Admire sacred archaeological sites, colorful markets, breathtaking scenery, and delve into the rich culture of the Quechua Indians, the Inca descendants, in a very personal relationship with the land, the people, and their customs. Among the highlights of the trip are visits to Cusco, capital of the vast Inca State, known as the navel of the ancestral world, and, of course, a day of marveling at Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world. One event that makes the trip truly unique is a visit to the traditional highland community of Amaru, where we will participate in their communal workday, share a meal, enjoy weaving demonstrations, music and dancing – a cultural exchange that deepens the appreciation of Quechua history and social life.
Our hosts, Roman and Fielding Vizcarra, owners of the Pisac Inn and Peru Cultural Journeys, dedicate their lives to the celebration and preservation of traditional Andean culture. Meals are provided by the Pisac Inn’s restaurant Cuchara de Palo, celebrating the wealth of Peruvian Cuisine, and dedicated to organic, locally sourced and fresh ingredients. Peru’s ancient agrarian tradition resulted in an abundant diversity of products, with a myriad of flavors, colors and aromas that have won special recognition for Peruvian Culinary Art as one of the most exquisite and sophisticated on the planet.
Throughout our travels the yoga sessions will allow time for reflection and integration of our incredible experiences, but if you or your travel companion do not practice yoga, you can still join the tour and use the yoga time to spend at your leisure. The daily yoga practice ranges from an invigorating vinyasa sequence, to a restful, restorative session, depending on the other activities of the day and the needs of the group.
This Andean cultural journey combined with a yoga retreat sets the stage for a profound cultural and personal experience. The woven itinerary, accommodations, and meals celebrate the Andean perspective. Your participation directly supports sustainable efforts to preserve traditional Andean culture.
7 nights at the Pisac Inn and 1 night at the hotel in Aguas Calientes for early morning access to Machu Picchu
The Cuchara de Palo Restaurant caters our pic-nic lunches and provides all meals at the Pisac Inn.
Sonya Luz Costanza guides the yoga classes.
On all of our excursions we will have a private tour van , and we'll ride the vista dome train to Aguas Calientes for access to Machu Picchu.
The price of admission to all archeological sites and museums is included.
We will have a professional guide to explain the history and significance of the agricultural terraces, intricate stonework, and astronomical observatories we'll visit.
Sales tax and administration fees are included.
You are responsible for arranging your own air transport to Cusco. Arrive on the morning of October 6. We will pick you up in our private van from the airport or hotel in Cusco if you arrive earlier.
We strongly reccomend each passenger purchase travel insurance.
There will be 3 -4 meals taken in a restaurant outside the Pisac Inn.
You may wish to tip the driver of our van, massage therapist, spa attendant, our guide, or others along the way.
There are many opportunities to buy local weavings and crafts directly from the artisans, and at the Pisac Market and stores in Cusco. Other expenses may include toiletries, extra snacks, or alcohol.
If you choose to pay by credit card an additional fee will be applied. If you choose the option to pay directly from your bank there are no fees.
Take a morning flight to Cusco, the navel of the world, land in the heart of the Andes and be greeted at the Cusco airport to begin your exclusive journey. Enjoy a spectacular 45-minute scenic drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Revel in the striking beauty of the snow topped peaks, mountainsides delineated by Inca terraces, and fields that cover the valley floor. Arrive to Pisac with lower altitude and small town charm. Settle into your room at Pisac Inn and enjoy a cup of coca tea to help you acclimate. Savor your first in a series of delicious meals spun into a select set menu to explore the diversity and richness of Peruvian Cuisine. Take the afternoon to wander the cobblestone streets of Pisac on your own. Late afternoon yoga followed by evening reception and fireside dinner.
Hotel: Pisac Inn Meals: L, D
Enjoy a 30-minute scenic drive to explore pre-Columbian sites outside of Cusco including the sacred spring of Tambomachay, the lunar and solar observatories of Kenko, and megalithic Sacsayhuaman. You will be captivated by the introduction to Andean astronomy and sacred geometry, the foundation of Andean culture that will be expanded on each day of your journey. Enjoy lunch at one of Cusco’s fine restaurants recommended by your guide. Stroll through the streets of Cusco, admire the Inca walls, and visit the Plaza de Armas and the main pre-Colombian Inca Temple, Coricancha. Upon return to Pisac Inn enjoy a restorative yoga class before dinner, followed by authentic traditional music and dance with a local group of musicians, artists and visionaries who have dedicated their lives to preserving their Andean culture. This presentation honors the ritual Inca Agrarian calendar.
Hotel: Pisac Inn Meals: B, D (lunch not included)
Delight in a 45-minute drive into the majestic high Andes and walk through the patchwork fields replete with potatoes, fava beans and corn to the traditional highland community of Amaru, where a genuinely authentic way of life is still practiced to this day. You will be welcomed with an endearing sweetness rarely felt in this day and age by this community that is consciously preserving and practicing their ancestral heritage. Through participation in a communal agrarian workday a beautiful cultural exchange unravels as you experience this incredible opportunity to step back in time and appreciate a quality of life with an admirable simplicity that is strikingly moving and profound. Enjoy a traditional lunch prepared with their prized agrarian products as the women begin to spin their naturally dyed wool. Others meditatively set up their back strap looms to share their ancestral weaving skills with us. This wonderful opportunity to purchase textiles directly from the weavers is not to be missed. Return to Pisac for a restorative yoga session and some down time before dinner.
Dinner followed by an optional evening Coca Leaf Offering, a unique opportunity to personally engage in an authentic Andean ceremony. The Coca Leaf Offering is an optional special event, and is not included.
Hotel: Pisac Inn Meals: B, L, D
After breakfast drive to the spectacular archaeological site above Pisac and admire the staggering agricultural terrace work among the most extensive in the area following the shape of the mountainsides in entrancing concave and convex forms as you walk to the central astronomic and ceremonial area which is widely acclaimed to be some of the finest stonework, comparable to that of Machu Picchu. This expansive site provides an ideal setting for yoga, followed by a picnic lunch with magnificent vistas up and down the valley. Drive down to Pisac, or those who want to hike down can on their own. Spend an afternoon of exploring the open-air traditional Pisac market full of local crafts, and experience the colorful traditional food section where locals buy and trade their produce and admire the beautiful faces and calm excitement that transforms Pisac on Sunday.
Hotel: Pisac Inn Meals: B, Picnic, D
Dynamic yoga session before breakfast. Visit Kusi Kawsay Andean School and Kusi Ñan Organic Farm, an exceptional educational social project. Learn about the unique vision of Kusi Kawsay that combines elements of Waldorf Pedagogy with Andean tradition, and delight in the beautiful school grounds, dedicated teachers and happy children. Free day to return to Cusco on your own, shop at the extensive Pisac Market, or relax with massage and herbal bath treatments at Unucha Spa. Lunch is included at Pisac Inn for those who do not go to Cusco. Enjoy a restorative yoga practice before dinner.
Hotel: Pisac Inn Meals: B, L, D (if you go to Cusco, lunch is not included)
Yoga and breakfast followed by a breathtaking one-hour drive through the heart of the Sacred Valley to the Inca town Ollantaytambo. Visit Ollantaytambo’s magnificent archeological site with an impressive astronomical observatory, irrigation waterways and ceremonial site. Learn about the Llama constellation and explore the quaint town that was built in the shape of a corncob. After lunch enjoy a spectacular train ride to Aguas Calientes, where you will have a nice dinner out and spend the night in preparation for an early start to Machu Picchu the following morning.
Hotel: La Cabaña Boutique Hotel Meals: B, Picnic (dinner not included)
Get an early start to take the 20-minute bus ride up steep slopes to magnificent Machu Picchu, renown as a wonder of the world. Isolated among mountain peaks, this awe- inspiring site carries sacred mathematical and scientific wisdom yet to be fully discovered. Hike Huayna Picchu, and explore the important sectors full of astronomic explanations, and revel in the beautiful natural setting and ancient ruins. Take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to catch the train to Ollantaytambo and drive back to Pisac for dinner at the Pisac Inn.
Hotel: Pisac Inn Meals: B, D (lunch not included)
Enjoy an hour drive to Tipon, an amazing archeological site full of water channels that come from a natural underground spring. The Inca were brilliant engineers who integrated their architecture with the natural surroundings. Tipon, a 500- acre site built around a spring near Cusco, has been called their masterpiece of water management. Hike the site and find a perfect spot for open-air yoga and a picnic lunch. Tipon has beautiful stone terraces with fountains and irrigation channels that still function, which provides an endless, soothing soundtrack of running water. Return to Pisac for some downtime before a special farewell dinner.
Hotel: Pisac Inn Meals: B, Picnic, D
Depart for the Cusco airport after breakfast.
Meals: B
