Experience a one-of-a-kind transformative journey as a retreat leader, yogi, coach, author, speaker, and avid traveler, Julie Wilkes will guide you through an adventure through Peru. If you’ve retreated with Julie before, you know she brings a special alchemy to each retreat, with many special small soulful gifts, surprises, and experiences to attune your senses with your soul. This is a bucket list trip!
Some examples of experiences you will have include:
- Daily Grounding Yoga Session: Begin with yoga practices designed to connect participants with the Sacred Valley’s vibrant energy, promoting grounding and presence.
- Daily Guided Meditation: Engage in meditative sessions focusing on the energy of the earth, enhancing mindfulness and a deep connection with the natural surroundings.
- Nature Walks: Immerse in the region’s natural beauty with walks that explore local flora and fauna, accompanied by mindfulness practices.
- Storytelling Sessions: Enjoy communal gatherings around a fire pit to share and listen to the myths and legends of the Andes, fostering community ties.
- Exploration of Sacred Sites: Visit ancient ruins such as Pisac to experience the spiritual essence and history of the area.
- Despacho Ceremony: The ceremonies of offerings, or despachos, commonly acknowledged by the Andean population as payments to the Earth or Pachamama, are rituals of ancestral origin that are part of a system of reciprocity between the material world and the spiritual world.
- Reflection and Journaling: Take time for deep self-reflection and journaling, focusing on personal insights and growth achieved throughout the retreat.
- Machu Picchu Visit: Experience meditation and reflection at this world wonder, facilitating profound personal transformation
- 8 nights accommodations
- 3 meals per day (excluding alcoholic beverages) starting with dinner on the first night and ending with breakfast on the last day
- Group Ground Transportation to/from Cusco (CUZ) Airport to Retreat Center
- Daily yoga practices
- Despacho Ceremony
- Sacha Munay Waterfall Hike
- Full-day Pisac Excursion
- Machu Picchu Tour with two nights accommodations
- Personal retreat time (having time to nap, explore, walk, read, and just be)
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 is home to 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 (protein added for dinner) meals with locally grown and lovingly prepared ingredients. 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.
Julie Wilkes
Born with a heart condition so severe that doctors pronounced her dead at birth, Julie Wilkes has overcome all of her life expectancy predictions and now dedicates her life to paying forward on a second chance at life by helping others to find light in their life. She is an entrepreneur, yoga/fitness studio owner, retail boutique owner, published author, motivational speaker, certified life coach, aromatherapy line creator, and fitness/yoga presenter.
Julie has completed her PhD in Organizational Psychology and has a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology. She is certified in sound healing, yoga, pilates, fitness, suspension classes, and more! She volunteers by leading yoga and meditation classes for the incarcerated and at-risk youth. She has given several TEDX talks on Meaning, Purpose, and Mindfulness and loves sharing inspirational evidence-based practices with her audience.
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
*Price of some Activities are not included in tuition unless free or listed under inclusions.
This retreat includes an overnight in Aguas Calientes with a walking tour of Machu Picchu, plus a final night in Cusco before departure on October 17th.
Included:
- 2 Nights Accommodations (1 Night in Aguas Calientes, 1 night in Cusco)
- Transportation (Private Transport, Bus, Train)
- Tour Guide
- Machu Picchu entrance fee
The Machu Picchu 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 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.
Please be sure to review Our Policies.
For technical questions or alternative payment options, please contact us.
Getting There
True Nature specializes in curating and offering the best retreat experiences. For your flights, we recommend that you use Google Flights or a trusted travel agency.
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 Trawick International (available for U.S. Residents only). Read more about 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!
Save $200 on full-price (shared only) ends February 1st!
Shared Accommodations – $3695 USD (Full Price $3845 USD)
Single Accommodations – $4395 USD
To secure your tuition rate and reserve your spot, an initial non-refundable deposit is required: $350 for registrations more than 90 days before the trip, or $1,000 if booking 60–90 days prior. A non-refundable $35 payment processing fee will also be added to the tuition rate at registration.
If you select Deposit Payment, depending on when you registered, your remaining balance will be split into 1-3 payments and processed with your credit card on file on the dates indicated on your Confirmation Letter.
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.
*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.
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