The Sacred Path: Yoga Retreat to Peru

November 9th - November 16th, 2024

Led by Petra Haynes and Amy Ippoliti,
bringing the Center Yoga + Wellness and Vesselify communities together.

Enhance your yoga practice in the exquisite sanctuary of Willka T’ika, designed for rejuvenation and reflection, located in the heart of Peru’s Sacred Valley nested between the Incan capital of Cusco and the world heritage site of Machu Picchu.

 
 

The Theme


During this enlightening eight-day adventure and cultural immersion, we'll also have the chance to immerse ourselves in the teachings of Kundalini and the Chakras. Kundalini is often described as the dormant spiritual energy of the divine within one’s own body.

The study of Kundalini and Chakra theory promises a deeper understanding of your physical and subtle body, fostering emotional awareness and providing clarity on the meandering path of self-evolution. We will study the traditional seven chakras as well as the more esoteric, lesser-known five Tantric chakras. 

Our learning will be supported by Willka T’ika’s seven breathtaking Chakra Gardens on their grounds.

8 MONTH PAYMENT PLAN OFFERED FOR LIMITED TIME ONLY!

The Place

From their hand-crafted guest room design, to the gardens, organic vegetarian farm-to-table meals, Andean ceremonial spaces, and devoted service by the local Quechuan staff, Willka T’ika is a model of authentic sustainability.

Custom-designed Andean adobe architecture blends the physical and natural environment with the surrounding gardens and mountain scapes, creating an atmosphere of traditional, yet refined luxury. Local artwork decorates interior and exterior walls, and Andean ornaments can be found throughout.

The Food

Gourmet vegetarian meals are served daily, using high-protein Andean grains and legumes, as well as freshly-harvested organic vegetables from our gardens. The exotic fusion of Andean and international flavors in the colorful buffet breakfast and hearty three-course dinner ensure that every guest feels nourished and cared for. Special diet requests are accommodated, such as dairy/gluten free. Fresh herbal teas and organic coffee are available.

You will also have the opportunity to eat out in the towns during excursions should you want non-vegetarian options.

The Spa

Willka T’ika offers a range of therapeutic, Andean style spa treatments to restore the body and rejuvenate the spirit including massage, reflexology, facials, and two unique Willka T’ika experiences:

Andean Solar Baths – outdoor baths crafted from stone, with water heated by the sun and infused with flowers, medicinal herbs and salts from the local salt mines of Maras. Crystal Light Therapy – originating in Brazil, this popular therapy combines color, light, crystals and music to clear and realign the body’s chakras.

What’s Included?

  • Daily alignment based vinyasa yoga practices with Petra and Amy

  • All hotel and retreat center stays in Peru

  • Excursions, guided tours, and transportation

    **please see the detailed itinerary below**

The Retreat Itinerary

Please note that this itinerary is subject to change in order to accommodate the ideal flow in the present moment.

Day 1 | Saturday. November 9th, 2024 -Dinner ONLY

Welcome to Peru! Plan to arrive in Cusco by 11a.m. if possible to acclimate to the altitude.

3:00 pm: Meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a brief group orientation meeting. Walk through the cobblestone streets of San Blas, where your guide will point out fascinating Incan stonework en route to the Korikancha Temple, the holiest site during Incan times.

6:30 pm: Willka T’ika invites you to a delicious Peruvian dinner.

8:00pm: Welcome circle

Day 2 | Sunday - November 10th, 2024 - Cusco & Sacred Valley - (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Morning: Visit the Inkan site of Saksaywaman overlooking the city of Cusco. By these majestic ruins, a traditional K’intu blessing invites you to tap into the presence and energies of Pachamama, Mother Earth.

Afternoon: Enjoy a picnic lunch, then drive to Willka T’ika in the Sacred Valley through spectacular Andean mountain scenery. After a brief intro by the guide and leader, the Willka T’ika Quechua staff will welcome you to the retreat center, and help you schedule time for Andean spa services and the use of the beautiful yoga, meditation and ceremonial spaces. 

4:00pm: Yoga class

6:00pm: Dinner

Day 3 | Monday - November 11th, 2024 - Fire Ceremony (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

8am:  Breakfast

This day is dedicated to Pachamama, Mother Earth. Relax in the splendors of nature and enjoy a tour of the Seven Chakra Gardens. Meet our pakko, a very special Q’ero healer, visiting from the high Andes.

11:00am: Morning yoga class

1:00pm: Lunch

2:00pm Shamans on site (coco-leaf blessings by appointment) & walk through the nearby Rumichaka farming neighborhood where Quechua campesinos live - Gazpacho ceremony

6:00pm Dinner

After dinner, our pakko invites guests to an authentic and transformative Andean fire ceremony to honor Pachamama, yourself and your loved ones. The ceremony will remind us to focus our intention for this journey and serves as a wonderful preparation of mind, body and spirit for the pilgrimage to Machu Picchu. 

Day 4 | Tuesday - November 12th, 2024 - School Visit & P’isaq (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

8am: Breakfast

9:00am: Yoga class

An ayni day - drive through the Sacred Valley to a Quechua mountain school supported by the nonprofit Willka T’ika Children’s Fund. Since 1995, Willka T’ika has supported high mountain communities where few tourists are privileged to visit. In a reciprocal ayni exchange, the group offers an activity the children can enjoy. The warmth and heart-warming joy of the children, and their openness in bringing guests into their daily lives are special moments not easily forgotten. Afterward, enjoy a riverside bag lunch.

Afternoon: Continue to the spectacular ruins of P’isaq, overlooking impressive Incan terraces. Hike up the ruins or walk quietly in a silent personal vision quest. Return to the main square of P’isaq by bus and visit the famous, colorful market filled with woven goods, jewelry, wall hangings and hand-painted beadwork. Enjoy café or tea in the market square. P’isaq is a photographer’s dream. Return to Willka T’ika for a late afternoon.

4:00pm: Yoga class

6:30pm: Dinner

Day 5 | Wednesday - November 13th, 2024 - BIG DAY - Machu Picchu (breakfast & dinner)

Morning:  Early breakfast followed by tourist train to Aguas Calientes. Tea/coffee and snacks served on the train. A bus takes you to the sunlit terraces of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a fabulous guided tour of the ancient “City of Light.” Experience a journey through the masculine energy temples of political and spiritual power, followed by a deep reconnection of feminine earth energies. 

Afternoon: Hike to Inti Punku, the original Incan Gateway to the Sun or to the Incan bridge. Late afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo where you will transfer to Willka T’ika in time for a late, light dinner.

Day 6 | Thursday - November 14th, 2024 - Ollantaytambo & Maras (breakfast & dinner)

8:00am: Breakfast

9:00am: Yoga class

Morning: Visit the ceremonial site of Ollantaytambo and its famous Sun Temple. Lunch on your own in the quaint picturesque town. 

Afternoon: Meditate in the Chakra Garden of your choice and allow yourself time to receive the ancestral crown chakra energies beneath the 1000-year-old lucuma tree. Enjoy an Andean Spa treatment, or crystal light therapy session. For the more active, choose from a variety of hikes, including the nearby Maras Salt Flats and activities through the valley and up the mountains. 

Day 7 | Friday - November 15th, 2024 - Urubamba (breakfast, lunch & dinner)

8:00am: Breakfast

9:00am: Yoga class

Morning: A guided morning hike to the town of Urubamba through farming neighborhoods, visit a typical, lively Peruvian market, a wonderful alpaca factory, and the famous Seminario ceramics shop. 

1:00 pm: Lunch

2:00pm: Yoga class

6:30 pm: Farewell dinner

Day 8 | Saturday - November 16th, 2024

8:00 am: Breakfast

10am: check out time

One group complimentary transfer based on 10 a.m. check-out takes the group to the Cusco airport to connect to Lima, and an outbound flight home. From Willka T’ika, allow 3 ½ hours before your Cusco flight. Ideal flights to schedule depart from Cusco between 2 pm-5 p.m. Additional costs apply for an individual transfer for guests with earlier/later departures & can be arranged onsite.

Arrive home feeling blessed with the pure energy of your transformational Andean journey-of-a-lifetime.

Accommodation

The Garden Twin room with two twin beds has access to the gardens, with beautiful views of flowers, trees and mountains. All rooms have portable heating and modern private bathrooms with an excellent hot water supply.Our sustainable guest rooms reflect the textures and colors of the Andes. The cozy garden rooms, recently renovated, are purposely tucked away in charming areas throughout the gardens. Each guest room is uniquely designed and decorated and is named for the Andean medicinal plant that grows at its doorstep. Fresh flowers welcome all guests and cozy hot-water bottles warm beds at night.

The Garden Single room with a double bed has access to the gardens, with beautiful views of flowers, trees and mountains. All rooms have portable heating and modern private bathrooms with walk-in shower and an excellent hot water supply. Our sustainable guest rooms reflect the textures and colors of the Andes. The cozy garden rooms, recently renovated, are purposely tucked away in charming areas throughout the gardens. Each guest room is uniquely designed and decorated and is named for the Andean medicinal plant that grows at its doorstep. Fresh flowers welcome all guests and cozy hot-water bottles warm beds at night.

This Luxury Twin room with two twin beds has access to the gardens, with beautiful views of flowers, trees and mountains. All rooms have portable heating and modern private bathrooms with an excellent hot water supply.
Our sustainable guest rooms reflect the textures and colors of the Andes. Made from natural earth materials and adorned with local artwork, the spacious luxury rooms incorporate Feng Shui design principles and take advantage of mountain and garden views. Fresh flowers welcome all guests and cozy hot-water bottles warm beds at night.

This Luxury Queen room with two queen beds has access to the gardens, with beautiful views of flowers, trees and mountains. All rooms have portable heating and modern private bathrooms with an excellent hot water supply.
Our sustainable guest rooms reflect the textures and colors of the Andes. Made from natural earth materials and adorned with local artwork, the spacious luxury rooms incorporate Feng Shui design principles and take advantage of mountain and garden views. Fresh flowers welcome all guests and cozy hot-water bottles warm beds at night.

The Luxury King has access to the gardens, with beautiful views of flowers, trees and mountains. All rooms have portable heating and modern private bathrooms with an excellent hot water supply.Our sustainable guest rooms reflect the textures and colors of the Andes. Made from natural earth materials and adorned with local artwork, the spacious luxury rooms incorporate Feng Shui design principles and take advantage of mountain and garden views. Fresh flowers welcome all guests and cozy hot-water bottles warm beds at night.

The Weather

November stands out as an optimal month for a visit to the Sacred Valley in Peru. A bridge between the dry and wet seasons, there is minimal rainfall in November and stays comfortably far enough away from the coming winter cold. Anticipate temperatures ranging from highs of about 72°F (22°C) to lows of around 41°F (5°C). During our retreat, the sun illuminates the valley, rising around 5:50am and setting approximately 6:05 pm.

We Recommend…

Purchasing travel insurance, which you can acquire here: https://www.travelinsurance.com or World Nomads Travel Insurance for your peace of mind and in case of unexpected events that may prevent you from traveling for whatever reason.

What’s not included?

  • Your flight and international travel expenses to and from Peru

  • Any meals, transfers, sightseeing, or hotel nights not listed in the itinerary above.

  • Incidentals such as alcohol, tips, laundry service, etc.

Retreat Leaders

Petra Haynes

E-RYT 500 & YACEP, and owner of CENTER Yoga + Wellness

Petra's journey with yoga began as a solution to her struggles with maintaining good health. Through regular practice, she discovered that yoga had the power to quiet her autoimmune system and put it into long term remission. Drawing inspiration from variety of teaching methods, she emphasizes precise instructions, detailed alignment, breath, and fluid movement. Petra's teaching style is centered around creating a balanced Vinyasa-based flow. She incorporates longer holds to strengthen and improve flexibility, while carefully selecting themes to deepen her students' yoga experience.

Understanding that every student is unique, Petra offers a variety of modifications to tailor the practice to individual needs. Her passion lies in working with private clients, guiding them to enhance their practice, recover from injuries, and develop a personal yoga routine that honors and celebrates their individual abilities.

Amy Ippoliti

E-RYT 500 & YACEP, and cofounder of vesselify school of yoga

Amy Ippoliti is a yoga featured teacher on YogaInternational.com, author, and earth advocate. Her caring approach brings ancient wisdom to modern yogis, both on and off the mat. She is known for her genuine style of teaching, intelligent sequencing, compelling and clear instruction, and engaging sense of humor.


Amy is passionate about serving both students as well as fellow yoga teachers, in 2012 she co-founded Vesselify School of Yoga (formerly 90 Monkeys), an online and in-person professional development school that has enhanced the skills of yoga teachers and studios in 65+ countries around the globe. In 2016 she co-authored the book, The Art and Business of Teaching Yoga, which has become a staple in yoga teacher trainings across the globe.

Cancelation policy

  • If you cancel on or before March 31, 2024:

    • You will forfeit your 1st installment payment

    • You will be responsible for an additional $100 Cancelation Fee.

    • If you made any payment other than the 1st installment payment before that date, however, the remainder of your payment will be refunded to you (i.e. after deduction of the above amounts).

  • If you cancel on or after April 1, 2024 (for any reason including, without limitation, physical or mental illness or injury, voluntary departure, and personal emergencies):

    • You will not be entitled to any refunded amounts, and

    • You will be responsible to pay an additional $100 Cancelation Fee, and

    • you will forfeit all payments paid before that date.  

This Cancellation Policy is firm and there are no exceptions.  

  • No pro-rata refund is available for late arrivals, early withdrawals, or dismissals with cause.