top of page
-
Day 1: ArrivalArrive in Cusco, Peru. Transportation from the airport to our home base in the heart of the Sacred Valley will be provided. After your 1.5 hour car ride you will be graciously welcomed by Heidi as you arrive to the stunning villa. Upon arrival you will be greeted with Andean tea to help you start to adjust to the altitude as you’re invited to settle in to our shared home for the week. Flight information will need to be provided one week in advance. As everyone will be arriving at different times you will have an opportunity to stretch your legs if arriving early, rest, and start to acclimatize. We will all land together in the evening for a grounding meet and greet with those you will be exploring Peru with. *Please note that each days itinerary is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen variables.​
-
Day 2: Cusco City TourYoga/meditation practice will take place in either the morning or afternoon this day. Start the day with a lovely continental breakfast in the villa, ground down, and get centered for a day full of cultural introduction. You will have the opportunity to learn about the rich Inca history, the Spanish invasion, and present day Peruvian culture. This full day will serve as a foundation for learnings throughout the week. Some of the city Cusco tour will be on foot with a portion in a private van for our group. As the day tour winds down we will return to the villa. There we will settle into rooms and reconnect for a group dinner where you will have an opportunity to try new foods and share laughs with new friends. City Tour Details: After an early pick up we will drive for about 1h to Tambomachay, called The Bath of the Inca. Next, a short 10 min drive will take us to the impressive Sacsaywaman -the famous Inca fortress- with its gigantic stones (of up to 300 tons). From there we will drive to Cusco, the cosmopolitan Inca capital were you can marvel at the spectacular Plaza de Armas (main square) surrounded by two beautiful churches (Cathedral and Compania). Take an approx. 3h walking tour through Plaza Regocijo, Plaza San Francisco, Mercado San Pedro down to Avenue El Sol, to the Qorikancha Temple. After lunch we will head to Triunfo street to see the spectacular Inca walls and the famous 12-sided stone. Meandering our way up to breathtaking San Blas, the artists' neighborhood where we will stop for afternoon coffee in one the of the many bohemian places. *Please note that each days itinerary is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen variables.​
-
Day 3: Explore Ollantaytambo: Yoga, Ruins, Hiking, and Peruvian Cuisine "Rise and shine for a refreshing day in the Andes. We will meet downstairs where we will enjoy an hour long yoga practice. Greet the morning with a lovely breakfast in the kitchen, before preparing for a full day exploring the ancient city of Ollantaytambo. Known as the best surviving example of Inca city planning, with quaint cobblestone streets and homes that have been inhabited since the 13th century. We will explore the ruins and present day shrine of Ollantaytambo situated in the heart of the village, weave our way through the wandering streets, and climb up to the Pinkuylluna grainery storehouses to see Ollantaytambo from a different perspective. While here we will take time to stretch, breathe, and take photos. Just as we are starting to work up an appetite we will make our way back to the villa to enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal called the Pachamanca. Urubamba has been an agricultural area since pre-Inca times and farming continues to be the main source of income for a large majority of the area’s population. Nestled within the mountains, the villa provides the perfect opportunity to learn about traditional and contemporary farming, as well as, primitive cooking techniques. The Pachamanca, which translates to "earth oven" in the Quechua language, is a traditional Inca meal cooked upon hot rocks. When it comes time to eat, we will gather around the outdoor seating area to savor this culinary delight as we take in breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Wind down after lunch in the hot tub, lounge in a chair in the gardens, or retire to your room for an afternoon siesta. We will gather later in the day an evening yoga practice. *Please note that each days itinerary is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen variables.​
-
Day 4: Cultural ImmersionThis day is centered on our pillars: Empowerment, Education, and Experience. We have partnered with an organization that has made it their mission to empower Peruvian women and we couldn't be happier to support them in this endeavour. Steeped in traditional weaving practices that are ever present today we will learn firsthand what daily life is like and how this women's weaving collective has created a fair trade opportunity that connects these women to the global market. We will begin our morning with the rising sun, meeting for an early yoga practice followed by a delicious breakfast. Our journey into the mountains will begin as we meet our driver in the town square of Ollantaytambo at 9am to embark to the Patacancha region. Upon arrival we will visit the cooperative's weaving center. During our visit to the weaving center you will learn about weaving and its significance in Andean culture, and see a demonstration of the entire process; transforming alpaca or sheep wool from its raw state into a beautiful, vibrant textile. It is fascinating to see this ancient artform come to life in its original environment. After the demonstration, you will get the chance to try weaving for yourself. One of the weavers from our women's cooperative will act as your personal teacher to help you create your own bracelet which you can take home as a memento of your time in the community. We will gather together for lunch, which will be followed by an opportunity to buy textiles directly from the women who make them. The weavers sell a wide range of high-quality artisan goods that we guarantee are hand woven, naturally dyed, and 100% alpaca or sheep's wool. Arriving back in town around 3pm we will make our way back to the hotel where you will be invited to rest before an evening yoga session. Round out this culturally immersive day with local dinner in Urubamba. *Please note that each days itinerary is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen variables.​
-
Day 5: Perolniyoq Waterfall/Ruins Day HikeToday we will rise with the sun, ground down and stretch our way through an early morning yoga practice in preparation for a full day of nature therapy. After a lovely breakfast we will hop in a van for a short ride to the trail head. Enjoy stunning views all the while as you are guided through a meditative hiking experience. Along with our local peruvian guide, Heidi will guide you through mindfulness techniques that will allow you to connect more deeply to your experience on and off the trail. As we ascend we will bask in the beauty of the high flowing waterfall. When we reach the ruins above the tree line we will have an opportunity to explore, snack, and drop into some yoga postures. Descending back into the valley we will return to the van and stop in to one of the premier breweries in the sacred valley. Unlike in the U.S., microbrewing is new to Peru, but the Sacred Valley Brewing Company can hold its own. We will learn a little more about this scene, enjoy a late lunch and refreshments before returning to the villa for an evening off. *Please note that each days itinerary is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen variables.​ **Beer tasting will be an optional experience.
-
Day 6: Chinchero, Moray and Salineras de Maras"We will greet the day with an early morning yoga practice followed by a delectable breakfast spread in the dining room. After breakfast we will be picked up by our local guide to journey through the Sacred Valley to the village of Chinchero, Moray (archaeological site), and the Salineras de Maras (salt mine). We will take a 35 minute drive up to the town of Chinchero (elev. 12340 ft). A typical Andean village that combines Inca ruins with a colonial church (one of the best in the area) and a colorful open-air market. Next, a further breathtaking 15 mile drive with the beautiful snow capped Chicon and Veronica mountains in the Cordillera Vilcanota as a backdrop we will continue through to Moray. Step back in time to the archaeological site of Moray where we will visit the Inca agricultural greenhouse or laboratory. Notably, a mysterious site where the Incas were thought to study agriculture, we will meander around these beautiful terraced amphitheater-style valleys. From here we will journey to the Salineras de Maras a pre-Inca salt mine made up of about 3,000 small wells. These terraced ponds are both breathtaking and functional. Today this is a cooperative managed by local families. You will have an opportunity to learn how salts are harvested here daily. Take a deep breath and enjoy the beauty and bounty of Peru as we journey back to Urubamba. This shorter day will give you the afternoon to unwind and reflect. Join in an afternoon yoga session or plan a time to meet with Heidi to discuss yoga, Peru, wellness, or travel. *Please note that each days itinerary is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen variables.​
-
Day 7: Full Day Machu PicchuWith the sun brimming over the mountains we will have an early start as we take the first train to Aguas Calientes. A short ride to the train station and we will begin our epic journey. Enjoy stunning views as we wind through the mountains aboard the luxurious Inca Rail train. During our journey sip on coffee or another refreshing beverage while you snack on a complimentary treat. Once we arrive in the gateway village to Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, we will board a tour bus to make our way through the switchbacks up to the entrance to Machu Picchu. As a group our guide with take us through the rich history of this historical landmark and one of the major wonders of the world. After which you will have the opportunity to explore on your own: walking to the Sun Gate or Inca Bridge*. *If you are interested in tagging on the beautiful Huayna Picchu or Mountain Machu Picchu experience at an extra cost please let us know as soon as possible. These offerings must be booked at the same time we book your Machu Picchu ticket and typically fill upmonths in advance as space is limited, so the earlier the better. More details will be provided to you before booking. We will all gather together at a specified time to catch the bus back down the mountain and travel by train to the valley of Ollantaytambo. Our day will conclude was we gather together in the living room of the villa. *Please note that each days itinerary is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen variables.​
-
Day 8: Visit PisacGathering together for our final yoga practice together you will have an opportunity to integrate your experiences and ground down for another great day of exploration. Following breakfast we will journey to the southern region of the Sacred Valley into the village of Pisac. Here we will hike up to the mountain ridge to explore the ruins of Pisac and take in beautiful vistas of the surrounding valley. We will wind our way down the mountain to the cobbled streets of Pisac. Stopping in for lunch at a local cheery restaurant. After which, we make a brief stop at the famous Pisac market. Landing back in Urubamba we will settle back into the cozy villa. We will have an optional restorative yoga practice or take your time to rest, and recharge on your own. On your final evening together we will gather as a group for a scrumptious dinner. *Please note that each days itinerary is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen variables.​
-
Day 9: DepartureOur group will surely have some common and some different departure times to head back home or off for more Peruvian exploration. No matter the departure time, Heidi will be ready to meet you downstairs as you prepare for your ride back to Cusco. If you have a late or afternoon departure feel free to gather as a group for one last breakfast together to share stories and contact information with your new travel friends. If you intend to spend this last morning exploring Cusco, Heidi will be happy to help you plan a day of last minute highlights. *Transportation to the airport will be provided, which must be arranged in advance.
bottom of page