Itinerary
The Vajra Sol trip begins in Cusco on July 23rd and ends on July 31st with a group transfer to the Cusco airport. Please plan on July 22nd and August 1st as travel days between your home and Peru when coordinating your trip.
Day One - Friday, July 23
 Our tour begins in the vibrant city of Cusco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire
situated at 11,200 feet. Plan to arrive in Cusco before or by about noon. We will
provide a group transfer from the Cusco airport at that time. We will have a
welcome lunch near the historic Plaza de Armas. Afterwards we drive about 1.2
hours to the Sacred Valley, our base for the next six days. Hanaq Pacha retreat
center (“where heaven meets the Earth”) is located on a beautiful mountain
side with the impressive Andean peaks looming above and surrounded by
organic gardens. In the late afternoon we have a restorative yoga session
designed to open the body from your travels to Peru and to take into
consideration the higher altitude. (L, D)
 Day Two - Saturday, July 24
Today we visit the spectacular ruins of P'isaq, the largest fortress-city of the Incas and
the colorful local market. Overlooking expansive mountain terraces, we hike the trail to
the Incan Temple of the Sun, a doorway to the upper Andean world of the Condor. Total
hiking time is about three 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 Three - Sunday, July 25
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 hike down a scenic trail
to the salt pans of Salinas, a strategic trading site during the Inca period where salt is still
currently harvested. (B, L, D)
Day Four - Monday, July 26
 Hanaq Pacha retreat center is the main supporter of Casa de Milagros (“house of miracles”), an orphanage founded for many of the thousands of orphaned and abandoned children living in poverty on the streets of Cusco and surrounding towns. We will have the honor 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 Five - Tuesday, July 27
Enjoy free time today by visiting a local studio where handmade ceramics are created, receive a massage or herbal
flower bath at Hanaq Pacha or just relax, read, journal or take in some quiet time in this inspiring setting. Our yoga session will either be in the morning or afternoon. In
the evening we will be honored to experience an authentic shaman ritual ceremony.
(B, L, D)
Day Six - Wednesday, July 28
To take in the beauty of the Andes and to fully immerse in one of Mother Nature’s most
prized creations we put on our hiking shoes and take to the foot trails of the
surrounding mountains. The scenery is rugged mountain peaks and the culture of the
Andes people is fascinating. For those who do not want to hike, there are the options
to relax at the retreat center, receive a massage or take a day tour to Cusco. (B, L, D)
Day Seven - Thursday, July 29
After breakfast we depart the retreat center and drive along the Urubamba River Valley
to the town of Ollantaytambo where we catch the train to Aguas Calientes, the lively
village nearest to the Machu Picchu ruins. We then ascend to the sunlit terraces of the
historical Incan center of spiritual and political power, Machu Picchu. We will have a
special guided tour of the "Lost City of the Inca." Take time to explore this magnificent and mysterious civilization. Lunch is own your own. In the late afternoon we return to
Aguas Calientes. Feel free to wander this unique mountain town, visit the general market
for gifts, crystals or handicraft items. We will meet in the evening for dinner at a well
regarded local restaurant in Aguas Calientes. (B, D)
 Day Eight - Friday, July 30
We take the return train to Ollantaytambo and then go
by road to Cusco, a World Heritage Site of ornate
cathedrals, narrow cobblestone streets, wooden carved
balconies and souvenir locales. While in Cusco either this afternoon or tomorrow
morning depending on your flight departure, you may like to explore the sacred
sites at Saksaywaman, or tour around the city to see the fascinating Incan
stonework en route to the coricancha Temple, the holiest site during Incan times.
Or visit the colorful San Blas Artists’ district, a quaint area filled with artisan shops
of colorful Quechuan handicrafts for your shopping pleasure. We meet in the
evening for our farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day Nine - Saturday, July 31
After breakfast at our hotel in Cusco, our retreat ends and we prepare for our departure. There will be one bus transfer at about mid/later morning for the group to Cusco airport for the flight to the Lima international airport. Most international flights to the U.S./Canada depart Lima in the evening. (B)
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