Peru Holidays: Magical Journey to Machu Picchu - Cusco

A highly recommended journey for sojourners drawn to the energy of Machu Picchu, the Andes and the Amazonian rainforest. We invite you to step out of yourself and enter the mystical world of Peru, the cradle of a unique culture and its spiritual traditions. Come and participate in authentic rituals led by practicing healers, seers in the Andean and Amazonian traditions, modern day representatives of an age-old line of spiritual authority. Stay at Willka T'ika (Sacred flower in Quechua), a garden guesthouse in the Sacred Valley of the Inkas. Situated between Cusco and Machu Picchu this guesthouse offers grace and comfort enhanced by the aura of the Andes. The guest cottages are newly built in traditional 16^th century Spanish colonial style, constructed from natural materials and indigenous handwork, used by Peruvians for thousands of years. The gardens are breathtaking, lavishly filled with masses of flowers, shrubs and flowering plants, along with Andean medicinal herbs, indigenous grains and vegetables. There are lawn areas for Tai Chi, as well as a large meditation hut and a huge walk- around spiral. Stroll through the floral wonders or meditate under the 500-year-old Lucma tree as you absorb the energies of the mountains and rivers of Peru's Sacred Valley.

We can also arrange itineraries for special interest groups (standard or luxury hotel accommodation possible). Groups of 2-4 people are encouraged to join the fixed departure journeys.

Willka T'ika in the Sacred Valley - Peru

DAYS 1 & 2
Transfer to Willka T'ika in the Sacred Valley. Acclimatise to the 9,000-ft. altitude in the tranquillity of the gardens. You will be introduced to the fascinating spiritual world of the Quechua and participate in a ceremonial offering to Pachamama, Mother Earth. You stroll through Quechua farmland, learn about the coca leaf and other sacred plants, and meet with Andean healers.

DAYS 3, 4 & 5
We fly to the Amazon jungle. We take a boat to a secluded jungle lodge near Puerto Maldonado. Expert guides lead us for a hike deep into the rainforest where we may swim in a freshwater lake. A shaman will take us through a healing ceremony using plant medicines. We boat back to Puerto Maldonado and catch our flight to Cusco.

DAY 6
We transfer to our hotel, conveniently situated in the centre of Cusco. At Tampumachay, we participate in an ancient water ceremony for purification and healing purposes. We visit Cusco's sacred sites such as Saksaywaman, where structures weigh hundreds of tons.

DAYS 7, 8 & 9
We drive to the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Inkas. Using Willka T'ika as our base, we visit P'isaq's famous market, hike the local trail to the Inkan Temple of the Sun, and explore the fortress of Ollantaytampu. We meditate in the mysterious circles of Moray and hike down the valley from the Inkan salt-mines. At Willka T'ika we discuss the Andean concepts of Ayni (the ethic of reciprocity), Ayllu (community) and the three interconnected worlds of Andean cosmology. For those interested, there will be morning Yoga classes.

DAYS 10 11 & 12
We leave the Sacred Valley by train for Aguas Calientes We meet a healer who works with the energies of Machu Picchu stones and prepare ourselves for our visit to Machu Picchu. An early morning bus takes us up to the historical Inkan centre of spiritual and political power. As we visit the different sites, we participate in ancient ceremonies to honour Pachamama (Mother Earth), the Apukuna (mountain deities), Inti (the Sun), Killa (Moon), and Nature Gods and Spirits that dwell in the Andes. At night, we re-enter the ruins for a special meditation in the sacred temple. We have ample time to explore Machu Picchu for ourselves and even to climb Wayna Picchu (Young Mountain). Return to Willka T'ika in the late afternoon.

DAYS 13 & 14
Evening celebration with magical musical guests. Morning transfer to Cusco. Flight to Lima

Inka Trail: 4-day trek to Machu Picchu. Participants leave with a guide and porters from Willka T'ika on day 7 and meet up with the group at Machu Picchu on day 10.
Nasca Lines: 3 days. Includes flight over the lines, Paracas Bay and Candelabra
Lake Titicaca: 5 days. Includes: La Paz, Copacabana, Island of the Sun and Tiawanaku.
Mystery Lagoons & Mighty Glaciers: 3 days. Includes: hiking or horseback riding to 16,000 ft. pristine mountains overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Inkas, only recommended during the dry season (May-September). Minimum 4 participants.
Any other module in Peru, Ecuador or Bolivia

Your leader, Carol Cumes, former educator and certified practitioner of Hatha Yoga, assisted by Professional Quechua Guides, will guide you into the interconnected spiritual worlds of the Quechua people, and their ancient cosmology that is still practiced in the Andes today. Authentic Andean healers lead our groups in the ancient rituals which they have used for centuries to connect to powerful nature deities.
We are committed to offer participants a journey that will enable them to tap into the authentic Andean spirituality, as well as allow them plenty of time for personal spiritual growth and meditation. We spend maximum time in the Machu Picchu area and allow time for special meditations in sacred sites at night. We stay in the heart of Peru's Sacred Valley at the tranquil Willka T'ika Garden Guest House, a private retreat centre for the study of sacred plants, where Andean medicinal plants, flowers and herbs are being cultivated for healing and teaching purposes

Included in Price:
Hotels with breakfast, all meals at the Amazon Lodge, buffet breakfasts and gourmet vegetarian dinners at Willka T'ika, entrance fees, transport during the journey, professional guides, meetings with jungle shaman, Andean healers, musicians and special guests, talks on Andean cosmology, yoga classes at Willka T'ika.

Not Included
Meals in Cusco and Machu Picchu, 2 lunches in the Sacred Valley, airport taxes and tips.

Magical Journey to Machu Picchu

Cusco - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu

Peru