SOUL Journey to Peru

with Mountain Yoga Sandy & Synergy

July 26th - August 3rd I 2025.
Retreat Leaders: Jackie Wheeler & Francisco Morales-Bermudez

RETREAT OVERVIEW

Experience the magic of Peru’s Sacred Valley with a wonderful community of wellness practitioners. Our journey begins in the Andean city of Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire. From Cusco we travel to Willka T’ika Wellness Retreat & Boutique Hotel, in the town of Urubamba, surrounded by the splendor of the Andes. During our stay at Willka T’ika guests will experience outdoor herbal baths; therapeutic massage; nutritious farm to table vegetarian meals; and the well known chakra gardens which hold a variety of healing herbs. From our Willka T’ika base camp we will explore the Sacred Valley through day trips and workshops.

With 17 years of experience curating retreats in the region, the leadership team has organized an exceptional itinerary that balances spectacular adventures with relaxation and treatments at our boutique hotel. All the while we’ll absorb the high energetic frequencies of the Sacred Valley!

OFFERINGS

What's Included

What's not Included

Suggested Reading:

  • The Cradle of Gold by Christopher Heaney 
  • Journey to Machu Picchu by Carol Cumes & Romulo Lizarraga Valencia

RETREAT SCHEDULE

  • Guests will be picked up from Cusco Airport by our staff coordinated by our Transportation Manager, Wilbert Palomino. From the airport we head to Willka T’ika Hotel & Wellness Retreat – rated as one of the top 9 wellness retreat centers in the world by CNN!

    https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/best-wellness-retreats-luxury-resorts-vacation-intl/index.html

     

  • Yoga Class and Opening Circle at Yoga Shala

     

  • Dinner at Willka T’ika

     

  • Optional Bookings at WT Spa: 

    • herbal bath
    • massage 
    • coca leaf reading

Morning Yoga

Breakfast at Willka T’ika

Tour of Willka T’ika’s world famous chakra gardens that contain a wide variety of healing herbs, fruit, and vibrant flowers.

Lunch at Willka T’ika

Partner Yoga & Thai Bodywork Workshop led by Francisco 

In the Partner Yoga practice, participants work in pairs supporting each other in a series of movements designed to open the body and create interpersonal connections.  Thai Bodywork is a traditional therapy combining acupressure; stretching and kneading movements. The practice dates back to the time of the Buddha (approx. 500 B.C.). Francisco has led numerous Thai Bodywork certifications at Breathing Dragon and in various countries including Peru, Kenya, USA, Canada, Holland, Portugal, and Mexico. 

Dinner at Willka T’ika

Morning Yoga 

Breakfast at Willka T’ika

Bus to Urubamba Farmer’s Market

Tour of Urubamba Farmer’s Market

Walk to Seminario Ceramics Center

Tour of Seminario Ceramics Center

Lunch at Tierra Restaurant across the street from Seminario Ceramics Center

Bus to Willka T’ika

Dinner at Willka T’ika

Following breakfast, we’ll drive 10 minutes to Urubamba Farmer’s Market which contains an array of delicacies including superfoods like maca; unique indigenous fruits and vegetables; local chocolate and coffee and more. Our time at the market is an essential part of understanding Inca/Quechua culture. Agriculture is a bedrock of Andean culture as expressed through its reverence for the divine feminine energy of Pachamama. 

After our visit to the market, we’ll walk fifteen minutes to the Seminario Ceramics Center. Co-Founder and internationally renowned artist, Pablo Seminario has a permanent exhibit at the Chicago Art Museum. Additionally, his work is on exhibit at  the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C..  Pablo and his wife, Marilu, are an integral part of the preservation and revitalization of Inca ceramic art and technology.

Depart for Rainbow Mountain/Vinicunca

Breakfast at a hotel en route to Rainbow Mountain

Hike Rainbow Mountain/Vinicunca

Depart Rainbow Mountain

Lunch at Colca Vinicunca Cafe

Drive to Willka T’ika

Dinner at Willka T’ika

Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) is a majestic experience for those visiting the Andes. Surrounded by glacial peaks, the mountain’s indescribable beauty showcases multiple colors. As this will be the highest altitude of the retreat some guests will manage the 3-hour hike by foot and others can ascend the mountain on horseback towards the summit (17,000 feet). The hike will take roughly 3.5 hours and the distance to the summit is 2.5 miles. 

Morning Yoga

Breakfast: Willka T’ika

Lunch: Willka T’ika

Afternoon Yoga Workshop

Dinner: Willka T’ika

The day after our Rainbow Mountain trek is dedicated to rest and relaxation. It’s a free day to enjoy massages, herbal baths, and/or visit the towns of Ollantaytambo or Urubumba. 

Morning Yoga 

Breakfast: Willka T’ika

Travel to Maras Salt Mines

Tour Maras Salt Mines

Travel to Don Angel Restaurant

Lunch: Don Angel Restaurant

Travel to Chinchero

Presentation of traditional Inca weaving technology and shopping at the Chinchero workshop

Bus from Chinchero to Willka T’ika

Dinner: Willka T’ika

On day 6 we visit the Maras salt flats and the Chinchero weavers workshop. The salt mines of Maras date back to pre-Inca civilisations and continue to be actively utilized today! The ancient technology utilizes natural salt water springs that are channeled into terraced ponds, or “cochas” in Quechua, that are stabilized by retaining walls. Guests will learn the history, science, and communal organization of the flats. You’ll also be able to purchase some of the most healing and delicious salt in the world directly from the custodians of Maras! 

Following lunch we’ll visit a workshop of Inca/Quechua weavers in the town of Chinchero. The weavers will give us a presentation sharing their traditional dyeing techniques and the ancient stories that are embedded within their designs. These images pay homage to the natural elements and the universal balance of feminine and masculine energies. Chinchero is also notable for having maintained Inca culture in spite of attempts by the Spanish to “civilize” and reform the culture.The residents of Chincero have handed down the ancient textile science of the Inca including traditional looms; the use of various herbs, plants and vegetation for their dyes; and Incan designs which hold numerous cultural values of the Inca.

Bus from Willka T’ika to Ollantaytambo

Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes 

Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

Tour Machu Picchu

Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes 

Lunch in Aguas Calientes (guests will cover the cost of their lunch)

Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo

Bus from Ollantaytambo to Willka T’ika

Dinner at Willka T’ika

They say “the journey’s the destination” and our journey to Machu Picchu through the lush jungle terrain, on the “Vistadome” train will prove this adage true! The picturesque train ride, with panoramic views includes live Andean music and a traditional folkloric dance performance. Our guided tour of the sacred site will offer deep insights into Machu Picchu’s function in Inca society and the methods of construction. 

Morning Yoga 

Breakfast at Willka T’ika

Lunch: Willka T’ika

Reflection & Integration Workshop

Dinner: Willka T’ika 

Bonfire & Closing Circle w/Live Music

Morning Yoga 

Breakfast at Willka T’ika

We will depart to the Cusco Airport after breakfast. If some of our guests have an earlier flight we will arrange for a private ride.

PLANNING FOR THE RETREAT

We suggest buying your flight from your home city to Cusco. There will be a layover at the Lima Airport. Hopefully your layover is not too long; but if it’s overnight, Lima has a nice airport hotel. Here is the link: 

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham/lima-peru/wyndham-costa-del-sol-lima-airport/overview 

Once you connect to your domestic flight from Lima to Cusco, we will be at the Cusco Airport to pick you up. 

If you’d like to arrive a couple of days early and spend time in Lima, the coastal capital of Perú, please let us know and Francisco will arrange transportation for you and can connect you with our favorite spots in the city. 

Travel insurance can be purchased by guests who feel more comfortable having coverage in case of any unforeseen travel challenges.

Temperatures in Cusco typically fluctuate daily. Evening time is chilly and daytime is usually sunny and warm. Layering is the key. Here’s what we recommend you bring:

  • A light down vest or jacket
  • Long undershirts
  • Long underwear
  • At least one heavy sweater but remember, Peru has some of the best and coziest sweaters in the world made from alpaca wool!
  • A daypack for all of the day trips
  • A rain shell just in case
  • A water bottle
  • An empty duffle bag to carry all of your beautiful garments and artwork back home!

Gratuities are not included in the price of your retreat. Gratuities for the staff that will be taking care of you all week is recommended $10 per day per person & will be collected on the last evening of the retreat. Gratuities for shuttle drivers & guides that will be taking you to and from all of your amazing destinations is recommended at $2-5 per transfer. Please give gratuities directly to the drivers and guides following their service.

There is an ATM conveniently located 10 minutes from our host hotel. We advise you that you travel with $200 – $300 USD, which can be exchanged in Urubamba where we’ll be staying. Advise your bank and/or credit card company that you’ll be traveling prior to leaving your home country to avoid restrictions. Some shopping can be done with a credit card and some will require cash (Peruvian Soles), including tips. We will visit an ATM and/or cash exchange store at least twice during the retreat.

If a participant needs to cancel prior to April 1st, 2025, we will hold the full deposit towards a future event. After April 1st, 50% of the deposit will be held for a future event hosted by Mountain Yoga or Synergy.

PERU PHOTOS

REGISTRATION OPTIONS

Soul Journey to Peru Payment Plan (Single Room)

Single Room : $4,400

Soul Journey to Peru Payment Plan (Shared Room) Double

Shared Room Double : $3,600

Soul Journey to Peru Payment Plan (Shared Room) Triple

Shared Room Triple : $3,200