Claire Dean
Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!
Experience a pago a la Pachamama ceremony on your Cusco City Tour!
Written by:Claire Dean
Last Update: 2025-05-12
A Shaman Experience in Cusco
The Andean region of Peru, where snow-capped mountains pierce the skies and ancient trails wind through the spectacular countryside. It is here that sacred traditions still exist. They continue to unite people with the land that they walk upon. Many travelers come to explore the spectacular hiking trails and the magnificent Machu Picchu. However, there are so many things to do in Cusco that are more connected to the spiritual realm, and you can experience many of them on our cultural tours in Cusco. The most common Andean ritual still performed today is a "Pago a la Pachamama ceremony." This is a payment to Mother Earth. This ceremony is a profound ancestral rite of giving thanks to the earth that sustains us and of reciprocity. This unique ceremony gives thanks to the earth for the fruits that it bears and is deeply rooted in the wisdom of the Andean ancestors. For centuries, communities have convened to offer coca leaves, chicha, and other natural gifts to the Pachamama, the revered Earth Mother. The deity who is responsible for all life as we know it.
Authentic Andean Ceremony
An Interactive Ancestral Andean Experience
Valencia Travel Cusco is directly intertwined with the rural communities of Cusco. We make sure we visit the rural communities of Cusco, where tradition and customs are an integral part of everyday life. Our private Peru tours and multi-day itineraries will take you into the Andes to experience ancestral Andean rituals where Inca spiritual experiences are still alive today. In this section of the Andes, you can participate in a number of different rituals, such as a Pago a la Pachamama ceremony. This ancestral ceremony is to step into a living connection between humans and their natural world. An ancestral custom that includes reflection, connection, gratitude, and devotion. Many travelers visit Peru in search of a deeper meaning. Looking for something that will help them reconnect to the planet we live on and the universe that houses us. By joining a “Pago a la Tierra” ceremony, you can add a deeper significance to your tailor-made holiday in Peru. This is a unique way to understand Peru as a sacred space where ancient beliefs still live and breathe.
A Musical Greeting
An Ancestral Andean Ceremony
You can combine a Cusco city tour with authentic Andean ceremonies, to experience Peru to its core. We will participate in an important ritual that has been practiced for many years. The Quechua people, with a Shaman. They will perform a "Despacho", or payment to the Mother Earth ritual. These ceremonies often involve traditional components, including offerings to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) and the use of sacred plants. This includes the magical coca leaf. Shamans guide participants through spiritual experiences, connecting the participants with Andean traditions and the mystical energy of their surroundings.
A Spiritual Journey of a Unique Kind
This blend of historical practices and cultural ceremonies makes the Sacsayhuaman fortress the perfect destination for those seeking a deeper connection to Inca heritage and spirituality. Perfect if you are looking for an authentic Shaman experience in Cusco. The “Misayoq” or shaman is a specialist in Andean rituals. It is widely believed that Misayoqs have the ability to communicate directly with the mountain spirits and natural forces. They perform the Andean practice of making offerings to the mountains (Apus), Mother Earth (Pachamama), and other natural spirits. A despacho is an act of love and a reminder of the interconnectedness we share with all beings, elements, spirits, and sacred sites. At a more profound level, it is an opportunity to enter into the essential unity of all living entities, the living energy of the universe.
A Misayoq at Work
The Despacho
A Pago a la Pachamama ceremony includes a despacho. In the cosmology of the Andean region, all life is perceived as one great, infinite ceremony. Physical survival is so difficult in the high Andes, which means life is experienced as a true gift to be lived. There are at least 300 different despachos in the Quechua-speaking Andes Mountains. These are mainly found in Peru and Ecuador. While there are certain common themes to all despachos, the Shaman´s healing intentions determine each offering's design. Themes generally concentrate on bringing harmony and balance to the earth, honoring new beginnings, or healing. The items also vary, depending on the theme of the despacho. A traditional Pago a La Tierra is created by ancestral experts (Shamans) who work in alignment through their spiritual power. Despachos are particularly popular at the Andean New Year. This is celebrated on the 1st of August each year, which coincides with the end of winter and the “cosecha” or planting time.
A Beautiful Despacho
The Spiritual Cleansing Ceremony
A Spiritual cleansing ceremony offers purification of the body, spirit soul. It uses ancient rituals and practices to release negative energies. This immersive experience respects the time-honored traditions of the Andes as it heals and cleanses. It also cultivates a deep spiritual connection with the Pachamama. As the ceremony unfolds, participants are guided towards a renewed sense of harmony with the natural world. Offering a profound reconnection to our planet and the universe.
The magical Coca Leaf
The Inca Gods
The Incas used a special calendar to guide their agricultural cycles and religious festivals. The calendar demonstrated how the specific ceremonies were connected to nature’s rhythms. Ayni, or reciprocity, was central to Inca society. It guided their spiritual and practical relationship with nature. These ceremonies included offerings like coca leaves, chicha (corn beer), and even animal sacrifices for what was considered a grand gesture. Ceremonies were to their deities, such as Inti, the Sun God, Mama Killa, the Moon Goddess, the Apus (mountain peaks), as well as the serpent, puma, and condor. The latter were thought to communicate with their deities.
Spiritual Festivals that still Happen Today
Inti Raymi
Inti Raymi is the Festival of the Sun, the principal Inca deity. It was thought to originate in the rebirth of the sun each year. This is a reenactment of a ritualistic ceremony that happens every year around the Winter Solstice in the southern hemisphere. This can be visited on June 24th in Cusco each year. The ceremony reenacts ancient rituals at places like the Koricancha Temple in Cusco, the Plaza de Armas, and the Sacsayhuaman fortress. It attracts around 3,500 people each year. The festival celebrates the sun’s renewal. It showcases the deep Andean spiritual customs of the region.
Inti Raymi
Qoyllur Rit’i
Qoyllur Rit’i, or “Snow Star” festival, occurs just before the colonial Corpus Christi religious festival. It blends pre-Columbian and Catholic traditions. The pilgrimage heads to the Sinakara Valley, and the celebrations are a blend of ancestral Quechua customs and catholic religious practices. This festival is in honor of the Pleiades constellation and the Apu Sinakara in the Ausangate region. It is a fabulous demonstration of ancestral rituals that still remain in the Andes.
Qollor Riti Pilgrimage
If you are looking for a more spiritual journey on your tailor-made holidays Peru, then we have got you covered. Here at Valencia Travel Cusco, we can help you arrange private Peru tours at specific times of the year to coincide with important festival dates. We also work with authentic shamans from remote Andean regions who will guide you through your profound spiritual awakening and unique connection to the Andes. Find out more about our transformative cultural tours in Cusco here.
