Luminous Being: a Yoga + Ayurveda Retreat

Where will Yoga & Ayurveda take you? On a Yoga & Ayurveda retreat in the Sacred Valley of Peru, amongst the twelve mountains known as Apus (luminous beings). Nestled in an oasis of native fauna nourished by a magnificent waterfall, you’ll spend time in practice to connect to and remember your inner luminosity.

Beyond sadhana, you’ll have the opportunity to commune directly with these mountains, as well as with the local curanderos and pacos (healers), who engage with us for rituals and ceremonies.

This journey is one of exploring the elemental and mystical medicine of Peru. Your days are filled with nourishing Yoga practices, Ayurvedic teachings, personal healing and reflection, local waterfall hikes, and despacho ceremony. All in the company of friends on the path.

At the culmination of your stay in the Sacred Valley, you have the option of extending your retreat to include an excursion to Machu Picchu, the sacred Incan “City of Light”.

One’s destination is rarely a place…
but a new way of seeing things. ~ Henry Miller

The Location

Nestled in an oasis of native plants and fruit trees, the location of this unique center is nourished by a magnificent waterfall in the Sacred Valley of Peru’s Andes Mountains.

As a retreat guest, you’ll enjoy delicious meals with locally grown and lovingly prepared ingredients in meals that can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dietary needs.

Each guest room is a reflection of the Peruvian culture of the Sacred Valley. The entire center embodies a kindness, love, and wholeness that seems to permeate the magical place.

Who is this retreat for?

you have some experience with yoga practice: including asana (postures), breath practice, and meditation (and are looking to experience more!)
the science of Ayurveda intrigues (or fascinates!) you, and you’re open to learning more about this life science
you are open to a group experience and are willing to participate in group activities, conversations, and practices
you understand that people and places, especially those we don’t know, are often our greatest teachers
you are committed to preparing for the specifics of this retreat: regular yoga practice, yoga, and hiking at elevation, personal travel logistics, etc

As your guide and facilitator, I am committed to welcoming:

a diverse cohort of participants (including various backgrounds, ages, sexes, genders, physical abilities, etc).
participants utilizing the retreat experience as an incentive to deepen their commitment to a regular practice.
partners and friends who are committed to fully participating in the retreat experience.

*This retreat is not a good fit for folks looking to simply visit or vacation at a specific local.
If you’d like to have a conversation about this retreat’s fit for your needs and retreat intentions, please email Kara at contact@ayurvedicwellness.center to set up a Discovery Call.

Your Retreat Includes:

7 days/6 nights guided Yoga + Ayurveda retreat
Accommodations at a regenerative eco-retreat center
Daily Ayurvedic Yoga practices (asana, pranayama, meditation, yoga nidra)
3 delicious, local and organic meals prepared by their chef served to you with love every day.
A large selection of herbal teas and fruit available throughout your stay
Despacho Ceremony
Karma Yoga Service Project
Guided hike to Sacha Munay Waterfall
A group excursion to Pisac, including a trek, lunch in the high-mountain village, and a vist to the local market
Froup transfers from and to Cusco airport on 04.24.25 and 04.30.24`

Accommodations

The retreat center’s name translates as “love from the ancient forest.” It is nestled in an oasis of native plants and fruit trees, nourished by a magnificent waterfall in the Sacred Valley of Peru. This lovely spot is in the Andes Mountains and home of the twelve mountains known as Apus—“luminous beings.” Those who come to the center have the opportunity to commune directly with these mountains, as well as with the local curanderos and pacos (healers), who engage with us for ritual and Despacho ceremony.

The guests at this center enjoy delicious vegetarian and vegan meals with locally grown and lovingly-prepared ingredients. You may also purchase chicken and fish for $5 – $6 U.S. per portion. Each guestroom is a reflection of the Peruvian culture of the Sacred Valley. The entire center embodies kindness, love, and wholeness that seem to permeate the magical place.

Kara brings 20+ years of sharing the spirit and science of Yoga & Ayurveda: leading in-depth study programs including Sva Sadhana; practicing and teaching clinical Ayurveda, and leading retreats. She teaches what she identifies as capital “Y” Yoga from rich lineage-based traditions, and invites her students into ever-deepening relationships with the sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda. Her mission is to guide students toward their bright inherent potential, as well as their right to radical wellness and balance.

Kara guides students on retreat as a means to know oneself better via the experience of travel. She believes learning from the rich cultures of the world makes us better global citizens. She has also witnessed time and time again the transformative power of retreat – and is committed to offering these opportunities for growth to students on the path.

Kara’s retreats are filled with community, ceremony, and exploration, each with a unique flavor of the locale. Her retreats are for those who want to go and want to go deeper.

Testimonials

“Kara is a highly knowledgeable and gifted Ayurvedic Practitioner and Yoga teacher. She is also an amazing retreat designer and facilitator. And above all, she is a curious student of these teachings who delights in sharing her wisdom with others. For me, being on retreat with Kara always includes new adventures, incredible settings, healthy taste-filled cuisines, enriching asana and other spiritual practices, deep nourishment, learning and insight, great company and incredible joy.”

“If you have an opportunity to go on retreat with Kara, don’t hesitate – seize the opportunity! You will always be grateful for the experiences, gifts and transformation that result.”

“Kara has the genuine ability to know exactly what her students need to nurture themselves. The yoga and meditation practice supports both the mind and body, the food, talks and excursions furthers that support while deepening the experience. Her support doesn’t end when daily sessions or the retreat comes to a conclusion but continues in as much or as little as the individual is ready for.”

“Retreats are an opportunity to grow. Kara will take you deep in ways you won’t expect…you always come out of a retreat a better, stronger, more grounded human.”

The Sacred Valley is a magical place for healing and adventure. Whether you feel called to get out and explore or stay in and restore, Peru is the perfect place to do so. During your retreat, you will have plenty of free time during which you can enjoy some of what Peru has to offer. Here is a selection of tours and activities that you will be able to choose from while in Peru:

Healing bodywork and spa treatments
Tours of the local sacred sites
Hike to the nearby waterfall
Coca leaf readings
Traditional Incan ceremonies
Explore and shop in the local villages

*Additional tours and activities are not included in the tuition price

2-Day Tour of Machu Picchu: $690 Shared Accommodations

April 30th, 2025; depart Peru on May 2nd, 2025.

This retreat includes the option to add-on an overnight tour of Machu Picchu to the end of your experience. Pre-registration is required.

Includes:

2 Nights Accommodations (1 Night Aguas Calientes, 1 Night Cusco)
4 meals
Transportation (Private Transport, Bus, Train)
Tour Guide
Machu Picchu entrance fee

The journey will begin with a drive through the Sacred Valley, passing through several fascinating towns, villages, and sacred sites in the valley. Arriving in Ollantaytambo, a small town that still maintains its Inca architecture and offers the opportunity to visit and explore the majestic archaeological site, which overlooks the route to Machu Picchu.

Take a beautiful train ride from “Olla” along the river to the town of Aguas Calientes. Spend the night in Aguas Calientes, enjoying the quaint town along the river. Arrive in Machu Picchu the next day before sunrise to witness the illumination of the sacred ruins. Experience an unforgettable day at Machu Picchu, exploring the sacred Incan “City of Light,” learning about the sacred ruins and taking moments to sit, breathe, and experience the powerful energy of one of the most sacred sites on the planet. After the tour, you will spend a final night in Cusco and take a shuttle to the airport the following day.

Please be sure to review Our Policies.
For technical questions or alternative payment options, please contact us.

Getting There

You will be booking your flights for the Cusco Airport (CUZ). Most flights will arrive via a connection in Lima. Before booking tickets, please be sure you have received your official confirmation note that the retreat has met its minimums. There will be one group airport shuttle each way based on our flight window guidelines. Be sure your flights align with the provided flight windows if you wish to use the group shuttle. The drive time to the center is approximately 1.5 hours.

Travel Insurance

We cannot emphasize more the importance of travel insurance. As we all know, especially as travelers, “life happens.” Whether it’s family, work, mother nature, or a change of heart, it is important to be prepared in case you need to unexpectedly change your travel plans. Often for less than $150, you can purchase a travel insurance policy and be protected in the event that you need to make a change or need to be covered financially prior to or during your trip.

We have partnered with two insurance companies: Trawick International and CSA Travel Insurance (available for U.S. Residents only).

Read more about our insurance partners and their policies here. We encourage you to research the insurance company and policy that best meets your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do you have questions about traveling abroad? After you register, we will provide you with a Participant’s Package with helpful information. Also, be sure to check out our Participant FAQs. If you have other questions, feel free to write to us at info@truenaturetravels.com and let us know how we can help!

Click Here to Register Now!

Shared Accommodations – $3195 USD

Single Room Accommodations – $3695 USD

A non-refundable $35 Payment Processing Fee will be added to the tuition rate upon registration.

If you select Deposit Payment, depending on when you registered, your remaining balance will be split into 1-3 payments, depending on when you register, and processed with your credit card on file on the dates indicated on your Confirmation Letter.

**Additional payments can be made at any time through your account up to the final auto payment date.

Follow this link to review our payment schedule policies.

For technical questions or alternative payment options, please contact us.

Cancellation

Initial deposits and the $35 registration fee are non-refundable and non-transferable.
50% of payments are refundable up to 90 days before a retreat excluding the initial deposit and the $35 registration fee.
89 days prior to a retreat, tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Full tuition is refunded* if the trip is canceled due to low enrollment. The $35 registration fee is not refundable.
True Nature Travels is not responsible for any loss incurred due to currency conversion rates.