Krimson Klover Peru Adventure Retreat

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 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)!

What is a typical day?

Each day is totally different on this trip. We will give you a “Day by Day” itinerary. We 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. We will restore and rest in the afternoons with yoga or massage.

Highlights we will explore:

Machu Picchu:

We will spend two days exploring the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. Arriving by train from the Sacred Valley, we will explore the ruins on the afternoon of our first day and hike down, staying in the ruins until sunset, one of the quietest times of the day. We will return early the following morning in time to witness sunrise over the ruins. Our amazing guide, Gaby, will accompany us both days, the first afternoon giving us a full tour of the central ruins with its ceremonial center, sun-dial, still functioning water channels and impressive stonework, all built in harmony with the surrounding mountains of the high jungle. On our second day we will hike some of the most famous trails at Machu Picchu, ascending the inca staircases to the top of the spectacular Huaynu Picchu, descending down inca steps and ladders to the back side of the mountain to explore the Moon Temple and circling back to the main ruins on an awe inspiring ancient trail cut right into the side of the mountain.

Pisac:

It is larger than Machu Picchu in size, but because it was discovered by the Spanish, it is not as intact as Machu Picchu. But, Pisac is well worth exploring for a full day as there is so much to see and discover including its sun temple area, vast terraces, intact water systems, hill side tombs and famous craft market. Our local guide will help us to engage and connect with our surroundings with an earth offering ceremony at a special spot high in the Pisac ruins.

Chinchero:

High above the Sacred Valley at 12,000’ and famous for its women weavers, we will spend the morning witnessing a weaving demonstration using native plant dyes and techniques; followed by a walk and guided tour of the beautiful Chinchero ruins.

Moray:

We will admire the magnificent circular terraced basins of Moray considered a sophisticated agricultural experimental center built by the ancient people who inhabited these lands, a perfect place to do a meditation before we get into the Sacred Valley.

Included in the Price:

• 6 nights lodging. Rates are based on double occupancy, private rooms can be arranged at an extra charge.
• Meals: All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
• Airport Transfers and all groundad transportation if they are with the group. If you must leave a day early then we cannot pay for your shuttle
• Sacred Valley Tourist Card
• Guided Tours, Ceremonies and Cultural Events
• Transportation/First Class train to Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu Entrance Fee
• Yoga classes

* Airfare and transportation to and from the retreat is not included in the cost.

Pre-Retreat Opportunity: Tuesday, April 29

If you choose, arrive early to immerse yourself in the magic of Cusco! Enjoy a group hike, mountain bike ride, or explore:
• Downtown Cusco: Visit the historic Qoricancha Temple and wander through San Blas, the artisan neighborhood.
• Coca Museum: Discover the cultural significance of coca leaves.
• Peruvian Superfoods: Experience the vibrant local market and its incredible flavors and superfoods.

What are the accommodations?

Machu Picchu: We will spend one night in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), in order to have a base from which to explore the ruins. We will be staying at Hatun Inti at Machu Picchu, a newer upscale hotel near the train station and close to where the buses leave for the ruins. The hotel staff will make sure we are comfortable and able to get a good night’s sleep and healthy dinner and early breakfast to fuel us for our two days spent extensively exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Sacred Valley/ Urubamba: Women’s Quest has looked high and low for the Perfect eco lodge which actually feels like a hidden oasis in the Sacred Valley with it’s flowers, gardens and beautiful trees along our footpaths to our individual bungalows. This slice of heaven is called Casa Colibri. Women’s Quest reserves the whole area just for US!

Single Rooms are available at an additional cost.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Wednesday, April 30

Sacred Valley Exploration
• 7:00 AM: Breakfast at your hotel
• 7:45 AM: Departure to the Sacred Valley
9:00 AM: High above the Sacred Valley at 12,000 feet, famous for its women weavers, we will spend the morning with easy hiking around the Chinchero ruins and visit the weavers that use native plant dyes and millenarian techniques to create very fine quality textiles.
We will visit the Center for Weavers of Chinchero “Awayricch’ arichiq” for a weaving demonstration.

Lunch: This is a very special lunch with Jorge’s family at their home in Chinchero. His mother/father/grandmother/aunts/cousins will have a feast for us and a very special “UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL” weaving demonstration.

Afternoon Adventure:
Hike a scenic portion of the Inca Trail to a spectacular waterfall. This 3-hour downhill trek offers breathtaking views.

Evening:
• 6:00 PM: Dinner in Urubamba
• 8:00 PM: Check-in at Casa Colibrí (means hummingbird house) in Urubamba in the Sacred Valley

Day 2: Thursday, May 1

Spiritual Connection in Pisac
• 7:00 AM: Morning yoga
• 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the lodge
• Morning Ceremony: Participate in an earth offering ritual led by Gaby and Quintin at the awe-inspiring Pisac ruins.

Explore Pisac: We will explore the vast area of Pisac. Pisac is as big as Machu Picchu in size, but because it was discovered by the Spanish, it is not as intact as Machu Picchu. But, Pisac is well worth exploring for a full day as there is so much to see and discover including its sun temple area, vast terraces, intact water systems, hillside tombs, and famous craft market. Enjoy this serene hike accompanied by a local musician playing native flutes.

Lunch: On your own in Pisac. Don’t miss the traditional market for unique treasures!

Evening: Dinner at the delightful Huacatay Restaurant in Urubamba.

Day 3: Friday, May 2

Hike to Hidden Gems
• 7:00 AM: Yoga
• 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the lodge
Morning Hike: Hike to Pumahuanca gorge where we can experience a great connection with the Apu Spirits. We will do a special guided hike up a mountain valley to a waterfall not often visited by other tourists. There we will be able to explore some rarely visited ruins that were an Inka priestess retreat, enjoy the waterfall, and see how the local Quechua people live high in the mountains.

We will be hiking with our Andean Priests Riccardo and Faustino.
We will have a special cleansing ceremony at the end of our hike with special herbs to prepare for our Despacho ceremony.

Lunch: Enjoy a picnic in nature

4:00 PM: Participate in a traditional Despacho Ceremony with Q’ero priests who journeyed three days to bless our group.

Evening: Dinner at the lodge and prepare for the next day’s pilgrimage.
(You will need one small bag to pack for one overnight in Machu Picchu.)

Day 4: Saturday, May 3

Pilgrimage to Machu Picchu
Early Morning:
• Breakfast at our hotel
• 6:00 AM: READY to leave the hotel and drive for 20 minutes to Ollantaytambo train station
• Take the 1.5-hour Vistadome first-class train to our hiking stop before Machu Picchu, enjoying gorgeous scenery on the way.

Machu Picchu: We will spend two days exploring the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. We will arrive at Machu Picchu by hiking on the famous Inca Trail with our guides. This hike is a 4-hour hike to Machu Picchu, entering through the Sun Gate. Along the way, we will visit another spectacular site, Wiñay Wayna.

Lunch: Box lunch provided on the trail.

Evening: Check-in at your hotel and dinner at Indio Feliz.

Day 5: Sunday, May 4

• Dawn: Experience the magic of sunrise at Machu Picchu.
• Morning: Hike the ascending Inca staircases to Huayna Picchu. Enjoy this awe-inspiring ancient trail.

Lunch: At Machu Picchu, followed by a guided tour of the Citadel with Gaby.

4:20 PM: Train back to the Sacred Valley, arriving around 6:30 PM.

Evening: Dinner at LAS MANOS restaurant.

Day 6: Monday, May 5

• Morning Yoga and Breakfast.
• After breakfast we will drive for about 30 minutes to Socma, a rural community, where we will begin our hike to a beautiful and magical waterfall called Perolniyoc and to visit the Inca site built above. We will take a box lunch. 

We will continue our hike up to a place where our transportation will be waiting for us to drive us back in the valley

Evening: Dinner at a traditional restaurant in Ollantaytambo.

Day 7: Tuesday, May 6

Integration Day
• Morning Yoga and Breakfast.
• Visit the Seminario pottery workshop to admire exquisite Peruvian ceramics.

Early lunch in town.
2:00 PM: Depart for Moray and then head to the Cusco Airport for evening flights.
8:00 PM: Flights depart from Cusco to Lima.

What will the food be like?

One of the highlights of our 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 our hotels. Box lunches will be provided for carrying in our day packs when we are out exploring. At Illarimuy, our home in the Sacred Valley, we will have daily breakfast at the hotel and then go out for dinners near the hotel in Urabamba to explore, listen to local music and enjoy different Peruvian specialties. Vegetarian options and other food preferences or dietary restrictions will be available.

We will take care of all breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners.

Tell me about the yoga?

We will try to practice yoga or stretch out every day but many times we are out hiking and exploring. We begin 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 we get up for the morning hikes we will stretch out in the afternoon.

During the activities of the day we will cultivate a yogic focus—bringing with us awareness developed in the daily yoga. We’ll take mini “yoga breaks” during the day, finding opportunities to feel suppleness and receptivity of the body as we draw the beauty of the environment into our cells. This is one thing that makes out Peru retreat so unique.

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 relationship with an “inner voice” that guides the balance of challenge and ease.

Tell me about the hiking?

We will be hiking every day so GET READY!! While in Machu Picchu we will hike for two days. The hikes are really beautiful hikes and the days are long. We also hike Gaby’s favorite trail in the Sacred Valley. This hike takes about 5 hours or you can stay and hike along the beautiful river and that hike is about 1 to 2 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) We also have options for the hikes.

What is the altitude?

The Sacred Valley is at 9400 ft., and Machu Picchu is at 8250 ft. While adjusting to the higher altitudes we recommend to taking it slow, eating lightly, abstaining from alcohol, and drinking lots of water. Mild symptoms that some people experience usually subside in a couple of days. In order to prepare for the altitudes, we recommend spending time walking at higher elevations in the days/weeks immediately prior to the trip. Please consult with a physician if you have any specific medical concerns. We have had success with people going to their doctor and getting Acetazolamide (diamox) tablets which can really help. Oxygen will be available at our hotel in Cusco and medication is available over the counter at pharmacies just in case someone needs them.

Do I have to participate in everything on the schedule?

You do not need to participate in everything; you can pace yourself so that it is the perfect amount of activity for you. We fully support you in doing as much or as little as is right for you in the moment. The schedule gives you a sense of the flow of each day. It is subject to change, depending upon the needs of the group, weather, etc. We will go over the schedule each day at breakfast.

What weather can I expect?

May in Sacred Valley offers a delightful blend of pleasant weather and natural beauty. With the rainy season behind, the city enjoys sunny days and comfortable temperatures. This makes it an ideal time to explore the charming streets, hike through the surrounding mountains, and witness the vibrant flora in full bloom. Evenings can be quite cool at the higher elevations of the Sacred Valley. We are asking the sun gods to bless us with sunshine for our trip, but bring your rain gear just in case of some rain showers.

What is the average age on the Peru Retreat?

We have a wide range of women who attend our retreats, from 15-70 years young. Each retreat will vary. Please contact us if you have questions about the ages on a specific retreat.

What if I am coming alone?

The majority of the women who attend our retreats come by themselves. English is widely spoken and we are here to answer any questions about travel that you may have. Although you may come alone, you will leave the retreat with new, lifelong friends!

Payment Policy

To secure your spot on a retreat, a non-refundable deposit is required:

• $500 for domestic retreats
• $1,000 for international retreats

Single room reservations may require an additional $200 deposit. Reservations cannot be held without a deposit.

Full payment is due 90 days prior to the retreat. If payment is not received by this deadline, you may lose your reservation. For bookings made within 90 days of the retreat, payment in full is required at the time of registration.

Payment Options:

• Avoid fees by paying via check or Zelle.  
• Payments via PayPal or Stripe incur a 4% processing fee.  

Cancellation Policy

• 91+ days before the retreat: Refund of payments (minus your deposit).
• 90 or fewer days before the retreat: Payments are non-refundable.

Women’s Quest reserves the right to cancel retreats with insufficient participant interest. In such cases, all payments will be refunded; however, Women’s Quest is not responsible for personal expenses, such as airline tickets, due to schedule changes or cancellations.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in case unforeseen circumstances prevent you from attending or completing the retreat.

Travel insurance is particularly important in the event you:

• Need to cancel due to illness or injury (including testing positive for COVID-19).
• Require medical care during the retreat.
• Face trip interruptions, delays, or unexpected quarantine requirements.

We suggest a policy that covers:

• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Medical expenses
• Quarantine costs

For maximum flexibility, consider a “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) policy, which provides additional peace of mind. While this type of coverage is more expensive, it offers the most protection for unforeseen changes.

To compare and purchase travel insurance, we recommend using Squaremouth, a trusted platform to find the best policy for your needs.

Can we go ahead and put the square mouth link on here: https://www.squaremouth.com/22393

Before purchasing any policy, consult a travel insurance agent to ensure it meets your coverage expectations.

So, are you ready to join us on our Peru retreat? Sign up now!