Shamanic Journey in Peru
$3999 per person
Trip Highlights:
Journey to beautiful Peru to discover the cosmic realm of the ancient Andean culture and secret land of the Incas. Encounter endless Inca ruins as you wander the cobbled streets of ancient Cusco. Take in the lush Sacred Valley and the majestic ruins of Ollantaytambo. Travel to Aguas Calientes and be awestruck by the power and beauty of Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. Experience a day on Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable body of water, and explore the floating reed islands crafted by the Uru community. Then travel to the very centre of what may be considered the most sacred body of water on Earth, for a community stay with the Quechua community on Amantani Island. Spend a morning visiting the ancient funerary tombs, the Chulĺpas of Sillustani. This incredible adventure will be guided by a knowledgeable tour guide and Shaman, Marco, who will teach you all about the ancient cultures, the history, traditions, and natural wonders of the sacred land of the Incas. Other Shamans will join the journey to participate in teaching ceremonies at sacred sites along the way. This trip will be a deep dive into the incredible culture of ancient Peru!
Trip Details:
Dates: October 24 – November 4, 2023* (12 Days) – guaranteed departure
*this itinerary can run throughout the year with a group of four or more
Price: $3,999.00 CAD* includes all taxes; transportation (excluding international flights to Peru): two internal flights (Lima – Cusco; Juliaca – Lima), all land & water transportation; all activities and meals as listed in the itinerary, and full-time bilingual guide, all accommodations; entrances, as noted below.
*(B/L/D) = Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner, when included in package; (-/-/-) when not.
*Exclusions: Tips; alcohol; activities and meals not listed in itinerary, return international airfare.
*A non-refundable deposit of $1,500.00 CAD is required at time of booking to secure your flights, hotel rooms, train tickets, and to book access for two trips to Machu Picchu & one to Wayna Picchu.
Extra nights in Lima may also be booked on your behalf – please get in touch for a quote; if arriving earlier or departing later than the trip dates, your airport transfers will not be included, however, we are happy to arrange on both ends for you.
Full Itinerary can be viewed in TOUR PLAN tab above.
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Destination
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Included
AccommodationsActivities (detailed in itinerary)Airport Transfer (Arrival)Airport Transfer (Departure)All TaxesAll Transportation (including internal flights, when applicable)English-speaking Tour LeaderMeals (detailed in itinerary) -
Not Included
Drinks, Alcoholic BeveragesPersonal ExpendituresReturn International Airfare
From Our Gallery
1
Arrive in Lima & Fly to Cusco (-/L/D)
Welcome to Peru!
2
Explore the Market and Ruins of Pisac (B/L/D)
After a hearty breakfast, we will depart by bus to Pisac, a town in the Sacred Valley. The valley is home to the most important archeological sites, including Pisac, and is also tremendously rich agricultural land. We will arrive at the Andean market at Pisac to explore and look at some of the wonderful Indigenous handcrafts sold there. Then we will head into the mountains above the village to visit the archeological site of Pisac, where we will stop for a picnic lunch. We will be able to explore important temples that were built on top of the edge of the mountain. We will also visit the large Inca cemetery, where we will stop to do “Allpay”, the ancient tradition of sharing coca leaves and energy. At this point, we will have the option to walk back down to the town through the Inca Trail (highly recommended, but not mandatory, noting it takes approximately two hours). We will then drive back to Casa Verde for a delicious home-cooked Andean dinner and our overnight stay.
3
Inca Ruins in Beautiful Ollantaytambo (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we will head out on bus through the Sacred Valley to the beautiful town of Ollantaytambo, considered the best preserved Inca settlement. The reason most come to Ollantaytambo is to catch the train to Machu Picchu, however, the Inca ruins found here are likewise incredibly impressive. The town’s primary attraction is the Ollantaytambo Fortress on the outskirts of the settlement in a section known as Temple Hill. The temple area is at the top of steep terracing which helped to provide excellent defenses. Stone used for these buildings was brought from a quarry high up on the opposite side of the Urubamba River – an incredible feat involving the efforts of thousands of workers. We will visit the Temple of the Winds, and after our visit, we will drive to an Andean community named Willoq (or Huilloc), where our hosts will be awaiting us to serve a lovely traditional lunch. This will also present us with an opportunity to learn about their traditions and share some special time, which will include a weaving demonstration. We will then return to Casa Verde for the night.
4
Introduction to Andean Shamanism (B/L/-)
Today we will haver the incredibly unique opportunity to learn about the Inca culture and how Shamanism is such a significant part of the culture in Peru’s Andes. We will have a visit from Q’ero Elders – a community of people that was not discovered until 1950 – who are thekeepers of the ancient traditions of the Inca people. We will have the opportunity to participate in one of the most sacred ceremonies of all, called a “Despacho”, that will include teachings about the Cosmology of the Andes as well as a Fire Ceremony. After enjoying a traditional Andean lunch, we will return to Ollantaytambo to catch a train to Machu Picchu in the afternoon – an amazing train ride that takes us alongside the Urubamba River and through gorgeous landscapes for over an hour and a half, cutting through the Andes to reveal ruins along the whole route. Once we arrive in Aguas Calientes (the closest settlement to Machu Picchu) for the night, we will have some free time to explore the lovely little town. Dinner is on your own this evening, and there are lots of options within a short walk of our hotel.
5
Magnificent Machu Picchu (B/-/D)
From Aguas Calientes, we will take a bus to Machu Picchu for our guided tour of this magnificent site. Often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu is one of the most impressive ancient sites in the world, an icon of the Inca civilization and Peru’s most popular tourist destination. Machu Picchu was built around 1450 AD, at the height of the Inca Empire, and is a testament to the power and ingenuity of the Incas. Built without the use of mortar, metal tools, or the wheel, Machu Picchu stands as an archaeological wonder of the ancient world. Be prepared to be awestruck. Marco will be able to explain not only all of the history of the site, providing the Shamanic perspective of the significance of the most important areas, including lookouts, gateways, temples, and their connections with the other realms. At 10am you have the option (let us know when you book if you want to do this) to do the daring hike up to Wayna Picchu – the Temple of the Moon – another incredibly impressive site. From a distance, it looks like a technical climbing endeavour, but in fact it’s just a steep hike with some sections that will require the use of both hands and feet to scramble upwards, and some sections that include railings and cables for support. The total ascent is just over 1,000 feet (360m), and from summit the scale and ingenuity of Machu Picchu and its different structures and terraces are fully revealed. The sheer magnitude and complexity of the site provides for a humbling view. There are also terraces and temple remnants that crown the mountain’s summit there. Don’t forget to pack your passports for today, as you can have them stamped here. Then you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes prior to your return train trip to Ollantaytambo, and return trip to Casa Verde to enjoy some more delicious Peruvian cuisine before calling it a night.
6
Discover Cusco’s Treasures (B/L/-)
This morning, there will be some time to spend in nature birding, hiking, reading a book – however you choose, before we head into Cusco to tour one of the most beautiful cities in the western hemisphere. We will start in the most important temple in the Inca Empire, Koricancha – the Temple of the Sun (from the Quechua words Quri Kancha meaning “Golden Temple”), originally named Inti Kancha (“Temple of the Sun”). This temple was dedicated primarily to Inti, the Sun God, with walls and floors that were once covered in sheets of solid gold. Next you will be visiting the temple of the waters, called Tambomachay, which consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks. Your second last stop will be at Kenko, one of the largest huacas (holy places) in the Cusco Region (seen on the right). Many huacas were based on naturally occurring rock formations. Final stop will be at the Plaza de Armas – the lovely central public plaza surrounded by historic cathedrals, restaurants, and upscale shops. This sets us in the middle of many options to enjoy dinner on your own, and a close walk to the hotel.
7
Sacsayhuaman, Kenko and Tambomachay (B/L/-)
Today we will be exploring the area surrounding Cusco, starting with a visit to the archeological site of Sacsaywaman, where another Shaman named Pedro will be joining us to teach you one of the most important Shamanic ceremonies, a Despacho. Pedro actually grew up within the site – one of very few families to call it home – so his understanding of the significance of some of the most sacred parts are beyond anything you can read in history books. After touring the site, Pedro will invite us into his home for a traditional Andean lunch. Then in the afternoon, we are off to visit two more amazing sites, Kenko and Tambomachay, also on the outskirts of the city, and likewise full of mystery, history and wonder. Dinner is on your own again this evening, with many options to choose from around our hotel in central Cusco.
8
Explore Cusco's History (B/-/-)
Today is yours to take it where you want. As part of this package, you have a tourist pass which allows you to visit dozens of historic sites and tourist attractions in the Cusco area. As different people may be interested in different things (shopping for the best hiking boots in the world, handmade in Cusco also being an option, as is just relaxing). We will outline all of your options and set you off in the right direction to the make the most of your day in this magical city.
9
Travel to Sacred Lake Titicaca with Visit at Raqchi (B/L/D)
After breakfast we will depart for a long journey that will take us traversing the highlands of Peru for about eight hours to reach Puno, on the shores of sacred Lake Titicaca. We will stop along the way for a little birding, as different species can be found in the higher climes. We will also stop at the archeological site Raqchi, located about half way along the trip. The temple of Raqchi is known as the temple of southern cross, and includes the Temple of Wiracocha, the most prominent of the many buildings found there. Wiracocha was a Deity believed to be the giver of all life, according the Incas, or the Creator God, believed to have created both the Sun and Moon. The temple was thought to be built to both appease and honour him. The enormous structure stands over 92 meters long and 25.5 meters wide, with the foundation made from carved stones and the rest made out from adobe and mud. The temple of Wiracocha is said to be specifically built so that people had to walk in a zigzag motion through it. This motion is related to the relationship between Wiracocha and Inca cosmology. We will participate in a cleansing ceremony at this sacred site with Marco here before getting back in the car to continue on to Puno for the night. We will also make a stop at the highest point on the whole journey (4380 meters) on the way. We will arrive in Puno in the evening, the capital of Lake Titicaca and folklore of Peru, where we will be spending the night at our hotel.
10
Amantani Island on Lake Titicaca & Floating Islands of Uros (B/L/D)
The city of Puno is located in the southeastern corner of Peru, on the shores of the magnificent Lake Titicaca, just 126 km from the border with Bolivia. The sacred deep blue lake is the main attraction that draws people to this part of Peru. It is both the largest lake in South America and the highest navigable body of water in the world. Lake Titicaca is said to be the cradle of Peru’s ancient civilizations, and has been populated by numerous Andean cultures, including the Purakas, the Tiwanakus, and the Incas. The presence of these civilizations, especially the Incas, can be seen on Lake Titicaca by the ruins they left behind, including a mysterious underwater temple thought to be between 1,000 and 1,500 years old. You will be visiting the Uros community today, also known as the Urus – a pre-Inca people living on Lake Titicaca on floating reed islands, known for their kind, gentle nature, still living a beautiful ancient way of life. They use dried totora reeds to make their boats, houses and furniture, as well as the islands on which they live. Currently, there are about 57 floating islands, and we will learn all about the history, religion, and customs of this unique culture. Next you will return in time 500 years during your visit to Amananti Island. After a three-hour trip into the centre of Lake Titicaca, you will be met by Quechua islanders upon arrival and taken in by a family into their rustic house for a meal and to stay overnight. Amantani is known as the "Island of the Kantuta", after the national flower of Peru and Bolivia, which grows plentifully on the island. Later in the afternoon you will climb to the top of the island to take in the spectacular sunset there. This part of the journey can be challenging but is very worth it. In the evening, we will do another Despacho Ceremony with Elder Shaman, Yatiri, in honour of this very special body of water. Overnight with local hosts on the island.
11
Visit Chullpas of Sillustani (B/L/-)
After breakfast, we will walk to the boat for a short ride (hour and a half) on Lake Titicaca to the Port of Rinconada, where we will do a cleansing ceremony in the lake. After returning to the mainland today, we will visit the Chullpas of Sillustani, offering beautiful architecture where you can see ancient funerary majestic tombs (chullpas) from the Royal Incas and Pre-Incas, constructed out of stone and clay. Chullpas are usually 2 to 4 meters high, but some may reach up to 12 meters. Chullpas were built to bury tribe leaders and the noble, sometimes along with their extended families and even close friends. Sometimes a small opening was made in the towers facing the east friends. Sometimes a small opening was made in the towers facing the east where it was believed the Sun was reborn by Mother Earth each day. You will have a picnic lunch at the site before returning to Puno. Then you will have the rest of the day free to explore Puno, to swim in the lake, relax, or take in another activity. We will spend one last night in Puno before flying out tomorrow morning.
12
Flight from Juliaca to Lima; Return Flight to Canada (B/-/-)
We will travel to the airport in nearby Juliaca to fly to Lima, to catch your connecting flight back home, after what we hope was a wonderful trip!