Itinerary
The Vajra Sol retreat begins in Cusco on Friday (August 19) and ends on Saturday (August 27) with a group transfer to the Cusco airport.
(B, L, D) indicates breakfast, lunch, or dinner is included in the retreat cost. Most meals at the retreat center are vegetarian and organic.
Day One - Friday
 Our tour begins in the vibrant city of Cusco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire situated at 11,200 feet. From Cusco we drive about 1.5 hours to the Sacred Valley, our base for the next six days. The retreat center is located on a beautiful mountainside with the impressive Andean peaks looming above and is surrounded by organic gardens. In the late afternoon we have a restorative yoga session to open the body from your travels to Peru and acclimatize to the higher altitude. (L, D)
 Day Two - Saturday
The retreat center is the main supporter of an orphanage founded for many of the thousands of orphaned and abandoned children living in poverty on the streets of Cusco and surrounding towns. The orphanage is a unique healing home where they instill in the children a sense of self-esteem and self-worth and encourage growth by providing proper health, a good education, art, and recreational and social activities. We will have the pleasure to visit the beautiful children of the orphanage and experience first-hand how the giving spirit can have such a transformational outcome on a child’s life.
We ask participants of this retreat to bring items to donate or make a monetary donation to the orphanage. Vajra Sol will give a donation from the retreat funds to the orphanage. (B, L, D)
Day Three - Sunday
 Today we visit the spectacular ruins of P'isaq, the largest fortress-city of the Incas and the colorful local market. After the tour of the ruins, you may optionally hike down to the market which takes about 1.5 hours. For those who are taken to handicrafts of woven goods, jewelry, hand-paint art and more, this open-air market is a shopper’s delight. Lunch is at your own leisure at one of the cafes where you can sit back sipping a mate and observe the lively activities of the market. (B, D)
Day Four - Monday
Continuing on to another site in the Sacred Valley, we visit Moray to learn how the Inca farmed and created intriguing concentric circular terraces. We then visit the salt pans of Salinas, a strategic trading site during the Inca period where salt is still currently harvested. (B, L, D)
Day Five - Tuesday
Enjoy free time today to receive a massage, relax, read, journal and take in some personal time in this inspiring setting. There are numerous trails for those who are keen on hiking in the beauty of the Andes mountains. The scenery is rugged mountain peaks and the culture of the Andes people is fascinating. In the afternoon we will be honored to experience an authentic shaman ceremony. (B, L, D)
Day Six - Wednesday
After a morning yoga session and lunch we depart the retreat center and drive along the Urubamba River valley to the town of Ollantaytambo. From here take the train to Aguas Calientes, the lively village nearest to the Machu Picchu ruins. Wander around this unique mountain town, visit the general market for gifts, crystals or handicraft items and try out one of the local restaurants for dinner. (B, L)
Day Seven - Thursday
 We depart early morning, around 5:30 am, to greet the sun as it rises. We ascend to the sunlit terraces of the historical Incan center of spiritual and political power, Machu Picchu. We have a special guided tour of the "Lost City of the Inca." Take time to explore this magnificent and mysterious civilization. In the early afternoon we return by train to Ollantaytambo and then on to Cusco. (B)
Day Eight - Friday
After breakfast, we receive a guided walking tour of Cusco, a World Heritage Site of ornate cathedrals, narrow cobblestone streets, wooden carved balconies and souvenir locales. In the afternoon you may like to explore the sacred sites at Saksaywaman or visit the colorful San Blas Artists’ district, a quaint area filled with artisan shops of colorful Quechuan handicrafts. (B, D)
Day Nine - Saturday
After breakfast at the hotel in Cusco, the retreat ends. Fly from Cusco to Lima for your international flight home. (B)
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The first five nights are spent at an idyllic mountain retreat center set in a breathtaking area of the Sacred Valley. The unique accommodations are in spacious cabins which have either 2-3 single beds or one queen bed. All accommodations have shared bathrooms, a fireplace and amazing views of the sacred mountain and waterfall. Delicious organic food is served from the garden or local market. For the night in Aguas Calientes and the two nights in Cusco we stay at moderate priced and comfortable hotels. All rooms have private bathrooms at these two locations.
