The warm Peruvian people, breathtaking mountain views and ancient temples are enough reasons to visit Peru, but when you weave authentic Peruvian shamanic philosophy and healing ceremonies into your explorations of the enchanting and beautiful sites of Peru’s Sacred Valley, it shifts your perspective and consciousness.
Your eyes will open to allow you to see new possibilities and have a depth of understanding at a soul level that you always knew existed but just couldn’t access. How do I know? I’ve been taking small groups there since 2009 and have witnessed major life changes!
The first adventure begins by flying into Cusco over the snow-capped mountains from Lima. It’s a good idea to head for the Sacred Valley which sits a little lower than Cusco at 11,152 feet. There you can take time to acclimate to the altitude whilst sipping coca tea.
A Huaca is a sacred place that in energy and beauty is superior to the rest. There are just so many to choose from! Moray is a magical place with natural depressions in the earth that were terraced and used to grow different varieties of corn.
The ritual area of Pisac, where our ancestors are buried in the mountainside, is found in the hills above the best market town where you can spend the morning hiking from the top down through the temples and end up in the market discovering authentic Peruvian crafts.
The Sacred Valley stretches for a hundred kilometers between Pisac and Machu Picchu and includes many towns and monuments that were built during the Incan Empire.
The Temple at Ollantaytambo (9,160 feet) sits spectacularly over the town with a 140 meter high Incan Wiracocha God figure sculpted into the mountains.
Getting to Machu Picchu (7,972 feet) takes you on one of the most scenic train rides through the magical Andes. Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu offers a variety of restaurants, a hike to a butterfly sanctuary or even a bit of a party in the naturally fed thermal baths.
If you’re early enough you can begin your day with a sunrise ceremony, high in the terraced Citadel of Machu Picchu. The Great Inca meant Son of the Sun. Depending on the guide, you’ll get a variety of historical information…it’s been a privilege to work with so many local shamans who through generations of storytelling know the more authentic versions. You can also receive a Machu Picchu stamp in your passport!
Cusco is a fabulously colourful city bustling with characters and atmosphere. There’s a hopping nightlife in Cusco, as well as wonderful churches and cathedrals to explore. One of the most interesting in my opinion is the San Pedro Market, a massive conglomeration of a little bit of everything!
Surrounding Cusco are some of the most amazing sacred sites and huaca’s (power places). My favourite is Saqsayhuaman, which is the head of the puma; the shape in which Cusco was originally created. The tradition said this was where the guardian spirits lived. The head of the puma represented the head of the Empire, or the place of superhuman power. Great walls of megalithic stones are placed together so tightly without mortar it has been identified as a fortress, House of Weapons and War and also as a Temple for prayer and sacrifice.
Qenqo is another astonishing sanctuary where it is possible to go into the belly of the mother. There you can feel the three worlds of the Ukhupacha, or the underworld symbolized by a serpent; the Kaypacha, the middle world in which we live symbolized by the puma; and the Hananpacha, the upper-world of eternity and Gods symbolized by the condor.
You wouldn’t have had a full stay in Peru unless you get to see some condors! I like to meet them up close and personal high in the mountains.
Raqchi is a sacred place of prayer definitely worth a visit and a great spot for a ceremony before continuing on to Tinajani. There you can see stones take on personalities!
Eventually, Puno (12,500 feet) unfolds, a city expanding off of the side of Lake Titicaca. South America’s biggest, and the World’s highest navigable lake.
Taking a boat ride out to Uros, the floating islands that are made entirely from reeds is a surreal experience! You don’t want to miss the market in Puno either as the master weavers and their wares are noticeably different in this area.
Near Puno, there are other sacred sites like Amaru Muro, a sacred wall which was used as a portal. Also Chucuito, a very strong fertility site. Then on to Sillustani a breathtaking lakeside sacred site which often has a lot of alien activity.
You can crawl into some of these which were used as sweat lodges
A trip to Peru will leave you feeling enlightened, transformed, renewed and with great friendships.
Pack your bag! Next trip is in May 2019!
