MACHU PICCHU PERU SACRED EARTH RETREATS 2009

SACRED EARTH JOURNEYS AND RETREATS OF THE ARTHURIAN SCHOOL
PRINGLE BAY
For the love of the Earth – Helping you, helping the Earth
PERU
2009 The year of Celebration

2-12 APRIL 2009 (THE STAR)

13-23 AUGUST 2009 (THE PRIESTESS)

There is much to see and do in the incredibly diverse land of Peru.Whether it is to open your heart and unknown senses to the mystical wonders of Peru; or to explore its rich cultural heritages; to delight in its colourful and captivating craft and art markets; or to become more attuned to its people with their nature based life style - Peru has something to give to everyone.

Peru vibrates deep within the Soul, and irrespective of how you describe that in words, it is a place where you can experience an adventure that is an incredible privilege and unforgettable gift from the Earth.

The Earth in the Sacred Valley of the Andes Mountains with the great Urubamba River is filled with a quality that can only be described as paradise. Nowhere on Earth is there such a feeling of incredible Love that has not yet been disturbed by the turmoil of humanity with its pettiness, hate, greed and insatiable hunger.

When the Spanish invasion ruptured Peru, one place was saved by the Earth herself: Machu Picchu – completely covered and shielded by the jungle- it remained safe and unknown to the warring conquistadors.

Going to Peru is quite an unique experience- it is an inner and outer journey with many wonderful colours. No money can ever reflect the value you give to yourself when making this journey. It is something that will change you and your life forever. And you will awaken an even deeper connection to the Earth - touched by something that is beyond description: the ancient heritage of a place on this Earth that was loved beyond measure.

I sincerely hope that you will be able to join me on one of the two retreats to Peru planned for 2009!

Visiting Peru with the Arthurian School is guaranteed to help you open your heart, and lead you to the Authentic Spiritual, Traditional, Cultural and Mystical wonders of the Peruvian Andes.

I look forward to being with you.
Elizabeth Bardin
THE ARTHURIAN SCHOOL
PRINGLE BAY
www.arthurianschool.com

Come with us...Explore the World. Explore your Self. Love and respect the Earth.

ITINERARY
Please note: The journeys have both been chosen because of the positions of te moon and the planets during those times to make them the most powerful and auspicious journeys for you to experience in Peru during 2009.

MAGICAL JOURNEY TO MACHU PICCHU
Ten-night programThe Arthurian School invites you to step out of yourself and enter a mystical journey to the ancient land of Peru. Each day after a relaxed buffet breakfast, you will visit a different ancient Inca site in the Sacred Valley. You will be invited to experience the ancient qualities of these sites (sometimes in silence) and time will also be set aside for your own personal exploration of the site and some hiking. In addition, you will be able to stay in rural Peruvians villages and observe the unique cultures of the local people of the Sacred Valley who still live very much in a traditional way with their colourful crafts and markets.

You will not have to worry about any logistics or the stress of being left to do much of the exploring and decisions of what you should see on your own. Instead you can simply relax, enjoy and use the time available to the fullest. Each hotel and hostel where we stay is, wherever possible, chosen for its special location, simplicity and atmosphere and is recommended for its ample hot water and cleanliness- not always a given in Peru! The Arthurian School has been leading Sacred Earth journeys to Peru for the last two years and believes that there is no other program like this at present being offered in terms of uniqueness, quality, diversity and value for money. Moreover, no other itinerary provides such a specialised hands on trip where you can have a non- commercialised tourist experience, but still have the benefits of being with an organised and stress free structured program itinerary.

It also offers an ideal opportunity to spend a sufficient period of time at the area of Machu Picchu and its beautiful environment in the cloud forest. Although doing the Inca Trail can be very rewarding, it is only accommodates camping and is relatively physically demanding with camps shared by many other participants on the trail. Usually only a few hours are reserved after the trail to spend at Machu Picchu which really should be the highlight of the trip! You also miss out on staying in some of the most interesting villages on the way to Machu Picchu.And so the trip is structured to offer the best of both worlds: an opportunity to visit places where the descendents of the Inca still live in rural villages and also some proper time to really get in touch with the ancient heritage of the Machu Picchu area. And you will still have the opportunity to do some magnificent hiking in the area. It is in our experience one of the most flexible journeys available at this time, taking into account the needs of each individual group and also each person – participants are given freedom to experience the journey in whatever way suits them best - all that is required is a genuine love and respect for the Earth!

Elizabeth who leads the progam is an experienced travel facilitator and has worked with sacred earth sites for over 8 years. Every participant to these journeys has remained enthusiastic and genuinely thrilled with the unique opportunity of experiencing Peru in this way. Please contact the School if you would like to have more feedback from recent journeys that took place in February, July and October 2008.

The School guarantees that in this program there is something for everyone.

You will be inspired by:- Places of serenity, peace and exquisite beauty- Authentic earth site meditations and healing ceremonies (optional)- Magnificent Andean peaks and Sacred Valley scenery- Mysterious ancient cities and temples including Machu Picchu- Vibrant and colourful markets and Quechua people in their rural villages- Andean culture and cosmology.- Hiking at ancient sites- Massages and healing hot water baths (optional)- Interesting museums and other places of interest

Day One (Wednesday)Departure from home country for Cusco City via Lima. Cusco is only a short flight over the mountains from Lima, the Peruvian capital situated on the Pacific coast.

Day Two (Thursday)The program begins in Cusco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Arthurian School will meet you in the morning at the airport in Cusco and take you to a comfortable hotel conveniently situated near the historic Plaza de Armas. Rest for a few hours and acclimatise to the 11,000 ft altitude before the program officially begins. At 1pm The Arthurian School invites you to a welcome lunch, followed by a group orientation meeting and introduction to this special program. Afternoon walking tour through the cobblestone streets of Cusco to see fascinating Inca stonework en route to the Plaza De Armas, the Cathedral and Koricancha Museum, the holiest site during Inca times. Explore the remarkable technological wonders of this remarkable culture. Supper at recommended restaurant café and early night to rest, or enjoy a walk through the San Blas artists’ district, a quaint area filled with artisan and art shops, or stop in at one of the lively restaurants or coffee shops. (Lunch included)

Day Three (Friday)After a buffet breakfast in the hotel, early bus to the sacred site at Saksaywaman overlooking the city of Cusco. Impressive stonework and structures weighing hundreds of tons will leave you in awe. How did the ancestors build those structures without the use of the wheel and steel implements? Here we do a simple ceremony to honour and tap into the sacred energies of Pachamama (Mother Earth). Return to Cusco for lunch on your own and to do some further sightseeing and exploring of the museums or shops around the main square. Or if you still feel affected by the altitude, you may just wish to relax in one of the many cafes that line the streets of this fascinating Inca Captial. Group meets back at the hotel for late afternoon departure to the market town Pisaq in the Sacred Valley. We leave Cusco and travel over the mountains down into the Urubamba Valley. Orientation at hostel in Pisaq and dinner at recommended restaurant. (Breakfast included)

Day Four (Saturday)After a buffet breakfast at the hostel, we visit the ruins overlooking Pisaq with impressive Inca terraces. After Machu Picchu these ruins are rated to be the most spectacular. You have the option to walk up about 2000 ft from the village to the ruins in the mountains above, or catch a taxi to the main ruins. We return in the afternoon for a rest and some free time to explore the village of Pisaq. After an early supper at a recommended restaurant you are invited to join in a traditional Quero meditation with the four elements guided by Diane Dunn who has lived in Peru for many years. (Breakfast included)

Day Five (Sunday)After a relaxed buffet breakfast at the hostel, we have a very special opportunity to see and experience the traditional Sunday market of Pisaq. Known as the most authentic and colourful of all the Inca markets in the Sacred Valley, you will be able to see the traditionally-dressed mountain people coming to barter and sell their produce cultivated in the high mountains. Be prepared- this market offers the best opportunity to buy woven goods, jewellery, colourful wall hangings and hand-painted beadwork and also wonderful photographic opportunities! Watch the lively activities of the market and also take time to explore the countryside hiking, or simply being in nature. Others may wish to use the time to rest or write in their travel journals. Dinner at recommended restaurant. (Breakfast included)

Day Six (Monday)One of the highlights of the trip. Special day with visit to Moray terraces and Salineras. After breakfast, your day will begin with a visit to the mysterious concentric terraces found near the small village of Moray. The Incas were well known for their effective government, the impressive architecture and, especially, their agricultural skills. Even today, the terraces used by the Incas can still be seen everywhere in Peru and experiments have shown that using the ancient agricultural techniques can be more effective than modern day agriculture. Apart from the peculiar shape of the terraces at Moray, another major sight is the beautiful landscape: the Earth has a special ochre tone here and the Andes provide a glorious view and backdrop for the fields. The theory most often heard is that the three circles at Moray were used as a sort of agricultural laboratory by the Incas, but there are also other explanations such as religious use. It definitely has a mystical quality, especially late afternoon, when shadows begin to fill the amphitheatre- like terraces. Few people make it here as it is not part of the normal tour programs and it is therefore a fantastic place to visit. Interesting flora.Optional short trip to Salineras, 500 year old salt pans built by the Incas to gather salt. Hot water flows out of a spring in the side of the mountain and the mineral rich water is diverted through miles of little channels and to hundreds of pans created on the mountainside for evaporation. These pans are still used today to create salt licks for cows.Return to hostel in Pisaq and after dinner, early night in preparation for journey the next day (Breakfast included).

Day Seven (Tuesday)Early start after breakfast with a drive through the Sacred Valley to the picturesque village of Ollantaytambo. After settling in at our hostal, we have an opportunity to visit its ruins with wonderful stonework and sun temple. Preparation for Machu Picchu and time to relax or explore the village and its markets. Traditional menu dinner at well known Hearts Café. (Breakfast included)

Day Eight (Wednesday)Spectacular train ride through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, the lively village situated below the nearby Machu Picchu ruins. Along the way there are stunning views of snow-capped Veronica peak (5860m) and the beautiful cloud forest full of orchids, ferns flowers and hanging moss. The scenery on the way will blow you away! After check into your hostal, you have the day free to wander through the colourful town of Aguas Calientes, visit the shaman shops and general market for gifts, clothes and crystals and to have lunch along the river. Soak up the energies of the cloud forest and the mighty Urubamba river before an early dinner and retiring for the night so as to prepare for an early start the next day to visit Machu Picchu! (Breakfast included)

Day Nine (Thursday)Rising at 4.30 am, we catch the first bus to Machu Picchu to see the early morning sunrise, or if you feel energetic and would like to walk up to the ruins it will take you approximately two and half hours. We arrive at sunrise at Inti Punku, the Gateway of the Sun, where through a rectangular doorway we experience a panoramic view of Machu Picchu. After taking a short path down, it is time for us to explore and discover the real secrets of the Incas and pre- Incas. Known as the historical Inca centre of spiritual and political power, you are invited to take part in sacred ceremony honouring the Earth. Later on in the morning there is time to do your own exploration of the ancient site as a pilgrim. You will also be assisted in deciding which areas you might wish to further explore or hike.Meet back at the hostal at 6pm. Weather permitting, the group is invited to participate in an outdoor Earth healing ceremony with the Full Moon. After the ceremony, we have a celebratory delicious dinner in one of the finest restaurants in Aguas Calientes. (Breakfast included)

Day Ten (Friday)A day of mindfulness. After Machu Picchu, participants are welcome to unwind and integrate their experiences. Massages are available to pamper the body and you are invited to join in a morning visit to the thermal hot springs of Aguas Calientes. The energetic and those not afraid of heights who want to climb Huayna Picchu, Young Mountain, that overlook the site and has a spectacular view of Machu Picchu, may leave on the 5.30 am bus (have ready approx $40 to re-enter the ruins and $12 for a return bus trip). The climb to the top takes up to two hours and care must be taken, especially if the steps are wet. Others can at their option take a hike to a nearby waterfall, or visit the local Machu Picchu museum (entrance approx. $15). Dinner at recommended restaurant (Breakfast included)

Day Eleven (Saturday)After breakfast, train journey back from Machu Picchu and then on to Cusco where we spend overnight. Farewell dinner celebration at Sams Café in Cusco. (Breakfast and Dinner included)

Day Twelve (Sunday)Program begins and ends in Cusco on Sunday morning with breakfast included.

Further alternatives after close of Sacred Earth Journey and Retreat on Sunday morning:

1. Early morning return flight from Cusco to Lima airport and connecting flight home. If you are planning to depart Lima today (Sunday), we suggest that you do not book to depart until at least after 2 pm (14h00 hrs). With some exceptions, most overseas flights out of Lima tend to leave in the evening.
2. Return flight from Cusco to Lima and stay in Lima for 2 days to explore its many interesting Gold and Archeological museums and then to take flight back to home country. (The School can recommend hotel to stay and day tours)
3. Two more days in Cusco to explore on your own and catch flight back to home country via Lima. (The School can make some recommendations).
4. Ayahuaska ceremony in the Sacred Valley (ask School for more information on this sacred healing plant ceremony)
5. Amazon 3 day excursion (ask School for more information- cost approx. $330 for return flight Lima- Puerto Maldonado and approx $400 for excursion)

The order within the above itinerary may vary slightly to suit the needs of the group and is subject to change in extraordinary circumstances and when so guided. The weather in the Andes is unpredictable and may cause delays or cancellation of flights or activities. Changes in flights and train schedule are common in Peru. The School has only had slight adjustments to its activities due to local rail strikes and some minor weather conditions. However, it cannot be held responsible for any unforeseen events in Peru or elsewhere that may disrupt this program. It strongly suggests that all participants take out travel/health insurance to protect your travel investment.

PRICE:$1 040 inclusive (R10400 approx depending on rate of exchange at time of payment)

add internal flight to/from Cusco (approx) $300 return

add international flight to/from Lima

Cost includes all programs and meals as indicated in this itinerary. All Peruvian quality accommodation, transport (taxi, bus, train), entrance tickets to sites, guided tours, meditations and ceremonies.

Not included:International return flights to Cusco via Lima (international flight to/from Lima and then short internal flight to/from Cusco)Airport departure taxes- each participant must keep aside a total of approx. $42 ($30 for one international departure from Lima and $6 each for two domestic departures to and from Cusco). Please note these are not included in your booked air tickets.Individual airport transfers in Lima (if necessary)Second day entrance/bus ticket into Machu Picchu to climb Huayna Picchu (approx $56)Please allow for between $5 - $15 for lunches and dinners not included in the itinerary (note: because of the different requirements of participants in regard to meals, in the School’s experience it works out cheapest to leave each participant free to chose their own lunch and dinner menus according to individual tastes and budget and not to include in overall price).Individual tipping- tipping is entirely up to the group’s discretion. A voluntary collection for a tipping kitty will be held at the beginning of the program, leaving you free to relax and enjoy the program.Souvenir shopping

Flights
Please co-ordinate your flight times with the School.Air Malaysia offers a convenient flight from Cape Town to Buenos Aires and then there are flights with LAN PERU or TACA airlines to Lima, the capital of Peru. It is often cheaper to book these flights separately on the internet. The Air Malaysia flight leaves Cape Town mid morning and arrives in Buenos Aires at about 3.30pm Argentinian time (about a 4 hour flight but gaining time) and the connecting flight to Lima is another 4/5 hours arriving in Lima late evening. So usually necessary to sleep over in Lima before catching an early morning flight to Cusco- unless you are happy to stay in the airport overnight!

If you are travelling from the Middle East, Europe or the UK, you may fly via Madrid or New York depending on your preference and best pricing.There are many internal morning flights of LAN PERU or TACA between Lima and Cusco, but it is a popular route and so booking is recommended. The flight from Lima to Cusco can be relatively expensive if booked on the internet (normally it should be in the region of $150 each way and if you are unable to find this as a reasonable price, the School can assist you to make these reservations via a local Peruvian travel agent who will charge a small commission).

Additional informationPlease check the requirements of your country for visas. No visas are required for Peru if you hold a South African passport, but you do need a yellow fever injection certificate to show on your return to South Africa (easy to have and painless!). There is no malaria in the cloud forest of Machu Picchu but if you plan to also do a trip to the Amazon it is recommended that you take homeopathic malaria tablets.Additional detailed tour information, including suggested packing and reading lists will be made available to you on registration.

The School also invites you to help the children of Peru by bringing any books in Spanish that relate to their nature-based life style, quality art and school supplies and second hand clothing for children.All costs are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change.We require a 20% non-refundable deposit to secure all reservations with full payment due 30 days prior to departure. Please note that the group is kept relatively small and so early booking is recommended to reserve a place in this special program. There are discounts available for block bookings of 2 people or more.

It is the School’s commitment to do its very best to make this a journey of a lifetime!

APPENDIX
Ayahuaska Sacred Ceremony Option“I sat on my mat and waited for the unknown, consciously relaxing my senses and releasing my physical tension. Soon the jungle noises rang in my ears like wind chimes, tinkling bells. In my mind’s eye, flecks of colour and shapes danced to this strange music I was hearing. My hands began to tingle and my head to spin. I took a deep breath and reminded myself to surrender and trust. Immediately an inner dialogue started that lasted for the duration of my amazing journey.The voices I heard were my own levels of consciousness as well as wisdom guides, messengers, and loudest of all, God Herself. All were communicating with me, simultaneously. I was disoriented in my body and all my senses, yet capable of discerning and understanding all the messages at once. Nothing was normal. Many voices were talking me through what was happening, so I wouldn’t be afraid. I didn’t like being physically out of control, but the voices were so reassuring that I moved beyond fear like falling from a shooting star, and fell right into the loving arms of God. I heard her voice so clearly and felt her presence so close as to be connected, with nothing separating us. Then I felt nauseous…..The effects of the Ayahuasca were becoming milder. My senses were feeling more familiar. I knew that normalcy would return soon. The voices were quieting down. But I was also losing that crystal clear connection with God. She was still with me but the veil between us was becoming more opaque.All the inner knowing I possessed in my place of origin was slipping away from me.In its place was a profound love. Love so deep and wide, I simply floated in it. I felt so grateful. I felt grateful for love and life itself. I felt grateful for the insights I had been given, the visions I’d seen and for the indelible connections I’d made. I felt grateful for moving beyond fear and trusting in the amazing possibilities that lie on the other side of it.‘Know that if you choose this, everything else in your life will change.’And it did.

”Extract from Diane Dunn in her book ‘CUSCO The Gateway to Inner Wisdom’ © 2006

The SHAMANS of South America and Peru
South America and more particularly Peru is a place for shamanistic experiences. There the tradition has never really disappeared and so it is a place of great and many opportunities to work with the other worlds and dimensions.On my last visit to Peru in October, I had the joy of meeting up with Diane Dunn (the writer of the above extract) and also reading parts of her book. She is an American living in Peru having started a spiritual centre in a beautiful area of the Sacred Valley of Machu Picchu called Pisaq. Interestingly enough she also spent some time in South Africa during the early nineties when she worked for a charity.When I read her book, I was very much struck by her account of taking a sacred medicine plant of the jungle in Peru, called the Ayahuaska.And after my return to South Africa further synchronicities happened leading me to take part in one such ceremony - much to my own surprise! I had always known about the plant, but never felt drawn to it. I now know that this was mainly because of my deep seated fears of losing control and my body not being of a sufficiently high enough vibration for it to be a positive experience.But when I asked for my higher guidance this time, the answer was clear- to trust my intuition and follow the synchronicities that had lead me so far.And so it was with some trepidation that I sat in a circle readying myself for probably what has been one of the most profound experiences in my life.I feel that Diane’s account above really does justice to what happened to me- I had a very similar experience and it felt that all my psychic senses had opened up simultaneously. It was quite incredible, because I was like an observer, conscious seeing how I was operating in the world of matter.What I also feel was unique about it, was that unlike any meditation or spiritual experience I had ever had, this was ALSO happening in my physical body and so it integrated something in a way that I had never happen before.The incredible feeling of freedom and release from fear held in my body was quite amazing and it literally felt as if I had been cast into gold after going through the cleansing of a sacred fire.The essence of the plant is in my experience to balance whatever is in the body that is out of balance with my soul. And so I felt a lot of discomfort in the areas of my body where I am aware I still hold blocks. And the wonderful thing was that afterwards it felt that I had actually conquered them by allowing the medicine plant to assist me with its energies.

Many call the Ayahuaska a death experience and I can really relate to that. It is as if I was able to shed a skin and experience a death of that part of myself that was so held in fear that it needed to be shed and die.When you google the word Ayahuaska you will find so many accounts of negative experiences. I consciously chose not to go into the experience with preconceived fear, but to know that if I set a positive intention and consciously choose to use it as a healing experience I would not resist the healing magic of the plant and so ensure that I have the most beneficial experience.I also knew that the particular shaman that did the ceremony was holding so much of the potential of the experience and as I could see how he was working with the sacred energies of the plant, I was assured that he was working from the heart and that I could totally trust the experience.What I also know is that the experience has changed me and my life completely for the better.

And so I have been guided to for the first time offer also the option of an ayahuaska ceremony as part of an extension to the journey. This will be totally at your discretion, but being able to experience this in the land of the plant’s origin will make it truly an unforgettable and amazing experience.Visiting Sacred Sites, Beautiful Lands and Mystical PlacesFor Spiritual Evolution with the Earth and Greater Self-Awareness

UNDERLYING THOUGHT FOR SACRED EARTH RETREATS:When you work from love in your heart, other forms of consciousness will open to you. For example, the nature spirit kingdoms or the Earth Mother herself. You cannot force the doors to other kingdoms, they will only open to you when the love in your heart is developed to a degree whereby those forms of consciousness feel safe to open in your presence, and when they know that you have developed to a point in your own evolution where you will not misuse the information given. If you can open yourself to a point where the light of heaven and earth can be seen in your heart, then all forms of consciousness can see the love within you and will open to you if it is appropriate to communicate.