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Yoga & Wellness Experience to Machu Picchu

Introducing our new 8-day Yoga and Wellness Experience to Machu Picchu—a combination of exhilarating hikes, wellness workshops, and focused yoga practices—along with unique, meaningful cultural immersion and interaction with our Andean neighbors for a holistic journey like no other.

Length: 8 Days
Destinations: Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Lares Valley, Machu Picchu
Lodging: Luxurious mountain lodges and hotels
Activities: Yoga, meditation, wellness, hiking, Inca ruins, markets, cultural experiences

WHY THIS TRIP

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Travel through the magical Sacred Valley of the Incas and stunning remote Lares region of Cusco as you make your way to Machu Picchu. You will begin each day with an invigorating yoga practice before heading out on exciting hikes and cultural excursions.

As you set your intentions for the journey and align them with the sacred energy from these ancient lands, you will feel a new connection to Pachamama (‘Mother Earth’) and understand how and why the Quechua people from these remote villages maintain the age-old traditions of their Inca forbears.

Workshops on an array of topics from Andean ‘superfoods’ to Ayurvedic principles round out this experience for a true exploration of the Circle of Life.

YOGA & WELLNESS LEADER: SANDRA GALLEGOS

We are pleased to introduce Sandra Gallegos, our new MLP Yoga and Wellness Leader. During the past 14 years, she has been both a devoted yoga practitioner and teacher, and three years ago opened her own studio dedicated to Ashtanga Yoga as well as ‘Integral Health’ coaching.

Sandra also brings an in-depth knowledge of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Nutrition, having studied with notable experts in India and beyond. Her experience, dedication, and holistic approach to mind/body wellness will ensure the trip of a lifetime for our guests.

Name: Sandra Gallegos
Age: 39
From: Lima, Peru
Mom to: Kailani, age 7
Professional background:

Business Administration degree completed in Amsterdam, Holland
2004: Began practicing yoga
2005: Earned post-graduate degree in International Tourism, Australia
2013: Earned Ashtanga Yoga certification through AYP
2014: Studied Ashtanga Yoga and Ayurveda & Ayurvedic Nutrition at K.Pattabhi Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI), Mysore, India
2014: Studied Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Nutrition with Dr. Chitrah Lekha at Mysore Ayurveda Retreat, Mysore, India
2015: Opened Yoga studio DAYS Yoga and Health Coaching, Lima, Peru
2016: Completed the ‘Integrative Health Coaching’ course at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), New York, NY
Languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese, and basic Indonesian

LOCAL OPERATOR: MOUNTAIN LODGES OF PERU

The goal of Mountain Lodges of Peru is to provide its guests with the service, comfort and safety they need to be able to freely explore and enjoy nature, culture, history and like-minded souls.

For more than 10 years, Mountain Lodges of Peru has hosted guests at its mountain lodges with top-quality service backed with a three-fold philosophy: cultural authenticity and access, remoteness in comfort and style, and exceed expectations.

At Mountain Lodges of Peru, local natives are included in day-day operations, many of whom share their customs and learn how to be industry professionals by learning the business of hosting guests with outstanding service.

Mountain Lodges of Peru has taken an active role in the socioeconomic development of the communities to which it neighbor, creating an NGO named Yanapana Peru, which strives to elevate the level of education for more than 150 families in the area and to give an incentive to the local population to take an active role in the development of tourism in the area.

Itinerary

Click the Abbreviated Itinerary to see the Detailed Itinerary

Itinerary

DAY 1: Cusco - Setting our Intentions
DAY 2: Cusco - Merging Intentions and Energy
DAY 3: Sacred Valley of the Incas
DAY 4: Into the Heart of the Lares Valley
DAY 5: The Road to Ollantaytambo
DAY 6: Machu Picchu
DAY 7: Circling Back - Energy and Intentions
DAY 8: Farewell

DAY 1: Cusco – Setting our Intentions

Arrival in Cusco and transfer to El Retablo. Time for lunch and early afternoon at leisure.
03:00 pm Introductory workshop at hotel: ‘The Pillars of Wellness’— an exploration of the Circle of Life to give us clarity in our intentions for the journey. (2 hours)
05:30 pm Restorative Yoga (Antigua Casona Hotel – rooftop room). Moon salutations offer a soft and restorative practice with asanas, or postures, to restore our backs after the long journey, followed by a meditation to set our intentions for this wellness experience. (1 hour)
07:00 pm Welcome dinner at Pachapapa

Overnight in Cusco: El Retablo
Meals Included: Dinner

DAY 2: Cusco – Merging Intentions and Energy

07:00 am Early morning Sun Salutations for an energetic start to the day (approximately 20 minutes).
07:30 am Breakfast at El Retablo.
08:45 am Round-trip hike to the Temple of the Moon for a K’intu initiation ceremony, followed by a gentle guided meditation. Focus: Establishing a merging of intentions and personal energy within the sacred land that surrounds us (approximately 4 hours).
01:30 pm Lunch in Cusco at Green’s Organic.
03:30 pm Superfood workshop at hotel: ‘Introduction to Andean Superfoods and the Magic of Peruvian Food Culture’—followed by a visit to the San Pedro Market to learn about the top 10 Andean superfoods, their properties, and different ways to prepare them in order to activate their nutrients (3 hours).
07:00 pm Trip briefing at hotel.
07:30 pm Dinner at Mutu.

Overnight in Cusco: El Retablo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Sacred Valley of the Incas

06:00 am Everyday Essentials Yoga: Restoration practice focused on stretching wrists, shoulders, hips, and back to loosen up our bodies and minds. (1 hour)
07:00 am Breakfast at El Retablo.
07:30 am Depart for the Sacred Valley.
08:30 am Visit to the Pisaq town market and botanical gardens.
11:00 am Visit to Viacha—participate in traditional Andean farming practices alongside members of the local community.
12:00 pm Hike to the Pisaq archaeological site followed by a guided tour (approximately 2.5 hours)
02:30 pm Scenic drive to Lamay Lodge.
04:00 pm Traditional Pachamanca lunch at Lamay Lodge
06:00 pm Evening restorative yoga practice. Focus: Re-centering ourselves by integrating the multiple energies received during our full-day journey. (2 hours)
07:30 pm Light dinner and daily trip briefing.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley: Lamay Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Into the Heart of the Lares Valley

07:00 am Early morning Ashtanga practice: energizing and dynamic. (1 hour)
08:00 am Breakfast at lodge.
09:00 am Wellness workshop at the lodge: ‘Ayurveda for Life’ — Ayurveda is known as the life science that is complementary to yoga. During this workshop we will explore our doshas (body and mind constitutions) and examine modifications to lead each of us toward an improved lifestyle.
10:15 am Depart for the Lares Valley.
Choice of afternoon activities (A or B):
– Activity A: 12:15 pm Excursion to meet the expert textile weavers of the Choquecancha community including an introduction to Andean natural textile dyes and coca leaf reading (approximately 3.5 hours)
– Activity B: 01:00 pm Hike from Cuncani to Huacahuasi Lodge (approximately 1 hour)
06:00 pm Wellness workshop at the lodge: ‘Pranayama Breathing’— Pranayama technique workshop to guide our bodies and minds into a deep state of relaxation (1 hour)
07:30 pm Dinner and trip briefing

Overnight in the Lares Valley: Huacahuasi Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: The Road to Ollantaytambo

06:45 am Mysore Ashtanga Yoga: Build your own practice—Mysore offers the opportunity for a personalized posture sequence adapted to each individual student (1 hour)
08:00 am Breakfast at hotel.
08:45 am Scenic drive to Marcacocha.
10:15 am Pachamama ceremony at the Marcacocha archaeological site.
11:30 am Depart for Pumamarka.
12:15 pm Visit to the Pumamarka archaeological site and picnic lunch.
02:00 pm Hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo. (approximately 2 hours)
04:30 pm Arrival at Willka T’ika.
05:00 pm Philosophy Workshop: ‘The Heart of Yoga’ : Discussion of the eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga, including ethical principles like yamas and niyamas (1 hour and 30 minutes)
07:30 pm Dinner and daily trip briefing.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley: Willka T’ika – Luxury Wellness Retreat & Yoga Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: Machu Picchu

7:00 am Mysore Ashtanga Yoga Method: Continuing our individual posture sequence exploration. (1 hour and 15 minutes)
08:15 am Breakfast at hotel.
09:30 am Visit to the Ollantaytambo archaeological site.
11:30 am Scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes; lunch on board (approximately 1.5 hours)
02:00 pm Guided tour of Machu Picchu.
05:00 pm Check-in at hotel.
07:30 pm Dinner at hotel and daily trip briefing.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: Circling Back – Energy and Intentions

06:30 am Optional early morning stroll through the lush orchid gardens and tea plantation at hotel. (1 hour)
07:30 am Breakfast at hotel.
09:00 am Hike to the Mandor Nature Preserve followed by an energizing Sun Salutations variations practice. At the end of the session, we will revisit the Circle of Life to examine the attainment of our wellness experience intentions. (approximately 2.5 hours)
01:00 pm Lunch at hotel.
02:55 pm Scenic train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (approximately 1.5 hours)
05:00 pm Private transport from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco (approximately 2 hours)
08:00 pm Farewell dinner.

Overnight in Cusco: El Retablo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: Farewell

Breakfast at El Retablo and transport to the Cusco airport in time for your departing flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast

travel logistics

Getting To and From the Trip:

Trip Start: This trip starts with your arrival at the Cusco Airport on Day 1. You should arrive before noon. You will be picked up at the airport and taken to your hotel.

Trip End: This trip ends with a transfer from your hotel to the Cusco Airport on Day 8. Your flight can depart Cusco any time on this day.

Complete Your Trip

Prices & Dates

2023 PRICES:

Pricing is per person and based on double accommodations.

Group Departures are standard

Single Supplement applies.
Single Traveler willing to share accommodations with another traveler of the same gender will be put on a room share list. If there is another traveler who is also willing to share, and you are paired together, there is no supplement. However, if you are willing to share but no match is found, you will have an additional supplement, but you will have the rooms to yourself.

2024 PRICES:

What's Included / Not Included

INCLUDED:

All transportation services as indicated in the itinerary (except flights)
On Day 4, you choose between two afternoon activities, one active and one cultural. You choose when you’re on the trip
Entrance fees to tourist and archeological sites, including Machu Picchu
Permit to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain in Machu Picchu (subject to availability)
All accommodations as indicated
All meals from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last day
A house selection of beer, wine, and spirits (only at the lodges on nights 3 and 4)
Professional, English speaking guides (except for moments in the itinerary which are labeled “on your own”)
Expert, English speaking yoga instructor
All tips for lodge staff on nights 3 and 4 are included.
Wireless internet access at all lodges

NOT INCLUDED:

International and domestic Peru flights. You should arrive in Cusco by 12pm on Day 1, and you can depart Cusco any time on Day 8. (Flights can be booked on your own, or with our flight partners at Exito Travel. For a quote, please let me know your home airport.)
Massages and spa services
Alcoholic beverages (except for select drinks at the nights on nights 3 and 4)
Bottled water and sports drinks are not included. In an effort to reduce plastic waste in Peru, we encourage travelers to use refillable water bottles. For this purpose, we provide a large supply of the highest quality filtered water, available at multiple water stations at the lodges and hotels.
Tips for yoga instructor and guides: Suggested at $10 – $20 per traveler per day
Tips for hotel staff in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Aguas Calientes (5 nights total): Suggested at about $5 per traveler per night
Local taxes (18% IGV) on meals and lodging applicable to Peruvians, foreign residents in Peru, and tourists traveling in Peru for 60+ days
Accommodations and services in Lima (can be quoted for and added upon request)