When Joshua, founder of True Nature Education and my boss, told me he would be in the Sacred Valley at the same time as me, I was shocked. What were the odds?! Of course I immediately accepted his offer to meet up at one of our stunning retreat destinations and see where True Nature Education would be holding their upcoming Peru yoga retreats.
I arrived full of excitement and I was eager to tour the thriving sacred geometry garden, the peaceful yoga shala, and the immaculate rooms, but first, it was lunchtime. The resident chef filled the table with enough food to serve 20. But I had no problem eating more than my fill. The fresh salad and Peruvian pasta sauce—all made with organic and local ingredients—left me wanting more… and more, and more.
Once we were filled to the brim we decided to work of the calories by taking a hike to the nearby waterfall. Every step of the way I was overwhelmed by the incredible views. Luscious green plant life surrounded the trail and around every corner a stunning view of Peru’s famous Sacred Valley waited to take my breath away.
When we reached the waterfall we were both in awe and decided to spend some time enjoying the incredible setting. Before long we started chatting and I realized I had never actually heard the story of True Nature Education. How did it start? Where was it going? What was at the heart of this company I had loved working for over the past few months?
It only took one small question to get Joshua talking passionately about this amazing company. He told me the story of how he and a bunch of friends left everything to move to Costa Rica and start an eco-community. Before long groups were coming from all over to host events and retreats with True Nature Education and Joshua quickly realized that hosting groups was what True Nature Education was best at and what he loved most.
A few more years of trying on a few different hats led to the True Nature we know today: a holistic travel company dedicated to helping people experience authentic, life changing travel. In other words, helping people find their true travel.
Now facilitating retreats in Costa Rica and Italy, Joshua told me about True Nature’s plans to move to Peru and beyond. He painted me a picture of a world where True Nature Education is the go-to for people looking for authentic, true travel anywhere in the world.
He finished telling me True Nature’s story and in the silence that followed I could hear the powerful waterfall crashing on the rocks behind us. I gazed out at the valley as the waterfall’s mist sprayed my neck. The sun was just starting to set, painting the valley with a golden glow, and for a moment I couldn’t help feeling a bit of the magic that this country is so famous for.
It was no wonder Joshua and True Nature Education had been drawn here; Peru is teeming with life and energy and it was impossible to spend a day here without falling in love with the miraculous nature around every corner. I could imagine anything more spectacular than the Peru yoga retreats that would grace this beautiful land soon.
Still, as we watched the sun set on Peru, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t just Peru that was filling me with magic. It was the dream of True Nature Education that Joshua had talked about—the dream of a future where travel means more than just seeing the world—a future where travel means becoming a part of that world.
