These questions & answers cover:

• General information about the retreats

• Information about Peru

• Money

• Getting to the retreat

• Meals

• Payment & cancellations 

• Miscellaneous 

 

General information

Where does the retreat happen?

For details on the location of the retreat, please check the itinerary on our website.

 

What type of retreat do you offer? 

This is a spiritual journey, for those seeking to go deeper & to connect better with the sacred temples & themselves, and have more time than in a typical touristic tour. We offer classical, relaxing yoga poses from the 8-limbed path every morning, and optional shorter yoga sessions in the evenings. We offer group meditations every morning & evening, plus guided inner journeys in the sacred ruins & vortexes. The group sizes are usually smaller and more intimate than in typical touristic tours. 

Our focus is on respect for Mother Nature (Pacha Mama/ Mother Earth). We focus on respect for the 4 elements, the local history & culture & each other.  We offer history about the Sacred Sites dating back to Lemuria. We are strongly connected to this ancient heritage. 

 

How challenging are the hikes?

The hikes are appropriate for most people with an average level of fitness. The pace is set by the group so that everyone feels comfortable enough when hiking.

 

Do I need to have practiced yoga and meditation before?

No, the form of yoga and meditation taught is very gentle and appropriate for all proficiency levels. However, an open heart and desire to go deeper is good.

 

What languages do you host in?

The main hosting language is English. We also speak Spanish, Norwegian & German

 

What kind of meditations do you guide?

Both with mantra, visualizations, and silence. Adjusted to the group’s readiness level & need, the facilitator (Angel Amita) will guide. The meditations are healing & powerful and will help you. 

 

What do I need to bring?

A packing list is sent to your email after you have booked with us. If you have already booked with us, please check your email for a full list of what to bring with you. 

 

What kind of yoga do you practice?

We practice Rajadhiraja yoga, which is a classical type of ancient Himalayam yoga. There is a focus on breathwork and repetition of the poses which supports with massaging the glands in the body, stretching the limbs, relaxation, increase your energy, and other medicinal benefits. 

 

Can I travel alone during the retreat?

There will be some free time during the day to explore on your own a bit if desired, but there is minimal possibility to travel alone as it’s the nature of a group journey.

 

Do you offer alcohol during the retreat?

No, this is a meditation, healing and hiking retreat, we do not offer or drink alcohol. 

 

Can I smoke marijuana in the retreat? 

No, it is not suitable for this kind of experience so we kindly ask you to respect that. 

 

Can I stay longer in Machu Picchu?

Yes, if you wish to spend an extra day in Machu Picchu, please contact us in advance and before you book your train tickets. We would be happy to arrange additional days in this incredible sacred site for you. 

 

When can I travel out on the last day?

You can decide when to leave on the last day, though there are limited options as it’s only possible to travel from Machu Picchu by train.

 

Will we have somewhere to stay before and after the retreat?

We can support you with booking additional nights accommodation in advance if you need. 

 

When should I arrive?

Please arrive at least one day before your retreat starts. This is especially important for retreats in Peru because the altitude is high and you will need to acclimatize to reduce any symptoms of altitude sickness. 

 

What time in the morning do we start?

Please refer to your itinerary for specific details on when activities start. The morning classes generally start a 7 am.

 

What is included and not included?

Please check your itinerary for further details.

 

How many people will be on the retreat?

Retreats generally have a minimum of four people and a maximum of 15. We can operate retreats with less people, but this will come with an additional cost to cover our costs. 

 

Who can receive spiritual healing?

People of all ages can receive healing. For small children, parents give consent. It is always done with consent.

 

Do you offer plant medicine ceremonies?

We do not include plant- medicine ceremonies in the retreats, we have strong energy work, mediation and other tools. We can recommend safe and experienced facilitators in the area to be explored with own responsibility before or after the retreats.

Is it windy on top of the mountain? 

Occasionally. Please bring warm clothes (from the month of June – Sept) and a wind breaker or coat. 

 

How much luggage should I bring? 

We recommend keeping your baggage to a minimum during retreats. For Machu Picchu, a smaller backpack will be the best. If you have bigger bags, you can store it in the Sacred Valley, or in the train station before going to Aguas Calientes. If you are already staying somewhere the night before the retreat, then you will be able to store it in the hotel.

Do you do retreats that include the Inca trail?

Unfortunately, we do not offer a retreat via the Inca trail. We do however, walk parts of the shower inca trail. We can occasionally arrange the Salkantay Trek and Incatrail trip upon request. 

 

Do you arrange private retreats and tours?

Yes, please contact us directly to arrange for that.

 

Peru

How far from Cusco is the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu?

The Sacred Valley is between a 45-90 minute drive from Cusco, depending on where you need to get to in the Sacred Valley.
Machu Picchu is approximately a four-hour train journey from Cusco and 1 hour  & 40 mins ride from the Sacred Valley.

 

What is the weather like in the Andes during the retreat?

The weather is usually sunny, with short periods of rain in the rainy season (November-March). Temperatures lie around 20-25 degrees Celsius during the day, and down to 8 degrees Celsius at night. 

 

What is the altitude in Peru?

Machu Picchu is at an altitude of 2430m (7972 feet) above sea level. Urubamba is at an altitude of 2871m (9420 feet) above sea level. Cusco is at an altitude of 3399m (11152 feet) above sea level.

 

What language do they speak in Peru?

The main language spoken is Spanish. The native languages spoken to a lesser extent are Quechua and Aymara.

 

Is tap water safe to drink?

No, it is not safe to drink tap water in Peru. To keep you healthy, it is best to drink only bottled, boiled, or filtered water.

 

What’s the best time of the year to come to Peru? 

We would recommend visiting between September and May. The winter has cold nights and mountains are yellow in the Cusco and Puno areas. You miss out on a lot of beauty in the Winter and the contrasts between cold nights and warm days (only in the direct sun) can be difficult for the body at times. So unless you really want to avoid small rain showers, the rest of the year is good. Remember that Peru is a sunny location and has a lovely summer season from November to mid-March! 

 

Is Machu Picchu near Lima?

No, Machu Picchu is 30 hours by bus from Lima or 1.5 hours by plane. 

Cusco is the nearest big city, located approx four hours by train from Machu Picchu. 

 

What and where is the Sacred Valley? 

The Sacred Valley is an area located between the Inca capital of Cusco and Machu Picchu, in the state of Cusco in southern Peru. 

 

Is Peru safe?

Puno, the city on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the Sacred Valley and Cusco are considered to be very safe. With that being said, it is always best to take care with your belongings. The Miraflores area of Lima is quite safe as well as some other districts. It is recommended to be more careful in Lima. 

How do I get to Cusco?

From your country, book a flight to Lima Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) in Peru. Then, you can take either a 1.5-hour flight to Cusco Velasco Astete (CUZ) or take the 22-hour bus from Lima to Cusco.
If you wish to take the flight between Lima and Cusco, we recommend booking with Sky Airlines, Latam, or Viva Air as these are the most economical airlines. 

 

Money

Are there ATMs & bureaus of change near the hotel/retreat centre?

Yes, there are places where you will be able to access an ATM. However, we recommend that you arrange to withdraw any cash that you will need before the beginning of the retreat.

We do not recommend doing this in the airport as this is not the most economical rate

 

What currency do they have in Peru?

PEN, Peruvian Nuevo Soles is the main currency. USD is also occasionally accepted.

 

How much money will I need in cash?

Peru is a cash society, so having at least enough for daily use is recommended. Have at least 200 PEN for the trip. If you’d like to buy souvenirs, more might be needed. 

 

Getting to the retreat 

What are the visa conditions like?

Please check with your own country’s embassy to check the requirements to enter the country that you are visiting. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you meet the requirements to enter the country. We cannot take any responsibility for retreats that have been missed due to participants not meeting entry requirements when entering Peru. 

 

Do I have to book the train myself?

Yes. The ticket can be purchased at: https://www.perurail.com. You will be advised on which train to book.

 

Will the group travel together on the train to Machu Picchu?

Yes. As the group agrees on the departure time to travel together, those who arrive early enough will be able to travel together to Aguas Calientes.

 

What is the alternative route to Machu Picchu?

There are a total of three ways to reach Aguas Calientes.

The first and most common is by train from Ollantaytambo

The second is by hiking the Inca Trail.

The third is by walking or taking the train from the hydroelectric station, which can be reached by bus.

 

Can you arrange a taxi to and from the airport?

Yes, we can arrange a taxi transfer. Please let us know when you want the transfer and we will be happy to arrange it for you.

Unfortunately, we are unable to pick you up directly from the airport ourselves as we will be looking after other guests on the retreat. 

Meals

Do I have to be a vegan to attend?

No. The food served during the retreat is plant-based, and we encourage you to maintain the diet for the duration of the journey, but there are opportunities to buy other foods should there be a need to.

 

Are meals included?

Please check the itinerary of your retreat for details on which meals are included.

 

What kinds of diets are catered for?

The meals included in the retreats are vegan. We offer sattvic, mostly organic, fresh food. We offer a sattvic diet as this diet is most suitable for yoga and meditation, as studied by the Himalayan yogis for thousands of years. 

We have a cook who I have trained in preparing for our groups. We cater for vegan organic, fruitarian, raw vegan & liquidarian, gluten-free, sugar conscious, low fat, nut-allergy-friendly diets. If you have an allergy, please get in contact with us so we can prepare suitable meals for you.

 

Payment and cancellations

How can I pay?

You make an initial deposit via We Travel when you reserve your retreat with us. 

The rest of the payment we ask you to bring on the first day of the journey in USD or PEN. You may withdraw money in ATMs around the Sacred Valley or Cusco. Please note that only un-ripped, unstained USD notes are accepted in Peru. The money needs to be ready when you arrive as we want to finish money- related matters before our journey has opened.

Other methods: Bank transfer, Western Union or MoneyGram. Please contact us if you want to pay via these methods.

 

Can I pay by Paypal, Venmo or Zelle?

No. Only services we explicitly state as available are accepted. We are not Americans, so we can not access Zelle and Venmo. 

 

Can I get a refund, I booked via BookYogaRetreats? What about other third party sites? 

Please refer to BookYogaRetreats for their terms and conditions for their cancellation details. &C will be available as you inquire and star a booking process. once you have booked, on these sites, you have agreed.

 

Can I get a discount if I book directly with you?

Booking directly with us allows us to be much more flexible with changes and a variety of other things. Please use the booking link available on our website to book directly with us.

 

Can I cancel? 

Please refer to the cancellation policy to check your options.

 

Can I get a receipt?

Yes, that is not a problem at all. Please contact us and we will provide you with a receipt.

 

Miscellaneous

Can I bring my family?

Yes, we welcome you to bring along family if you can, including children of any age. 

 

What kind of electric plugs do you need?

Most outlets in Peru are combined with European and American-type outlets. Bringing a universal adapter is still recommended. The voltage is 220V, which is the same as in Europe.

Phone chargers and laptop chargers are compatible with both 110V and 220V.

If your device is for 110V-120V only, you need a voltage adapter.

 

Do you arrange flights?

No, we do not offer this as part of our service. Tours and retreats do not include flights. 

 

Do you arrange rainbow mountain tours?

No.  However if there is enough people wishing it, we can arrange it!

 

What nationalities are the participants?

The participants come from all over the world.

 

Do you recommend getting a local SIM card?

Yes, if you wish to stay connected outside of areas with WiFi. There are options to buy an eSIM online or purchase a physical SIM card when you arrive in Peru. It is best to avoid buying SIM- cards in the airport due to extra costs. 

 

Do you have anything in June, July or August? 

That varies per year. Please check our website or contact us for events and retreats at this time of the year. 

 

Do you answer inquiries 24/7?

 We answer emails and messages within regular working hours, Peruvian time. Please be patient as we are answering your enquiries as soon as we can within 24 hours or occasionally 48 hours.

 

How many years have you hosted?

We have nine years of hosting experience and over 29 years of experience with yoga and meditation. In addition to having given life-changing healing sessions, hosted healing circles, guided people spiritually, practiced homeopathy and offerings of Akashic Soul readings.

 

What are the hot springs in Machu Picchu like?

It is up to you whether you want to go to the hot springs during the retreat. All of the hotsprings are natural and pools have different temperatures. They are best visited early in the morning when there are less people and they are newly cleaned. 

 

What if I get altitude sickness? 

We cannot confirm whether you specifically will suffer from altitude sickness, but due to the altitude, it can be common. In the event you feel unwell, we offer herbal teas that have been used since ancient times to help to treat your symptoms. We also know that having light meals, taking lots of rest, and being gentle the first days are helpful. In addition, it is very important to stay hydrated. 

If more support is needed to adjust the retreat to a more suitable altitude, we can do that. However, this has never happened to any retreat participants in the nine years that we have hosted retreats. 

 

What is the price of airport pick-up?

The price of airport pick-up ranges from 150-300 PEN, depending on where you are going.

 

Do I need to bring a yoga mat?

Yoga mats will be provided. If you would like to, you can bring your own.

 

Are there mosquitoes?

In Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, there will be mosquitos. Lake Titicaca has fewer mosquitos due to the climate there.

 

What is the average age of participants?

There are participants of all ages ranging from 18-60+, but most participants will be in their 30s or 40s. Children are also welcome to join us on our retreats.

 

Do we have private bathrooms?

Yes, when staying in hotels & Retreat Center. For the Lake Titicaca retreat, this is not possible on Amantani Island as this will be a homestay.

 

How long are the meditations

Most meditations will be around 25-35 minutes. The longest meditation session will last around 40 minutes. 

 

How much yoga do we practice? 

There are yoga classes every morning.

 

I want to book a private retreat. Can I do this?

Yes, please contact us directly to discuss hosting a retreat for a private group.

 

Will I get altitude symptoms?

Most people experience some degree of altitude sickness the first couple of days at altitude in Peru. There are options to relieve some symptoms of altitude sickness once you arrive.

 

What will I do if I get sick?

We can assist you should you need treatment. There are good clinics nearby and major hospitals in Cusco if anything serious comes up.

 

Can I leave the retreat in the midst of it?

If you leave while the retreat is in progress, there will be no refund.

 

What time is check-in?

Check in is when the retreat starts which will be informed about after booking.

 

How do I get from the airport to the retreat center (Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley retreats)?

One option is to take a taxi to the retreat center from the airport, the other is to take public transport to the town the retreat center is at.

To get there by public transport, take a taxi to Puente Grau in Cusco (collectivo to Urubamba from Calle Pavitos in Cusco)

Once you’re in Urubamba, take a ‘tuk tuk’ (named mototaxi in Peru)  to the Retreat Center ( address will be given for each retreat). You can use the Maps app on your phone to show the driver if necessary.

 

Is there internet at the hotel?

Yes, there is internet at the hotels you stay in during the retreats. However, in the island of Amantani, there is not.

 

Are entrances included?

Please refer to the itinerary for details of what is and is not included.

 

Can I book a massage?

Please let us know during your retreat whether you would like us to book a massage for you. We will try to accommodate it into the retreat as best as we can. The ability for us to do this for you varies because the amount of downtime varies between retreats. 

 

Do you arrange retreats outside of the scheduled retreats that you offer?

Please contact us to check availability.