14 day Tentative Itinerary
Living in the Heart of Pachamama—A Two Week Solstice Celebration in the Sacred Valley of Peru.
Overview
During our first week in Peru we will be blessed to be invited into the homes and hearts of the family of our Quechua grandfather Don Maximo, elder lineage holder, teacher and healer and his grandson Puma Quispe Singona. We will live in their homes in Cusco and Chinchero, visit sacred sites in these areas and participate in the daily rhythm of life, ceremony and celebration in these traditional families. Together we will create an experience which heals and transforms the illusion of language and cultural barriers—exploring the richness of our differences as well as our shared values and visions, joys and challenges, wisdom and strengths.
During the second week we will travel with some of our family members to the ancient sacred site of Machu Picchu where we will go deeply into an exploration of the sacred energies of this magnificent place, take hikes to other ancient temples in the area and relax in the thermal baths in the small village of Aguas Calientes at the foot of the mountain.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Fly to Lima and rest for the night in a lovely, small hotel.
Day 2 - Rise for an early flight to Cusco where we will be met by our Quechua family and taken to their house for breakfast and rest. We will spend the remainder of the day getting to know our family members, adjusting to the altitude (11,000 ft.) and exploring the city. Cusco is exciting and colorful. It is easy to learn to navigate the main squares and narrow cobblestone streets enjoying a visual feast of traditional arts and crafts. In the local restaurants you can enjoy live music, traditional food and coca leaf tea and even check your email. In the evening we will cook a meal together and share in some traditional music and dance before bedding down for the night.
Days 3 and 4 - We will go with our family to explore and make ceremonies in the ancient ceremonial sites around Cusco. As the imperial capital during Inca times, Cusco was the most important place of pilgimage in South America and it still is today. We will visit Tambo Machay where the healing waters still flow from a hidden channel out of an ancient Inca stone wall into a little rock pool. Later we will explore the fascinating Inca stonework in the imposing ceremonial fortress of Sacsayhuaman above the city and then hike down into the center of the city. A centerpiece of our time in Cusco is receiving teachings from our family members and having council. This has become a sacred time for us to talk about why we feel we are called together speaking from our hearts as languages flow from Quechua to Spanish and English.
Days 5, 6 and 7 - We will travel 20 miles northwest from Cusco to the small traditional village of Chinchero where all of our family members where born. Chinchero overlooks the Sacred Valley with magnificent views of snowcapped Salcantay and the Vilcabamba range. Here we will live in our family member’s homes, enjoy hikes in the radiant surrounding mountains, visit with local women as they weave in the village square and have ample time for meditation and reflection. We will be blessed to pass an afternoon with Cusi Huayna a youth group dedicated preserving pride in their culture through performing traditional music and dance. Spending time with them and witnessing their direct relationship with Pachamama and the energy of All Life through their dance is an experience one never forgets. Also in Chinchero we will participate in traditional ceremonies with our family under the guidance of our family elder and teachers.
Day 8 - Our train trip to Machu Picchu will bring us to the village of Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu where we will settle into a small hotel near the hot springs. We will hop a noon bus up the mountain to enter the Machu Picchu site for silent exploration, having time to sense the mystical and deep energies of this magnificent sacred space. Evening will be a time to relax in the hot springs and roam this quiet charming town.
Day 9 - Hike to the Temple of the Moon. The peak of Huayna Picchu stands prominently at the northern end of the Machu Picchu site. The Temple of the Moon is hidden in a grotto hanging magically above the Urubamba River beneath the pinnacle of Huayna Picchu. The hike to this sacred site will be filled with amazing panoramic views and the sweet melodies of traditional flute music played by Puma to encourage us along the way.
Day 10 - This day people may choose to explore the intricacies of the Machu Picchu site on their own in silent walking meditation or hike up to the Sun Gate which is the entrance to the famous Inca Trail. The views from above are breathtaking and there are wonderful spots to sit and meditate taking in the refined energies of this of this vast mystical space. In the evening, we will be in traditional ceremony under Puma’s guidance.
Day 11 - We will take an early train to the town of Ollantaytambo, a place that once had great sacred and military importance to the Inca, and have some time to explore here before a drive to the village of Pisac--famous for its traditional market and for the intricate stonemasonry in the ruins above the village. We will return to a small hotel in Cusco in the evening.
Day 12 - Participants may choose to have time on their own to shop, explore the traditional market in Cusco and relax in a local café. Or one may choose to spend time doing various activities with our family members. Our day will end with cooking a meal in our family’s home and celebrating our time together with a lively fiesta.
Day 13 - We will take an early flight to Lima where we will check back in to our quaint hotel to relax for the day having time for quiet journaling and sharing about our experiences and learnings while we await our evening flight.
Day 14 - Arrive in our Northern home.
"I will never forget the warmth of our Peru family."
Barbara Walling, Vermont