Your spiritual journey starts with the arrival in Cusco and a sacred ceremony. The purpose of your first week is getting to know the vibrant culture and wonderful traditions of Peru. Encounter your inner wisdom with a 5 days Ayahuasca retreat in the Sacred Valley, starting your inner healing and personal transformation.
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco & blessing ceremony
Day 2: Visit of sacred Inca ruins
Day 3: Free day in Cusco
Day 4: Arrival at retreat center & ayahuasca ceremony
Day 5: Volunteering at dog shelter & ayahuasca session
Day 6: Relaxation & walk to sanctuary of Lord of Huanca
Day 7: Volunteering at plant nursery & ayahuasca ceremony
Day 8: Mother Earth Offering & return to Cusco
On your first day, you will be picked up from the airport and brought to your hotel in the city center of Cusco. You will have some time to relax after your flight. Later, you will meet our professional guide to talk about the schedule of the following days and give you a little briefing with all the information you need to know. To start your self transformation healing journey, our professional guide will perform an Andean Blessing Ceremony to prepare you for this spiritual travel experience and set the right intentions. You will learn more about the purpose of this sacred ceremony and the ancient Inca and Andean beliefs. The rest of the day you can rest or discover the city center by yourself, getting used to the high altitude of Cusco.
No meals included on your first day
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
In the afternoon, you will start your Cusco city tour by walking to Plaza de Armas, the center of the capital of the Incas. You will visit the Cathedral of Cusco, also known as the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin. The Cusco Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cusco. The building is very impressive and was completed in 1654, almost a hundred years after construction began. Later, you will visit the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha), the most important temple of the ancient Inca Empire. Afterwards, you will head towards the four most impressive archaeological sites of Cusco: Tambomachay, Puca Pucara, Qenqo and Saqsaqhuaman. The last one is famous for its gigantic rock formation that the Inca culture built like a puzzle - some of the huge stones are over 9 meters high and weigh more than 550 tons! After the city tour and visit to the Inca ruins, you will be brought back to your hotel.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
Today you will have a free day to take time for yourself before your ayahuasca retreat experience starts tomorrow. You can explore different places of Cusco, such as the vibrant district of San Blas with its local market, alternative shops and delicious restaurants, or visit some museums that are included in your touristic ticket of Cusco. The Boleto Turistico is an entrance ticket for different places, museums and sites and is included in your program. You can contact us to know more about places to visit in the city center and travel recommendations with beautiful activities.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
Your ayahuasca retreat experience in Cusco starts at 11:00am at Plaza Nazarenas, where you will be picked up by our transfer staff. You will travel to San Salvador, the location of our retreat center in the Sacred Valley. After your arrival, you will be introduced to the ayahuasca shaman and medical staff and have some time to check out the retreat center. You will have a group meeting with the team and the other participants to talk about the ayahuasca plant and the intentions of the different ceremonies (ayahuasca ceremony, offering to Mother Earth and Coca Leaf ceremony). After your first meeting, you will have an individual consultation with the medical doctor and shamanic healer about your ayahuasca ceremony, so you feel prepared and ready to start the first ayahuasca session. In the afternoon, our shamanic healer will perform a Coca Leaf Ceremony and Cleansing Ceremony. Later, you will learn more about the ancient Inca principle of unconditional love and the Munay meditation. The meditation session helps you to get into the right mindset for your ayahuasca ceremony that you will be having on this day in the evening.
Overnight stay at retreat center in San Salvador
Today you will start your day with a very light breakfast and then be brought to the dog shelter of the local organization “Human Actions''. There you will do your volunteering activity, feeding the little puppies and giving them the love they need. You will learn more about the organization of the shelter and the stories of the dogs who had been abused and badly treated before they came to the shelter. After helping the staff, you will enjoy an organic snack and return to the retreat center. There you will have a meeting with the psychologist and shamanic healer to talk about your personal experiences during your first ayahuasca ceremony. These sessions help you find clarity about your visions. Later, you will have some time to relax and participate in group sessions to share your ayahuasca experience. In the evening you will be doing your second ayahuasca ceremony. Our medical team and Andean shamans will be with you during the whole process.
Overnight stay at retreat center in San Salvador
After your organic breakfast, you will have group sessions and individual consultations with our medical team and shamanic healers to talk about your ayahuasca ceremonies and personal experiences. You will enjoy a short walk to the Sanctuary of Lord of Huanca with your group. The Lord of Huanca is an invocation of martyr Christ who is in this town and is revered by Peruvians and foreigners, considered very miraculous. In the afternoon, you will go back to the retreat center and have a delicious lunch. Later, you will learn more about the ancient Inca and Andean philosophies (Ayni, Anya, Sumaq Kausay) and practice Munay meditation with your group. The rest of the day you have time to relax or discover the beautiful environment of the retreat center by yourself.
Overnight stay at retreat center in San Salvador
Full board included
Today you will start your day with a very light breakfast and then be brought to the native plants nursery of the organization “Human Actions”. There you will learn more about the medicinal valor of the plants and help the staff with watering the plants and working at the plant nursery. After having a little snack, you will enjoy a relaxing massage at the retreat center. In the evening, you will learn more about the Pachamama (Mother Earth) and its meaning for the Andean culture. After another Munay meditation session, you have some time to prepare yourself for the third and last ayahuasca ceremony. Our medical team and Andean shamans will be with you during the whole ceremony.
Overnight stay at retreat center in San Salvador
On your last day you will start your day with an organic breakfast. Afterwards, you will have another individual consultation with the doctors and shamanic healers about your last Ayahuasca ceremony. Later, our shaman will perform an offering to Mother Earth. It is an important ceremony in the Andes culture to show gratitude to Pachamama (Mother Earth) for everything she has been giving to us. You can buy some local handicrafts from the shamanic healers before you will be brought back to Cusco.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
The second week of your self transformation journey focuses on opening your heart and learning more about yourself by doing several social, cultural and voluntary activities, such as visiting a dog shelter, participating in a Peruvian cooking class, helping people in need and much more!
Day 9: Free day in Cusco
Day 10: Visit of the Chichubamba Community
Day 11: Volunteering at home for children & adults
Day 12: Peruvian cooking class
Day 13: Yoga at Temple of the Moon
Day 14: Human Actions Volunteering Activity
Day 15: Horseback riding activity in Cusco
Day 16: Spanish class & free afternoon
On this day you will have a day off to discover the beautiful city of Cusco by yourself and relax after your transformational ayahuasca retreat. If you want to book an additional day excursion or activity, just let us know and we are happy to customize this self transformational travel experience.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
After an early breakfast you will enjoy an amazing cultural and experiential tour in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will visit the town of Urubamba, located in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Close to Urubamba is Chichubamba, a little and beautiful community, which consists of 180 families. Their main activity is agriculture and the creation of handicrafts. After arriving at Chichubamba, you will learn more about the Andean lifestyle and be part of their daily activities, having an authentic cultural experience with locals from the Andes Mountains. You will learn more about the creation of ceramics, artisanal chocolate making, apiculture (extraction of honey), the preparation of Chicha de Jora (fermented corn drink), textiel art and floriculture. You will enjoy a typical Peruvian lunch with a local family and return back to Cusco in the afternoon.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast and local lunch included
After your breakfast, you will be taken to Hogar Madre Teresa de Calcuta, a place located in Cusco where you will find children and adults with physical and mental disabilities. There are approximately 20 children and 50 adults and elderly in the home. The center is run by sisters who are also therapists and taking care of the people in need. You will help the sisters during the day and get to know the different areas of the center. It is a very special experience, knowing that you are helping these children and people in need with your volunteering activity. Later, you will be brought back to Cusco and have your Spanish classes.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
Today you will learn more about the Peruvian cuisine and its local specialties. You will be picked up from your hotel and brought to the cooking studio of our professional team. You will visit the local market of San Pedro and learn more about the organic products, fruits and vegetables. Later, you will cook together with the chef a delicious dinner, including an appetizer with a typical ceviche and fruity dessert! All the products used for the meals are from the region and fairly traded. Our chef will tell you more about the historical facts of each product and share with you his best cooking tips.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast and self-cooked dinner included
Today you will have a yoga session at a very special place near the Temple of the Moon. You will start with a very nice walk from your hotel to the Temple of the Moon where you will practice yoga together with your professional yoga teacher. After one hour of yoga you will have the opportunity to walk near the temple and enjoy the beautiful location. Then you will return to your hotel and have a free afternoon to relax and rest.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
Early in the morning you will be picked up from your hotel to start another volunteering experience organized by our friends from the organization of Human Actions. You can decide which activity you would like to do, whether you prefer to visit the dog shelter, help people in need, plant trees, or more!
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
On this day you will explore the beautiful region of Cusco from a different perspective on horseback. Horses have the ability to mirror the feelings of the rider and being in contact with them will be not only an unforgettable moment, but also be beneficial for your general health. You will start your journey at the Temple of the Moon and visit the community of Huayllarccocha and the archaeological sites of Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. Afterwards, you will enjoy a delicious box lunch with a beautiful panoramic view. Your next stop will be the ”Devil’s Balcony”, which is also called Chacan mountain. On your way back to the ranch you will head towards the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman, the most important example of Inca architecture of Cusco.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
After your breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and brought to the language center of Cusco. You will have a 2 hour Spanish class with your professional teacher. The rest of the day you can relax before your great trekking adventure starts tomorrow. If you would like to book optional activities, let us know and we are happy to counsel you.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
Now it is time to challenge yourself and train your body! During this week, you will participate in a 5 days Spiritual Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, connecting with yourself, nature, the energy of the mountains and embracing your self awareness. This trekking experience helps you understand your inner wisdom on a deeper level.
Day 17: Cusco – Mollepata – Humantay Lake – Salkantay Pampa
Day 18: Salkantay Pampa – Salkantay – Huayracpampa – Chaullay
Day 19: Chaullay – Colpapampa – Lucmabamba – Llactapata
Day 20: Lucmabamba – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
Day 21: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Day 22: Free day in Cusco
Day 23: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Very early in the morning you will be picked up at the hotel in Cusco and drive towards Lake Humantay, which is known for its clear water and imposing views of the snowy mountains.You will drive to Soraypampa, located at 3,800m above sea level. After approximately 2 hours, the ride will stop in Mollepata (2,900m) for breakfast (not included) and you have the chance to make your last purchases needed for your hike. You will follow the route for another hour until you reach Challacancha (3,675m) where our team is ready to welcome you (yoga teacher, cook, muleteers, mules, etc.) and give you detailed instructions about your spiritual trekking adventure for the next five days. You then reach the camp at Soraypampa and will have a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, you will ascend to Lake Humantay (approx. 2h) and be able to witness the clear water of the lake, its vibrant energy and impressive views of the mountain on top. It is the perfect place for meditating and practicing yoga! There will be time to enjoy the wonderful views, soak the energy of the mountains with your spiritual healer, take pictures and breathe the purest air of all. After returning to the campsite, you will have dinner and experience an offering to Mother Earth. You will learn how to do a ceremony of gratitude to the mountains (Apus) and how to ask for their protection.
Overnight stay at campsite
Lunch and dinner included
Early in the morning, you will enjoy breakfast and do a yoga session to start your day with a lot of energy. Our spiritual healer will show you more about the ancient Andes culture and perform a Spiritual Mama Coca Leaf Ceremony with you. Later, the true challenge of the journey begins, going uphill until you reach the 4,650m at the Salkantay pass. The path is steep and rocky and will go on for 7 km (approx. 3h). This section will require physical resistance as well as a good acclimatization. Depending on the weather and the physical condition of the group, there is also the option to visit the second glacial lagoon near the base of Salkantay. From Salkantay Pass you will hike up Huayra Machay where you will enjoy lunch and go on until you reach the exotic rainforest. As you travel, the vegetation changes from the sparse grasses and high mountains to lush cloud forest, being home to butterflies, hummingbirds, and a wide variety of flora. This part of the trail is less demanding with generally warm weather, you will enjoy the exuberant landscape with its small rivers, wonderful views of waterfalls, native plants, wild orchids, colorful birds and tropical fruits such as coffee, banana, avocado, passion fruit, and much more. After lunch, you head down to the river before climbing the ridge on the other side. It will take around 5 hours to reach the camp Chaullay where you will enjoy yoga, dinner and snacks. Your camping equipment and food will be transported by pack horses. The purpose of the yoga session on this day is to explore your body and perform some asanas.
Overnight stay at campsite
Full board included
Today you will wake up early, starting your day with meditation, energetic yoga and breathing techniques. After a large breakfast you will take a transport to Lucmabamba. On the campsite of Lucmabamba you will start your hike to Llactapata. Llactapata is a well preserved Inca road which once ran all the way up to Quito, Ecuador. You will be able to appreciate a great variety of crops such as coffee, banana, avocado, pineapple and even coca leaves, considered the sacred leaf of the Incas. You will ascend to the archaeological site of Llactapata, where you will be able to see part of famous Machu Picchu and the entire valley that surrounds it. You will explore the archeological site, still covered in vines and jungle vegetation. After your box lunch you will hike back to the campsite. Upon arrival you will have a yoga session and then rest before dinner.
Overnight stay at campsite
Full board included
On this day, you will enjoy an energetic breakfast and start your day with another yoga session. You will continue your spiritual hiking experience from Lucmabamba to Hidroelectrica. After having a delicious box lunch, you will resume your walking for 2-3 more hours until you arrive at Aguas Calientes, also called Machupicchu Pueblo, the town on the bottom of the magnificent Wonder of the World. The rest of the day you have time to relax in your hotel after your long journey or explore the village of Aguas Calientes by yourself.
Overnight stay at 3-5* hotel in Aguas Calientes
Full board included
Early in the morning, you will leave your hotel to take the bus up to Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas“. This complex is considered a jewel of the Inca architecture. It is a complete town with different quarters, squares, alleys, buildings, astronomical observatories and terraces. The city was rediscovered on July 24, 1911 by the US researcher Hiram Bingham. After a guided tour, you can explore this magical place a bit more on your own. There is also the option to take a short hike to the Inca Bridge or to the “Intipunku”, the sun gate. In the afternoon, you will return to Aguas Calientes by bus and take the train to Poroy/Ollantaytambo. On the way back, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Sacred Valley. Upon arrival at the train station, you will be taken to your hotel in Cusco.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
Today you will have a free day to rest a bit after your long hike.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
After breakfast, you will start your journey to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, driving along the Urubamba river. Your first visit will be the archaeological site of Pisac. It is a complex of terraces, fountains, observatories and a necropolis. It offers stunning views of the Sacred Valley and a fascinating insight into Inca history and culture. Later, you will continue your excursion to Ollantaytambo. The Inca complex there was built to protect the valley from invasions from the rainforest. On your way back, you will stop in Chinchero and visit the archaeological site there with its ancient Inca ruins. In the late afternoon, you will be brought back to your hotel in Cusco.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
The last week will be a form of celebrating the last three weeks of hard work and all the effort you were making. You can choose if you would like to feel the energy of Titicaca Lake, participate in shamanic healing teachings or explore the adventurous Amazon Rainforest.
Day 24: Rainbow Mountain
Day 25: Introduction to shamanic teachings (class)
Day 26: Cleansing ceremony (class)
Day 27: Sacred Altar of the Paqos (class)
Day 28: San Pedro ceremony
Day 29: Karpay ceremony (initiation)
Day 30: Flight back home
Very early in the morning, you will be picked up in Cusco and brought to a nice restaurant for a large breakfast. Your professional guide will give you first information about the course of the day and additional safety precautions. Later, you will arrive at the entrance of the reserve, which is located at about 4,400 meters above sea level. From there, you start a hike to Rainbow Mountain for about two hours. When you reach the top, you can admire a colorful and impressive mountain landscape at 5,000 meters (16,404 feet). You can even continue hiking along the red valley, but this will depend on the weather conditions. On your way back to Cusco, you will stop again at the restaurant to enjoy a nutritious lunch with your group.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast and lunch included
Today you will meet the shamanic healer (Master Q’ero) and learn more about the Andean and Amazonian healing techniques and sacred ceremonies of the country. You will go together with the shaman and translator to a very beautiful place right in the middle of nature, enjoying a wonderful view of the city. This first lesson will be a general introduction to shamanism and ceremonies. Besides, you will learn more about the Coca Leaf Ceremony and its purpose behind it. The shamanic healer will explain to you the symbolic meaning of the Coca Leaf and how you can practice an oracle reading by yourself. In the afternoon, you will be brought back to your hotel.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
After a large breakfast, you will start with your second teaching session. The shamanic healer will share with you the intention, main function and meaning of the cleansing ceremony. He will show you the items that he is using therefore and explain to you the different meanings of each. Later, the shaman will perform a cleansing ritual with you. Afterwards, you will be brought back to your hotel and have the rest of the day off.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
In the morning you will be driven to a special place close to Cusco and learn more about the Sacred Altar of the Paqos, which is one of the most important sacred tools to perform these ancestral ceremonies. Besides, the shaman will tell you more about the four directions of the world. After sharing the spiritual teachings with you, you have the opportunity to ask your shamanic teacher about other questions regarding the Andean culture, shamanic teachings, and more. In the afternoon, you will go back to Cusco.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast included
Your San Pedro experience starts at 8am at your hotel in Cusco, where you will be picked by our team. You will drive for about 20 minutes outside the city of Cusco close to the Moon Temple. Right after your arrival, the shaman will start the preparation of the sacred San Pedro ceremony, explaining to you the benefits and effects of the cactus plant, and everything else you need to know about the ceremony. The San Pedro experience starts with the Haywarikuy Ceremony, which is a special Coca Leaf ceremony to ask for permission and guidance of the Sacred Mountains and Mother Earth. Later, the shaman will perform a Cleansing ceremony based on the principle of forgiveness that allows you to easily access the spiritual San Pedro ceremony. Then you will take the San Pedro medicine to start the ceremony and receive what Mother Earth and the whole universe offers to you. During this experience, you will enjoy an organic picnic and the shamanic healer helps you understand and interpret your visions. He will perform an Offering to Mother Earth (Pachamama) to show gratitude and embrace your connection with nature. After finishing the sacred ceremony, you will be brought back to your hotel in Cusco.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
After breakfast, you will be picked up and brought to a beautiful place in nature. Today will be a very important day because you will be able to receive the celestial power and knowledge of a sacred initiation from our Andean healer. He will explain to you the spiritual meaning and purpose behind it while you participate in this wonderful ceremony. The Karpay Ceremony marks your spiritual path as the actual beginning of your mission in life. The sacred ceremony will last almost the whole day, this is why you will arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon to relax a bit.
Overnight stay at 3* hotel in Cusco
Breakfast and box lunch included
On your last day, you will be picked up in time by our transfer staff and brought to the airport of Cusco. From there you will take your national flight back to Lima and your international flight home.
No overnight stay included.
Breakfast included
Do you want to know more about the accommodation you will be staying at? Here are some examples of our hotels, lodges and places that we have chosen with lots of care and love.