About

Colibrí Journeys takes you to the Sacred Valley, in the heart of the Andes, where you can experience the beauty, generosity and vibrant abundance of Peruvian culture. A blend of adventure, education, cultural immersion and exchange allows you to explore, share and connect with this rich and humbling place. We will traverse a wide variety of landscapes, from the snow capped peaks of the Andes, thru the rolling altiplano, down the lush Urubamba Valley to the misty mountainous jungle of Machu Picchu.

Regular Spanish classes, volunteer projects, and visits to local families and schools give you unique opportunities to connect directly with the sweetness of the Andean people and give back with your own hands. Botanical gardens, nurseries and plant walks teach us about the natural dyes and medicines of the Andes, fruitful fields of the valley, and the potent diversity of the rainforest. We will learn directly from local experts, professional guides and museums about the rich spirit and deep traditions of the indigenous people who have sustained their culture for millenia.
Art markets, incredible food, ancient ceremony, Inca temples, traditional music and dance will fill our days with the color, joy and mystery of this most precious place on earth.

This is an incredible 16 day experience that will open your heart and nourish your spirit. It is designed to be family-friendly: children, couples, and individuals of all ages are welcome to join. You will be well taken care of and learn how to travel, connect and give back in a healthy, culturally immersive and sensitive way.

Your Guide: Laurie Adams

YOUR GUIDE, Laurie Adams, was born in North Carolina, and discovered her passion for the Spanish language, Hispanic culture, and lush foreign lands at a young age. She has been traveling thru Latin America since 2001, including living on and off for several years in Pisaq, Peru. She has been teaching both the Spanish and English languages in hands-on, interactive classes for 13 years. She has a personal connection with the landscape and the open-hearted communities of the Sacred Valley, and these relationships are extended to embrace those who are lucky enough to travel with her.

   Laurie travels the world in a culturally sensitive, yet immersive and integrated way, prioritizing humble relationships with the sacred land and endearing local families. Her years of travel and residence in Latin America have imbued her with knowledge of the local customs, languages and history, and a wisdom of how to move with them in a graceful, respectful, and healthy way. She loves to play with the children, sketch the sunset, and explore the culinary and medicinal properties of the local plants in each place she has the honor of visiting.

In the midst of a two-year wander through Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, Laurie began hosting her friends and family who came to get a taste of the adventure. It was then she realized how much she had learned about South American culture and how much she enjoyed sharing the incredible facts and deep connection with other visitors. Whether it is tasting an exotic fruit, marveling in the mysteries of Inca rock-work, or visiting her godchildren in the intimate village of Chawaitiri, Laurie’s enthusiasm is contagious as she connects with the people and land with love and awe.

   Laurie led her first tour thru the wonders of the Sacred Valley in January 2018, and it went so well, she decided to create Colibrí Journeys as a business. She is also currently developing an online Spanish curriculum designed to prepare travelers specifically for their time in the Sacred Valley. The course incorporates a few Quetchua phrases and much of the Spanish vocabulary needed to navigate the markets, gardens and weaving communities which we plan to visit.

   Laurie’s passion for travel, knowledge of how to do so safely and respectfully, and the richness of her relationships with Andean communities are blossoming to create a journey that verges on an art form. The experiences that she connects you with are profoundly beautiful and touching. She is providing a bridge for you to walk into the wonders of a world where your hands will be full of colorful fabric and fruit, and your heart will overflow with awe and love.

     If you have any questions or curiosities about Colibrí Journeys and what Laurie has to offer, feel free to contact her anytime- she loves to share stories and information with anyone interested in traveling to Peru or beyond.

What People Are Saying

Get on board! This is a tour not to be missed. Laurie's cultural sensitivity and connections with local people combine with the magical beauty of the landscape, crafts, food and music make for an authentic and deeply inspirational journey. I doubt this incredible experience could be found anywhere else.

-Corrina Cohen, Orleans CA

I had an experience of a lifetime being in the Andes with Laurie!! Her connections and sensitivity to the local people and their customs, her fluency in Spanish and some Quetchua, and her superb organizing skills made for a smooth, joyful trip. Laurie put the itinerary together very creatively and thoughtfully, and yet was flexible and sensitive to our needs when plans needed to change. It was such a deeply rich and gratifying experience!! As her 67 year old step-mom, I’m biased of course, but I can also say with certainty that my experience was richer than I could have ever hoped for!

-Libba Adams, Pittsboro NC

Laurie’s tales of the people, sites, music, and food of Peru always left us with a longing to experience a similar adventure. Then, good fortune behold, she decided to offer a guided tour of some of her favorite places in the Sacred Valley. We had no hesitation to sign up, as we suspected this to be one of those lifetime experiences, and, indeed it has been.

-Max and Nena Creasy, Somes Bar CA