dragon Lineage now brings forth an unexpected retreat: the Balkan getaway. The wonder-child of Simon Andov, this retreat is an echo both of his experiences with the Dragon Lineage as well as his love for both his home-country and the neighboring peoples that surround it.
Simon had joined in retreats in Europe, India, Peru and Brazil before he presented his wish to conduct something similar, but altogether original, back in his motherland. Having run ceremonies already in Macedonia, Shar Khan trusted Simon to build a month-long pilgrimage that could bring people together both in ceremony as in adventure.
READ MORE
In this retreat we will experience the magick of the three shamanic sacraments, Teonanacatl, Wachuma and Ayahuasca. Though having their own power, they will enable us both to produce the questions that our pilgrimage will answer, as well as challenging whatever concepts we already have of what the spiritual actually is.
It is important to mention that neither Shar Khan nor Simon nor the Dragon Lineage as a whole have any intent in teaching, converting, or preaching about any particular religious viewpoint. We invite people from all faiths to participate with an open mind, resting assured that there is no indoctrination here, only experience.
It is often that people hold beliefs as a residue of unchallenged habits. In this retreat we invite everyone to open up their perspective of the sacred beyond what they have been taught, to accept the mysterious fully; and if in this endeavor your faith is inspired or renewed, why would we talk of belief any longer?
For we know then: and that’s the meaning of wisdom.
Schedule
SERBIA
Climbing Rtanj
We will meet in Serbia to climb Mount Rtanj, a sacred spot of energy and rejuvenation. The mountain provides a natural space to recharge your body and spirit. From there, we will travel to Studenica Monastery to celebrate Orthodox Easter in the traditional way. We’ll participate in the ancient customs: walking around the church at midnight, cracking eggs to announce that the risen Christ, fully immersing ourselves in the Easter spirit. This will set the scene for us to work both as a group and individually with Shar Khan, who will challenge our ideologies of the mysterious until no concepts remain.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Sarajevo & Pyramids
From Studenica, we journey to the beautiful Sarajevo, a city where three religions meet, where history and the heart beats stronger with every step. We will visit the Bosnian pyramids in the Ravne tunnels, home to some of the highest concentrations of negative ions in the world—perfect for meditation and energy work. Next we continue to Mostar, with its iconic Old Bridge, and then to Medjugorje where over 10,000 pilgrims gather daily to attend Mass and climb the apparition hill. Along the way, we will discuss spirituality and the significance of religious practice.
Montenegro
Ostrog, Cetinje & Kotor
We head to Montenegro to visit Ostrog Monastery, one of the most powerful spiritual places in the region. Here rests Saint Basil of Ostrog, to whom thousands of people come seeking blessings and healing. We will spend the night in the monastery courtyard praying. Next we will visit Cetinje Monastery, where the relics of Petar of Cetinje are kept. Then we continue to Kotor, where we will climb the fortress at sunset for breathtaking views of the Adriatic. After all our journeys, it’s time to rest: we will spend two days at Ada Bojana on the Adriatic coast, soaking in the sea, sun, and serenity.
Macedonia – Ohrid
European Jerusalem
From the coast, we now travel into Albania and then to Saint Naum Monastery in Ohrid, Macedonia. Known as the “European Jerusalem”, Ohrid is home to 365 churches, one for each day of the year. We will visit Saint Kaneo and Saint Sophia, absorbing the spiritual and historical richness of this sacred city. From Ohrid, we will then journey to Galichnik, a magical mountain ridge where our only companions are wild horses—a perfect place to connect with nature and reflect. From here on we will arrive at our retreat space to integrate our experiences with the help of the medicine and Xuan’s guidance.
Beyond the first and last day of our gathering, please remember that events are flexible and subject to change based on various travelling conditions (i.e. weather, festivities, road closures, etc.)
Training
This European adventure is a pilgrimage in the truest sense: the outer movement that mirrors an inner one. Though ceremonies shall serve as stations of transformation, the fundamental axis on which our spirit will spin will be the pillar of mystic traditions that we’ll explore.
We do not profess to teach or train anybody in the corpus of institutionalized religion, but we do wholeheartedly agree that to travel to the places of worship of any tradition cannot but be nourishing to the soul. This training, then, is effected by prayer and longing particular to each individual, and to each individual alone.
The ceremonies we will enjoy, however, offer us deep opportunities to revise our ideologies until the mystery be clean from ideas. Be mindful that this retreat is not for people to learn about the medicines, but about themselves through them. For the latter intent Amazonian retreats are necessary.
This training expands beyond ritual, then, into the mythology, cosmology and spiritual philosophies of the cultures we will encounter. Each tradition shall be studied through direct experience: by singing their hymns, entering their sanctuaries, and contemplating their symbols. This allows for a real integration of ancient wisdom into living awareness.
Daily meditation and group dialogue will provide the necessary continuity through the transitions between ceremonies and sacred sites. Participants will also receive instruction in methods of concentration, energy balancing, and prayer — all adapted to the rhythm of the road and the calling of the group.
See the full Itineray
DAY 4-13
First Dieta
From here on every other day we have an Ayahuasca ceremony, with the rest days being dedicated to sound healing activities either in group or in solitude. Each dieta has six ceremonies in total.
DAY 14-15
Rest Days
These days we will break dieta and eat flavored food moderately. We can use this time to decompress from solitude and integrate new members of the retreat into our circle.
DAY 16-26
Second Dieta
We resume our isolation here, perhaps with a renewed enthusiasm. Just like before, we will have six Ayahuasca ceremonies in total, one every other day.
DAY 27-28
Decompressing
After finishing our second dieta we will go back to simple flavored food and remain within the reach of the jungle to respect the process of integration before coming out into the world again.
Training
This European adventure is a pilgrimage in the truest sense: the outer movement that mirrors an inner one. Though ceremonies shall serve as stations of transformation, the fundamental axis on which our spirit will spin will be the pillar of mystic traditions that we’ll explore.
We do not profess to teach or train anybody in the corpus of institutionalized religion, but we do wholeheartedly agree that to travel to the places of worship of any tradition cannot but be nourishing to the soul. This training, then, is effected by prayer and longing particular to each individual, and to each individual alone.
See the full training
The ceremonies we will enjoy, however, offer us deep opportunities to revise our ideologies until the mystery be clean from ideas. Be mindful that this retreat is not for people to learn about the medicines, but about themselves through them. For the latter intent Amazonian retreats are necessary.
This training expands beyond ritual, then, into the mythology, cosmology and spiritual philosophies of the cultures we will encounter. Each tradition shall be studied through direct experience: by singing their hymns, entering their sanctuaries, and contemplating their symbols. This allows for a real integration of ancient wisdom into living awareness.
Daily meditation and group dialogue will provide the necessary continuity through the transitions between ceremonies and sacred sites. Participants will also receive instruction in methods of concentration, energy balancing, and prayer — all adapted to the rhythm of the road and the calling of the group.
Lineage Team
This adventure is led by Shar Khan, founder of the Dragon Lineage and initiator of its living current. Having run ceremonies in the Balkans and explored its landscapes before, his work here is to lead all travelers into both outer and inner adventures safely. His main responsibility is to help people rekindle their commitment to the sacred in their own fashion.
READ MORE
At his side stands Simon, the Dragon Lineage’s Balkan emissary — an adept of consciousness and energy who unites rational precision with mystic hopes. Simon is a native to the Balkans as well as to the mystic longing; a lover of nature and people, his responsibility is to maintain cultural authenticity and guide us through the land.
Having participated in all the Dragon Lineage retreats before – Europe, India, Peru and Brazil – Simon is more than qualified to assist people in shamanic capacities. He will be holding the space in our main rites as well as officiating as our tobacco and sananga physician, as well as leading breath work both in and out of pilgrimage.
Perhaps other Dragon Lineage members will be present — students of the path who, having undergone the disciplines of our retreats now assist in service. Their task is not to instruct, but to hold, to clean, to prepare, and to protect the ceremonial space. In this way they learn what every mystic must learn first: humility.
Together we shall lead the group both in pilgrimage and retreat. This is not to say, however, that participants of our adventure should not also take on helping roles. Being ready to help does not prevent one from learning; the only thing that prevents one from learning is thinking you already know. Not knowing, one is always ready – and then the path unfolds!
Lineage Team
This adventure is led by Shar Khan, founder of the Dragon Lineage and initiator of its living current. Having run ceremonies in the Balkans and explored its landscapes before, his work here is to lead all travelers into both outer and inner adventures safely. His main responsibility is to help people rekindle their commitment to the sacred in their own fashion.
At his side stands Simon, the Dragon Lineage’s Balkan emissary — an adept of consciousness and energy who unites rational precision with mystic hopes. Simon is a native to the Balkans as well as to the mystic longing; a lover of nature and people, his responsibility is to maintain cultural authenticity and guide us through the land.
Having participated in all the Dragon Lineage retreats before – Europe, India, Peru and Brazil – Simon is more than qualified to assist people in shamanic capacities. He will be holding the space in our main rites as well as officiating as our tobacco and sananga physician, as well as leading breath work both in and out of pilgrimage.
Perhaps other Dragon Lineage members will be present — students of the path who, having undergone the disciplines of our retreats now assist in service. Their task is not to instruct, but to hold, to clean, to prepare, and to protect the ceremonial space. In this way they learn what every mystic must learn first: humility.
Together we shall lead the group both in pilgrimage and retreat. This is not to say, however, that participants of our adventure should not also take on helping roles. Being ready to help does not prevent one from learning; the only thing that prevents one from learning is thinking you already know. Not knowing, one is always ready – and then the path unfolds!
Accommodations
For almost a decade, the Dragon Lineage has held a variety of trances and retreats from Portugal to Greece, from the Scotland to the Carpathians. This Balkan retreat synthesizes all that we have learned about European seekers: their hunger for authenticity, their respect for knowledge and their need to reconnect ritual with community.
Throughout this pilgrimage we will be journeying through Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Macedonia. Each stage of our retreat shall bring us into contact with a different culture, and our accommodations will reflect that diversity: comfortable hotels while on the road and a dedicated retreat center near Skopje for the final week of ceremony.
The hotels we will stay in throughout the road segment are simple yet comfortable, ensuring rest without detachment from the group dynamic. Each night will be an opportunity to process the journey and prepare for the next. Once in the final retreat center near Skopje, we will be in full seclusion surrounded by forested hills and open skies.
The pilgrimage aspect of this retreat asks for flexibility, lightness and a spirit of companionship. The simple comfort of hotels balances the rigors of travel, while the final immersion offers a sacred stillness in which all our steps converge. For obvious reasons, we will not be disclosing where we stay beforehand.
We design each European retreat to be accessible both financially and practically. Bringing our work to Europe allows participants to engage shamanism deeply without the strain of long travel or excessive cost. In this way, the transcendental becomes local again — not something exotic or far away, but something which belongs to all of us.
Acomodations
For almost a decade, the Dragon Lineage has held a variety of trances and retreats from Portugal to Greece, from the Scotland to the Carpathians. This Balkan retreat synthesizes all that we have learned about European seekers: their hunger for authenticity, their respect for knowledge and their need to reconnect ritual with community.
Throughout this pilgrimage we will be journeying through Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Macedonia. Each stage of our retreat shall bring us into contact with a different culture, and our accommodations will reflect that diversity: comfortable hotels while on the road and a dedicated retreat center near Skopje for the final week of ceremony.
READ MORE
The hotels we will stay in throughout the road segment are simple yet comfortable, ensuring rest without detachment from the group dynamic. Each night will be an opportunity to process the journey and prepare for the next. Once in the final retreat center near Skopje, we will be in full seclusion surrounded by forested hills and open skies.
The pilgrimage aspect of this retreat asks for flexibility, lightness and a spirit of companionship. The simple comfort of hotels balances the rigors of travel, while the final immersion offers a sacred stillness in which all our steps converge. For obvious reasons, we will not be disclosing where we stay beforehand.
We design each European retreat to be accessible both financially and practically. Bringing our work to Europe allows participants to engage shamanism deeply without the strain of long travel or excessive cost. In this way, the transcendental becomes local again — not something exotic or far away, but something which belongs to all of us.
Necessities
This journey is not a vacation but a spiritual pilgrimage that will challenge you both physically and mentally. Here’s what you should bring and be aware of:
Necessities
This journey is not a vacation but a spiritual pilgrimage that will challenge you both physically and mentally. Here’s what you should bring and be aware of:
A clear and pure intention is the most important thing to bring to this journey. Be certain that you will be challenged and take acceptance for a growth.
Spiritual Intention
Modest Clothing
Pack comfortable, modest clothing. Washing machines are scarce in the jungle and laundry depends on both water and sun, so you will have to use whatever is clean.
Packing Essentials
Bring a water bottle, comfortable shoes, a sun-cap as well as sunscreen, a journal for reflection and a yoga mat for sitting on the floor.
Temple Rules
In every shrine or temple, be it a monastery or a mosque, we expect everyone to follow the rules and respect the variations of tradition. Whenever feasible, remain silent.
Phone Use
To avoid distractions from our journey we will have someone in the group responsible for framing our memories so that we can all minimize screen use.
Group Dynamics
Though everyone will have solo time to ponder freely, we expect people to accept each other’s company. Please be mindful to always respect people’s space and idiosyncrasies.
A clear and pure intention is the most important thing to bring to this journey. Be certain that you will be challenged and take acceptance for a growth.
Spiritual Intention
Modest Clothing
Pack comfortable, modest clothing. Washing machines are scarce in the jungle and laundry depends on both water and sun, so you will have to use whatever is clean.
Packing Essentials
Bring a water bottle, comfortable shoes, a sun-cap as well as sunscreen, a journal for reflection and a yoga mat for sitting on the floor.
Temple Rules
In every shrine or temple, be it a monastery or a mosque, we expect everyone to follow the rules and respect the variations of tradition. Whenever feasible, remain silent.
Phone Use
To avoid distractions from our journey we will have someone in the group responsible for framing our memories so that we can all minimize screen use.
Group Dynamics
Though everyone will have solo time to ponder freely, we expect people to accept each other’s company. Please be mindful to always respect people’s space and idiosyncrasies.
BOOKING
Please be mindful that spaces are limited. To apply, fill out the form below. If eligible, we will add you to the group message-board of the retreat to coordinate minutely. It is customary for the Dragon Lineage to hold preliminary zoom-sessions to both inspire everybody interested in this retreat as well as answering any questions that might arise.
OVERVIEW
Transport in our bus, stays in hotels or the retreat center and all temple tickets.
What’s Included
What’s Not Included
Arrival and departure flights, visas, medical expenses and all meals.
Integration
The journey does not end when the fire dies or the circle closes. Every retreat is a threshold, a passage into deeper awareness that continues to unfold long after our return home. True transformation takes root in the quiet days that follow, when visions settle into the heart and the body learns to carry this new light.
To support this continuity, we offer integration sessions, both in-person and online, where participants can revisit the teachings they gained from these experiences with guidance and clarity. These gatherings both public and private serve as bridges between worlds, a space to weave the insights of ceremony into daily life.
READ MORE
Those who wish to walk further may enter a path of ongoing mentorship or join the sessions we hold for the Dragon Lineage community, where fellow travelers share reflections, practices, and support each other as the work deepens. Anybody wishing to pursue this path should commit not only to retreats but also to their grounding.
Whether we dive into the integration period alone or accompanied, how we deal with coming “back to earth” seals the teachings we recieved. Such is why we ask of people not to book any other retreats or pilgrimages until the one they’re currently integrating has seeped into their habits.
We encourage all to honor their growth with daily journaling, periods of silence, and the application of whatever prayers or meditations they have learnt from this retreat. These practices help refine the energy awakened and drive wisdom into crystallization, for integration is the means by which we uphold the teachings.
Integration
The journey does not end when the fire dies or the circle closes. Every retreat is a threshold, a passage into deeper awareness that continues to unfold long after our return home. True transformation takes root in the quiet days that follow, when visions settle into the heart and the body learns to carry this new light.
To support this continuity, we offer integration sessions, both in-person and online, where participants can revisit the teachings they gained from these experiences with guidance and clarity. These gatherings both public and private serve as bridges between worlds, a space to weave the insights of ceremony into daily life.
Those who wish to walk further may enter a path of ongoing mentorship or join the sessions we hold for the Dragon Lineage community, where fellow travelers share reflections, practices, and support each other as the work deepens. Anybody wishing to pursue this path should commit not only to retreats but also to their grounding.
Whether we dive into the integration period alone or accompanied, how we deal with coming “back to earth” seals the teachings we recieved. Such is why we ask of people not to book any other retreats or pilgrimages until the one they’re currently integrating has seeped into their habits.
We encourage all to honor their growth with daily journaling, periods of silence, and the application of whatever prayers or meditations they have learnt from this retreat. These practices help refine the energy awakened and drive wisdom into crystallization, for integration is the means by which we uphold the teachings.
Testimonies
“I approached this experience with complete openness and curiosity, like an innocent child. I did not make a mistake! On the contrary! The energy I reclaimed, which had been scattered into many pieces in different directions, continues to sustain me. I would practice this experience at least two or three times a year”.
simon
