YOGA RETREAT TO MACHU PICCHU
WITH
DEBORAH FRYER
Experience the Spiritual, Traditional, Cultural and Mystical Wonders of Peru
AUGUST 16-25, 2008

Experience the Spiritual, Traditional, Cultural and Mystical Wonders of Peru
Investment: $2499

Journey to the ancient and mysterious land of Peru. Practice yoga and meditation in the beautiful Sacred Valley. Relax in the seven sensual gardens dancing with Andean medicinal plants, brilliant flowers and organic vegetables. Soak in the hot outdoor baths filled with minerals from Pachamama and medicinal herbs and flowers from the gardens. Explore numerous ancient Incan sites in the Sacred Valley.Experience the indigenous culture and authentic spirituality of the Quechua people. Be inspired by the exquisite and peaceful gardens.Be enchanted by the magnificent Andean peaks and Sacred Valley scenery.Be awed by the mysterious ancient cities and temples including Machu Picchu.Be mesmerized by the Andean culture, cosmology, and ancient ceremonies. Be nourished with gourmet vegetarian meals. Hike. Meditate. Journal. Read. Paint. Daydream. Connect on a deeper level to yourself.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A DETAILED ITINERARY.

ABOUT DEBORAH FRYER

Deborah began practicing yoga in 1996 and teaching in 2001. She has studied Ashtanga with Richard Freeman and David Swenson, Anusara with John Friend, Hatha/Iyengar with Barbara Benagh, and Power Yoga with Baron Baptiste, and most recently Kundalini Yoga with Gurmukh. Students rave that Deborah's classes are transformative, powerful, challenging and fun. As a former marathoner and triathlete, she brings athleticism, discipline, and play to every class. As a filmmaker, she brings visual imagery and colorful metaphor to every pose. And as a yogini, she brings her compassion, grace and love onto the mat.

"Deborah has an incredible knowledge of the human body."

"Deborah's yoga classes are very challenging, exhilarating and inspirational."

"Deborah is an awesome, amazing, considerate teacher."

"Deborah's Sunday morning class is my church."

The 10-day land cost of $2499 includes six nights at Willka T’ika, two nights in Cusco City, one night at Aguas Calientes, one day at Machu Picchu, local guides, authentic Andean ceremonies (with the option to have a private coca leaf reading), transport, hotel accommodation, entrance tickets and tourist train tickets to Machu Picchu, a special dinner at Machu Picchu, all meals at Willka T’ika and transport to and from the Cusco Airport. Cost is based on shared accommodation; single supplement is $650/person. Upgrade to luxury Apu T’ika rooms is $150/person. PLEASE NOTE: This retreat begins in Cusco on August 16 and ends in Cuzco on August 25.
The price of the retreat goes up to $2599 after July 1, so book early to save! Only four spaces left!

CLICK HERE to download the most up-to-date itinerary with more pictures!

(August 15) Travel Day

Fly from your home town to Cuzco. Depending on when your flight arrives, you may need to overnight in Lima on August 15, and continue on to Cuzco in the early morning of August 16. We can help arrange a hotel in Lima and airport transfers if you wish ($110/single or $130/double, including airport transfers to and from hotel). It is up to you if you prefer to fly into Lima and arrive on August 15, or take a red eye and fly directly to Cuzco on the morning of August 16.

August 16 ** The retreat officially begins on this day

Plan on arriving in Cuzco on the morning of August 16. Someone from Willka T'ika will meet us at the Cuzco Airport around 11:00 a.m. to take us to the Sacred Valley. We'll stop in Cusco for lunch, and then drive an hour and a half through the mountains to Willka T'ika, our home base at 9,000 ft. (Note: We recommend scheduling a LanPeru 9:35 a.m. departure from Lima to arrive in Cusco at 10:50 a.m.if you choose to spend the night before in Lima. If your flight from the U.S. arrives after 3:30 a.m. into Lima, then consider connecting directly to Cusco instead on an early morning flight on the 18th.) Explore the seven healing gardens filled with medicinal herbs and flowers. Check out the array of unique Andean birds in the gardens. Meditate, relax, read, and write in your journal, or go for a hike along the Urubamba River and up to the ancient salt mines.

August 17

Morning yoga/meditation and buffet breakfast. Orientation tour of the seven sacred gardens at Willka T'ika, including an authentic Andean ceremony to attune and connect the group to the energies of the Sacred Valley. Spend time meditating on your own, or hike in the Andean countryside to a neighbor's "chicharia" to see how the traditional drink is brewed. Chicha, made from Sara (sacred corn), is an important component in ceremonies to the Apukuna (mountain spirits). Our staff, all children of traditional Quechua campesinos will happily accompany you and invite you into their nearby homes. Others may wish to use the time to rest, paint and write in their journals. The early afternoon also is the best time to schedule coca-leaf readings. At 4pm, the coca leaf reader, an authentic pakko, ritual specialist, invites the group to participate in a special Andean offering ceremony to Pachamama. Conducted for the well-being of the group and practiced by Andean Quechua for thousands of years, this healing ceremony invites you into their spirit-filled world. The ceremony ends with a fire ceremony, preparing our mind, body and spirit for our pilgrimage to Machu Picchu.

August 18

Morning yoga/meditation and buffet breakfast. Visit the Ollantaytambo Inkan Ruins and Sun Temple followed by a very special visit to an Andean mountain in an isolated high mountain community school (weather permitting). Few tourists are privileged to visit Andean communities like this. The warmth and joy of the children when they see us, and their openness in bringing us into their daily lives, is unforgettable. Visitors always are humbled and deeply moved by this cultural exchange.

August 19

Morning yoga/meditation and buffet breakfast.  Drive through the Sacred Valley to the spectacular ruins of P'isaq. Overlooking impressive Inkan terraces, we hike the non-tourist trail to the Inkan Temple of the Sun, a doorway to the upper Andean world of the Condor, messenger of the Gods. Optional meditation and optional hike down the mountain to the colorful market of P'isaq. Be prepared - this market offers a wonderful opportunity to buy woven goods, jewelry, wall hangings and hand-painted beadwork, as well as offers wonderful photographic opportunities. Observe the colorful traditionally dressed campesinos coming to barter and sell their produce. Our guide will recommend some delicious options for an inexpensive al fresco lunch, where you can watch the lively activities of the market.

August 20

(Very early!) Morning train to Aguas Calientes, the lively village situated below the nearby Machu Picchu Ruins. Ascend by bus to the sunlit terraces of the historical Inkan center of spiritual and political power. First, we’ll enter Machu Picchu as tourists and be guided on a tour of the "Lost City of the Inka." Then we’ll return in the afternoon as pilgrims for yoga, meditations and explorations in feminine and masculine energy sites.  That evening (weather permitting), we’ll participate in an outdoor shamanic healing ceremony involving special custom-made instruments to tune in deeply to the core essence of Machu Picchu.

August 21

Spend another morning in the mysterious terraces and temples of Machu Picchu, Ancient City of Light.. Practice yoga, meditate, journal, breathe with the mountain. Optional very steep climb up to Huaynapicchu, Young Mountain, for a spectacular view of Machu Picchu. Afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo and on to Willka T'ika for dinner.

August 22

Morning yoga/meditation and buffet breakfast. Massages and crystal bed healing sessions are available, hike into the village of Urubamba to check out the local ceramic studio or alpaca sweater shop. Hike to the crop circles of Moray, stroll through colorful markets, go whitewater rafting on the Urubamba River, or go horseback riding through the valley.

August 23

Travel to Cusco, the ancient Incan capital, perched at 11.000 feet. Visit the Incan ritual fountain at Tampumachay, learn about Andean cosmology and particpate in an ancient water ceremony to balance our energy centers and activate our creative and healing powers. Explore Saksaywaman, an impossibly huge stone temple towering over the city. A coca leaf ceremony will ground us in the energies of Pachamama (the Andean name for Mother Earth). Return to Cusco, a beautiful medieval city of steep cobblestone streets, fine art and folk art galleries, museums and Spanish churches.

August 24

In the morning, we'll visit the Korikancha Temple, the holiest site during Inkan times, and in the afternoon, we'll wander through the San Blas Artists' district, full of artisans, art shops and lively restaurants.

August 25 ** The retreat officially ends in Cuzco

Bus to Cusco Airport, fly to Lima airport around 11:20 a.m. Lunch in Miraflores and visit to the Gold or Archeological Museum. Fly home around midnight on August 25 or in the early morning of August 26 (again, depending on your flight). Optional Lima expenses, such as meals and museum entrance fees, are not included in the land cost.

Please call Deborah at 303-442-1966 or email deborah@lilafilms.com to reserve your space.

Airfare and Departure Tax Information
R/T Denver-Lima airfare is currently about $750.  R/T Lima-Cusco about $200. We recommend you book as soon as possible to ensure the lowest price. Let me know if you need help with the reservations (I have a great travel agent). Airport departure taxes are approximately US$41 (US$30 for one international and $5.50 each for two domestic departures). Please bring cash to cover these taxes.

Tipping
Please bring $80 in cash for tipping drivers, porters, healers and Quechua staff

Additional Information
The following optional services may be arranged once you arrive at Willka T'ika:
• Andean full body massage with aromatherapy oils --  $55 per hour.
• Starlight solar bath filled with aromatic medicinal flowers from our gardens and mineral salts for purification -- $10 per bath
• A half-hour healing session on our crystal bed imported from the miracle healer John of God in Brazil -- $20
• Willka T’ika facilities: The well-equipped yoga studio may be used during the day. The Takiwasi music room has a supply of Andean musical instruments for your pleasure. Our Yachaywasi library with its cozy fireplace has a great selection of books on all subjects.  Guests are encouraged to tune into nature or simply enjoy the peace and flowers in the gardens.
• River rafting on the nearby Urubamba River. The cost of this four-hour outing is $40 per person and includes lunch. You will be picked up and returned by the rafting company. Professional outfitters also offer mountain bike riding.
• Horseback riding. Nearby stables offer guided rides on local trails. The cost is approximately $25 per hour.
• A highly acclaimed coca-leaf reader can be brought in from Cusco upon request. If four or more people decide to do this together, she and a translator offer approximately half-hour readings for $35 per personal reading.

PLEASE NOTE: The providers of the above services need to be paid in cash in US dollars, untorn bills or Peruvian soles. Peru is a cash country. Providers cannot accept credit cards. Attention shoppers - Peru has markets filled with goods. If you like to shop, when you see all the Andean offerings, you will want to buy a variety of beautiful hand-woven goods, ceramics, CDs, alpaca sweaters, hats, gloves and loads of creative jewelry.

If you are tempted by any of the offerings and you enjoy shopping in foreign country markets, please plan to bring extra cash in US currency, untorn bills. Based on feedback from past participants, Magical Journey recommends that you bring extra cash in US dollars.