Vision Quest Explained: What They Are, Why They Matter

There’s something profoundly stirring about stepping away from the noise of everyday life and entering the quiet, vast stillness of nature—with nothing but your intention, your spirit team, and the great unknown. This is the essence of a Vision Quest.

A Vision Quest is not a simple retreat or holiday, it’s a rite of passage. Traditionally used across various shamanic and Indigenous cultures, Vision Quests are sacred journeys undertaken for deep spiritual insight, personal healing, and soul-level awakening. It’s a conscious choice to leave behind the ordinary and enter into communion with Spirit—through solitude, nature, ritual, and sometimes fasting or other physical preparations.

These quests call us to meet ourselves. Often held in wild, untouched places, a Vision Quest removes all distractions, placing us directly into the heart of our own becoming. They’re for those moments in life when something is shifting, ending, beginning—or when you simply feel the whisper: there is more. More to know. More to understand. More to embody.

So, what does a Vision Quest actually entail? It looks different across cultures and contexts, but the common thread is this: you step into sacred space with intention. You work with spiritual guides—human and unseen—you surrender to the elements, and you allow the natural world to reflect back what’s ready to be seen. It’s an initiation. A time to receive messages, clarity, and direction from the deepest parts of yourself and the spirit world.

At Ankara, we approach Vision Quests with deep reverence. We weave together tools from traditional shamanic practices, our lived experience, and the medicine of the land we journey through. This May, we’re offering something truly extraordinary—a Vision Quest through the steppes of Mongolia. And we’re inviting you to join us.

Mongolia is one of the few places in the world where ancient shamanic traditions are not only remembered but still actively practised. When Heather journeyed there two years ago, she experienced a powerful transmission—from the land, the spirits, and the shamans who opened their ceremonies to her. That journey left an imprint on her soul, one that now runs through everything we share at The Ankara Academy. Now, we return—not just as visitors, but as seekers.

This 9-day pilgrimage from May 14th to 22nd 2025, will take you through vast open landscapes, sacred ceremonies, and intimate encounters with authentic Mongolian shamans. You’ll witness traditional rituals, receive one-on-one guidance, and participate in full moon fire ceremonies under star-strewn skies. From eagle hunting demonstrations and horse archery to divination workshops and Buddhist monastery meditations, every moment is designed to initiate a deeper connection with the spirit realm, nature, and your own unique path.

But this isn’t just a tour—it’s a call. This is a Vision Quest. One that asks you to come with curiosity, openness, and reverence. One that reminds you that transformation doesn’t happen in the busy and the familiar—it happens in the wild and the sacred. We are embracing this journey in a new way, within community, united as a group. The Mongolian landscapes hold deep contrast to our lives at home, and within an aligned group, we can find further integration and the missing piece to our spiritual lives…each other.

If you’ve been craving clarity, a shift, a deeper connection to yourself or your spiritual path—consider this your invitation for next year’s quest.. Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or completely new to shamanic work, this journey will meet you exactly where you are. You don’t need to know “how” to quest. You just need to say yes when the land calls.

We believe this pilgrimage will stir your soul and change your life. The land of Mongolia has a way of bringing people home to themselves. And we would be honoured to walk this journey beside you.