• Group Ground Transport to/from Cusco Airport to Retreat Center
• Accommodations: 6 Nights at Retreat Center
• Three vegetarian meals per day starting with lunch on the first day and ending with breakfast on the last day
• Use of yoga room and facilities
• Despacho Ceremony
• Karma Yoga Service Project
• Guided Hike to Sacha Munay Waterfall

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 meals with locally-grown and lovingly-prepared ingredients. Each guest-room 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.

Cathleen Nichols (Catie)

Cathleen Nichols (Catie) works with you to live your best life: healthy, fit, mindful, & joyful!

I found yoga after my son was born and I was looking to regain strength, flexibility, balance, and health. I learned to accept and embrace myself with newfound self-awareness and self-confidence. I began looking forward to the excitement and possibilities that each day presented to me. That was just the beginning!

I have been listening to clients for more than ten years in the health and wellness industry. While most clients have similar goals, they all have unique stories and my approach is always tailored to meet the needs of each individual. Whether we work together in the studio, online, or overseas, I start by getting to know you. Once I have heard your story, we can plan how to best reach your goals and make your best life become your reality. This often includes a combination of mindful practices, movement, and exercise, health, and wellness techniques. You will notice that after our very first session these tools will be at your fingertips for stress reduction, calm creation, and a greater sense of purpose in daily life. The most common regret I hear from clients is that they wish they had started sooner. To that I say: “Start today, live better tomorrow” ~ I can’t wait to begin working with you! 

Christine Gallo

Christine Gallo has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 20 years, after discovering it while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. As a lifelong educator, she originally pursued a children’s yoga certification to help the students in her class, but demand quickly grew amongst her colleagues for adult classes. She currently holds a 200-hour certification which she earned through Harmony Health and a 95-hour trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness certificate through Yoga Ed. Christine teaches a variety of styles of yoga, but her passion is for slow mindful flow class, designed to help people find peace within their bodies and minds by taking time to listen to what their soul has to say. She is a certified Reiki Second Degree practitioner in the Usui Reiki System of Natural Healing. She lives, practices, and teaches in Rhode Island.

TESTIMONIALS

“I cannot recommend traveling with Catie and Christine enough! These sisters bring such a beautiful diversity of experience and awareness to everything they do. They are warm, kind, badass women that invested deeply in making our retreat exactly what each of us wanted (and, more importantly, what we needed). Both are intuitive yoga teachers that are phenomenal at leading classes with a mixture of levels and were able to thoughtfully guide our group through a variety of meditations. Catie also shared her healing talents for enriching sound baths. Christine shared her intense energy through reiki sessions. Things happen during travel and both Catie and Christine handled the obstacles so well – we were in great hands from start to finish! Cannot wait to travel with them again!” – Jessica

“Catie and Christine are the ladies you want to take your yoga retreat with! They are very organized and take the guess work out of planning your travel. The passion they have for sharing their knowledge of yoga, Reiki, meditation and sound healing shines through in their practice.They have a way about them that makes yoga practice comfortable for all levels. The retreat I took with them was my very first yoga retreat and it was one of the most transformational weeks of my life!” – Daniela

“I recently attended a yoga retreat in Iceland led by Catie and Christine. The yoga/meditation retreat Catie and Christine led was a perfect balance of yoga, meditation, sightseeing, and events. The morning yoga/meditation practice was either co-led or each taking a turn. Each are extremely knowledgeable of yoga and lead the perfect balance of core, strength, balance, and mindful practices. Different meditation styles were introduced each day giving attendees different experiences to choose which fits them best. I have attended several local Reiki sessions in the past but have never felt the energies flow through my body as I did during the sessions with Christine. I was extremely nervous in the beginning of this retreat as I had never traveled internationally. Catie put all my fears to ease with her calming presence and made each leg of the journey fun and easy for me. Their knowledge of international travel was helpful and beneficial for this “first-timer!” I look forward to attending future retreats with Catie and Christine. Their personalities, knowledge, and styles complement one another well. They are organized, detailed, and sensitive to the needs, questions, and comforts, whether essential or fun, of all traveling with them.” – Missy

“Catie offers wonderful and spot-on advice, this will be something that can change your life forever… Whether it be exercise, eating habits, or way of thinking, you will be given that extra motivation you need to achieve.” – Amy D.

“I HIGHLY recommend a Yoga or mindfulness practice with Christine Gallo. Christine is a bright light, a fantastic teacher to both children and adults – and a warmth of welcoming energy. She makes sure everyone is completely comfortable in their practice while ensuring each participant pushes themselves to their utmost potential. A class with Christine feels like home, and it never disappoints. I leave the class feeling refreshed, calm, and having a new sense of understanding in myself. Everyone’s practice is different, and when a teacher can acknowledge, hold space, and honor that, it is a beautiful thing.” – Casey M.

“The instructors are amazing and caring! Practicing has helped me become strong and flexible in body and mind! They are attentive to limitations or injuries. I definitely have a greater inner peace.” – Kim O. 

“Christine Gallo creates the most comfortable atmosphere for yoga practice. Her classes are designed with mindfulness and an open heart. Christine has a very natural way of connecting with everyone who enters the studio. Her knowledge and understanding benefit students of all ages and levels of experience.  She guides with clear instruction and an intuitive flow of movement and breath that will leave you feeling calm and reconnected.” – Katelyn B.

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: $615 Shared Accommodations / $650 Single Accommodations

March 16-18; depart Peru on March 18, 2024.

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 vegetarian 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.

Registration

Click Here to Register Now!

Paying an initial non-refundable deposit of $350 and $35 Payment Processing Fee (added to the tuition rate upon registration) will lock in your tuition rate and hold your space for the trip.

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. 

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!

Shared Accommodations – $2595 USD

Single Accommodations – $3095 USD

Paying an initial non-refundable deposit of $350 and $35 Payment Processing Fee (added to the tuition rate upon registration) will lock in your tuition rate and hold your space for the trip.

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.
• Full tuition is refunded* if the trip is canceled due to low enrollment.

*Refundable amounts do not include applied credits.

If you wish to cancel your spot on a trip you must submit your cancellation by email to info@truenaturetravels.com.