SACRED ILLUMINATION: ITINERARY
✨Reconnecting to Your Inner Light in Peru✨
September 20 – 27, 2025
With Dr. Marie Rodriguez
DAY 1 – Cusco & Temple of the Sun
Our journey kicks off with a seamless transfer from the Cusco airport to our charming sanctuary, situated in the heart of Cusco’s historic center. If your schedule permits, you might consider arriving a day earlier in Cusco by 11:00 am so you can begin acclimating to the altitude with soothing sips of coca leaf tea.
At 3:00 pm, we’ll gather in the lobby to meet our guide for an orientation. It’s our first chance to meet each other and begin forming the spiritual container for the adventure ahead. We’ll then embark on a late afternoon stroll along the picturesque cobblestone streets of San Blas. Along the way, our guide will illuminate Incan stonework as we make our way to the revered Korikancha Temple – the Temple of the Sun. We’ll learn why this was once considered the holiest site in the Incan civilization.
At 6:30 pm, indulge in a sumptuous Peruvian dinner hosted by Willka T’ika.
DAY 2 – Saksaywaman & Sacred Valley
AM: We’ll visit the Inkan site of Saksaywaman – a falcon shaped megalithic stone fortress overlooking the city of Cusco. We’ll learn about the importance of coca leaves in Peruvian spirituality, and be guided in making a traditional K’intu (3 coca leaves infused with prayer). We’ll then offer our K’intus to honor and connect with these majestic ruins and mark our journey’s beginning.
PM: We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and participate in a deep earth grounding attunement meditation weaving in sacred light from Koricancha. We’ll then take the scenic drive to Willka T’ika in the heart of the Sacred Valley, where breathtaking Andean mountain vistas await. Upon arrival, our guide and leader will offer a brief introduction. We’ll meet the Quechua staff of Willka T’ika, who will assist in scheduling Andean spa services and orient you to the yoga, meditation, and ceremonial spaces at the retreat center.
We’ll have our first group circle in the studio space. We’ll participate in a guided meditation to anchor our energies into our new ‘home’ for the next several days and practice some embodied movement.
During free time, enjoy optional Andean spa services. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
DAY 3 – Despacho & Fire Ceremony
Wake up in beautiful Willka T’ika for a morning circle and group check-in. Dr. Marie will lead a guided healing meditation to attune to our Higher Self and receive intentions in preparation for the evening’s Andean fire ceremony. This is a day of renewal, dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth). Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and enjoy a guided tour of the Seven Chakra Gardens.
We’ll be meeting our Paqo, a very special Q’ero healer, visiting from the high Andes. Take an optional guided walk through the nearby Rumichaka farming neighborhood where Quechua campesinos live. (More challenging hikes along scenic routes into the valley are also possible.)
1:00 pm Lunch
PM: After lunch, participate in coca leaf blessings and a traditional “Ayni Despacho” Ceremony – a sacred medicine bundle to support us in being in right relationship with Pachamama (Mother Earth). Optional private coca leaf readings may be available.
After dinner, our paqo (shaman) invites guests to an authentic and transformative Andean fire ceremony to honor Pachamama, yourself and your loved ones. The ceremony will align our energies and support our mind, body and spirit for the pilgrimage to Machu Picchu. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
DAY 4 – School Visit and Písac Day
An ayni (reciprocity) day. Drive through the Sacred Valley to a Quechua mountain school supported by Willka T’ika Children’s Fund. Since 1995, Willka T’ika has supported high mountain communities where few tourists are privileged to visit. In a reciprocal ayni exchange, the group offers an activity the children can enjoy.
The heart-warming joy of the children, and their openness in bringing guests into their daily lives are special moments to treasure. Enjoy a riverside bag lunch and an energy release ritual afterwards led by Dr. Marie. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
PM: Continue to the spectacular ruins of Písac, overlooking impressive Incan terraces. Hike up the ruins or walk quietly in a silent personal vision quest. Return to the main square of Písac by bus and visit the famous market tempting you with colorful woven goods, jewelry, wall hangings, and
hand-painted beadwork. Enjoy coffee or tea in the market square. (Písac is a photographer’s dream!)
Return to Willka T’ika for a late afternoon group circle and shamanic energy retrieval journey to prepare for Machu Picchu. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
DAY 5 – Machu Picchu
AM: We’ll begin the day with an early breakfast, then board a tourist train to Aguas Calientes. Enjoy tea or coffee and a snack on the journey while we take in the views of the Peruvian landscape. Then, a bus will take us to Machu Picchu, where we’ll explore the sunlit terraces and receive a guided tour of the ancient “City of Light.”
We’ll journey through the masculine energy temples of political and spiritual power, followed by a deep reconnection of feminine earth energies.
PM: In the afternoon, hike to Inti Punku, the original Incan Gateway to the Sun or to the Incan bridge. Take the late afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo where we’ll transfer to Willka T’ika in time for a late, light dinner and soulful integration with a shamanic sound healing journey led by Dr. Marie. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
DAY 6 – Ollentaytambo and Maras
AM: We’ll visit the ceremonial site of Ollantaytambo and its famous Sun Temple. We’ll enjoy lunch on our own in the quaint picturesque town.
PM: Enjoy an Andean Spa treatment, or crystal light therapy session. Meditate in the Chakra Garden of your choice and allow yourself time to receive the ancestral crown chakra energies beneath the 1,000-year-old lucuma tree.
For the more active, choose from a variety of hikes, including the nearby Maras Salt Flats and activities through the valley and up the mountains.
Evening group check-in, energy healing session and lesson on healthy boundaries and cords led by Dr. Marie. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
DAY 7 – Urubamba and Group Closing
This is our final day together at Willka T’ika, a day of mindful awareness – to claim the gifts of our journey and set the tone for our return back home. Dr. Marie will facilitate a group circle with check-in and will lead a guided integration meditation to support processing and accessing support for our return.
1:00 pm Lunch
Option to go on a guided morning hike to the town of Urubamba through farming neighborhoods, and visit a lively Peruvian market, a wonderful alpaca factory, and the famous Seminario ceramics shop.
6:30 pm Farewell Dinner
Group closing circle with group photos and a farewell shamanic dance party.
DAY 8 – Departure
8:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am Check-Out Time
One group complimentary transfer based on 10:00 am check-out takes the group to the Cusco airport to connect to Lima, and an outbound flight home.
If departing Peru after Willka T’ika, allow 3 1⁄2 hours before your Cusco flight. Ideal flights to schedule depart from Cusco between 2:00 pm-5:00 pm. Additional costs apply for an individual transfer for guests with earlier or later departures and can be arranged onsite. Arrive home feeling blessed with the pure energy of your transformational Andean journey-of-a-life.
SACRED ILLUMINATION
✨Reconnecting to Your Inner Light in Peru✨
February 22 – March 1, 2025
With Dr. Marie Rodriguez