Join Jessanya and Alina for a 8-day and 7-night yoga, cultural immersion, and ceremonial retreat in the Sacred Valley of Peru. Immerse yourself fully in the colorful Andean culture and “Cosmovision” ~ participating in traditional ceremony & healings, exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, Pisac, Cusco & more...and becoming a walking embodiment of the Andean way of Ayni – living in right relationship with all creation.

One of the jewels of South America, Peru is the home of many Andean civilizations and their compelling “Cosmovision” that has touched the heart and spirit of so many who have visited these lands. Peruvian culture reveals a rich entwining of the indigenous mythology, mysticism, and ceremony that is reflected in the country’s music, healing arts, textiles, handicrafts, and sacred ruins. Together we will step out of time and into our unique place in the cosmos to experience our inherent interconnectedness with all life..

Lotus Retreats has authentically curated this gathering, along with original support by a number of women who have pulled from their own experiences of the magic they felt in Peru. Grounded in philosophy, mindfulness, meditation, movement and connection to the ancestry of the andean culture, this retreat is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the wisdom that is inherent in these sacred lands. Join us for an intimate retreat & adventure in the Sacred Valley infused with ancient Andean philosophy and ceremony!

Explore the Andes…

Beyond the yoga mat, we will venture into the beauty of the Andes with excursions such as exploring ancient ruins, listening to traditional music, guided ceremonies with Q’ero paqos (shamans), and more. Our practice of mindfulness helps cultivate a sustained state of presence so that as a group we can open ourselves to receive the true medicine that Peru has to offer. We are so excited to share with you some of the richness this culture and land has to offer!

Learn about Andean philosophy…

The Andean Cosmovision is a way of perceiving and interacting with reality that is central to the traditional, indigenous culture of the high Andes. This Cosmovision is not a strict set of concepts or beliefs, but rather an experiential relationship to the wholeness of creation. It is a path rooted in Munay (love), Yachay (wisdom), and Ayni (sacred reciprocity) that promotes a more loving and mutually supportive relationship between ourselves, Pachamama, and the Cosmos. 

Jessanya Buggenhagen

Movement has always been Jessanya’s first language, from ballet to hip-hop, her early years were shaped by rhythm, expression, and freedom. After high school, yoga introduced her to a deeper kind of listening, one that invited her inward. What began as a physical practice evolved into a path of healing, self-inquiry, and deep connection.

Jessanya is the creator of the PALOGA method, developed during her time living in Panama, and the founder of PALOGA studio. She is a 500hr RYT and certified Mat Pilates instructor, with a background rooted in global study and a devoted practice. Her path includes three years of immersive mentorship and training in yoga and sound healing in Panama with Roni Yaari, Mat Pilates training with Patricia Pinto, Bhakti yoga studies in India with Ragunath Cappo, and continued study in New York City...as there is always more to learn about the body, mind and spirit.

Her teaching blends strength and softness with intuitive flow, designed to move energy, awaken presence, and guide students back to their inner essence. Whether leading a dynamic, heat-building sequence or a slow, grounding practice, Jessanya creates space for transformation through breath, mindfulness, and embodied movement.

Her time teaching throughout Central America and Europe has deepened her understanding of movement as a universal language, while her devotion to holistic, conscious living informs everything she shares.

Beyond the studio, you will often find her barefoot in nature, dancing freely, or laughing with her whole body alongside the people she loves.

Alina Kazandjian, E-RYT 500

Alina is an E-RYT 500 and YACEP-certified yoga teacher, facilitator, and mentor whose work is rooted in the belief that yoga can be a powerful pathway toward embodiment, self-expression, and authentic connection.

With over 500 hours of yoga study and training, along with an 800-hour certification as an Ayurvedic Practitioner & Coach, her background includes Vinyasa, Traditional Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Yin Yoga, Nada Yoga, and Ayurveda. Having traveled, learned, and taught across the Americas, Europe, and India, Alina brings a rich and diverse perspective to her work.

She weaves together movement, breath work, yoga philosophy, mantra, sound, and nature, honoring the depth of traditional practices while making them accessible and relevant to modern life.

Alina leads international retreats, yoga teacher trainings, online offerings, and 1:1 mentorships, creating spaces for students to reconnect with their bodies, voices, and inner guidance while cultivating greater presence, authenticity, and freedom.

Loren Lotus, E-RYT 500

Loren Lotus is an International Yoga Teacher, Retreat Leader, Teacher Trainer and Creator of Lotus Retreats. She's a passionate Bhakti yogini, retreat facilitator and event organizer who puts her entire heart and soul into curating spaces for community to gather. 

Loren has studied Yoga in Costa Rica, Asana with senior teachers at YogaWorks in Los Angeles, Eastern Yoga & philosophy at the Akhanda Institute in Rishikesh, India and ISKON in Vrindavan, India. Loren has taught Yoga for over 10 years in Los Angeles, Austin, Texas, Taos, New Mexico, Lake Tahoe, California and Maui, Hawaii. She loves to travel and host Yoga retreats regularly to share the practice of Yoga around the world! 

Loren's classes stem from traditional Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Yin & Restorative Yoga practices with pranayama, mantra and meditation. Her classes offer well rounded sequences to quiet the mind, open the body & connect with your soul, each class tailored to the seasons and energetic needs of the students. She has her B.S in Kinesiology and loves all things movement, health and prosperity.

Lotus Retreats has been organizing and hosting international Yoga retreats for 10 years in over 10 countries. From Self-Realization & Empowerment retreats, Cultural Immersions, Women's Retreats and nature excursions from the Greek Islands all the way through the Andes mountains, Lotus Retreats has shared an abundance of unique retreats with a community of Yoga teachers, retreat leaders & retreat centers and travelers alike. 

5-nights of our retreat will be in the Sacred Valley of Peru, close to many historic sites & nature to explore once we first arrive. The last 2-nights of the retreat will be spent at a hotel in Ollantaytambo, closer to Machu Picchu plus an optional night of Grandfather medicine ceremony. 

Sacred Valley Accommodations

Rooted in nature, ceremony, and reflection, your complete wellness reset begins at a beautiful boutique retreat center in the Sacred Valley. Our sustainable, luxury retreat sits in Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas – one of the most energetically charged places on Earth — making it the perfect setting to unplug and restore your mind, body, and soul.

With more than thirty years of expertise in holistic health, our retreat center offers a blend of luxury wellness experiences, cultural immersion, and authentic Andean ceremonies led by Q’ero healers from the high Andes.

Guest rooms are nestled in charming spaces throughout the garden, each offering views of the majestic Andes and the fragrant tapestry of flowering plants, therapeutic herbs, and ancient trees.

Andean themes, Feng Shui principles, indigenous artwork, and locally sourced, sustainable materials shape each space, creating a harmonious blend of beauty and balance.

Each room is named for the Andean medicinal plant that grows at its doorstep, honoring the land’s healing traditions. Fresh-cut blossoms from our gardens greet you on arrival, and at night, you’ll find a cozy hot-water bottle tucked beneath your blankets.

Rooms are available in single, double, and triple configurations. Whether traveling alone, with a partner, or as part of a group, each space invites quiet reflection and deep restorative rest.

Ollantaytambo Accommodations

Stay at the most charming bed and breakfast in Ollantaytambo. Located at the base of Apu Pinkuylluna, a sacred mountain in town, the lodge is surrounded by beautiful gardens, native birds, in a peaceful cobble-stone street lined with a water babbling aqueduct. The lower altitude and peaceful atmosphere of Ollantaytambo (2792 masl) make it an ideal place to acclimate yourself to the altitude, experience this unique and picturesque town, and be walking distance to the train station for our Machu Picchu day!

Develop a deeper connection and understanding of Andean philosophy/Cosmovision and find yourself experiencing the culture in a whole new way. The Cosmovision provides a path for discovering profound aspects of ourselves and the Cosmos. We will spend time educating ourselves about Peruvian philosophy and the ancient offerings of the Andean civilizations that have so greatly influenced the present-day culture in Peru.

Throughout the retreat, we will offer excursions to explore ancient ruins, temples and historic sites. Each excursion will be guided by your facilitators as well as our local guide, Fernando, for an authentic exploration of each site. Between excursions, we will have free-days to rest, relax & process each experience.

Despacho Ceremony:

It is time to connect to the wisdom that lies inside. Despacho means prayer bundle or offering and is a symbolic representation of inner healing. As the “curandero” or healer adds all the elements to the sacred mandala, the bundle becomes a living prayer. We will join in ceremony together, calling upon the powerful elements of the lands around us, to unite with the collective intention of healing. This ceremony is offered by a dear friend and Q’ero master who will explain the elements of the ritual as we move along. 

Pisac Ruins:

Less than an hour from Cusco, Pisac is famous for its awe-inspiring markets, but most specifically for the Incan ruins that are situated atop a hill at the entrance of the sacred valley. The settlement is built on row upon row of fine stone terraces, laid out on a natural balcony. Considering it’s elevated position researchers speculate that these ruins may have served defensive purposes in protecting the southern valley. Pisac ruins also house the remarkable, Temple of the Sun, and include large terraces that are undoubtedly rooted in agriculture. We will tour the ruins together and then make our way down to spend time in the markets down below.

Cusco Ruins/ Temple of the Moon:

Enjoy a full day of cultural immersion in the ruins around Cusco that date back to the Incan empire, “Tihuantinsuyo”. We will spend the morning touring Saqsaywaman, Q’enqo, and Tambomachay which are some of the most visited ruins in the area - burial and ceremonial gatherings sites, military rest points and temples built to worship the elements of nature. Afterward, we will make our way off the beaten path to the largely unexplored, “Temple of the Moon”, to honor the site where women came to meditate, connect and pray for their fertility.

Ollantaytambo:

Called by many locals as “Ollanta”, Ollantaytambo is an ancient Incan fortress that houses the famous temple in honor of the sun, “Inti”. Also known as the living village of the Incas, as this town has some of the best preserved Inca ruins in all of Peru; many families still dwelling within its walls. After touring the ruins, free time will be offered to traverse the streets of this historic village that seems to be preserved in time. 

Machu Picchu:

Uncover the secrets of Machu Picchu with us! One of the most awe-inspiring archaeological sites in the world, join us in exploring this sacred site and learning about it’s history in an authentic way. We will take a train together to the town of Aguas Calientes, where transportation will be organized to take us up to the ruins. After our guided tour through Machu Picchu, ample time will be offered for personal exploration, which is highly encouraged as a way to deeply connect to the energy of this remarkable and extraordinary site.

PLEASE NOTE:

This retreat is designed to be a deep spiritual journey into the self. Cusco itself is nestled in between mountain peaks and hills and is situated at an altitude of 3,400 m. Please be informed that there are elements of adventure, hiking, and gentle climbing that are involved in the retreat and please take this information into account upon booking. Although there are elements of physical activity throughout the week, the invitation is always to take the retreat at your own pace and opt out of activities when needed. For those of you seeking inner spiritual reflection while moving your physical body, this retreat is for you!

Practice yoga surrounded by the beauty of the Sacred Valley and the majestic Andean mountain views as we move, breath & practice mindfulness in each moment.

Our focus on meditation and mindfulness is used as a tool to cultivate profound presence and openness that we will carry with us into each activity and excursion.

Asana - Each day of the retreat will include physical asana, meditation and pranayama. Most of our days will begin with a 75-minute Hatha or vinyasa flow class to build our physical practice and to awaken and enliven the body.  For days with longer excursions, our meditation and pranayama practices will be integrated at the sites that we are visiting. 

Pranayama - Pranayama is the practice of controlled breathing; a way of guiding life force energy (breath) in the body. In our practices we will introduce basic techniques for guiding our breath and evolving our ability to breathe in a fuller, more embodied way. In the Sacred Valley of Peru we are blessed with pure mountain “prana” - air/breath/life force energy - and we utilize pranayama techniques to nourish the cells of our body with fresh oxygen and experience a sense of aliveness in our spirit. This balances our nervous system, harmonizes the flow of energy in our bodies and helps us become present to the quality of our breath.

Sound Healing Ceremonies – Vibration is a unifying principle of the universe that helps connect us with the very fibers of creation. We will utilize the healing nature of sound to reconnect to a more harmonious way of being – moving the stuck or dissonant energies in our physical, mental, and emotional bodies – and inviting in more resonance.

Prana, the air/breathe or life force energy we input into our bodies is the quality of the energy we expend. Throughout our retreat week, we practice conscious and healthy eating habits. Most meals will be vegetarian and prepared in house at our retreat facility. We encourage individual breakfast and lunch times for guests to sit with themselves or small groups while our dinner times are family style and all-inclusive with one another. Some meals on long excursion days will be packed or purchase of meals on your own free time is optional.

Food is a foundational part of your healing experience—one that is deeply grounded in the regenerative energy of Pachamama. Our chefs create organic, vegetarian meals using ingredients harvested each morning from our gardens, where nutrient-rich Andean superfoods, medicinal herbs, and local vegetables thrive in the mineral-rich soil. Every dish is designed to support metabolic balance, reduce inflammation, and inspire your senses.

7:00am - Silent sunrise meditation and tea

7:30am - Morning Yoga

9am - Breakfast

10am - Excursion / Sacred Site Visits

1:00pm - Lunch & FREE TIME

4pm - Yin Yoga & Sound Healing

6:30pm - Dinner

Our arrival airport is Cusco International. It is likely that you will have a layover in Lima before boarding another plane to Cusco. We will arrange for transportation from the Cusco airport to the retreat center in the Sacred Valley. Arrival information & details will be provided upon booking confirmation. 

We realize that the journey is just as much a part of the experience as is the destination! We are here to support you fully in arriving safely to Peru & to the retreat center. We provide a shared google document for all guests to input their arrival & departure information as well as the ability to communicate with other guests traveling near the same time. We also have a Facebook group for guests to connect, share questions & interact with one another.