Peru – September 1-8, 2023 (7 Night / 8 Day)

Settle into your home for the week in the Sacred Valley. We’ll meet for a welcome circle to set intentions with the group followed by a Despacho Ceremony led by a Shaman from the Indigenous Quechua tribe. Despacho rituals are designed to align, balance and harmonize the three levels of consciousness with a prayer bundle or offering of gratitude to Mother Earth and Mountain Spirits. The despacho holds symbolic elements as well as the prayers of the participants. As the elements are added to the despacho, the vibration of the participants and the room raises. The despacho becomes a living prayer that brings energy shifts and healing. We’ll end the evening by burning the despacho bundle over a bonfire under the stars.

Get to know your surroundings. We’ll spend the day practicing Yoga, meditating and hiking around the Sacred Valley, gaining an appreciation for the beautiful mountainous backyard and the local farms and the abundance of nature surrounding us. After lunch, we’ll take a trip to the Maras Salt Mines, comprised of over 2,000 small salt wells, the “Salineras de Maras” continue to provide a steady source of salt for residents of Peru’s Sacred Valley since before the days of the Incas.

Visit one of the most famous markets in the Cusco region. This local market is full of local artisans from the indigenous Quechua communities from the surrounding highlands. Here you’ll find all kinds of unique locally made products such as chullos and coats with alpaca wool, silver jewelry and ornaments, flutes, backpacks and many other accessories; all made by hand and decorated with bright colors. You’ll also have the opportunity to greet a local alpaca or two and sample some local delights. In the late afternoon, we’ll gather for our first workshop together.

Today we cross off one of the most visited tourist destinations in Peru from our bucket lists! Early in the morning, we’ll depart for the famous Vistadome train, a 2 hour ride that traces the Urubamba River with dramatic mountain landscapes, approaching the ancient Aguas Calientes, or the base of Machu Picchu for a small breakfast before making our way to our highlight of the day.

We’ll spend the day exploring one of the world’s most prized heritage sites with a private guide, who will provide an informative overview of the history and architecture of this ancient citadel, while introducing us to the temples and ritual structures that prove that Machu Picchu is a sacred place of great spiritual significance.

Enjoy some free time at our retreat centre today. Meditate, read a book, take a cooking, pottery or painting class or book yourself in for a massage. Today is all about relaxation and rejuvenation.

Today is a great day to slow down and enjoy our last full day together. We’ll host our final workshop and take a visit to the local waterfall in Arin. Late afternoon we’ll be joined by a local practitioner who will facilitate a soothing sound healing bath. We’ll awake rejuvenated and ready to enjoy a night of latin dancing with the staff at Samadhi and our new family.

Today we depart for Cusco for an overnight stay to explore this bustling city or head to the airport for your flight back home. Plus goodbyes to your new friends.