Welcome!

Peru Sacred Journey with the Shamans:

Sacred Valley Itinerary: August 24-31, 2021

Dear Peru Journeyer,

Welcome and congratulations on registering for this “Sacred Journey” to Peru. I have been traveling to Peru for several years now, working with these revered shamans, in these most sacred of sites. I have found Peru to be magical and life transforming. This experience will touch you in a powerful way and you will source from it for years to come. We are excited to share this sacred journey with you.

Here is your Peru logistics information to assist you in your preparations for the journey.

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  Passport

  A valid passport is required for entry into Peru, and ninety day visa is given to US citizens automatically upon entry.

  For US Citizens, you can go to the website at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html for renewing your passport. All participants will want to carry a second form of photo ID, such as a driver’s license, and have a photocopy of the personal data page of your passport. Your copy of your passport is the easiest way to prove your identity if you were to lose your passport.

  If you are traveling with a passport from a different country other than the USA, please call the Peruvian Consulate nearest to you and find out if there are any visa requirements. In the USA, the number is 1-202-833-9860. You can also check the requirements for each country by logging onto www.peru.embassyhomepage.com. Once you enter Peru, and receive your visa paper, which is small inside your passport, please be careful to SAVE this paper until you exit the country.

  You will also receive several forms. We must have all information requested returned including your flight information a minimum of 30 days prior to our expedition start date. So you will need to send the following information to us via email to Documents@PeruShamanRetreat.com:

  1. “Your Flight Information Itinerary”(sent as soon as you book your flights which we suggest to do early and save)
  2. “All Company Forms” with return, initials, signature and dates where required: 1) Medical Emergency Travel Form. 2) Assumption of Risk and Release Form. 3) Roommate Form. 4) Photocopy of your Passport. 5) Your Flight Itinerary (once booked) so we may be sure of your pick up and drop to correct airport location.
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  Flights

  When booking your own international and domestic flights to Peru. Most individuals fly from their home city to Lima, Peru and then from Lima to Cusco, Peru. If you arrive before the starting date of the trip, you will be responsible for your own taxi transfers, hotel accommodations, meals, etc. before the trip starts.

  Flights Only for Retreat : *MACHU PICCHU & SACRED VALLEY RETREAT* August 24-31, 2021. (8 days, 7 nights) Take an international flight from where you are in your home country to Lima, Peru – From there go through customs and recheck bags for your Domestic flight Lima to Cusco, Peru to arrive on the first day by noon, and return anytime on the 31st or later – Cusco to Lima, Lima to home.

  Be sure you pick up your bags and go through customs for an additional check in to new domestic carrier. Lima to Cusco – you will be greeted and picked up at Cusco airport (it is a very small airport, once you receive your bags walk outside to the taxi / pick-up area. You will be greeted for the beginning of your life altering retreat.

  You will be met at airport by 1:00 PM CST to take our group bus transfer to hotel in Sacred Valley. Should your flight arrive after this time please advise us and we can arrange for your transportation which you would be responsible to pay driver direct.

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  Extra Nights

  Extra nights are available in Lima, Peru or Cusco, Peru. If you decide to arrive one or two days early or if your flight schedule requires you to stay in Lima one night. The Marriott Convention Hotel in the city center is an excellent place to stay.

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  Herbs & Supplements

  Bring your daily supplements if you take any. If you are experiencing sleeplessness, you might be dehydrated and you want to drink more water immediately! Emergen-C Packets (containing vitamins and electrolytes) and simple Electrolyte Packets can be added to bottled water for keeping hydrated and rejuvenated. Hydration is the key to avoiding altitude sickness. We recommend you drink two full liters of water per day. Drinking wine or beer will dehydrate you, so limited consumption is strongly advised. Arnica cream or comfrey might be helpful to rub on sore muscles or rashes. Ginger, chamomile, or licorice can calm a stomach that’s been exposed to spicy foods. Charcoal Tablets are good also for upset stomach. Peppermint essential oil is also great for a multitude of things– including bug bites. Colloidal Silver is natural antibiotic. Also suggested to drink with water is ChlorOxygen a chlorophyll concentrate (2-4 weeks prior to departure). This product is available on Amazon and is very helpful to increase your red blood cell count for higher altitudes.

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  Food and Water

  Drink only bottled water. Most illnesses while traveling are caused by contamination of food or water. It doesn’t take much contamination to make you sick, and some diseases can be severe enough to ruin your trip. Please be careful, drink only bottled water. Use bottled water for brushing your teeth. It is easy to purchase. Do not use ice cubes unless you know them to be safe. Freezing does not kill bacteria. A Steri-pen is a fantastic product to assure safe drinking water.

  Special Diets: Please bring any extra food you might need to accommodate any special dietary requirements you may have such as gluten or lactose intolerance, etc. Vegetarians: If you are a vegetarian, you will have plenty of foods to choose from. The food is very pure and natural.

  Menus: Breakfasts are included with the hotels and are usually buffet style so you can choose what you like from a fresh array of fruit, eggs, toast, yogurt, cereal, juices and more. 2-3 Lunches are included in sacred sites of the Sacred Valley Retreat, dinners are included in the trip costs.

  SACRED VALLEY: There are excellent restaurants in the hotels and nearby to explore. Bring protein bars, trail mixes, and any other of your favorite snacks as these items are not always available.

  Safety: Eat only cooked foods, since lettuce and other foods might be washed in non-bottled water. Eat only fruits with peels for the same reason. If you want to experiment further with salads and fresh fruits, eat small portions the first day and see how your tummy does. Many breakfasts include granola, cereals, yogurt, bananas, oranges, scrambled eggs or omelets, and breads. All of these foods are totally safe. Many lunches might have hot vegetable soups, breads, potatoes, and simple avocado sandwiches. Dinners may include trout, hot cooked main dishes, soups, so there is an abundance of foods that are easy on your stomach. Avoid food from sidewalk vendors. Our deluxe hotels have excellent hygiene and food preparations.

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  Travel Insurance

  We REQUIRE you purchase a travel insurance policy. https://www.squaremouth.com. If for some unforeseen reason you must cancel your journey, your deposit is nonrefundable, and you are able to file a claim with your policy holder. Please email a copy of your policy to Documents@PeruShamanRetreat.com

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  Money

  Consider exchanging $200 USD dollars at the airport, as well as get a roll or two of small coins (soles). Also bring one and five dollar bills to tip the hotel staff and taxis when deemed appropriate. There are several types of ATM Machines in Peru: ATM Global and Banco de Credito. You will want to call your bank ahead of the trip to make sure that you have access to ATMs in a foreign country and which ATMs will work for your cards. Traveler’s checks are only accepted in some places. When you bring dollars into the country of Peru, they must be new dollars with ‘no tears, rips or ink marks.’ Damaged dollars will not be accepted in Peru.

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  Meals

  Vegetarian Breakfast and dinner is included every day at the retreat center. You may want to put aside money for lunch meals ranging from $8-$15 as debit and credit cards are not always accepted. If you eat in the retreat center these costs can be charged to your room and paid by credit card when you check out. Most days we will be hiking during the lunchtime, and a light snack lunch is encouraged to keep in your backpack. Some lunches will be served on site and inclusive to your retreat cost. The retreat center can sometimes prepare a box lunch for you too if you wish. Please bring any bars or trail mix as needed. Any special needs diet we need to know ASAP.

  Safety: Eat only cooked foods, since lettuce and other foods might be washed in non-bottled water. Eat only fruits with peels for the same reason. If you want to experiment further with salads and fresh fruits

  Eat small portions the first day and see how your tummy does. Many breakfasts include granola, cereals, yogurt, bananas, oranges, scrambled eggs or omelets, and breads. All of these foods are totally safe. Many lunches might have hot vegetable soups, breads, potatoes, and simple avocado sandwiches. Many dinners will include trout, hot cooked main dishes, soups, so there is an abundance of foods that are easy on your stomach. Avoid food from sidewalk vendors. Our deluxe hotels have excellent hygiene and food preparations and salads are safe to eat there.

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  Tips & Despacho Ceremonies

  We collect tips for our guides, bus drivers, and porters as part of the culture. We ask for $10 per day, per person and this is collected by a volunteer to be given as a group at the end of each trip. Please bring US dollars per length of your stay for these gratuities/tips.

  Note: On retreat journeys, John and the shamans do optional blessing, healing and Despacho ceremonies for individuals. If you choose one of these, private session the cost is just $120 U.S. dollars and it is given directly to the shaman at time of service. There will selected nights for session work.

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  Airport Taxes

  All Peruvian airports charge “Exit Taxes.” Please budget $34 one way internationally, and $6 for each internal flight including Lima to Cuzco, and Cuzco back to Lima. Note either or both of these ‘exit taxes’ may be included in your airfare, check at time of your flight booking.

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  Gifts

  Some of you may want to bring gifts for Peruvian children you might meet along the way. Peruvian children love pads of paper, pens, pencils, magic markers, crayons, as they are always appreciated. Your presence with them in Peru is the best gift you could give them. Candy is not suggested as they typically do not have regular dental care. Some clothes are Ok as well if you are called to pack them.

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  Health

  You can visit the CDC web site for US government information about traveling to Peru. Visit the web site at www.cdc.gov/travel/tropsam.htm. Keep in mind that we cannot make a recommendation as to what each traveler should or should not pursue for preventative medicine. It is best to consult with your primary care physician, who knows your medical history and can better advise you.

  If you take any prescription medicines, be sure to bring enough for your travels, containers should be clearly labeled with prescription forms to avoid problems at Customs. A standard first aid kit is advisable, as well as bringing your own favorite personal “remedies” for the common possibilities. These might include a remedy for headaches, bacterial infections, stomach, colds, and dehydration. Remember, you are responsible for your own health. The local pharmacies are well stocked with some common pharmaceutical products.

  Please note: There will be an additional cost for medical attention from the medic at the hotel or at local hospital.

  We recommend purchasing Emergency Evacuation Insurance from Travelex or other insurance provider.

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  Packing Tips

  Luggage: We urge that your daypack, backpack or fanny pack be your airplane carry-on. Everything else should fit inside your main, checked suitcase, preferably a soft duffel-like bag. Also remember to leave some extra room in your main bag (or bring an extra bag) for souvenir purchases. Remember you may have to maneuver your own luggage at the airport, from your rooms, to the buses, etc.

  If you need camping gear and do not have a local store, try www.REI.com or www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet.

  Plan to layer with your clothes. As the heat rises in the day, you shed layers bit by bit and put them into your daypack. Late afternoon and early evening, you slowly pull them out again.

  >>Download the Packing List Here<<

  Altitudes: Approx in feet: Cuzco – 11,150, Sacred Valley Sites 12,375 – 9,700 , Machu Picchu Citadel 7,972 – Machu Picchu Pueblo – 6,693,00 (Town of Aguas Calientes)

  Temperatures: Sacred Valley Sites Low 70’s to High 60’s in day, to Low 40’s or High 30’s nights , Machu Picchu Low 70’s – High 60’s in day, to Low 30’s at night.

  Please pack with care. There are laundry facilities available at the hotels in Cuzco and the Sacred Valley. They are quite good at getting your clothes back to you quickly.

  Pack what you feel you absolutely NEED… but LESS IS MORE! We look forward to sharing in your SACRED JOURNEY!!

  Questions? Please do not hesitate to contact me.

Room Upgrade Options:

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  Private Single Twin Garden Room

  +$875 per person, based on Single Occupancy

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  Shared Luxury Queen

  +$1250 per person, based on Double Occupancy

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  Private King Garden Room

  +$1675 per person, based on Single Occupancy

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  Private King Suite Room

  +$ 2250 per person, based on Single Occupancy 

** Upgraded room categories is paid separately and billed via Paypal. To upgrade your room, please email Support@PeruShamanRetreat.com with your First & Last Name, PayPal email address, and your room selection. 

Extremely Limited Availability for every room type.  Same sex roommate assigned. However, if a roommate is not available, you’ll need to upgrade to a private twin garden room rate of  +$875. First come, first served on all rooms.

Please note: Private rooms are not confirmed until the upgrade is paid in full.