PERU'S SACRED VALLEY
Rejuvenation, Adventure, Connection
March 8-16, 2025
Hosted by Jen Cline
Founder, Journey & Serve
About This Journey
Join us for an unforgettable trip to the Sacred Valley of Peru! We'll enjoy beautiful accommodations, delicious organic meals, ancient Incan wonders, giving back at a local school, visiting a high mountain community to donate supplies, and of course the magic of Machu Picchu!
We begin our journey with 6 nights at the beautiful Willka T'ika Resort near Urubamba, Peru. We'll have the chance to acclimate to the altitude, enjoying nourishing vegetarian meals, optional spa treatments on-site, daily gentle yoga classes, and access to 7 beautiful gardens! Spend your first full day relaxing or take a local mototaxi into town to check out the market and enjoy some ceviche!
Beginning on Day 3, we'll head out on daily excursions with a local guide named Valentin. Hiking through ancient Incan cities, volunteering at a school, visiting local markets, and a day on Valentin's family farm for a traditional Peruvian meal, are just a few of the highlights!
Our journey culminates with a scenic train ride through the tropical mountain climate to Aguas Calientes, to visit to Machu Picchu over 2 days! We'll then travel back to the city of Cusco for our last night to visit an Incan temple, explore local markets and enjoy delicious food and vibrant night life! Rejuvenate, relax, explore, and give back... all in one amazing journey!
Our Accommodations
We will be staying at the beautiful Willka T'ika Resort, near Urubamba town, in their Luxury level accommodations! This resort is truly the best of the best in the Sacred Valley! Check out their website HERE.
Recognized by VOGUE as a "Best of the Best" in 2022, and a 2023 recipient of the "Best of the Best" Traveler's Choice awards!
Located at the foot of glacier-topped Andean peaks in the heart of the Sacred Valley, Willka T’ika offers an experience of luxury and wellness in one of the earth’s most energetically charged, culturally rich settings.
Willka T’ika’s sustainable, relaxing guest rooms reflect the textures and colors of Pachamama (Mother Earth).
The world-renowned Seven Chakra Gardens cover the grounds with lush vibrant foliage and are connected to each other by enchanting winding stone paths. Each garden is designed to correspond to one of the seven chakras, or energy centers, of the human body, and is graced with sacred sculptures and stonework appropriate to the chakra represented.
Both single and double occupancy rooms are available for this trip.
JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
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Delicious Chef made farm-to-table vegetarian meals at Willka T'ika
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Beautiful 6 night stay at Willka T'ika
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Traditional Despacho with a local Shaman
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Walking tour of Moray Ruins
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Guided visit to the Maras Salt Mines
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Explore the markets - handmade goods!
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Visit to a local handmade weavers' collective
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Visit a local school, connect with the children!
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Private farm tour & Pachamanca lunch
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Visit & Serve a high mountain community
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Hike through the ancient Incan ruins of Pisac
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Scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes
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2 days, 1 night in Machu Picchu, hotel incl.
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Optional hike up Huayna Picchu mountain
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Cusco City tour, and 1 night hotel stay
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Visit the Incan site of Sacsayhuaman
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A few local surprises (our treat!)
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Donations to Pachamama Children's school with a portion of your trip price!
PRICING
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY RATE
2 queen beds with private bath & shower
(limited rooms for two with one king bed)
ONE ROOM LEFT!
Reg. Price: $4,495 per person
Book this Fall & Save! $4,195
Register by Nov. 15th! Save $300
$725 deposit due at registration
PAY OVER TIME!
Three Payment Plan Options!
SINGLE OCCUPANCY RATE
Private room with one king bed and private bath/shower
ONE ROOM LEFT!
Reg. Price: $5,495 per person
Book this Fall & Save! $5,195
Register by Nov. 15th! Save $300
$725 deposit due at registration
PAY OVER TIME!
Three Payment Plan Options!
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I pay my deposit? We'll invoice you upon receipt of your registration form. Space is limited, so we recommend that you pay your deposit AS SOON AS POSSIBLE as the payment confirms your spot on the journey! There are multiple reservations that require significant advanced booking and financial commitments. These are made on your behalf as soon as you place your deposit. These types of reservations include but are not limited to: multiple hotel bookings, train tickets, and entry permits to Huyana Picchu (extremely limited & government regulated). We will do everything we can to confirm all necessary reservations and permits however, we can not guarantee these arrangements without advanced booking.
Are meals included? All meals are included for the first 6 days March 8-14 (Lunch & Dinner on Arrival day). Breakfast is included March 15 & 16. Lunch and dinner will be on your own March 15 & 16. Restaurants are MUCH less expensive in Peru than in the U.S. The nicest restaurants in Cusco (upscale) run around $25 per meal at the most... but often you can find an amazing meal for around $8-$15 per person.
Do I need Travel Insurance? YES!! As all payments to us are non-refundable, the purchase of travel insurance is REQUIRED to ensure you are covered should any unexpected event arise. Policies are inexpensive and easy to purchase online. We'll email you upon registration with some sites to look over. Once you purchase your policy you'll email us a copy for our records. We are requiring this as a protective measure for you, as you will be assuming 100% of any costs incurred for trip cancellation or trip interruption. Please check to understand the fine print of the policy you select so that you know exactly what is and isn’t covered. We ask that you purchase a policy that includes "CFAR" - Cancel For Any Reason coverage. IMPORTANT: in order to guarantee maximum coverage, most travel insurance providers require that you obtain a policy within 5-10 days of placing your initial deposit. Once you register for the trip Jen can assist with easy online travel insurance links.
What airport do I fly into? Flying from the US: You will book your international ticket in and out of Cusco International Airport (Code: CUZ) Traveling to Peru requires a connection in Lima (airport code: LIM). The flight from Lima to Cusco is 1 hour. Depending on the airline, this may require that you book tickets separately. PLEASE WAIT TO BOOK FLIGHTS UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO. When booking, we ask that you book your flight from Lima to Cusco to arrive between 9:00AM and 12:00PM on March 8th, as close to 11:00AM as possible. Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to stay overnight in Lima before catching your connection to Cusco. If this is the case, there is a hotel (Wyndham) attached to the Lima airport where you can rest on your stopover. Please wait to book flights until instructed to do so. We will provide more information on booking flights upon registration.
Do I need a visa for travel to Peru? American citizen visitors to Peru do not need a visa if they are traveling as a tourist with a valid U.S. passport. You will be issued a tourist card upon entry, which is valid for up to 90 days.
Will there be group airfares or is everyone traveling together? We will not be offering group airfares, as we will have people joining us from all over the US. Most often, LATAM (Latin American Airlines) will have the best options if flying from the west coast or connecting through LAX. Delta or LATAM will be best if traveling from the East Coast through Atlanta or Miami. We recommend using "Google Flights" to easily compare flight options and Jen is happy to review any flight itinerary you might be considering.
What if I am traveling alone? Yay! You are going to love Peru! If you prefer a single room, awesome! If you prefer a double we will do our best to match you with another participant of the same gender. If we are unable to match you before the final payment deadline, you will be charged 50% of the single rate as a supplement.
How many people are expected on this trip? While attendance varies, have reserved space for up to 11 guests. Depending on how many people request a single or a double accommodation, this number may be less than 11, but will be no more than 11 total plus the leader. We will know more as the trip approaches.
Are airport transfers included in the price of my trip? Yes, airport transfers are included. Note: if you arrive earlier than March 9th you will be responsible for coordinating and paying for your own transportation.
What is the payment & cancellation policy? A $725 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot on the trip. This amount is applied to your trip purchase total. The remaining balance can be paid in full, split into 2 payments, or split into 3 payments depending on your preference. Final and full payment is due January 5, 2025. If you cancel prior to the final balance deadline we will refund 50% of any payments made, minus the non-refundable deposit. We will send you an invoice to complete your payment in advance of the final balance deadline. If you do not complete the payment on your own by that date, the card on file will be automatically charged your remaining balance. If you register for the trip after January 5, 2025, the full amount is due at sign up. All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable after January 5, 2025. Because this is a personally planned trip, we must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of retreat. Because we are required to make payments to our facilities and tour guides far in advance of the trip in order to secure bookings, refunds of any kind are not available after January 5, 2025. We ARE REQUIRING that you purchase travel insurance on a policy that includes a "cancel for any reason" to protect yourself and cover any unexpected cancellation.
Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Peru? No. The COVID-19 vaccine is NOT required to enter Peru or any of the archaeological sites, restaurants, shops, or hotels in the country.
How much additional spending money do you recommend bringing on this trip? This is truly a matter of personal preference depending on your desire to purchase handmade goods and souvenirs etc. You'll be responsible for gratuities for our guides and the hotel staff (paid at the end of the trip in one lump sum), as well as 2-3 lunches and 2-3 dinners on the last few days of the trip. Gratuities are generally $100 per traveler to the hotel staff, and $100-$200 per traveler to our guides for the entire week. Meals in Peru are MUCH less expensive than the US and can be enjoyed for anywhere from $8-$20 per person at most. Outside of meals and gratuities, it all depends on your shopping! Most of our guests bring anywhere from $800-$1000 in additional funds, some bring more.
What's Included?
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All Accommodations
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8 nights accommodations: 6 nights at the beautiful Wilka Tika resort near Urubamba, 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes, 1 night hotel in Cusco
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Airport Transfers on March 8, 2024 and March 16, 2024
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Valentin and his team will provide transportation to and from the airport upon arrival and before departure.
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Most Meals
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All meals plus snacks March 8-14 and a full breakfast March 15-16
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Private Guide & Driver
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Valentin & his team will drive and guide us to all cultural excursions
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All Daily Excursions
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We will visit multiple historical sites daily, as well as a local market, a small country school, an organic family farm (with an amazing chef-prepared lunch!), and of course 2 visits to Macchu Picchu including Huayna Picchu mountain!
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5 Gentle Morning Yoga & Stretching Classes
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Taught by a local yoga instructor who lives in Peru. These classes are optional and will be offered in the mornings before our excursions for those who like to start the day with some gentle movement.
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Despacho Ceremony with a Native Shaman
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We'll gather one evening for a traditional despacho offering ceremony with a native Shaman from the high mountain region surrounding Urubamba. This is a ceremony unique to the Incan people, and each participant will receive a individual blessing from the Shaman.
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Local School Visit & Service Project
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We will visit a local school to work on a project with the students and learn more about the educational needs of the area. We will be making a donation to the school as well.
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Entrance Fees
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All entrance fees to archaeological and historical sites and/or excursion locations are included.
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The time of your life!
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This is truly a once in a lifetime experience, and you won't regret it. So let's go!
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NOT INCLUDED:
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Lunches & Dinners in Aguas Calientes & Cusco City
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Lunch and dinner will be on your own March 15th and 16th as we depart the retreat center to visit Machu Picchu & Cusco. Numerous restaurant options are available at VERY reasonable prices - much lower than the U.S.
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Optional Spa treatments (massages & facials) at Willka T'ika Resort
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These can be booked directly with Willka T'ika upon arrival to Peru. More details will be sent in your registration packet.
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Other optional activities at Willka T'ika - a painting class, Temescal Sweat Lodge, garden tour
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These can be booked directly with Wilka Tika resort and will be available during our 2 free days on the trip. We'll have 2 days on the trip at your leisure - time to relax and explore on your own, or you may choose to add on optional activities. Please see the full itinerary for details. More specific information on options and pricing will be provided in your registration packet.
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Spending Money for Souvenirs/handmade goods
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Peru is filled with beautiful handmade goods and clothing as well as incredible culinary finds such as chocolate, coffee, and native salts. Prices are modest and if you love finding unique items to bring back you'll adore the markets of Peru.
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International Airfare
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You will fly into Cusco, Peru to arrive on March 8th (most likely you'll leave the US on March 7th to arrive in time) and depart on March 16th. Airfare is NOT included in the trip price. Please wait to book airfare until instructed. Likely late 2024
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Gratuities
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Gratuities for the guides and drivers are not included in the trip price. The local people of the area appreciate gratuities greatly, as the average daily salary in the area is $8-$15 USD. While gratuity is always at your discretion, we suggest a gratuity of $100-$200 per traveler for our Peruvian travel guides, and $75-$100 per traveler for the hotel staff.
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Travel Insurance
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Travel insurance is REQUIRED as payments for this trip are non-refundable. It's simple, inexpensive, and easy to buy online. We will send an email with more information upon registration.
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