BOLIVIA JUNE 2013 SOLSTICE RETREAT

SACRED EARTH RETREATS© For the love of the Earth and building a new future BOLIVIA 2013 ‘SPIRITUAL GOLD’ EARTH JOURNEY 10-22 JUNE 2013 Tarot- The Emperor, the Hierophant The Journey This Earth Journey explores THE “SPIRITUAL GOLD” EARTH MYSTERIES OF THE ANCIENT SALT DESERTS OF UYONI, THE TIWANAKU RUINS and THE ISLAND OF THE SUN, BOLIVIA during the WINTER SOLSTICE of 2013. Background 2013 will be the year of new beginnings and a world more truly based on Love. Come and join us on a Solstice Earth Journey where you will be able to explore more of your Soul and find a greater earth connection with the Spiritual Gold energies of Bolivia. Become a spiritual miner for Gold as you learn to live and work in unison with Pachamama, our Mother Earth! blessings and love Elizabeth SACRED EARTH RETREATS© www.arthurianschool.com info@arthurianschool.com/ elizabethbardin@yahoo.co.uk Tel +27 – 028 273 8277 Cell/mob +27 - 078 371 6343 NOTE: SACRED EARTH RETREATS© is owned by ELIZABETH BARDIN who takes small specialised group retreat trips to Sacred Earth places inhabited long ago by Ancient Civilisations. On these trips you are taught how to energetically “tune into the Earth” so that you are able to find a much deeper soul connection to the Earth and gather spiritual wisdom. THE RETREAT TRIP SANTA CRUZ (BOLIVIA) We start our Earth Journey in Santa Cruz, the capital city of Bolivia. The altitude is high in Bolivia and so we rest and acclimatise for the first two days. During this time you will have some free time to explore the many interesting sites of the capital city such as museums and other attractions that make Santa Crux a unique place to visit. UYUNI SALT DESERT (BOLIVIA) – 3650 - 5000 meters above sea level After settling into Bolivia, we now make our first important visit to explore the Ancient Salt Desert of Uyoni – the largest salt flat in the world! The surroundings of Uyuni are also said to be one of most isolated areas in the world! In Uyuni we travel by 4x4 jeep through a nature reserve where we sleep 2 nights in close communion with the stars and Mother Earth. Bolivia has some of the most interesting landscapes in South America and its highest indigenous population. The wilderness and purity that is still preserved here makes for a precious opportunity to connect with Mother Earth in a totally authentic way. Pink flamingos and various other wildlife form part of this landscape that is sometimes called the “end of the world”. Salt has always been highly valued and at one time even more valuable than gold! The Egyptians paid wages in Salt and the word salary comes from this original meaning. LA PAZ (BOLIVIA) 3800-4000 meters above sea level From Uyoni we travel on to the extraordinary city of La Paz, surrounded by snow capped mountains and volcanoes and where we stay over two nights. La Paz is famous for its Witches markets, but the real gold is to be found at the ancient sacred site of Tiwanaku- approximately 70 kilometers from La Paz. Probably the most important archeological site of Bolivia, it also incorporates the legendary site of PUMA PUNKU and is the subject of many mystical theories. Some say out of space technologies were used to move massive objects such as megalithic stones weighing more than 44 tons at great distances and that some stones seem to be still hovering in the air! ISLAND OF THE SUN (BOLIVIA) 3800 meters above sea level We pay our respects to Tiwanaku and then we travel on to see some of the most scenic routes in the world - Lake Titicaca! We visit yet another incredible portal of Ancient Gold energy: the Island of the Sun. Here we catch a ferry from the small village Copacabana to stay over on the Island. From the Island there are breath taking views of the snowy peaks of CordIllera Real mountain, the small Island of the Moon, the strait of Yampupata and of course majestic lake Titicaca. Watching the sunset and sunrise over the lake from the highest point of the Island will be one of the many extraordinary highlights of the trip. We also have some free time here to soak up the energies of this very high frequency earth portal and truly relax. SOLSTICE AND END OF THE TRIP And so we return to La Paz for the very special day of WINTER SOLSTICE 2013 when we rise early to greet the Solstice sun at the Sun Temple of TIWANAKU. Like so many, many times before in times gone by, we gather to greet and pay homage to the Magnificence of the Sun! At the Sun temple WITH ITS SPECIAL ALIGNMENT TO THE SOLSTICES we also do a special meditation to honour the Sun. A culminating highlight of the trip! RETURN Some of you may also want to stay on a few more days to explore some more of neighbouring Peru, or do an Ayahuaska sacred plant medicine journey with Sacred Earth Retreats at Machu Picchu after the trip. ITINERARY *(please note some of the final detail of the itinerary may still change) 10 JUNE (Monday) START OF RETREAT & MEETING IN SANTA CRUZ Arrival and meeting of group Overnight Santa Cruz 11 JUNE (Tuesday) Breakfast *Resting after flights and acclimatising for high altitudes of Bolivia Overnight tourist bus trip to Uyuni Salt Plains 12 JUNE (Wednesday) Breakfast Arrival Uyuni Tour Uyuni Salt by jeep Lunch and dinner included Overnight Uyuni Nature Reserve 13 JUNE (Thursday) Breakfast Tour Uyuni Salt by jeep *SPECIAL EARTH CEREMONY TO CONNECT TO PACHAMAMA Lunch and dinner included Overnight Uyuni Nature Reserve 14 JUNE (Friday) Breakfast Tour Uyoni Salt by jeep Overnight tourist bus trip to La Paz 15 JUNE (Saturday) Breakfast Free day in La Paz to rest from journey Overnight La Paz 16 JUNE (Sunday) Breakfast *VISIT TO TIWANAKU & PUMA PUNKU AND SPECIAL MEDITATION CEREMONY Lunch included Overnight La Paz 17 JUNE (Monday) Breakfast Travel to Island of the Sun (3 hrs bus,1 hour ferry) Overnight Island of the Sun 18 JUNE (Tuesday) Breakfast * VISIT AND SPECIAL CEREMONY ON THE ISLAND OF THE SUN Overnight Island of the Sun 19 JUNE (Wednesday) Breakfast Free day to explore and enjoy Island of the Sun Overnight Island of the Sun 20 JUNE (Thursday) Breakfast Travelling back to La Paz Preparation for Solstice Ceremonies Overnight La Paz 21 JUNE (Friday) SUMMER SOLSTICE Breakfast * Early morning visit to TIWANAKU SUN TEMPLE TO SEE THE WINTER SOLSTICE SUNRISE and Bolivian celebrations (note: Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia, often visits the Tiwanaku on Winter Solstice to pay his respects) Lunch included Overnight La Paz 22 JUNE (Saturday) Breakfast END OF THE RETREAT (13 nights) Retreat fee: R14 700/£1335/$1830 Deposit to secure a place: R3 000/£280/$375 (fully transferable in the event of illness and other unforeseen circumstances) Please note that this will be a strenuous earth connected trip that requires both physical and mental stamina - you will experience high altitudes and also be asked to bring along only luggage that you are able to manage yourself. But it is not a back packing trip and where appropriate, you will be able to store extra luggage for purchases you make along the trip. Includes: * All accommodation (x2 sharing) at good & scenic hotels with en suite bathrooms * All breakfasts * Lunches and dinners as indicated * All transfers as per above itinerary * All transportation to sites and places as per above itinerary * Unique trip to Uyuni Salt desert and lagoons by 4x4 jeep * All entrance fees to sacred sites on retreat itinerary * Guided meditations and ceremony at sites as per itinerary * Experienced retreat leader, Elizabeth Bardin, accompanying you on the whole trip * Small group energy tuition and interaction Not included: *International return flight to Santa Cruz *Optional trips/excursions not listed on itinerary *Lunch and suppers not included in itinerary (approx $12-15 per day) *Tipping (tipping- $60 to be collected at the start of the trip) *Drinks, items of a personal nature, gifts *Travel and holiday insurance Notes BACKGROUND: BOLIVIA AND SALAR DE UYUNI Bolivia offers nature at its wildest, most diverse, harsh, solitary and surprising! It is one of the most diverse countries in the world, both in cultural and ethnic terms as well as in bio-diversity. Its inhabitants are made up of more than thirty native ethnic groups (Guarani, Ayoreo, Moxeño, Aymara, Quechua), Mestizos, Europeans, Japanese, Mennonites, Afro-Bolivians and some other minorities and SO offers a diversity of cultural expressions, dances, costumes and culinary variety. More than 16% of Bolivia's territory is classed as protected, whether as national parks, or in other categories of protected areas. Bolivia ranks sixth as the country with greatest diversity in birds, eighth in reptiles, tenth in mammals and eleventh in higher plants. Even without coastal scenery, Bolivia is blessed with a great variety of ecosystems such as tropical forests, Andean mountains, valleys, pampas, Chaco , Pantanal etc. SALAR DE UYUNI- the SALT DESERT OF UYUNI: Some 40.000 years ago, the area was part of Lake Minchin, a giant prehistoric lake. When the lake dried, it left behind two modern lakes, Poopó and Uru Uru, and two major salt deserts, Salar de Coipasa and the larger Salar de Uyuni. Salar de Uyuni is estimated to contain 10 billion tons of salt of which less than 25.000 tons is extracted annually. Salar de Uyuni is also the breeding grounds for three species of South American flamingos - Chilean, James's and Andean. La Isla del Pescado (Fish Island) located on the salt flat and full of giant cactuses is named because the ´island´ has the shape of a fish. The birds are the only sign of life for miles. Laguna Verde, Laguna Colorada and the hot springs can also be visited at Uyuni when entering the National Reserve Eduardo Avaroa. Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) is a beautiful green coloured salt lake close to the Chilean border at the foot of the Licancabur volcano. Its colour is caused by sediments, containing copper minerals. It is located approx. 4.300 meters (14.000 ft) above sea level. Laguna Colorada is a red coloured salt lake, also because of the presence of minerals. And after the last lagoon, there is a huge and great desert area with no roads or access ways. These fantastic deserts gather all the colours of various browns, reds, oranges, brass, coffee and beige which are successively shown at every curve. In the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve there are also geysers of Sol de mañana – where one is able to walk among the smoky and noisy geysers, boiling mud stewpots where red and grey mud boils like water. You will have an unforgettable trip across 12 000 km2 of fantastic salt desert landscape. Have your camera ready! The amazing white coat of the Salar de Uyuni (or Thunupa) looks like a huge glacier … SOME PRELIMINARY NOTES ON THE EARTH TRIP Please note that nothing on the scheduled programme is compulsory- it there to help and assist you to have a spiritual experience of Bolivia, but it is up to you as to how and when you want to join in. Having said that, I encourage you to do take part in as much as you can, because very often it is by taking yourself out of your comfort zone that magic happens! Please also note we often visit the sites in silence so as to have an inner experience first and find a spiritual connection with the site and energies. What is so special about the trip in 2013? The dates are given under guidance to me with the intention that the trip will be safe and happen at the most auspicious and spiritually awakening times of that year for the places we visit. Being at TIWANAKU for the winter solstice will be an unbelievably unique and exciting opportunity! We will also be visiting Bolivia in June which is the dry season so as to make sure we have the best possible opportunity to visit the Salt desert of Uyuni. The wet season is generally January to April and this may make some parts of the route impassable and the whole area is filled with water and looks like a giant mirror! Having said that, ice or strong winds in June may still oblige the tour operators to make changes to our itinerary when visiting the Uyuni area. Food Except where listed on the itinerary (4 lunches & 2 dinners), lunches and dinners are generally not included in the overall costing of the retreat. This is to keep the cost of the trip flexible and make it easy for each person individually to decide what they would like to eat and also how much they want to spend on food. You have the choice and you will be given ample suggestions as to where to find good local food on our visit. Most of the food in Bolivia is fresh and grown locally with fantastic salads and grain products. There are a range of types of food available (from fast food to traditional) and also in terms of budget. Budget on about $12-20 as an average cost per day for meals and eating out. What is the accommodation like? SACRED EARTH RETREATS are planned to make it affordable to most people on a reasonable budget (without having to do camping or backpacking!), the rooms are fairly simple, clean and enjoyable and in tune with the general rural atmosphere of Bolivia. The accommodation is chosen for location, has an interesting and scenic aspect to it, has en suite bathrooms and also hot water- not a given always! Be prepared to have your standard needs met, but nothing over-luxurious. The accommodation on our journey to the salt lakes will be interesting! Overnight we will be staying, where appropriate, in hotels made entirely of pure salt, stone and also alone in the desert. Mostly there is hot water and heating, although not 24 hours a day. At night the gas heating will be switched off. How do we travel? We travel as a group together in comfortable buses and taxis, and in the salt desert we travel with a 4x4 jeep. Please bring adequate clothing for longer journeys when you may get cold at the higher altitudes in the bus. A good sense of humour is also a plus when you are travelling in South America! Flights PLEASE SPEAK TO ME IF YOU NEED ANY HELP WITH THE BOOKING OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TICKETS. I WILL BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH SOME USEFUL SUGGESTIONS. Entrance fees All entrance tickets are included in the price of the trip. What do I need to know about weather? When packing it is best to bring layers that you can put on and take off. You will be given more information about what to pack etc closer to the trip. Our trip in June is a good time to go to Bolivia- the rainy season is over and the evenings are not that cold yet as it is in August of the year when it is mid winter. The Lake Titicaca area and Bolivia is very high and will get freezing at night. Yet the Sun is very strong during the day at such high altitude and you will need to wear a hat and sunblock. Do I have to worry about altitude sickness? It is a very important aspect to think about and to do some preparation before the trip. If you have a history of strokes or very high blood pressure you will not be able to take the high altitude pills if you are in fact not able to cope with the altitude when you are in Bolivia. There are certain simple procedures that can be followed to help you adjust and if you have particular concerns, it may even be advisable for you to arrive a day or two before the retreat starts, to make sure that you are rested. The highest altitude you will be at is La Paz and the Salt Desert of Uyuni. Altitude sickness is unpredictable and although it will be good for you to become fit and trim before the trip, it does not necessarily mean you will not be affected. Often it affects younger persons more than if you are older and not so fit! There are some herbal remedies available and it may also be an idea to consult a homeopath before you go on the trip. On some level the altitude is symbolic of ascending also in your body and so at the end of the trip you will find that not only are you emotionally and mentally a lot sharper, your body will also be more efficient because it has learnt to use oxygen more efficiently. In all the years that I have taken groups to Bolivia and Peru I have not had anyone who has had life threatening/serious complications, although often I have made sure that people stay in bed and just sleep because of the first symptoms they have of altitude sickness! It is always the best idea to deal with any symptoms sooner than later, because it takes the body so much longer to recover once the symptoms have set in. Also, many people complain about having stomach upsets in Bolivia because of the altitude and also different conditions with water. It is recommended that you only drink bottled water and there are other measures that you can take to make sure you get over any complaint quickly. Very often it is a way for the body to detox from old emotions, so it need not ruin your trip and also when you are with a group you have the comfort of knowing that you are supported and that if you need any medical attention is easy to find for you. Consider medical insurance that covers all kinds of eventualities. Malaria and yellow fever, visas There is not any malaria where we visit- it is applicable if you visit the areas near the Amazon, but if you are South African you will need to show a yellow fever injection certificate on your return to South Africa. Visas: please check your own requirements on the internet, or with a travel agent, if necessary. An entrance visa is given to South Africans when you enter Bolivia and costs in the region of $100. Sacred ethics We are always conscious of planning Sacred Earth Retreat trips in as eco-friendly way as possible. We travel in small groups, adhere to "Leave no trace" ethics and try to, where possible, seek out excursions where the local and indigenous people get involved. Each trip we take is an opportunity to make a difference. Be respectful of Mother Earth: If possible walk only on designated trails to prevent vegetation damage and erosion. Remember you are travelling through the animals' backyard - observe all wildlife from a distance and please do not feed any animal. Try not to leave any traces of your visit. Take only photographs, leave only your sacred footprints and bring home only memories. Please do not be tempted to collect living or dead items or historically significant souvenirs. Help endangered species - do not buy products that exploit wildlife, cause habitat destruction, or come from endangered species. Do not dump garbage of any kind. If you bring it, take it back with you. If you find garbage others have missed or dropped by accident, pick it up. When hiking do not bury toilet paper, as animals will often dig it up and spread it all over. Take back with you all plastic or cotton feminine hygiene products. Try not to use commercial soap or shampoo; even biodegradable ones are said to have an impact on the environment. Be considerate of other visitors. Uphill hikers have right of way. Respect Cultural Differences: Local customs and traditions are often different to our own; take time to learn what behaviours are acceptable and what is not. Ask permission before taking photographs of local people – use it as an opportunity to have contact with the local people and make friends. Taking the time to learn a few words and phrases in Spanish is always appreciated and is a great introduction to starting an interaction with local people. With love Contact details: ELIZABETH BARDIN info@arthurianschool.com/ elizabethbardin@yahoo.co.uk telephone +27 - (0)28 273 8277 cell/mobile +27 - (0)78 371 6343