With over 20 years of experience leading groups to Peru, our expertly planned itinerary is designed to offer a unique and immersive cultural journey. You will have the chance to witness many beautiful ancient Incan traditions and visit one of the seven modern wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. This awe-inspiring citadel was home to the Inca for centuries before it was abandoned during the Spanish conquest and lost to history until its rediscovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Whether hiking around the remains of some of the oldest civilizations or enjoying the traditional flavors of Peruvian cuisine in Cusco, Peru will leave you enthralled and eager to return.

Meet Your Local Guide

Valentin Baca Baños is a native Quechua speaker who was born on a farm in the Sacred Valley. He started working as a porter on the Inca Trail at the age of 16. He then worked as a chef on the trail while at the same time attending the University of San Antonio in Cusco, studying for a four-year degree program to become a certified guide, completing course work in tourism, history, archaeology, flora, fauna, medicine, Psychology, and English. Valentin has been working as a guide for over a decade and has led 500 plus trips to Machu Picchu. He has a passion for sharing the culture, history, and beauty of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley in an energetic, friendly, fun, and spiritual manner. We have been partnering with Valentin for many years and can't imagine the journey without him — he truly takes special care to ensure every traveler has an amazing experience in Peru.

Day 1: Arrive in Cusco

Welcome to Cusco! Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to our retreat center located in the Sacred Valley. We will take our time on this first day, giving our bodies time to adjust to the high elevation. Once everyone has settled in, we will gather together for our first yoga practice, a welcome ceremony, and dinner.

Day 2: Sacred Valley

Enjoy a relaxing day unwinding from your travels. Wander the retreat center property and take a stroll through the surrounding gardens. Morning and afternoon yoga will take place in the beautiful yoga shala at our retreat center. In the early evening, we will partake in a traditional Despacho ceremony with a local shaman and learn about the Inca Spiritual world. Set your intentions to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (Mountain Spirits).

Day 3: Maras, Moray, and Chinchero

After morning yoga and breakfast, we begin with a tour of Maras, a collection of salt mines that have been used since pre-Inca times to evaporate salt from an underground stream. We then continue to Moray, where we can stand on the terrace looking down below to contemplate the concentric circles that made up an Incan agricultural laboratory. We will enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot before traveling to the village of Chinchero to visit a weaving cooperative that helps women of the surrounding mountain villages to be economically self-sufficient. Here we will see a demonstration by local women and learn about how the ancient Incan weaving techniques are passed down from generation to generation. You have a chance to purchase some of their amazing textiles to bring home! Afternoon yoga will take place at our retreat center followed by dinner.

Day 4: Local Farm & Pottery Studio Visit

Today we start the day with morning yoga and breakfast before our local guide, Valentin, takes us to his family farm where we will hike into the mountains above the Sacred Valley. The views are truly spectacular! You will have the opportunity to taste the local fruits and vegetables that grow there, feed the guinea pigs, and learn about Chicha - the local corn beer. Lunch will be prepared in the traditional Peruvian Pachamanca style - in an oven of hot stones covered in earth. In the afternoon we will visit a local pottery studio to learn about this native craft before returning to the retreat center for yoga and dinner.

Day 5: Pisac, Market, Llama & Alpaca Farms

After morning yoga and breakfast, we will drive to the ancient Incan ruins of Pisac where our guide will perform a short traditional ceremony of gratitude followed by a guided walking tour of the temple complex and the Inca cemetery. We will then descend to the town of Pisac to explore the market where locals travel from surrounding villages to sell their produce and goods. In the afternoon we will visit the alpaca, llama, and vicuña farm where we can pet and feed the animals, and learn more about Peruvian traditions of weaving and textiles. Afternoon yoga will take place at our retreat center followed by dinner.

Day 6: Free Day in the Sacred Valley

Today is a free day to relax at the hotel, enjoy the gardens, or take a short stroll in the area. Morning and afternoon yoga will take place in the beautiful yoga shala at our retreat center. Other optional activities will be advised.

Day 7: Overnight Aguas Calientes

Today we will depart our retreat center after morning yoga and breakfast and begin our journey to Aguas Calientes. On our way to the train, we follow the Urubamba river to the Ollantaytambo fortress, a sprawling Incan temple complex that towers over the small town below where we will enjoy more breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and across the valley below. Our afternoon train to Aguas Calientes (the town at the base of the Machu Picchu mountains) will take about 2 hours. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel. Evening and dinner will be at your leisure but note our start the following day will be quite early!

Day 8: Machu Picchu

Our early morning sunrise visit to Machu Picchu will start at 6 am. Our guides will meet us at the hotel to take the shuttle bus up to the ruins. Those who wish to hike up Huayna Picchu (the mountain trail overlooking Machu Picchu) will enjoy the exquisite view. (Note that Huayna Picchu is considered a fairly rigorous hike). After exploring, the group will descend back to Aguas Calientes around noon for lunch* and depart on the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo (2 hours) and then drive by private bus to Cusco (2 hours).

*Note: no yoga on this day, lunch at an additional cost

Day 9: Cusco City Tour

After morning yoga we will go on a tour of the most important historical sites of Cusco including the Plaza de Armas, the main cathedral, and the Quirkancha, which was the most sacred Inca temple dedicated to Inti, the Sun God. When the Spaniards arrived in Cusco, they demolished the temple, using the existing foundation on which to build a colonial church. Following the city tour, we will continue on to see the incredible Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, an important Inca site for military and ceremonial purposes. Located on a steep outcropping overlooking Cusco, this Inca site is composed of massive boulders held together without mortar. Lunch will be enjoyed on your own in the city. After lunch we will return to the hotel for some downtime before an evening yoga session, closing ceremony, and group dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Day 10: Trip Concludes

After breakfast together, our trip will conclude and you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Please note that exact timing and details are subject to change with each trip.

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