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Writer's Workshop in Peru - 10 Day/9 Night Itinerary

May 8 - 17, 2011

There is a lot to see and do in Peru so be prepared to move at a quicker pace than our 16 Day/15 Night Women’s Empowerment Tours. That being said, because of the nature of the tour we will give you time each day for reflection, journaling or just wandering.

Friday, May 8 - Day 0 - TRAVEL DAY

Board your flight to Peru from your home city. When you arrive in Lima we will meet you after you exit from customs with a WELCOME sign, where our Peruvian guide, Washington will greet you and provide you with transportation to our hotel. Most flights from North America arrive in Lima very late at night, so this day is spent traveling. We will provide snacks in your room in case you need something light before you go to sleep.

Saturday, May 9 - Day 1

We will enjoy breakfast at our hotel together then transfer to the airport for our flight to Cusco, once the capital of the Incan Empire. We will then be transported to our local bed and breakfast, get checked into our rooms and have an introductory talk and orientation. You will be able to rest in the afternoon and the bed and breakfast will provide coca tea, which helps the adjustment to high altitude. (Please see our section "About Cusco"). After a group dinner, you will be at leisure to take a walk around town or return to the bed and breakfast to relax, unpack and get to bed early or visit with fellow travelers.

Sunday, May 10 - Day 2

Today begins with your first InspireABook class with Julie after breakfast. You will then have some free time to explore and shop or relax and adjust to the altitude. Lunch will be taken at your leisure and the afternoon will be spent exploring one of the Incan Ruins above Cusco with our local shaman. After a walk down from the ruins, we will enjoy another great Cusco restaurant together for dinner.

Monday, May 11 - Day 3

Again, after breakfast there will be writing class with Julie. Afterwards we will take a break and then proceed to a tour of Sacsayhuaman, the famous Incan ruins in the hills surrounding Cusco. A picnic lunch and Andean musicians are scheduled for us near the ruins. In the afternoon we will have a free time followed by dinner at a local restaurant with the group. Evening time at leisure or you may accompany one of us to group Salsa classes at the local disco.

Tuesday, May 12 - Day 4

In the morning we will have breakfast, writing class with Julie and then board our private bus in Cusco for the trip to the Sacred Valley. After arriving in the Sacred Valley we will check into our retreat center and have several options available once we arrive in Ollantaytambo. Free time enjoying the gardens at the retreat center, ruins in the town, or just wandering and visiting the shops and warm friendly people of the small town. We will enjoy an amazing organic, vegetarian dinner served at the retreat center. This is a good day to sign up for the evening soak in one of their stone mineral baths!

Wednesday, May 13 - Day 5

After breakfast Washington will pick us up and take us to the Universal Heart Restaurant in Ollantaytambo. We will help the local women prepare lunch for the local school children and, we will present these children with our gifts of school supplies that we have all brought from home. For the afternoon Julie will be conducting writing class at the retreat center. Organic, vegetarian group dinner will be provided at the hotel.

Thursday, May 14 - Day 6

After we check out of our retreat center we will board the train to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo. This scenic journey is about 1 hr and 45 minutes. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel in Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes (meaning hot water, so named for their famous hot springs) is a small town the sits at the base of the mountain where the ruins of Machu Picchu are perched. After our arrival, you will have a bit of time to get settled into the hotel and then Julie will conduct class. Afterwards feel free to wander and have a look around, shop and relax, as we will visit the ruins the following day. Group dinner will be taken at a local restaurant.

Friday, May 15 - Day 7

Machu Picchu!
After a very early breakfast we will board a bus again to visit the ruins. Today you will have some options. We will offer more touring of the ruins with our guide Washington, or hiking up to the top of Huayna Picchu. Today lunch is taken on your own and you are free to return to Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes) when you are ready, either on the bus, or enjoying the walk down. Later we will meet outside the hotel for dinner and a private night at the hot springs.

Saturday, May 16 - Day 8

In the morning we will gather after an early breakfast to catch the train back to Cusco. Upon our arrival in Cusco we will check our hotel. In the afternoon we will have time our final writing class with Julie and afterwards you are free to relax, head to the spa for a massage, do some last minute shopping, or do whatever it is your are feeling! In the early evening we will have our closing ceremony and our final dinner in an exquisite Cusco restaurant. The night may be spent heading to a salsa club, listening to local music or relaxing at the hotel.

Sunday, May 17 - Day 9 - TRAVEL HOME via LIMA!!!

Check out of hotel and take transport to Cusco airport. Flight from Cusco to Lima. Because flights back to No. America are late at night we will provide a day room for you to kick back and relax or use as a home base if you want to wander around Lima a bit before your flight. You will be responsible for your transport to the International airport in Lima for your flight home, according to your booking.