
PAGES OF PERU:
A Creative Journey of Culture, Connection & Visual Storytelling
Sacred Valley, Peru
May 14 - 22, 2027
If you’re a creative being who’s tired of squeezing your art into the leftover corners of your life, join us in Peru for a visual journaling retreat where you’ll slow down enough to truly experience the Sacred Valley, capture its beauty and emotion as it’s happening, and return home with a one-of-a-kind journal filled with the art, stories, friendships, and moments that made the journey unforgettable.

Imagine . . .
As the sun sets over the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you find yourself wrapped in a colorful Peruvian poncho, gathered around a crackling campfire with newfound friends who already feel strangely familiar. The air is cool and crisp, carrying the delicious aroma of dinner from the gourmet kitchen nearby. The heat of the fire warms your face and laughter tickles your ears as you sink into the simple joy of being fully present with friends— no rushing, no responsibilities, no endless notifications pulling at your attention.
Above you, the sky transforms into a canvas of amber and rose hues, gradually giving way to the twinkling constellations of the southern hemisphere. Perched high in the mountains of Maras, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Andes, you can almost feel the quiet presence of Pachamama in the sacred stillness of the land — each mountain holding its own ancient spirit, stories, and whispers on the wind. Everything feels expansive, magical, and wonderfully far away from everyday life.


Over the past couple days, you’ve wandered through ancient ruins, stood in awe at Machu Picchu, explored the world-renowned Maras salt mines, and shrieked with glee while feeding llamas and alpacas. Between adventures, you’ve slowed down long enough to sketch little moments in your art journal — capturing not just what you’ve seen, but how it all felt.
Now, sitting beside the fire with your passionfruit pisco sour, there’s a deep sense of contentment in knowing you fully lived these moments instead of rushing past them. Your heart feels full — from the beauty, the creativity, the shared stories, and the feeling of truly belonging. In this moment, surrounded by kindred spirits in one of the most breathtaking places on earth, life feels lighter, richer, and wonderfully alive.


So tell me,
do you dream about...
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Stepping out of your routine and exploring somewhere new and beautiful?
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Forming deep, genuine connections with people who truly “get” you?
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Reconnecting with your creativity and feeling inspired by your subject matter again?
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Traveling in a way that helps you feel deeply connected to culture, people, and experiences?
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Finally giving yourself permission to prioritize your own happiness & wellbeing?
What if travel could feel both adventurous and deeply supportive — where every detail is thoughtfully planned so you can simply relax, be present, and fully enjoy the journey?
During this transformational journey,
through authentic & immersive cultural experiences, shared adventures, creative exploration, and unhurried time together you will:
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Break from your routine and feel more present and energized so that you can live life to the fullest.
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Feel seen and accepted by like-minded creatives, so you can return home with friendships that nourish both your artistry and your heart.
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Form meaningful relationships so you can experience true belonging.
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Develop a personal connection to breathtaking landscapes and vibrant townscapes so that you can return home with fresh inspiration and a revived creative spark.
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Feel immersed, connected, and fully present so you can enjoy meaningful travel without the stress of planning it yourself.
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Release the constant pressure of planning and caretaking so you can finally experience putting yourself first without guilt.

The Experience

A Creative Approach to Travel
This is more than a tour—it’s a creative experience.
Travel with a small group of like-minded artists and enjoy daily opportunities to sketch and paint in extraordinary locations. With guidance from an experienced artist, you’ll deepen your skills while fully experiencing Peru’s culture and landscapes.
Highlights include:
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Daily plein air sketching sessions in stunning locations
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Live demonstrations and guided instruction
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Personalized feedback and optional group critiques
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Cultural exploration of Peru’s most iconic sites
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Relaxed pace with time to create and reflect
Location - The Sacred Valley of the Incas
Tucked into the Peruvian Andes, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is a stretch of magical little villages, ancient ruins and terraced farmland along the Urubamba River. Once the fertile and spiritual base of the Incan Empire, the region is dripping with ruins, natural wonders and living breathing indigenous cultures. Today, this blend of the ancient and the modern is as striking as the valley’s natural beauty.


Where You'll Stay
We will be staying in the heart of the Sacred Valley in the quaint town of Calca. Conveniently located near Cusco and many of the sites we will be visiting, our home for a week is a luxurious villa with cozy, modern living spaces and plenty of outdoor space to take in the scenery. Enjoy being surrounded by mountains and be amazed by the majestic Pitusiray standing over 16,000 feet altitude.
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Premium rooms and shared gathering areas
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Scenic surroundings ideal for painting
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Delicious meals and warm hospitality
Your Art Experience
This journey is designed to help you slow down, observe more deeply, and translate your experiences into a personal visual record through art journaling and plein air practice.
Rather than focusing on finished paintings, you’ll learn how to capture the essence of a place—quickly, intuitively, and meaningfully—combining sketching, color, notes, and impression.
For beginning artists, art journaling offers a welcoming and pressure-free way to grow:
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Build confidence sketching on location
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Let go of perfection and enjoy the process
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Learn to see shapes, light, and color more clearly
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Create pages that feel personal and expressive from day one
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For more experienced artists, it becomes a powerful tool for expansion:
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Loosen up and work more intuitively
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Experiment with new approaches, materials, and compositions
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Capture ideas and inspiration for future studio work
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Develop a deeper, more personal connection to your subject matter

What You’ll Explore
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Sketching and painting on location with confidence
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Simplifying complex scenes into strong compositions
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Capturing changing light and atmosphere
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Using color to express mood and place
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Combining image and written notes into a cohesive visual journal
Trip Format
Each day offers a balance of guidance and personal creative time:
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On-location plein air and journaling sessions
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Artist demonstrations in inspiring settings
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Gentle, personalized coaching throughout
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Optional group sharing or informal critiques
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There’s no pressure to produce “perfect” work—only the opportunity to observe more deeply, create more freely, and come away with a journal that tells the story of your journey in your own unique way.
Meet Jeanne Hougen
Jeanne Hougen is a Colorado-based oil painter and teacher whose work is rooted in a deep sensitivity to the visual language of shape, pattern, color, value, and texture. Raised in the mountains with a painter father, she developed an early fascination with what she describes as the “visual dance” of the natural world—a rhythm she now translates onto canvas with both intuition and skill. Since fully dedicating herself to painting in 2006, Jeanne has refined her craft through study with nationally recognized artists and, most importantly, through countless hours painting outdoors. Her plein air practice keeps her closely attuned to the ever-changing light and energy of the landscapes she loves.
Jeanne began teaching in 2012 and quickly discovered that sharing the creative process is as meaningful to her as painting itself. Her workshops—increasingly offered in inspiring locations around the world—invite students to slow down, observe deeply, and reconnect with their own creative instincts. With numerous awards from plein air festivals and juried exhibitions across the West, Jeanne brings both experience and warmth to her teaching. At RasVida, she guides artists of all levels in an immersive exploration of place, perception, and personal expression through paint.
Who This Trip is For
This experience is ideal for:
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Artists of all levels (including adventurous beginners)
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Travelers who want more than sightseeing
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Those drawn to the magic of intimate, immersive travel with a small group of like-minded creatives
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You’ll enjoy this trip if you:
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Are curious and open to learning
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Want dedicated time to sketch and paint
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Appreciate culture, history, and natural beauty
Please note: Participants should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain and traveling at moderate altitude.


What's Included?
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8 nights of luxury villa accommodations (option to add 1 nights)
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Most meals
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Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley sites
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Airport transfer from Cusco Airport (CUZ) to our property in Calca on arrival day
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Transportation to Sites
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Tours and Activities: **itinerary subject to change
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Machu Picchu
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Pisac Archeological site
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Moray Archeological site
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Maras Salt Mines
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Kayak/SUP/Canoe on Lake Piuray
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Traditional Pachamanca lunch
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Kinsa Cocha
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Ceramics class
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Ollantaytambo
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Sacsayhuaman & Koricancha
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Local guides
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Daily art instruction and/or demonstration with Jeanne
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Plein air art journaling time & in-house classes/workshops
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Scenic train ride to and from Machu Picchu
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Traditional Andean ceremonies
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Gratuities to guides, chefs, and house staff
Not Included
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Flights to Cusco, Peru
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Travel Insurance is not included but highly recommended
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Art supplies - minimal supplies will be needed & we will provide a list of suggested items
Frequently asked questions
AN ART JOURNALING JOURNEY IN THE ANDES
Capture more than just photos—learn to art journal your tour through Peru.
Join us for an immersive creative adventure where you’ll sketch, paint, and record the feeling of each place we visit—from the vibrant Quechuan markets to the breathtaking landscapes of the Sacred Valley and the wonder of Machu Picchu.
With guidance from a professional artist, you’ll build a personal visual journal that preserves not just what you saw—but how it felt to be there.











































