|
We invite you to step out of yourself and enter the mystical world of Peru, the cradle of a unique culture and its spiritual traditions.
The package includes five nights at Las Chullpas, two days in fascinating Cusco City, one day and a night at Machu Picchu, excursions to P’isaq and Ollantaytambo, transport, hotel accommodation, entrance tickets and tourist train to Machu Picchu. All meals at Las Chullpas, a welcome lunch in Cusco and special dinner at Machu Picchu are also included.
You will not have to worry about any logistics; participants can simply practice yoga in the wonderful setting of Las Chullpas, relax in nature, and enjoy this time in Peru to the fullest.
This retreat provides the opportunity to connect on a deeper level to the indigenous culture and authentic spirituality of the Quechua people. We guarantee that in this program there is something for everyone. Tej & Josh will be leading and teaching this retreat. The following are their bios:
............................................................................................................................................................................
Tej left France to live in Toronto in 1999 where she discovered the Kundalini Yoga which began her spiritual journey. She’s today a certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher.
She recently lived two years in Peru, working with the women and children of indigenous tribes in the Amazon Jungle. Her work there, involved using her artistic background to help preserve their songs and dances as well as their mythic relationship with nature. This experience brought yet another dimension to Tej’s spiritual practice.
She returned to Toronto with the firm intention to teach and to share the essence of the divine that lives within and surrounds us all.
She loves to share the beauty and spiritual healing energy of Peru and the therapeutic tools of Kundalini yoga with people to give them the opportunity to reach the essence of peace within themselves.
............................................................................................................................................................................
Josh has been practicing different styles of yoga and meditation since 1982. He has studied in India, New York and Toronto. He received his first teaching certificate in 1996 in the Sivananda style in South India. Since 1998, he has been studying a practice rooted in (but not limited to) the Ashtanga Vinyasa tradition and in 2000, completed Downward Dog’s first teacher training program. Josh has taught all over Toronto and has led teacher training programs in Bolivia and Peru, where he was living.
............................................................................................................................................................................
Day One (Friday, 23rd of April):
Departure from home country for Cusco City via Lima.
Day Two (Saturday, 24th of April):
The program begins in Cusco, ancient capital of the Inkan Empire. Airport transfer to comfortable hotel conveniently situated downtown. Rest for a few hours and acclimate to the altitude before the program officially begins. At p.m., your teachers will meet you downstairs in the lobby. We invite you to a welcome lunch, followed by a group orientation meeting and an introduction to this special program. Late afternoon walk through the cobblestone streets of Cusco where you will discover fascinating Inkan architecture. Early night to rest or enjoy a walk through the San Blas Artists’ district, a quaint area filled with artisan and art shops. Stop in at one of the lively restaurants or coffee shops.
Day Three (Sunday, 25th of April):
After a breakfast in the hotel, bus to the sacred sites at Saksaywaman overlooking the city of Cusco. Impressive stonework and structures weighing hundreds of tons will leave you in awe. How did the ancestors of the Quechua and Incans build those structures without the use of the wheel and steel implements? Return to Cusco for lunch and free time to explore some of the quality silver shops on the main square. Group meets back at the hotel for afternoon departure to the Sacred Valley and Las Chullpas Guest House, your base over the next week.
Arrived at the retreat centre, we will give you an orientation of Las Chullpas followed by a rest and a welcome dinner.
At Las Chullpas you will enjoy the peace and tranquility of Nature surrounded by Andean flowers and medicinal herbs, the perfect setting for yoga practitioners. All meals at Las Chullpas are vegetarian, with fresh local food, some of it grown right in the garden.
Hikes: There are many unspoiled hikes and trails in this area. We will be happy to lead hikers along country trails where you will see everyday Andean life.
Day Four (Monday, 26th of April):
We’ll start the day with an early morning Kundalini yoga class. We’ll use this time to leave behind us any kind of stress and tune in with the peace of the environment, “Pachamama,” Mother Earth. Then breakfast and time to relax on the charming grounds of Las Chullpas. The yoga studio is always available for meditation. Lunch and Ashtanga yoga class to stretch and refresh the body in the afternoon.
Day Five (Tuesday, 27th of April):
After early yoga and breakfast, we welcome the sparkling energies of the day with a drive through the Sacred Valley to the spectacular ruins of P’isaq. Overlooking impressive Inkan terraces, we hike the trail to the Inkan Temple of the Sun, a doorway to the upper Andean world of the Condor, messenger of the Gods. Optional meditation and optional hike down the mountain to the colorful market of P’isaq. Be prepared—this market offers a wonderful opportunity to buy woven goods, jewelry, colorful wall hangings and hand-painted beadwork, as well as wonderful photographic opportunities. Observe the colorful traditionally dressed campesinos coming to barter and sell their produce. We will recommend some delicious options for an inexpensive al fresco lunch, where you can watch the lively activities of the market. Return to Las Chullpas in the afternoon with time for an Ashtanga class and relaxation before dinner.
Day Six (Wednesday, 28th of April):
After yoga and breakfast, your day will begin with a visit to Andean village of Ollantaytambo and its amazing ruins.
Lunch and scenic train to Aguas Calientes village located in the cloud forest at the feet of Machu Picchu.
Day Seven (Thursday, 29th of April):
Early morning bus to Machu Picchu, to see the sunrise on the “Lost City of the Inka” before most of the tourists arrive. Thereafter there is plenty of time in the afternoon to enjoy the site with meditations and different explorations. We will assist you in deciding which areas you might wish to further explore or hike. The energetic may wish to climb Waynapicchu, Young Mountain, for a spectacular view of Machu Picchu.
We will return to the village of Aguas Calientes, where you’ll be free to wander through the colorful town, soak in the outdoor thermal baths surrounded by the cloud forest.
End of afternoon, return by train to Ollantaytambo then bus to Las Chullpas. Then rest or yoga class before dinner.
Day Eight (Friday, 30th of April):
A day of yoga and mindfulness. After Machu Picchu, participants welcome time to unwind and integrate their experiences. Some of you may wish to hike into the village of Urubamba and visit the local market.
Day Nine (Saturday, 1st of May):
A half day of yoga and mindfulness.
Farewell lunch celebration at Las Chullpas, our retreat centre.
Afternoon in Cusco for the last shopping and wander through the city.
Special dinner and return to hotel.
Day Ten (Sunday, 2nd of May):
There will be one bus transfer for the group to Cusco Airport for the flight to the Lima airport and connecting flight home. Please coordinate your departure flight times with the group leader. Booking on the same flight works best. Multiple flight departures may require multiple transfers from the hotel at additional cost. With some airline exceptions, overseas flights out of Lima tend to leave in the evening.
Day Eleven:
Arrival in home city.
The order within this itinerary may vary to suit the needs of the group. The itinerary is subject to change in extraordinary circumstances. Weather in the Andes is unpredictable and may cause delays or cancellation of flights or activities. Changes in flights and train schedule are common in Peru. We also select days to visit sites when fewer tourists are likely to be there. Though pricing is current at the time of publication and we make every effort to maintain this pricing, it is subject to change in extraordinary circumstances.
Program begins and ends with group Cusco airport transfers.
Total Cost: CAN$ 1500.00 with registration one month before departure date, and $1600 after that deadline. Cost includes all programs and meals indicated in this itinerary. All quality hotels, transport, all entrance tickets, all breakfasts and all meals while at Las Chullpas and regular yoga classes.
Not included:
- International return flights from your country to Cusco via Lima.
- Please allow between $4–$14 for the meals not included in the itinerary.
- Airport departure taxes: Each participant must keep aside a total of approximately US$44 (US$32 for one international and $6.00 each for two domestic departures).
- Individual airport transfers.
- Tipping to service providers ($80).
- Guides on archaeological sites if needed.
Flights: Please coordinate the flight times with your leader to ensure that you all arrive together. Peru is currently a very popular travel destination and we advise that early international and domestic flight bookings are essential.
LAN Airlines has convenient international direct flights to Lima, with connections on their subsidiary LanPeru to Cusco. Multiple US carriers fly into Lima. TACA Airlines has international service to Lima with daily connections to Cusco and is probably the cheapest version.
If arriving at a different time from the group leader, there will be an additional cost of $12 to send an agent to meet you at the airport and transfer you from the airport to the hotel in Cusco.
Additional detailed information, will be made available to participants upon their registration. All costs are accurate at the time of printing and are subject to change.
We look forward to having you on this special journey.
Please contact Carole Galand (Tej Kaur) should you have any questions.
|
