Join Women's Quest for a once-in-a-lifetime, customized tour to discover the magical wonders and irresistible culture of Peru. You will hike and explore the magnificent archaeological sites of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu with expert local guides. You will meet and participate in activities with local musicians, artists, and healers who will share their traditions and ceremonies with the group. This is your opportunity to truly connect with Pacha Mama (Mother Earth)!
Women's Quest team will take care of all breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners. Vegetarian options and other food preferences or dietary restrictions will be available. One of the highlights of the trip will be to sample Peruvian food, the gourmet cuisine of South America. Peruvians take great pride in the preparation, presentation, and nutrition of their food which includes a huge variety of colorful, locally grown vegetables, grains, and fruits.
The unique dishes of the highlands feature local crops including the world’s largest variety of potatoes, olluco, corn, purple corn, quinoa, amaranth, fava beans, native berries, and other delights. A healthy breakfast buffet featuring fresh fruit, juices, coffee, tea, yogurt, granola, eggs, bread, butter, and local berry jams will be served each morning at all of the hotels. Box lunches will be provided for carrying in your day packs when you are out exploring.
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime, customized Peru retreat to discover the magical wonders and irresistible culture of the country. We will hike and explore the magnificent archaeological sites of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu with expert local guides. We will meet and participate in activities with local musicians, artists, and healers who will share their traditions and ceremonies with our group. This is your opportunity to truly connect with Pacha Mama (Mother Earth)!
A typical day
Each day is totally different on this trip. You will be given a “Day by Day” itinerary upon request. You will be getting up early on most mornings to get out and hike (Sunrise at Machu Picchu) and see the sacred sites, visiting local weavers and artisans. You will restore and rest in the afternoons with yoga or massage.
The yoga
You will try to practice yoga or stretch out every day but many times you are out hiking and exploring. The group begins each adventure-filled Women’s Quest day with a unique “Awakening the Senses” yoga. This gentle but powerful practice draws inspiration from yoga, Qigong, and Tai Chi, and is a perfect way to prepare the mind, body, and senses for the activities of the day. When you get up for the morning hikes, you will stretch out in the afternoon.
During the activities of the day, you will cultivate a yogic focus - bringing with you awareness developed in the daily yoga. The group will take mini “yoga breaks” during the day, finding opportunities to feel the suppleness and receptivity of the body as you draw the beauty of the environment into your cells.
The yoga practice on this retreat is designed to be accessible for all levels; both fresh beginners and experienced practitioners will deepen their practice according to individual needs and desires. Variations will be offered, and the instructors work with the principle that each person can find a relationship with an “inner voice” that guides the balance of challenge and ease.
The hiking
You will be hiking everyday so get ready! While in Machu Picchu, you hike two days which are really amazingly beautiful hikes and are long days. You also hike Gaby’s favorite trail in the Sacred Valley. This hike takes about five hours or you can stay and hike along the beautiful river and that hike is about one to two hours. The distances will not necessarily be great, but the hiking will often be steep up and down at high elevations on uneven stonework sometimes with exposure (safe but impressive). You also have options for the hikes.
Highlights:-
The Women's Quest team will take care of all breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners. Vegetarian options and other food preferences or dietary restrictions will be available. One of the highlights of the trip will be to sample Peruvian food, the gourmet cuisine of South America. Peruvians take great pride in the preparation, presentation, and nutrition of their food which includes a huge variety of colorful, locally grown vegetables, grains, and fruits.
The unique dishes of the highlands feature local crops including the world’s largest variety of potatoes, olluco, corn, purple corn, quinoa, amaranth, fava beans, native berries, and other delights. A healthy breakfast buffet featuring fresh fruit, juices, coffee, tea, yogurt, granola, eggs, bread, butter, and local berry jams will be served each morning at all of the hotels. Box lunches will be provided for carrying in your daypacks when you are out exploring.
In Cusco, you will enjoy two special catered restaurant meals near the Plaza de Armas featuring local fare. At Illarimuy, your home in the Sacred Valley, you will have daily breakfast at the hotel and then go out for dinners near the hotel in Urubamba to explore, listen to local music and enjoy different Peruvian specialties. Vegetarian options and other food preferences or dietary restrictions will be available.
The following meals are included:
