REVERENCE
Peru Retreat Itinerary
June 21-28, 2025
This is the intended flow of the retreat, designed in good faith, and subject to change based on extraordinary circumstances. Included meals per day are indicated as (B) breakfast, (L) lunch and (D) dinner.
Day 1 - June 21
Cusco & Opening Ritual (D)
Our retreat begins with one transfer from the Cusco airport to our 3-star hotel conveniently situated in the historic center. Plan to arrive in Cusco by 11am to acclimate to the altitude.
3:00 pm: Meet your retreat facilitator, Michelle Chua, and your guide in the hotel lobby for a group orientation meeting & Opening Ritual with intention-setting and meditation. Enjoy a grounding afternoon walk through the cobblestone streets of San Blas, where your guide will point out fascinating Inkan stonework en route to the Korikancha Temple, the holiest site during Inkan times.
6:30 pm: Get to know your retreat community over a delicious Peruvian dinner at a local restaurant.
3:00 pm: Meet your retreat facilitator, Michelle Chua, and your guide in the hotel lobby for a group orientation meeting & Opening Ritual with intention-setting and meditation. Enjoy a grounding afternoon walk through the cobblestone streets of San Blas, where your guide will point out fascinating Inkan stonework en route to the Korikancha Temple, the holiest site during Inkan times.
6:30 pm: Get to know your retreat community over a delicious Peruvian dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 - Sunday, June 22
Cusco & Sacred Valley (B, L, D)
After breakfast and check-out at the hotel, visit the Inkan site of Saksaywaman overlooking the city of Cusco. By these majestic ruins, learn the ritual of the traditional K’intu blessing to reverently connect with Pachamama, or Mother Earth. Enjoy a picnic lunch, and enjoy the ride to our wellness retreat center in the Sacred Valley through spectacular Andean mountain scenery. The Quechua staff will welcome you to the retreat center and help you schedule time for Andean spa services you might choose to book at additional cost. Explore the renowned Seven Chakra Gardens with a walking tour and guided Forest-bathing. After dinner and brief rest, meet in the Yoga shala for a grounding somatic practice of Soul Movement before winding down with Yin Yoga and Reiki.
Day 3 - Monday, June 23
Water & Fire Ceremony - Sacred Valley (B, L, D)
After breakfast, ride a private van up the Pumahuanca Valley and hike to Pumahuanca River. Meet our pakko, a very special Q’ero healer, visiting from the high Andes. Our Cusqueña guide and the pakko will lead the group in a Yaku water ceremony, connecting in gratitude with the sacred river that provides life to the local community of Rumichaka. After walking for 1-2 hours, and guided Forest-bathing, enjoy a picnic lunch on the shore of the river.
Return to our retreat center for free time before Flow and Restore Yoga, a practice of half Vinyasa Flow half Yin and Restorative Yoga, in the shala. After dinner, the pakko will facilitate coca leaf blessings, a sacred “Despacho” ceremony and an authentic and transformative Andean fire ceremony to honor Pachamama, yourself and your loved ones. The ceremony will realign us with our intention for this retreat and prepare our mind, body and spirit to visit the sacred Inkan site of Machu Picchu.
Return to our retreat center for free time before Flow and Restore Yoga, a practice of half Vinyasa Flow half Yin and Restorative Yoga, in the shala. After dinner, the pakko will facilitate coca leaf blessings, a sacred “Despacho” ceremony and an authentic and transformative Andean fire ceremony to honor Pachamama, yourself and your loved ones. The ceremony will realign us with our intention for this retreat and prepare our mind, body and spirit to visit the sacred Inkan site of Machu Picchu.
Day 4 - Tuesday, June 24
School Visit & P'isaq (B, L, D)
Practice the Andean tradition of reciprocity, called ayni. Drive through the Sacred Valley to a Quechua mountain school supported by the retreat center's nonprofit children’s fund, to which your retreat investment contributes. Since 1995, the center has supported high mountain communities where few tourists are privileged to visit. In a reciprocal ayni exchange, we will connect with the children through dance and music. The heart-warming joy of the children and their openness in bringing guests into their daily lives are special moments not easily forgotten. Afterward, enjoy a riverside bag lunch.
Continue to the spectacular ruins of P’isaq, overlooking impressive Inkan terraces. Hike up the ruins or silently practice mindful walking. Return to the main square of P’isaq by bus and visit the famous, colorful market filled with woven goods, jewelry, wall hangings and hand-painted beadwork. Enjoy café or tea in the market square. P’isaq is a photographer’s dream. Return to our retreat center for a late afternoon session of Forest-bathing and Yin Yoga and Reiki in the Chakra Gardens by the 1,000-year-old Lucuma tree before dinner.
Continue to the spectacular ruins of P’isaq, overlooking impressive Inkan terraces. Hike up the ruins or silently practice mindful walking. Return to the main square of P’isaq by bus and visit the famous, colorful market filled with woven goods, jewelry, wall hangings and hand-painted beadwork. Enjoy café or tea in the market square. P’isaq is a photographer’s dream. Return to our retreat center for a late afternoon session of Forest-bathing and Yin Yoga and Reiki in the Chakra Gardens by the 1,000-year-old Lucuma tree before dinner.
Day 5 - Wednesday, June 25
Machu Picchu (B, D)
Rise early for breakfast to depart on the tourist train to Aguas Calientes. Tea, coffee and snacks are served on the train. A bus takes you to the sunlit terraces of Machu Picchu, a world natural and cultural heritage site. Enjoy a fabulous guided tour of the ancient “City of Light.” Experience a journey through the masculine energy temples of political and spiritual power, followed by a deep reconnection to feminine earth energies.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time exploring the quaint town with lunch on your own at one of the restaurants within walking distance. We'll ride the late afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo where you will transfer to the retreat center in time for a late, light dinner and deeply relax with Yin Yoga and Reiki in the shala.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time exploring the quaint town with lunch on your own at one of the restaurants within walking distance. We'll ride the late afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo where you will transfer to the retreat center in time for a late, light dinner and deeply relax with Yin Yoga and Reiki in the shala.
Day 6 - Thursday, June 26
Ollantaytambo & Maras (B, D)
After breakfast at the retreat center, visit the ceremonial site of Ollantaytambo and its famous Sun Temple. Explore the quaint picturesque town by foot with lunch on your own. We'll transfer to the nearby Maras Salt Flats and visit the ancient salt mines still operational today, and hike back downhill to our retreat center. Cap your day with Forest-bathing, Yin Yoga and Reiki in the Crown Chakra Garden before dinner.
Day 7 - Friday, June 27
Waterfalls, Cacao Ceremony & Dance Circle (B, L, D)
Get an early start with Vinyasa Flow Yoga in the shala before breakfast. Then, ride our private group transport to the trailhead for a guided hike to Perolniyoc Waterfall with Forest-bathing, followed by picnic lunch. Return to our retreat center for free time before a heart-opening group cacao ceremony with our shaman. After our farewell dinner, surrender into creative flow with a somatic practice of Soul Movement, dancing around the fire.
Day 8 - Saturday, June 28
Closing Ritual (B)
Wake up to Vinyasa Flow Yoga in the shala, brief Forest-bathing and our Closing Ritual by the ancient Lucuma tree. Enjoy a wholesome breakfast before your 10:00 a.m. check-out. Ride our group transport to the Cusco airport for your departure flight, which is best to schedule between 2 pm-5 p.m. From the retreat center, allow 3 ½ hours before your Cusco flight. (Additional costs apply for an individual transfer for guests with earlier/later departures and can be arranged onsite.) Journey onward integrating personal insights, new friendships and blessings from your retreat experience.
