Machu Picchu Retreat
August 9th - 17th, 2024
Have you ever thought about traveling to Peru? Are you looking for an adventure? My husband, Edward, and I are planning a 9-day tour of Peru using our extensive 20 years of traveling. Read more about our many travels on our About Page to get a more in-depth example of just how well-traversed we are in this aspect!
Our knowledge and connections in Peru will allow us to give you an affordable, luxurious, and deep cultural experience. Come on a walking tour with us in Lima and eat in our favorite restaurants. Experience a series of ruins that are off the beaten trail in the Sacred Valley. Hike around Machu Picchu with a professional guide. Visit the museums, plazas, and churches in Cusco. This retreat will be an intimate 10 people experience with many optional (free) side tours. Sign up while you can because spots are going fast!
Itinerary
Part 1: 2 Nights, 1 Day in Lima, Peru
Lima is known throughout the world as a culinary destination. We put together a list of our favorite restaurants, tours, walks, and hotel to provide you with an unforgettable Lima experience.
Day 1 - Travel day. We will meet at the airport (whoever is going on the same flight.) Arrive in Lima in the evening and transport to the hotel the beautiful 5-star hotel Casa Andina.
Day 2 - Wake up in Lima and enjoy an amazing buffet breakfast, swimming pool, and sauna. After lunch we will be walking along the beach to Barranco, enjoying ocean views the whole way. We will be doing a walking tour enjoying parks and the center of Barranco. Then we complete our first day with an amazing dinner at Barra Maretazo.
Notes:
Flights in are normally in the evening, but the hotel will be available at 2:00 pm for check-in
We will provide transportation from the airport to the hotel
Part 2: 5 Days, 5 Nights in Urubamba Sacred Valley, Peru
The Sacred Valley is commonly overlooked on normal Machu Picchu trips. This is our favorite part of the entire experience! It's like the Garden of Eden filled with exotic vegetation, hummingbirds, and loving people. We have some destinations that took us years to find on our own. We are excited to share them with you!
Day 3 – We will fly into Cusco in the morning and take a van to Urubamba. This drive is through the Andes Mountains but is often missed by tourists taking a train straight to Machu Picchu. During this 2-hour van ride, we will make stops to experience the Sacred Valley and take pictures along the way. We will be staying at Andean Wings, a boutique hotel. Once we get settled in we will have an evening optional hike in the Urubamba Ruins. Otherwise, you are free to relax and take a little bit of time for yourself in Urubamba.
Day 4 – Lake Day! Today we will be taking it a little easier to prepare for our Machu Picchu trip. We will go to the Laguna Huaypo for paddleboarding and a wine, fruit, nuts, breads, and cheese picnic lunch. We will go into Ollantaytambo for a tour of some local shops (spirits and coffee tasting) and have dinner in the city before heading back to our hotel.
Day 5 – Machu Picchu! We will take an upgraded train ride with a Vista dome. Then a bus will be bringing us to the park entrance. The whole day will be spent walking around the ruins, feeling the energy, and receiving a guided tour. We have a late lunch in Agua Calientes and get home in the evening for some relaxing in the hotel.
Day 6 - El Paraiso! This translates to "The Paradise." Can you imagine what paradise looks like in paradise? We will do a 40 minute hike down to the hummingbird sanctuary. There we will experience a private BBQ experience in El Paraiso.
Day 7 – We are going to visit a magical portal. see some ruins and complete the day at the Cerveceria Del Valle which is a micro-brewery nestled in the Andes Mountains.
Part 3: 2 Days, 1 Night in Cusco, Peru
Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes, was once the capital of the Inca Empire and is now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture.
Day 8 - We will travel to Cusco in the morning and on the way we will the Pisac Market for a shopping experience and visit Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary, (if we are lucky we may see a condor or a puma in rehabilitation). We will be staying at Andean Wings in Cusco for the night. We will visit the famous 12-angled stone and the museum, Coricancha.
Day 9 – We will start the day visiting the Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, and Tambomachay which are all amazing archeological sites. In the afternoon you can walk around and explore Cusco on your own or have lunch with us at the hotel. We will take an airplane back to Lima. We will plan with you for your connecting flights home from the airport.
This Trip Combines Luxury & Adventure!
Total Cost is $3,199.00 double occupancy
+$300 for single room
What's Included:
All transportation in Peru
Taxis to and from the airport to Lima, round trip plane tickets from Lima to Cusco, vans around the sacred valley, the train, and bus to Machu Picchu
All hotels in Lima, Urubamba, and Cusco
All meals and a drink that we do as a group (extra beverages available at the restaurants for purchase.)
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner the whole trip
The entrance to the museums in Lima and Cusco
Entrance to Machu Picchu and fees of all of the ruins
Paddleboarding
All optional hikes and side trips
What's Not included:
Airfare to and from Lima
Any extra drinks, snacks, or side restaurants you want to do on your own
Additional Notes:
We will have some optional hikes that are included. You can do anything you would like; stick with the group, rest in the hotel, or explore the town on your own. Just let us know how you are feeling. This is YOUR trip!
Before the retreat, we will have a Zoom meeting with you for some Q and A. We can convert money for you and help you figure out your internet situation in Peru. There will also be a group chat on What's App so we can stay connected.
The last day of our trip is in Cusco. If you want to stay longer just let us know, and we will gladly help arrange your tickets and hotels. We are purchasing a ruin pass for everyone that includes 16 sites around Cusco and the Sacred Valley. We will not be visiting all of these as a group - but you are welcome to extend your trip, especially now that you know your way around!
Ready to Join Us at the Next Retreat?
Have a question? Feel free to reach out!
