What guests say about our Peru Retreat...
Traveling to Peru to visit Machu Picchu was a bucket list trip for me, so I was excited going in. I have also been a frequent participant in Michelle’s community hikes and have been taking yoga from her for more than a decade. I knew she was organized going in and was looking forward to deepening my yoga practice with a daily guided routine.
This trip surpassed even my wildest expectations! I learned so much about Peruvian culture through visits to ruins and an Andean school, and the retreat center in the Sacred Valley is amazing. The Peruvian people at retreat resort and the hotel in Cuzco were so, so nice.
Sylverio, the guide, was so patient with our band of roughly 20 tourists. And Michelle is just a bright light. She is so organized, but light-hearted and kind always. I have never felt so pampered. It was the trip of a lifetime and I can’t wait for my next trip with Root 2 Rise Yoga!
- Keeley Webster
Michelle is one of the best yoga instructors I've ever had in my 20 years of practice, and the only one I've followed! My first retreat experiences have been with her, first a day retreat and then a full 10 day magical journey to Peru. It was a beautiful gathering with great people, cultural immersion, food, dance, meditation, and of course yoga. All around amazing, heartfelt and deeply rooted in her own practice, Michelle is a one of a kind and awe inspiring human.
- Marina Sais
Peru in 2023 was my first yoga retreat with Michelle, and I loved it. Michelle attracts and brings together a lovely community to her classes, events and retreats. I met newfound friends. We stayed in Cusco a couple of days to acclimate but the majority of our stay was in the Sacred Valley at a retreat center with beautiful gardens and grounds for yoga and bonfire and delicious vegan meals cooked by friendly staff. From there, we visited Moray Moras, Ollantaytambu, Machu Picchu and a school where the children danced. Throughout our hiking excursions we had beautiful blue skies above us and practiced meditation at many of the sites. Truly a magical experience, and I'm glad it was with Root 2 Rise yoga community.
- Lisa Lee
In June 2023, I went on the nature, culture and yoga retreat in Peru with Michelle Chua. It was an amazing and unforgettable trip! Like always, Michelle created a wonderful retreat with interesting tours in Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and of course, great yoga and meditation classes. I was especially impressed by the retreat center that had a beautiful garden, where we stayed in the luxury houses. Our host Quechua family and staff provided us with such delicious plant-based homemade meals. I was amazed by the Andean Fire Ceremony with the Pakko Healer to honor Pachamama. The most amazing days were at the Machu Picchu, visiting the ruins and hiking. I can’t wait to go to Peru again in 2025!
- Nina Arhipov
In June 2023, I had the pleasure of joining Michelle Chua for the first time on an amazing yoga retreat in Peru, the motherland of Inkan civilization and home to Machu Picchu. Michelle created a positive and engaging atmosphere. Her laugh and uplifting outlook were contagious.
During our yoga classes, she helped us ground in the present moment to listen to our body, meditate and open our heart. Michelle is an incredible well-organized planner and gave us plenty of time to explore the areas we visited in Peru. The Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba, Saqsaywaman and Machu Picchu ruins were unbelievable! Seeing alpacas running around us was a bonus.
Our guide not only explained Peru’s history, tradition and culture, but also taught us how the Inkas appreciated and gave thanks to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and more. Visiting the children at their Andean mountain school was an unforgettable experience.
The retreat center where we stayed was so beautifully crafted, with peaceful and clean rooms overlooking varieties of flowering plants. The gardens colorfully coordinated with the 7 chakras. The hotel staff was very friendly. The farm in the backyard had vegetables and herbs that our cook harvested to prepare amazing savory vegan dishes. I am not vegan, but I finished everything on my plate fully satisfied and full!
- Efleda Meadows
I’m so glad I went with Root 2 Rise Yoga to Peru. It was an amazing and fun travel experience, a life-changing adventure! Michelle’s organization is so successful that I didn’t want to go at it alone. Can’t thank her enough for the opportunity to see and experience the world with her group. I really appreciate everything.
- Mike Ulloa
