15-26 November 2015 SHAMANIC PILGRIMAGE TO PERU
ARE YOU READY FOR THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME? Our journey will include at least 3 ceremonies with medicine plants and teachings from Peruvian traditions. This is not a tourist trip. Although we will visit famous places we will see them through the eyes of the Inca and the indigenous people of the land. This will be a truly life changing experience. Davina has worked with the Q ero legendary wisdom-holders of the Sacred Valley since 2002. They are her sacred family, and you will be welcomed with open arms. 2475 per person twin sharing ALL NEW ITINERARYp BOOK YOUR PLACE CALL DAVINA 07710 454814
YOUR GUIDES other masters since childhood, is trilingual Quechua, Spanish and English and everyone who knows him will attest to his unflagging, ever joyful and wise spirit. Davina has worked with the Q ero in Peru since 2002. In that time she has taken their traditional path of initiation, bringing its gifts to the UK, where she is known for the sheer integrity she brings to her teaching and healing. I first met Puma Quispe in 2002. We could not have a better master of ceremonies. He has learned from his grandfather and All the Qero masters we are working with, needless to say, are the real thing, bringing a generous spirit always sharing the depth, humour and wisdom of their own path as well as the tradition they uphold. Nizami and Davina have worked together since 2008. Writer, musician and qi gong master, Nizami s eclectic bag of shamanic tools are at your service. Not essential, but we recommend our intro workshop as the perfect preparation for the Pilgrimage to Peru: RECOMMENDED INTRODUCTION TO SHAMANISM Sat/Sun 6/7 June The College of Psychic Studies 16 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2EB
ITINERARY DAY 1 ARRIVE CUSCO Our team will collect you at Cusco Airport and take you to your hotel, where we will meet our master of ceremonies Puma Quispe to go over the exciting plans for our journey. We spend the rest of the day at leisure to adjust to the altitude, wander through the historic town, visiting the markets, squares and famous churches. In the evening we will gather together for our welcome dinner of traditional Peruvian cuisine and enjoy the local entertainment. (Overnight in Cusco) DAY 2 CUSCO & SACRED SITES Wake up early for an optional group meditation and to set your intention for your journey. After breakfast we begin with a visit to Sacsayhuamán, where we will marvel at this architectural wonder and learn the mystery and legends of how this stone-walled complex was constructed. We will connect with the Sacred Trilogy of the Puma Serpent and Condor and learn about the Incan elders belief of parallel dimensions. As we walk through the temple of Sacsayhuamán, known as the womb of Pachamama, we will experience a process of rebirth. Later at the Temple of the Condor we will participate in an Andean Initiation Ceremony to connect with the ancestors before we continue on to Tambomachay, a favourite resting place of the Incas. This site, once used for ritual bathing, is believed to be a temple dedicated to the worship of water. As we listen to the crystalline water flowing over the magnificently carved stones, we will connect with the element of water. After visiting other sacred temples around the mountain, we return to Cusco for a tour of the city to immerse ourselves in the smiles and laughter of the local people and to visit Coricancha, one of the most revered temples. (Overnight in Cusco)
DAY 3 SACRED VALLEY After breakfast we make our way through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Its fertile lands have been home to the Inca for thousands of years and their mysteries and legends still resound. We drive to the picturesque town of Pisac to admire the colonial architecture and the awe- inspiring scenic beauty. We will stop at the ancient solar observatory, entered through the Temple of the Condor, for a private ceremony. Making our way to the village of Pisac and enjoy exploring the Andean Marketplace. After lunch in Urubamba, we continue on to Ollantaytambo, the Sanctuary of the Wind, renowned for its ancient fortress. We visit the royal baths and fountains for a shamanic energy cleansing ceremony by Unu, the Water element, and then make our way along the murmuring river to the Temple of the Condor for a few moments of reflection and silent meditation. Ending off our afternoon, we stop at the main altar area of the temple to receive our blessings from Wayra (Wind Element), the guardian of the site. As we watch the sun set, taking time to reflect on the day before returning to our hotel. (Overnight in Cusco)
DAY 4 CHINCHERO Chinchero, a small village located high up in the windswept plains, offers spectacular views over the Sacred Valley and the snowcapped peaks of the Andes. Renowned for its beautiful traditional weavings; here we immerse ourselves in the local community meeting village elders and the friendly local inhabitants. We will have the pleasure of meeting Puma s family to learn more of their traditional ways and practices and perhaps hear a few stories and tales. We will learn more about Puma s mother s foundation, the Ayni Ayllu Weaving Cooperative and hopefully pick up a few treasures for ourselves and loved ones back home. (Overnight in Chinchero) DAY 5-6 CHINCHERO MEDICINE TEACHINGS After a good breakfast (no lunch today), we spend the day in deep healing ceremony with Puma, Don Sebastian and other shaman. This is a unique opportunity to learn how to blow tobacco, use florida water, prepare a despacho, learn how to prepare the medicine and participate in the ceremony. Communal supper with the Chinchero community. (Overnight in Chinchero).
DAY 7 LARES The Lares Trek is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail, taking you off the beaten track with visits to authentic Andean communities whilst being surrounded by stunning mountains, lakes and valleys, This fabulous and rather special trek offers a real insight into the lives of the people of the region as it once was. We will be accompanied by an awesome camping team who will carry all the camping equipment needed for our trek; all you will need to carry is your own day-pack. It is quite barren at this altitude and it is not uncommon for it to snow up here during the dry season so warm clothing, gloves and a hat are essential. Our first day of the trek starts from the small village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley. We will gently make our way up one of the side valleys covering about 14km in total and climbing about 1150m /3373ft as we make our way towards the village of Puyoc. On our way up we will visit the small Inca site of Pumahuanca and learn about the native plants, flowers and birds that inhabit this region. This particular route for the Lares trek is not commonly done by other groups so we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of our surroundings without any distractions or disturbance. Because so few people visit the area there is a good chance of seeing Viscachas (a rabbitlike chinchilla) and we may also spot Andean fox. Today you will be walking for about 3 hours before lunch and about 3 hours after lunch. (Overnight camping) DAY 8 Puyoc, Yanacocha & Cuncani Medicine Day Today is the most spectacular day of the trek and quite a bit easier going than yesterday. From our campsite it s about a 13km walk to the village of Cuncani most of which is downhill. As we make our way to Cuncani we will pass by snowcapped peaks high above us, serene mountain lakes (including Yanacocha - Black Water) and get to meet the local people dressed in their traditional bright red clothing. This side of the pass is completely different culturally to the other side and as we wind our way down from the pass our guide will teach us about the people and their way of life. You will also get to learn a few Quechua phrases so that you can interact with the local people. (Overnight camping)
DAY 9 Cuncani Lares Our focus today is to meet and connect with the people of this area. Waking up early we will visit a local family and be welcomed into their home. The people are warm and hospitable and are just as eager to learn about you as you are of them - hopefully by now you will have mastered a few phrases and be able to ask a few questions (much to everyone s delight and amusement). After the visit you will have the opportunity to give any gifts you have brought for the local community and also to buy some of the locally made alpaca products that the region is famed for. Leaving Cuncani it is just a short distance (6km) until we reach the hot springs of Lares. Along the way we will pass through several small communities and see the people growing a variety of foods such as Quinoa and Tarwi. We may also spot flocks of Andean parrots flying overhead (they are easy to identify thanks to their piercing calls). After a relaxing dip in the hot springs we will be collected by bus and driven back to the Sacred Valley where we will catch our train to Machu Picchu. (Overnight Aguas Calientes) Starting Altitude 2800m/9186ft Highest Altitude 4780m/15,682ft Coldest Night Day 1 approx 0 Celsius
DAY 10 Machu Picchu Waking up early we will take the first bus to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We will have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which we will learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you will have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you wish, to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. (These additions need to be booked in advance). (Overnight in Aguas Calientes) DAY 11 Moray Cusco After breakfast we will take the return train from Machu Picchu where our bus will collect us for a visit to the captivating Incan site of Moray. This ancient site contains unusual Inca ruins, large circular terraces, and a sunken amphitheater. The circular terraces were used for agriculture and were created as a type of open green house consisting of tropical microclimates. As Moray was also considered the womb of Mother Earth, it was thought to be the best place to initiate healers. Here we will experience another connection with the sacred feminine energy for healing our physical bodies and our emotional temples. Later in the day we travel back to Cusco. In the evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner. Tonight will be a wonderful opportunity to share the gifts, wisdom and insights we have all received on this magical journey. (Overnight in Cusco)
DAY 12 Departure from Cusco We will deliver you safely to the airport for your return flights! BOOKING 2475 per person twin sharing* Deposit: 1000 (Non-Refundable) Balance in full by: 1 October 2015 Minimum age 18 years Subject to a minimum number of participants (please ask for details). Not suitable for those with walking difficulties INCLUDED soft drinks (excludes alcohol) all entrance fees food accommodation (3 or 4 star hotels) transport in Peru plant Medicine teachings + an awesome team who apart from looking after you in all dimensions carry all the equipment needed for the trek! NOT INCLUDED Inbound or outbound flights or connections. travel insurance, alcohol tips (a tradition in this culture) personal purchases sleeping bag hire CALL DAVINA 07710 454814 EMAIL davina@davinamackail.com