Peru Travel Guide for a Spiritual Journey
Spiritual destinations and experiences you can’t miss in Peru!
There are some destinations in the world that transform you lastingly in mind, body, AND soul. Peru is one of them. If you’re planning on going on a trip and want a destination that’ll also help you journey deeper into yourself, Peru should be high up on your list. So much about Peru feels emblematic, from the breathtaking ancient lands to the history and traditions steeped in mysticism. Peru is a spiritually potent land seeping with powerful energy. Whether you travel to this destination for the sake of spiritual tourism or not, you’ll leave feeling expanded by its deep-seated spiritual energy. It’s impossible to escape the ancient magic in Peru, calling out from the soaring mountains and lush rainforest.
Tapping into the sacred knowledge that pulls so many people to Peru in search of a spiritual awakening begins with understanding the country’s history. Peru is a country rooted in spirituality. It is where early Inca civilization, the largest pre-Columbian civilization, arose back in the 1400s. Worship of the natural elements and gods of the earth was an intrinsic part of the Inca belief system, and the same beliefs, culture, and traditions established by these indigenous peoples remain integral to the fabric of life in Peru today. As you travel across Peru, you will come across towns where traditional practices are upheld and where people continue to live guided by the wisdom and spirit of the land. You will also spot many Spanish-influenced churches and cathedrals left behind from the Spanish invasion. Peru’s history radiates from every direction, and as you immerse yourself in the local communities, customs, and traditions, you will be encompassed by the country’s sacred energy.
Traveling to Peru pushes you to not only step out of your comfort zone, but also step out of yourself so that you may learn from the mountains, listen to the wisdom of the elders, and feel the magic at your feet. Connecting to the magic of Mother Earth in Peru will help you connect to the deep wisdom you carry within yourself. Peru is not just a vacation destination, it is a catalyst for inner journey and a portal into your higher self. The ceremonial practices and sacred sites in Peru will propel you on a transformative spiritual journey. Here are some of the best spiritually activating destinations and experiences you can’t miss while traveling in Peru!
Spiritually Activating Destinations in Peru
Sacred Valley
North of Cusco, in the Andes of Peru, is the Sacred Valley. The Sacred Valley spans along a stretch of the Urubamba River Valley and is made up of the beautiful towns of Pisac, Calca, Yucay, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo. Called the Sacred Valley for a reason, this lush region is covered with ancient temples, terraced mountain slopes, and rich agricultural lands. The ancient civilizations here mastered agriculture, successfully cultivating crops like corn, fruits, vegetables, cocoa plants, and potatoes, as well as harvesting salt from the salt ponds of Maras. The Sacred Valley was built in representation of the constellations with astronomy playing a large role in Inca civilization. As they gazed up at the stars, the Incas got a sense that everything was connected and weaved these beliefs into their landscape, architecture, religion, ceremonies, and agriculture. They thought of the Vilcanota River, which runs through all the main towns in the valley, as earth’s version of the Milky Way, and the Salkantay and Veronica mountains as gods. Today, the sacred knowledge of these fertile lands can be felt all over, whether you’re visiting Inca ruins, hiking the trails, or getting a taste of the culture at the world-famous Pisac craft market.
Machu Picchu
Just a 30 minute drive from Cusco lies Machu Picchu, an Inca citadel that is known as one of the most popular and powerful spiritual tourism sites in the world. Never discovered by Spanish invaders, Machu Picchu went undestroyed and exists today as a well preserved site of ancient Inca ruins and one of the seven wonders of the world. Machu Picchu is set in a dramatic landscape, 2,430 meters above sea-level in a tropical mountain forest. The architecture of Machu Picchu seamlessly blends with the natural landscape, embodying our close connection to the natural elements. As the indigenous peoples of the Andes believed, Pachamama (Mother Earth) is our caregiver and it is our responsibility to reciprocate this care. Machu Picchi has a mysterious history, its existence remaining a secret to those living in the region until it was found in 1911 by an American archaeologist. There are many theories as to what the site could have been, with some believing it was a royal estate and others a religious centre. Whatever its original purpose, Machu Picchu continues to stand mystical today, its stone steps leading to a number of temples, buildings, altars, and sanctuaries. Some of the most famous attractions at Machu Picchu include the Temple of the Moon, a ceremonial temple built in a cave where it was thought you could connect with the dead, and the Intihuatana stone, a solar clock carved from rock on the highest point of the site. Hundreds of thousands of people travel to Machu Picchu every year to experience its deep healing powers harnessed in every inch of the land, from the solar energy of the Intihuatana stone to the cleansing energy of the quartz rich terrain. Machu Picchu is temporarily closed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning out your pilgrimage to this extraordinary site where you can one day feel its magic as you disappear into the clouds along the slopes of the Andes.
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is a record breaking body of water, recognized as the largest freshwater lake in South America as well as the world’s highest navigable lake, resting at 4000 meters above sea level. Located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, this natural wonder, thought to resemble the shape of a puma, takes your breath away with its saturated colours, from the blue waters and skies to the golden islands. The lake is dotted with islands, including man-made reed islands that float atop the water. The communities that reside along the ecologically diverse lake live in harmony with nature, honouring and engaging in ancient practices. What makes Lake Titicaca so special is its reputation as the birthplace of many ancient civilizations. Lake Titicaca possesses divine qualities and is thought to be the birthplace of the sun by the Andeans, the birthplace of the Andean God Viracocha, and the birthplace of Incan mythology.
Arama Muru
Carved into the red granite wall in the Hayu Marka mountain region by Lake Titicaca is an approximately seven meters high and 7 meters wide enigmatic doorway known as Arama Muru. No one knows how this doorway came to be or what its purpose was, but like many portals, Arama Muru is host to an intense concentration of energy. Tales of strange sights and paranormal activity have come from Arama Muru, including sightings of glowing spheres of light. Arama Muru is known by the locals as the ‘Gate of the Gods’, and many people visit the door to carry out rituals. It is also believed that Arama Muru acts as a gateway to higher consciousness, opening for those who are spiritually ready.
Cusco
Located in south-central Peru, Cusco is the historic Incan capital and the cultural capital of the country. Meaning ‘centre’ or ‘navel of the earth’, Cusco carries with it the heartbeat of Inca civilization. Its cobblestone paths, intricate stonework, colonial Spanish churches, and lively plazas are reminiscent of Inca and Spanish cultures. Embedded in the Inca stonework are mythological hieroglyphs depicting the condor, puma, and serpent – the Andean trinity, which represents the heavens, earth, and underworld. Among the rolling hills in the valley are Inca temples, ruins, archaeological sites, and trails bearing the city’s sacred history. Located above Cusco you’ll find Qorikancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun, which is one of the most important Inca temples. Here, the people showed their appreciation for Inti, the Inca sun god, and honoured priests and gods through ceremonies and rituals.
Iquitos
Located in northern Peru on the Amazon River, Iquitos is the world’s largest city that can’t be reached by road. The only way to travel to Iquitos is by plane and boat, and the journey is definitely worth it because the wildlife, nature, and healing energy here are potent. In Iquitos, you’ll witness the wonders of the Amazon rainforest and spot jungle wildlife like monkeys, caimans, and pink river dolphins. Many people adventure into this isolated city to experience sacred plant medicine ceremonies and shamanism.
Spiritually Activating Experiences in Peru
Despacho Ceremony
A despacho ceremony is a Peruvian tradition brought down from high in the Andean mountains. During a despacho ceremony, offerings are presented, alongside intentions and prayers, to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Apus (Mountain Spirits) in the spirit of Ayni (reciprocity). This blessings ceremony calls on us to live in harmony with nature and emphasizes our union with all things, hence the importance of the exchange; we must give an offering in order to receive. In a despacho ceremony, you are dispatching your prayers to higher powers by breathing intentions into your offerings and then burning them.
Pachamanca
Pachamanca is a traditional Peruvian meal that is cooked in the ground. Andean ingredients, like potatoes, meat, and vegetables, are wrapped in local herbs and cooked using heated stones. Everything about the ritual of this dish, from the preparation to the process, is meant to bring people together in an act of community and in honour of Pachamama.
Ayahuasca
Peru is the birthplace of Ayahuasca, a natural psychedelic made from an infusion of plants, including its namesake, a jungle vine that grows in the Amazon. Ayahuasca ceremonies have been practiced for thousands of years by Amazonian tribes to connect with the divine and heal the body, mind, and spirit. All across Peru, you can participate in an ayahuasca ceremony led by an experienced shaman and experience this sacred drink known to help people embrace higher truths and encounter the divine. For many, drinking ayahuasca can initiate a purging process that manifests as vomiting and diarrhea as the mind opens to heal from past and present traumas; however, everyone’s experience is unique.
