We begin our day with gentle yoga (all levels!) and a full breakfast at our hotel.  Then we hop in our comfortable van and travel 22 miles, 35 km to PIsac, a town known for its ruins with spectacular views, and artisan market.  We will hike the upper ruins (still acclimating to the altitude!) and then descend in our van to the town, where we will be treated to a multi-course gourmet picnic with local ingredients, textiles, fresh flowers, and an assortment of beverages.  After lunch you have time to shop for locally made textiles, silver jewelry, and other souvenirs.  Then we hop back in the van and travel to my favorite town - Ollantaytambo!  We check into our historic hotel, the famous El Albergue.  El Albergue is surrounded by beautiful gardens full of fragrant and colorful flowers, tress, babbling water canals, and hummingbirds.  It also has an organic farm, a coffee roastery and a distillery. 

We begin our day with gentle yoga outside surrounded by views of the Andes, and a full breakfast at our hotel.  After breakfast, we walk a short distance to the Ollantaytambo ruins.  The views from the top are spectacular!  After the tour, you have the day free to relax in in the hotel gardens, explore the ancient town, shop in the market, try the local cuisine, or hike one of the local trails.  As an additional option, El Albergue offers a very special lunch called the Pachamanca on their farm. The Pachamanca, which translates to "earth oven" in the Quechua language, is a traditional Inca meal cooked on hot rocks.  The lunch includes "grilled" chicken, pork, and lamb, Andean potatoes, fava beans, olluco and camote (sweet potato), organic vegetables, a house-made salad, traditional sauces and chicha morada (a local purple corn beverage).   Vegetarian friendly, and most food allergies accommodated.  Late afternoon we meet in the garden for a mediation.  Dinner together at Chuncho in the town square.

Today is a full day of adventure!  We take the early train two hours to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu PIcchu.  After meeting our private guide, we take the short bus ride up to the top of the Mountain, and enter the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the most renowned archeological site from the Inca Period.  This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates from the middle of the 15th century and is located 2,430 meters above sea level, on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley.  After the tour, we return to El Albergue hotel in Ollantaytambo.  Dinner on your own in El Albergue restaurant, or in one of the many great restaurants in town.

This might be my favorite day!!!  After breakfast and yoga, we drive to Maras, the home of Mountainview Experience! Spend the day in nature simply chilling with the llamas, sipping a cup of hot Muna tea, and gazing at the majestic Andes mountains.  Or opt to go horseback riding, do SUP or kayaking (with a wetsuit) at the nearby lake, or ride an ATV/QUAD.  Box lunch is provided so you can eat when it suits you.  Late afternoon we gather for a picnic where we create a watercolor work of art to take home as a remembrance of our day.  Dinner at the Mountainview house, campfires, then we spend the night in the cozy cabins.  (Yes, they have bathrooms with showers!)  Option to stay in a cabin with a hot tub!  The views of the stars are magnificent!  (Instagram @mountainviewexperience)

Breakfast at Mountainview Experience.  Then, we take part in a sacred Andean tradition called the Despacho Ceremony.  The Despacho tradition originated in the high Andes mountains with the Andean communities of Q’eros. A Despacho is a sacred offering, often in the form of a prayer bundle.   Each element that is placed within the beautiful mandala of the Despacho is offered with prayers from those gathered for the ceremony.  Every item holds symbolic meaning, calling for the release of certain energies, welcoming blessings and benevolent forces, and ultimately, prayers to return to balance and alignment with our own highest intentions, as well as with Pachamama.  After the ceremony, we return to our hotel Antigua Casona in Cusco.  Your day is free to explore the arts district of San Blas, the Plaza d'Armas, take a walking tour, visit Sacsayhuaman or the San Pedro Market! I be happy to assist you in planning whatever you'd like to do.   Or perhaps you'd like to spend your day in the lovely hotel spa with a massage or other treatment.  We meet late afternoon for gentle/restorative yoga, and then walk together to dinner.

After an early departure, we arrive at the base of the famous multicolored Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca  (its Quechua name) or the montaña de siete colores (seven-colored mountain).  This high-altitude hike is an absolute must for all those who love stunning landscapes and gorgeous scenery. You can also choose to ride a horse or ATV halfway to the summit for an additional cost.  We return to Cusco in time for dinner on your own at the hotel or one of the excellent restaurants within walking distance.   

We've had so much fun and adventure together, and I'll be sad to see you go!  Our hotel provides transportation to the Cusco airport for your departure.  

Or!  Stay and do a two-day, one night hike with me to Lake Humantay and  Salkantay!  This beautiful hike will feature views of mountain glaciers and clear blue lakes.  (Message me for a brochure!)

You’ll get to visit two of the most impressive sights in all of Peru. On day one (July 29, 2023), we hike up to Humantay Lake, which looks like a glistening gem against the white mountainous backdrop. It is one of the most spectacularly beautiful mountain places I've even seen.  We spend the night at Sky Camp, in glass roofed igloos under the starry Andean sky.

On day two (July 30, 2023), we will trek up the Trail of the 7 Snakes to reach the Salkantay Pass and see the astounding views of the snowy Andean Mountain peaks.   Return to Cusco for dinner, and a last night in the hotel of your choice. (I'll be happy to help you book it!)   Fly home on July 31st. 

The price is $170.  Message me for more info!  Click "Send a Message" at the top of this window.