Sacred Valley Peru August 25th - September 1st 2017
El Valle Sagrado (The Sacred Valley) is a fertile valley around the Urubamba River in the Andes Mountains of Peru, stretching from the town of Pisaq to Ollataytambo. It has a rich settlement history dating back to 800 BC, and was an important source of the Incan Empire’s wealth during the 15th century. The valley was indeed regarded as sacred by the Incas, for its special geographical and climatic conditions, for the richness of the land, and because the river and valley were seen as a territorial mirror of the Milky Way. Today the region’s beauty, history and archeological sites make it a mainstay of tourism in South America.
Living Yoga 4 Peace, in partnership with Sundara Destinations, invites you to experience our unique yoga retreat to the Sacred Valley that’s a mix of adventure, comfort, yoga and mindfulness. Our intention is to visit the Sacred Valley in the spirit of mindfulness and openness, and allow its beauty and energy to inspire our imagination and nourish our souls.
Agenda
Day 1 - Cusco Airport to Sach’a Munay www.sachamunay.com
Your trip begins with your arrival to the Cusco airport. You should arrive between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; we leave about 11:30 a.m [1] on a gorgeous 1.5 hour drive to Sach’a Munay, our yoga resort home base for the week. Here we are nurtured with delicious meals from locally-grown ingredients, comfortable accommodations that reflect the Peruvian culture, and an environment that’s as inspiring as it is relaxing.
Check-in, lunch, and explore the grounds or just rest from your travels. We close our day with a Despacho ceremony— a shamanic intention or prayer ceremony for right relationship and harmony with the natural world— followed by an amazing dinner.
Day 2 - Inca fortress/temple of Ollantaytambo
Early morning yoga class before we head out to the magnificent Inca fortress and temple of Ollantaytambo. This place is visually spectacular with stunning views, terraced walls, and impressive stonework. The Ollantaytambo fortress is on the outskirts of the old Inca town of Ollantaytambo. The town is one of the best surviving examples of Inca town planning.
Following our morning tour, we enjoy a sack lunch before heading out on a 25 minute drive to Pumamarca. This is a ruin from the pre-Inca era, thus predates Machu Picchu, estimated to be from the 1200’s. At the confluence of two Andean rivers, here we enjoy the beautiful vistas and energy during a private, instructor-led yoga session. We then return to our hotel with free time to have a spa treatment, or to rest.
Day 3 - Day in Cusco exploring
At the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru in 1535, Cusco was one of the largest cities in the world. Methodically and intricately laid out by civil engineers, the Incan streets, buildings, foundations, and waterways survive perfectly intact up to this very day. With beautiful colonial architecture from the Spanish as well, Cusco remains one of the world’s most unique and beautiful cities. (It also sits at a breath-gasping altitude of 11,500 feet above sea level, so take it easy walking on the steep streets!)
We spend the day exploring Cusco, starting with what is known as the Sacsayhuaman circuit above Cusco, a string of four fantastique Inca sites—Tambo Machay, Puka Pukara, Quenko, and the grand finale Sacsayhuaman, home to some of the largest, most impressively carved and fitted granite stones anywhere on the planet.
After a lunch sampling some of the famous Peruvian cuisine – visiting world-renowned Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio’s restaurant Chicha in Cusco’s main Plaza de Armas – we spend the next couple of hours on a relaxed schedule of sight-seeing museums, visiting stone palaces of the Inca emperors, or maybe browsing shops and people watching. Late afternoon we regroup and head back to Sach’a Munay.
Day 4 - Abra Malaga, the Continental Divide of South America
This morning after our morning yoga session and breakfast, we take you up on a gorgeous, private drive one hour from town to Abra Malaga, the Continental Divide of South America at an altitude of 14, 300 feet above sea level. On the drive up there are numerous waterfalls, Inca ruins (some half covered) and traditional small farming hamlets. It is one of the most beautiful drives in Peru, and on the way down, you may choose to ride a bike back downhill (all downhill on a paved road).
This valley is loaded with covered and half-covered Inca sites and even some archaeological sites that predate the Incas. They are practically deserted. Today we take our time, adding at the instructor’s discretion a yoga session respectfully taking place in the middle of some ancient Inca terraces. A late afternoon train takes us to Aguas Calientes and our hotel La Cabana for the Machu Picchu visit.
Day 5 - Machu Picchu!
Today is the day we visit Machu Picchu, a 15th century creation, yet not “discovered” until 1911. In 2007 it was voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. After a generous breakfast, an early bus ride from our hotel in Aguas Calientes carries us to the site; this takes about 25 minutes to climb the steep, winding road. We spend the day here. Yoga mats are not allowed on the grounds but we are free to do some movements, alone or as a group, during our visit today.
We then head to celebrate with dinner at the romantic Peru/French fusion restaurant, Indio Feliz. Taking the train back to Ollantaytambo, and we return to Sach’a Munay for a well-deserved night’s sleep.
Day 6 - Free Day
Morning yoga and breakfast, followed by a free day to do as you please! Drivers are available to take to you to back to Cusco or other nearby towns for exploring. Perhaps you’d like to stay at Sach’a Munay to hike to the waterfall, enjoy one of the many spa services that are available, or have a private coca leaf reading.
Day 7 - Rings of Moray[6] , Maras Salt Mines, Closing Despacho Ceremony
After yoga and breakfast, we head first to the Salt Mines of Maras, where our guide explains how the salt from a natural underground salt spring is harvested through this series of spectacular terraces. Afterwards we head to the Moray ruins, which are three coliseum-like structures thought to have been used by the Incas in agriculture experimentation. We return to Sach’a Munay for Dinner and closing Despacho ceremony.
Day 8 - It’s time to go home
Following breakfast, the shuttle van for the Cusco airport leaves at two times: either 11am or 1pm
Sach'a Munay
Sach'a Munay, which translates as "love from the ancient forest", is nestled in an oasis of native plants and fruit trees and is nourished by a magnificent waterfall. It is a place to connect to the incredible depth and beauty of what nature offers.
We have a heart-felt mission to create a fabulous, nourishing environment in which to experience this special place as well as the course you have come here to do. To this end, our programs range from yoga and other practices; to personal healing and reflection; to practical workshops on permaculture. Our guests at Sach’a Munay Retreat and Yoga Center are served delicious meals with locally-grown and lovingly prepared ingredients. Each guest room is a reflection of the Peruvian culture of the Sacred Valley. Thanks to our staff, the entire center embodies the kindness, love and wholeness that seem to permeate this magical place.
As a Peruvian NGO all the profits from the Retreat and Yoga center go to fund local projects.
Machu Picchu
One of the 7 Wonders of the World, it was built/finished sometime in the 1400’s, and is a truly awe-inspiring place in all senses of the word. No matter how much hype it receives, a visit to Machu Picchu is a stunning experience.
Abra Malaga, the Continental Divide of South America
private drive one hour from town to Abra Malaga, the Continental Divide of South America at an altitude of 14, 300 feet above sea level. On the drive up there are numerous waterfalls, Inca ruins (some half covered) and traditional small farming hamlets. It is one of the most beautiful drives in Peru, and on the way down, you can choose to ride a bike back downhill (all downhill on a paved road.)
Sundara Destinations
Yoga Retreat Design & Management
Email: info@sundaradestinations.com
Website: www.sundaradestinations.com
Location: international
Phone: 800-215-8510
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sundaradestinations
Debra Young, LPC, CCHt, RYT500 & Barbara James, E-RYT500
Welcome to Living Yoga! We believe that living mindfully - whether through formal yoga and meditation practices or just enjoying the beauty of nature - is the key to living joyfully and compassionately. At the core of our teachings is deepening awareness for personal healing. Each breath, thought, step or action we take in mindfulness contributes to our individual healing and therefore to a more compassionate and peaceful world.
Email: barbara@barbarajamesyoga.com
Website: www.livingyoga4peace.com
Location: South Carolina, United States
Phone: 800-215-8510
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbara.m.james.5
