Sacred Valley Wellness & Yoga Retreat - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Lima

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to Lima, Peru's largest city and central metropolitan hub, and home to one-third of the country's population. Upon arrival, you'll be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel in the Miraflores/San Isidro district.

Located at the site of a pre-Columbian indigenous Ychsma settlement, which was conquered by the Inca Empire in the 15th century and later by the Spanish conquistadores, Lima has a fascinating history and a diverse mix of cultures. Amerindian, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian—especially Chinese and Japanese—influences make Lima a dynamic and exciting city to explore. 

Lima's breezy location on the Pacific Ocean and mild desert climate make it perfect to discover on foot. After settling in, head downtown to mingle with locals, stretch your legs, and grab a bite to eat in one of the many award-winning restaurants. 

Day 2: Fly to Cusco, Transfer to the Sacred Valley

Today starts with a private transfer to the airport, where you'll catch a short domestic flight to Cusco. This ancient city is the former capital of the Inca Empire, which reigned from the 13th to 16th centuries after conquering the Killke settlement in the same location. Upon arrival, a private transfer will whisk you into the nearby Sacred Valley, where beautiful mountain landscapes and fresh air await.

 

Get settled into your hotel, and allow yourself to disconnect amid the soothing and quiet environs. Take a dip in the thermal baths or indulge in a relaxing massage as you unwind and adjust to the altitude.

Day 3: Transfer to Yoga Retreat: Welcome & Earth Chakra

Today you'll transfer deeper to the Sacred Valley of the Inca to start your four-day yoga retreat at a beautiful lodge. Here you'll be guided through a specialized sequence of mindful activities, therapeutic treatments, vegetarian farm-to-table meals, fresh cold-pressed juices, and powerful Andean ceremonies. Spend the next few days in this intentional space connecting with nature, art, the local culture, and your inner mind.  Enjoy the restorative hospitality of the lodge as you explore the area and get in tune with your energy.

Your first day starts with a welcoming guided garden tour to connect with the "earth" chakra, followed by a traditional Andean kintu offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth).

Day 4: Yoga Retreat: Water Chakra & Mountain Hike

Start your morning by fueling up with a nutritional green juice, then honor the "water" chakra element or "energy center" with Andean ceremonies and outdoor yoga classes. Each of the lodge's gardens contains symbols, shapes, sculptures, and Inca medicinal plants and flowers that resonate with one of the seven chakras, or energy centers, of the human body. 

In the afternoon, take a scenic hike to breathe in the clear mountain air and feel your body awaken and re-energize.

Day 5: Yoga Retreat: Fire Chakra & Meditation

Day three of your yoga retreat starts with a reconnection to the “fire” chakra element, through breathing exercises and patterns that connect your body and mind.

After your session, take some time to reflect and relax before lunch.  Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to enjoy the lodge's stunning surroundings, ending your night with a session of self-meditation before bed.

Day 6: Yoga Retreat Farewell, Train to Aguas Calientes

Savor a final morning of yoga and meditation before saying your goodbyes and transferring to the train station of Ollantaytambo. Here you'll catch the train to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Upon arrival, your guide will accompany you on a walk to the nearby Mandor Nature Preserve, a lush protected area of forests and gardens that's home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. Take some time to sit by the river and enjoy the sound of the waterfall, the fragrant flowers, and plentiful butterflies. After refreshing your mind, body, and soul with some time in nature, you'll return to Aguas Calientes for the evening and get settled into your accommodations.

Day 7: Visit Machu Picchu, Return to Cusco

A spectacular stone city surrounded by steep, lush mountains, Machu Picchu needs no introduction. Today you'll discover the grand main citadel, find hidden nooks and crannies, and experience breathtaking views from this mysterious wonder of the 15th-century Inca Empire. Located at 7,970 ft (2,430 m), the ancient citadel is a masterpiece of engineering that served as a sanctuary and retreat for Emperor Pachacutec and his royal court. Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain," is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. 

Built as a seasonal residence for the Inca family, Machu Picchu was rarely home to more than 800 people, and during the royals' absence, a mere 100 servants would remain at the site to maintain the grounds. Machu Picchu was abandoned 100 years after construction and remained largely hidden to the outside world until the early 20th century. 

Rise at sunrise and be rewarded with a guided tour before the crowds arrive. After the tour, you will have plenty of time to explore the citadel on your own, then take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and grab lunch in the picturesque town center. Connect to your train to Ollantaytambo and your connecting transfer back to your hotel in Cusco. 

Day 8: Free Day in Cusco

Today you're free to explore Cusco at your leisure. Suggested activities include: 

• Visit the Coricancha, also known as the "Temple of the Sun." The temple was built by the Incan Emperor Pachacutec (1438 - 1572) and after the arrival of the Spaniards became the basis for the construction of the Santo Domingo Convent.
  
  
• See the Cathedral, the most imposing monument in the central Plaza de Armas and a repository for Cusco's colonial art. Its construction lasted for almost 100 years, beginning in 1560 and ending in 1654.
  
  
• Walk to Sacsayhuamán and next-door Quenqo, both archaeological complexes used mostly for religious and agricultural rituals, located 2.5 miles (4 km) from the city of Cusco. Built by the Killke people, Sacsayhuamán is a marvel of ancient architecture, a monolithic fortress built from giant blocks of stone, the origins and assembly of which remain a mystery. 
  
  
• Discover the elaborate Puca Pucara ruins—an architectural complex of alleged military use with multiple plazas, baths, aqueducts, walls, and towers. It is believed that the entourage of the Incan emperor used it while he stayed at Tambomachay, the elaborate estate and baths nearby.
  
  
• Explore San Blas, an old bohemian quarter famous for its picturesque white walls, blue doors, and creative artisan community. 
  
  
• Experience the legendary Mercado Central de San Pedro, a large and diverse market famous for its mouth-watering fruit juices, home-style meals, medicinal herb stalls, and rows of various meats, breads, vegetables, and other necessities. 
  
  
• Eat lunch at a local Peruvian restaurant and sample local flavors and cooking techniques—crackling pork, pickled vegetables, seasonal flavors, bread baked in earthen ovens, roasted vegetables, and sweet donuts make for a delicious and filling meal. 

Day 9: Fly to Lima & Departure

It's time to say your goodbyes to Peru this morning, as you transfer to Cusco Airport to catch a flight back to Lima and connect with your international departure. ¡Hasta luego!

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