One off the Bucket List: A Wellness Adventure to Machu Picchu with Lauren Baughman

With its rich Inca heritage, Cusco stands as a cultural epicenter where history, tradition, and modernity meet. It serves as the perfect gateway for our nine-day wellness adventure. Once you hop off your flight, catch a group transfer to our accommodation. Watch as the enchanting landscapes of Peru reveal themselves through the windows of your comfortable ride. As you wind through the Andean foothills, a tapestry of emerald hills and vibrant flora unfolds around you, whispering promises of growth.

We will arrive at our sanctuary for the next three days – the exquisite Hotel Willka Tika. Nestled between the heart of Cusco and the majestic slopes of Machu Picchu, Hotel Willka Tika promises to offer you a peaceful atmosphere for your explorations, reflections, and growth. Check-in and settle into your rooms.

Once all the administrative matters are out of the way, we begin our journey in earnest with a yoga class followed by journaling and intention setting. To close out our first day, a delicious dinner awaits, uniting our group and laying the foundation for the transformational days ahead.

The Sacred Valley, located between Cusco and Machu Picchu, was unquestionably an important area for the Incas. Its agreeable climate and fertile plains create the perfect conditions for growing crops. For the Incas, this region was also on the route to the jungle and played a key role in trading fruits and plants from the tropical lowlands. Today, the Sacred Valley remains a lush agricultural region supplying the city of Cusco with many agricultural products.

On day two, we’ll begin the day with journaling and meditation, then embark on a full-day tour filled with first-time experiences through the Sacred Valley. We start the day visiting the Pisac Andean market, where thousands of people from the region come to trade agricultural products and handicrafts. Here, you'll have the opportunity to connect with the indigenous culture, adding layers of depth to your spiritual journey and leaving you with a lasting sense of inspiration. Of course, you also have time to do some shopping!

After the market, we make a trip to Aanacancha. Aspire for a spiritual connection with local wildlife at the living Andean museum. See several species of Andean camelids such as llamas, alpacas, vicunas and guanacos. The locals will also show you their traditional weaving and dyeing techniques while sharing more about their ancient traditions. Besides being interesting to the curious, learning about the practices will also contribute to keeping the traditional textile arts of Peruvian culture alive. Take the chance to be present.

Our day trip concludes in Ollantaytambo, an ancient Inca stronghold where colossal stone terraces bear witness to the strength of the Inca empire. Allow the history of the ruins to inspire you. After bearing witness to the many facets of Inca culture, we end our day of inspiration and cultural enrichment with yoga and dinner back at the hotel.

Note:
The order of the visits may change.

Awaken to the gentle melodies of nature at Hotel Willka Tika with a morning yoga session, and savor a leisurely breakfast that prepares you for a day of boundless possibilities. Today, the canvas of your journey is blank, and it is up to you to fill it any way you want. It's a day dedicated to embracing your curiosity and personal exploration. With a myriad of activities offered by Hotel Willka Tika, you have the freedom to craft your day exactly as you desire. Whether it's delving into the rich local culture through an Andean art workshop or simply unwinding in the serenity at one of the hotel's seven chakra gardens, this is your day for you to set your own pace. Bond with your companions over shared experiences or find solitude in your personal pursuits. We catch up with one another at yoga, followed by a sumptuous dinner at the hotel, sharing with each other the spoils of our day.

Day four of our journey starts in the wee hours of the morning. Fuel up with a hearty breakfast, and get ready for a day that takes your through the passage of history. In total, the trail is 12km long and will take a total of six hours. We set off along the Royal Inca trail, arriving by train at KM 104 – the gateway to a world where nature and culture become your sanctuary. From there, we will hike to Chachabamba (2270m/7448ft), where our private guide will take you through the site's history. Moving from there, we will reach Wiñayhuayna (2650m/8694ft), the most important archaeological site besides Machu Picchu. As you journey through the lush Andean landscape, the spirit of adventure and reverence for the culture around you will intertwine.

The pinnacle of this day's expedition awaits at the Sun Gate, known as 'Inti Punku', where you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the majestic Machu Picchu. Our time spent marveling at the sight will be short, since we have to continue towards our hotel in Aguas Calientes. However, we will return to Machu Picchu the next day, so don't worry!

We will check into Hotel El Mapi in Aguas Calientes for the night and recharge over a hearty dinner. Tomorrow, we will achieve our goal of reaching Machu Picchu.

Notes: Luggage allowed: a day backpack of 5kg per person. Rest of the luggage must be left at the hotel.

We are almost there! Before the break of dawn, we gather for a nourishing breakfast, preparing ourselves for the much-anticipated visit to Machu Picchu. As the saying goes, 'the early bird catches the worm'. At 5:30 am, we board a bus which will take us to one of the seven wonders of the world. Starting early will help us bear the crowd and grant us an atmosphere of calm to appreciate the majesty of Machu Picchu.

Ascending through winding roads surrounded by lush greenery, anticipation builds up with every turn. Alas, at 6:00 am, we will arrive. Take in the sight of the ruins, and pat yourselves on the back. Our private guide will help unravel the mysteries of this awe-inspiring citadel. As the ancient stones whisper tales of a bygone era, you stand before the ruins, the sense of accomplishment and reverence for the Inca culture washing over you like a gentle breeze. You've earned this moment, and it's truly well deserved.

After the awe-inspiring experience at Machu Picchu, we board a bus that will take us back to Aguas Calientes. To reward ourselves, we visit a local restaurant for lunch spread. Dig into the dishes which will surely tantalize your taste buds with the flavors of Peru.

Later in the day, a train will take us back to Cusco. Take a moment to reflect on our experiences so far, humbled by the grandiosity of what the Inca civilization had built and left behind. Upon your arrival, a group transfer guides you to the welcoming embrace of Hotel Antigua Casona San Blas. We will gather for a hearty dinner at Pachapap Restaurant. Our shared memories of this extraordinary day will serve as the cherry on top of our fulfilling day.

Rise and shine, fellow travelers. After five days of immersion in the majesty of Peru and its history, we start day six by concentrating on all that is good. We head over to 'Exhale Yoga Studio', located right beside our hotel, for an hour of yoga. Loosen any knots that have formed from all the trekking as we focus spiritually on what the experience has taught us so far. After yoga, we dig into a refreshing breakfast.

Time to explore magical Cusco in a half-day tour! The beautiful city has an interesting history, both from Inca and colonial times. We start at Cusco’s main square, which was called Huacaypata (or Warriors Square) by the Incas. As the guide walks you through the history of Cusco, admire the city's cathedral, built between 1560 and 1664 with red granite stones from the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman.

Next, we continue to Koricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo. The convent was built atop the most important Inca temple dedicated to the worship of the sun, with walls covered with gold leaf. Wandering through the streets of what once was the capital of the Inca Empire, you will feel like you are traveling through time.

After soaking in the history of Cusco, we journey to nearby archaeological sites. Take your time to walk through the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Puca Pucara, the Qenko Amphitheater, and Tambomachay. Let history remind you of impermanence, allowing you to stay focused on the present. With a richer appreciation of Incan history, we head back to the hotel to refresh ourselves before lunch

At lunchtime, we board a group transfer to a local restaurant where we continue our appreciation of Peruvian heritage using our taste buds. A group transfer will take us back to the hotel after our delectable meal.

Dinner on our last evening in Peru will be special. We head to Tunupa Restaurant to enjoy an unforgettable night of entertainment in Cusco with a dinner and show. Dive into Peruvian culture during an exciting performance of traditional dance, live music, and enjoy a delicious dinner of Andean cuisine.

As the golden sun heralds your final day in the heart of Cusco, you gather one last time for yoga and a breakfast that symbolizes the culmination of your unforgettable adventure. The flavors on your plate are not just sustenance; they are a reminder of the immersive Inca culture, the breathtaking trek to Machu Picchu, and the friendships forged along the way.

With hearts full of memories and spirits enriched by this transformative experience, we check out of the hotel and head to the airport. As you take off on your flight home, we hope you take with you a profound sense of joy, refreshed perspectives, and the knowledge that you have accomplished something truly remarkable. We hope the landscapes of Peru have allowed you to reconnect with both yourself and the world around you. Your journey may be ending, but the echoes of this extraordinary experience will resonate within you for a long time.