Peru Pilgrimage - Pachamama's Heart - November 3-13, 2022
Welcome to Pachamama's Heart Pilgrimage!
This November, 2022, we will gather in Peru's Sacred Valley to experience the ancestral sacred sites of the Inkan and pre-Colombian people of Peru. Moving gently and with great reverence, we will open our hearts to Peru's ancestral wisdom teachings, and embrace the heart of Pachamama, Mother Earth. We will open our pilgrimage, set our intentions, and connect with Pachamama and the Apus on our first full day creating a despacho, guided by a high Andean shaman, and then experience a sound healing to harmonize and synchronize with Pachamama and our chispa divina - divine essence! How Fortunate!
We are blessed to be working with a wonderful co-creator and guide, Jesus Coca. Jesus and I have crafted an itinerary for us that is truly a pilgrimage into the heart of Pachamama. I am delighted and humbled that you are considering joining this journey. The full itinerary, cost, and suggestions for what to pack are below.
I look forward to sharing this journey with you! Thank you deeply for showing up.
This November, 2022, we will gather in Peru's Sacred Valley to experience the ancestral sacred sites of the Inkan and pre-Colombian people of Peru. Moving gently and with great reverence, we will open our hearts to Peru's ancestral wisdom teachings, and embrace the heart of Pachamama, Mother Earth. We will open our pilgrimage, set our intentions, and connect with Pachamama and the Apus on our first full day creating a despacho, guided by a high Andean shaman, and then experience a sound healing to harmonize and synchronize with Pachamama and our chispa divina - divine essence! How Fortunate!
We are blessed to be working with a wonderful co-creator and guide, Jesus Coca. Jesus and I have crafted an itinerary for us that is truly a pilgrimage into the heart of Pachamama. I am delighted and humbled that you are considering joining this journey. The full itinerary, cost, and suggestions for what to pack are below.
I look forward to sharing this journey with you! Thank you deeply for showing up.
Pachamama's Heart Itinerary
Date |
Location |
Experience |
Thurs. Nov 3 |
Cusco - Pisac |
Arrive in Cusco. Your transport driver will be waiting outside holding a placard. For those of you arriving together, the placard will say Pachamama's Heart. For those of you arriving early, the driver placard will have your name on it. The driver will help you with your luggage and transport you to our gathering place in Pisac. We will enjoy getting settled, drink coca tea, share a light dinner, and have our opening ceremony. |
Fri. Nov 4 |
Pisac |
After breakfast in our hotel, we gather in sacred ceremony with Jesus and his Andean Pampamesayoq and offer our gratitude, prayers and intentions in a despacho ceremony. Bring your tawantin mesa! If you do not have a tawantin mesa and you have a sacred bundle, bring that, or you can create a tawantin mesa on this pilgrimage. Later we will experience a sound healing to attenuate and align our energies, and assist in releasing that which no longer serves. |
Sat, Nov 5 |
Pisac |
Today we travel to Tipon, a marvellous pre-Inkan archological site celebrated for the advanced water technology and beautiful broad terraces. This site is on one side of Apu Pachatusan. On our way back from the site, we will visit the Senor de Huancar sanctuary on Apu Pachatusan, and enter sacred ceremony to deeply connect with this loving and powerful Apu. |
Sun. Nov 6 |
Pisac - Kinsa Cocha - Pisac |
After breakfast we ride up into the mountains surrounding Pisac to Kinsa Cocha - the area of three lakes. Jesus will lead us on a huachuma (San Pedro) hike around the lake (the plant medicine is your choice). Our plant medicine guide, huachuma, and our human guide Jesus will offer the opportunity to deeply connect with Pachamama, the elementals, the guardians of ayni, the chaskakuna, our tutelary animal guides, each other, and our innermost truth - an opportunity to remember and celebrate our divinity and unity with All That Is. We are invited to share a meal prepared by a local family, and then return to our lodging in Pisac. |
Mon. Nov 7 |
Pisac - Machu Picchu |
Our van transports us to Ollantaytambo where we board the train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. We explore Aguas Calientes and enjoy the hot springs under the stars, connecting with Mamakilla - Grandmother Moon, the chaskakuna - our star relatives, and unu, the water element, as we drink in the wisdom of the night sky, offer prayers and gratitude, and prepare for the magical journey to Machu Picchu in the morning |
Tues, Nov 8 |
Machu Picchu - Urubamba |
Rising early, we ascend via bus to Machu Picchu. Jesus leads our journey through Machu Picchu, offering ancestral wisdom and creating ceremony with us as we experience this majestic Apu. Once complete, we ride the train back, journey to our hotel, for dinner, sharing, and reflection. How Wonderful that this day is a Lunar Eclipse in Taurus! |
Wed. Nov 9 |
Urubamba |
After breakfast, travel by van to beloved Apu Veronica for connection with this beautiful divine feminine Apu, and enjoy a despacho ceremony with Pampamisayoq Andean Healer and a box lunch on the Apu. |
Thurs. Nov 10 |
Urubamba-Cusco |
We will visit Chinchero and Moray, two amazing pre-Inkan sites on our way to Cusco. In the evening, we enjoy the magic and cuisine of Cusco. |
Fri. Nov 11 |
Cusco |
Today we experience the ancient sacred sites - Sacsayhuaman, Temple of the Moon, and Tambomachay. Our beautiful final group dinner together in Cusco, and off to sweet dreams! |
Sat. Nov 12 |
Cusco |
This morning after breakfast we gather for closing ceremony. Our afternoon is free for shopping and exploring Cusco. Say fond farewells to those leaving on Saturday. Evening celebratory dinner. |
Sun. Nov 13 |
Cusco |
Hugs, tears, farewells! Fly away home! |
Anyi for Services & Payment
Round-trip airfare from your home to Cusco, Peru is your responsibility.
Peru experience, including all transportation, guides, ceremonies, lodging, breakfasts with one exception (next item): $2000.00
10 Day Archeological Site Ticket: 130 Peruvian Sols = approx USD 35. Each individual must buy their own ticket, because a passport is required.
Meals - lunch and dinner, except where specified in the itinerary above, are your financial responsibility. Plan on $USD 25-35 per day for food. We will take most meals together as a group. The current exchange rate is approximately 3.7 Peruvian Sols to 1 USD. $30 is 74 Sols per day. You can easily enjoy 2 delicious plentiful meals for less than that.
Gifts and Souvenirs - This is up to you. Some shops accept credit cards, but most artisan stores and markets do not. Bring what you can afford!
Payment - Payment in full is due October 1, 2022. Payments accepted: Paypal friends and family: [email protected]. Venmo: @barbara-hallnan
Peru experience, including all transportation, guides, ceremonies, lodging, breakfasts with one exception (next item): $2000.00
10 Day Archeological Site Ticket: 130 Peruvian Sols = approx USD 35. Each individual must buy their own ticket, because a passport is required.
Meals - lunch and dinner, except where specified in the itinerary above, are your financial responsibility. Plan on $USD 25-35 per day for food. We will take most meals together as a group. The current exchange rate is approximately 3.7 Peruvian Sols to 1 USD. $30 is 74 Sols per day. You can easily enjoy 2 delicious plentiful meals for less than that.
Gifts and Souvenirs - This is up to you. Some shops accept credit cards, but most artisan stores and markets do not. Bring what you can afford!
Payment - Payment in full is due October 1, 2022. Payments accepted: Paypal friends and family: [email protected]. Venmo: @barbara-hallnan
Registration
To register, contact Barbara Hallnan. Phone: 716-912-2391 Email: [email protected]
What to Pack - General Advice
Clothing. November is the warmest month in the Sacred Valley, with an average high temp of around 60 F and average low of 45 F. It’s Spring here in November, and moving into the rainy season, which gets going in December. That said, it could rain, so bring a rain poncho – the lightweight kind that will pack easily into your backpack. The days are sunny and because of the high altitude, quite hot and dry in the sun. You will need a sunhat – you can buy a hat in Peru – and sunscreen for the nose, lip balm for the lips! My lips have gotten sunburned many times! If your eyes are sun-sensitive, bring sunglasses.
Layering is critical for comfort because of the wide temperature range. Evenings and mornings are chilly, the days are hot with low humidity. Typical day wear: t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, sweater or fleece jacket, long pants, socks, scarf, hat. Then peal during the day and replace at night. The hiking pants you can buy at Eastern Mtn Sport, Cabella, or REI. They are light-weight, wind and water repellant, and comfortable. Loose fitting jeans are fine, and may be a bit hot during the afternoon.
For sleeping I suggest long underwear or a long-sleeved shirt with leggings and socks if your feet get cold. No hotels or homes have heating systems here, so it gets chilly at night. All hotels provide ample heavy blankets and quilts – you will be warm enough!
For underwear, it’s nice to bring a dozen pair since the opportunity for laundry is unlikely.
Footwear – you will need a good pair of sneakers or hiking shoes. They must be broken in before you come. Wear them for at least a month. I wear good sneakers for everything. It’s very important that there is ample toe room in whatever footwear you bring. The shoes should fit well, but not tight in the toes. Also very important to cut your toenails short before you come to avoid discomfort. Trust me on this.
Day Pack - Bring a day pack. I suggest a pack with side pockets for water bottle/thermos, large enough to stow layers as you need plus a rain poncho, snacks, and your tawantin mesa. I like a pack with the front strap that you can buckle across the chest to relieve shoulder stress, and the hip buckle for same reason. If you aren't used to walking with a pack, your shoulders may complain without this.
Sundries - Over the counter items like Advil, Pepto Bismol, Tylenol, Immodium are not readily available in Peru. Bring them if you so desire. Bring your own favorite sunscreen, lip balm, skin lotion, shampoo, conditioner, soap.
Tawantin Mesa - Bring your tawantin mesa. As a minimum bring your 4 secondary artes and your apu khuyas. Bring other khuyas if you feel called, and your suitcase is not too heavy. You will be carrying your mesa in your backpack to the sacred sites we visit - keep weight in mind. The THOTH web page has a lovely card that you can print to place on your mesa in your suitcase that says something like - Dear TSA, these are the sacred objects I use in my spiritual healing practice. Please treat them with care (paraphrasing). Usually the mesa is not even disturbed when I travel. If you do not have a mesa, you can create one here on your journey if you desire.
Electronics - Electric outlets in Peru are 220v. You will need a 220v - 110v converter to charge a computer, and to use most US electrical items. Cell phone charger plugs mostly work everywhere without an adapter. Check the voltage requirements for other electronic items you bring.
Journal and Pens - I highly recommend bringing a journal and using it! Journals are hard to find here. I also suggest bringing a few pens so that you aren't searching when you wish you had one.
Altitude - Cultivate an attitude of altitude comfort - our thoughts create our reality! Gratitude to Apus for ease and grace! Our itinerary moves from lowest to higher altitudes for your comfort. Here in Peru we rely on Mama Coca for assistance with altitude. We drink her tea and chew her leaves, and she assists mightily! There is a product called Cell Food that you can buy on Amazon that some recommend putting in your water for a few weeks before coming. It increases your red blood cells' capability to hold Oxygen. Thank you Air Elementals!
Internet and Cellular - Most hotels and restaurants offer wifi. Check with your cellular carrier whether they provide service in Peru, and if so what it costs per minute. Mostly, the cost is pretty high. To talk with family and friends in the US while you are here, the apps Telegram, WhatsApp, and Skype all offer free wifi phone service. Set up your accounts and add your friends and family before you come here, and try it out first.
Money! - Bring flawless $100 bills - many places do not accept credit cards. If there is a tiny tear or rip in a bill, you will not be able to change it for Peruvian Sols. Do not bring small USD bills for tips - only tip in Peruvian Sols. Small bills cannot be changed, so local people cannot use them. I prefer carrying cash, cards, and passport in a fanny pack/money belt. That way I won't lose it. There is very little theft in the Sacred Valley. It is very safe. But leaving something on a rock on a mountain is easy!
Credit, Debit, Cash Cards - Some shops and restaurants accept credit/debit cards, but many do not. It's best to bring cash for all you plan to spend, and use the credit card when you can, if needed. Contact your credit card and bank (for cash machine card) before you come and tell them you will be in Peru using the card for these dates. Otherwise your card may be declined. You can get cash from cash machines here easily if you have informed your bank first. Keep in mind that there are ATM fees on both sides, so if you do need to use a cash machine, get a large amount, so as to minimize fees.
Travel Documents. You will be carrying your passport around with you. I recommend using a fanny pack/money belt. Some hotels have safes. You can leave your documents in the safe for the day. I recommend taking a photo of all your documents - passport, PCR test results, Vax card, and Peru Entry document. (see below) Then you always have it with you.
Peru Entry Document - Your airline will direct you to a Peruvian web site to fill out an entry document. See below.
Layering is critical for comfort because of the wide temperature range. Evenings and mornings are chilly, the days are hot with low humidity. Typical day wear: t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, sweater or fleece jacket, long pants, socks, scarf, hat. Then peal during the day and replace at night. The hiking pants you can buy at Eastern Mtn Sport, Cabella, or REI. They are light-weight, wind and water repellant, and comfortable. Loose fitting jeans are fine, and may be a bit hot during the afternoon.
For sleeping I suggest long underwear or a long-sleeved shirt with leggings and socks if your feet get cold. No hotels or homes have heating systems here, so it gets chilly at night. All hotels provide ample heavy blankets and quilts – you will be warm enough!
For underwear, it’s nice to bring a dozen pair since the opportunity for laundry is unlikely.
Footwear – you will need a good pair of sneakers or hiking shoes. They must be broken in before you come. Wear them for at least a month. I wear good sneakers for everything. It’s very important that there is ample toe room in whatever footwear you bring. The shoes should fit well, but not tight in the toes. Also very important to cut your toenails short before you come to avoid discomfort. Trust me on this.
Day Pack - Bring a day pack. I suggest a pack with side pockets for water bottle/thermos, large enough to stow layers as you need plus a rain poncho, snacks, and your tawantin mesa. I like a pack with the front strap that you can buckle across the chest to relieve shoulder stress, and the hip buckle for same reason. If you aren't used to walking with a pack, your shoulders may complain without this.
Sundries - Over the counter items like Advil, Pepto Bismol, Tylenol, Immodium are not readily available in Peru. Bring them if you so desire. Bring your own favorite sunscreen, lip balm, skin lotion, shampoo, conditioner, soap.
Tawantin Mesa - Bring your tawantin mesa. As a minimum bring your 4 secondary artes and your apu khuyas. Bring other khuyas if you feel called, and your suitcase is not too heavy. You will be carrying your mesa in your backpack to the sacred sites we visit - keep weight in mind. The THOTH web page has a lovely card that you can print to place on your mesa in your suitcase that says something like - Dear TSA, these are the sacred objects I use in my spiritual healing practice. Please treat them with care (paraphrasing). Usually the mesa is not even disturbed when I travel. If you do not have a mesa, you can create one here on your journey if you desire.
Electronics - Electric outlets in Peru are 220v. You will need a 220v - 110v converter to charge a computer, and to use most US electrical items. Cell phone charger plugs mostly work everywhere without an adapter. Check the voltage requirements for other electronic items you bring.
Journal and Pens - I highly recommend bringing a journal and using it! Journals are hard to find here. I also suggest bringing a few pens so that you aren't searching when you wish you had one.
Altitude - Cultivate an attitude of altitude comfort - our thoughts create our reality! Gratitude to Apus for ease and grace! Our itinerary moves from lowest to higher altitudes for your comfort. Here in Peru we rely on Mama Coca for assistance with altitude. We drink her tea and chew her leaves, and she assists mightily! There is a product called Cell Food that you can buy on Amazon that some recommend putting in your water for a few weeks before coming. It increases your red blood cells' capability to hold Oxygen. Thank you Air Elementals!
Internet and Cellular - Most hotels and restaurants offer wifi. Check with your cellular carrier whether they provide service in Peru, and if so what it costs per minute. Mostly, the cost is pretty high. To talk with family and friends in the US while you are here, the apps Telegram, WhatsApp, and Skype all offer free wifi phone service. Set up your accounts and add your friends and family before you come here, and try it out first.
Money! - Bring flawless $100 bills - many places do not accept credit cards. If there is a tiny tear or rip in a bill, you will not be able to change it for Peruvian Sols. Do not bring small USD bills for tips - only tip in Peruvian Sols. Small bills cannot be changed, so local people cannot use them. I prefer carrying cash, cards, and passport in a fanny pack/money belt. That way I won't lose it. There is very little theft in the Sacred Valley. It is very safe. But leaving something on a rock on a mountain is easy!
Credit, Debit, Cash Cards - Some shops and restaurants accept credit/debit cards, but many do not. It's best to bring cash for all you plan to spend, and use the credit card when you can, if needed. Contact your credit card and bank (for cash machine card) before you come and tell them you will be in Peru using the card for these dates. Otherwise your card may be declined. You can get cash from cash machines here easily if you have informed your bank first. Keep in mind that there are ATM fees on both sides, so if you do need to use a cash machine, get a large amount, so as to minimize fees.
Travel Documents. You will be carrying your passport around with you. I recommend using a fanny pack/money belt. Some hotels have safes. You can leave your documents in the safe for the day. I recommend taking a photo of all your documents - passport, PCR test results, Vax card, and Peru Entry document. (see below) Then you always have it with you.
Peru Entry Document - Your airline will direct you to a Peruvian web site to fill out an entry document. See below.
Peru Entry Requirements - Travel Requirements
Your airline will provide you with the requirements for entering Peru, and for re-entering the US.
Vax / Non-Vax - Peru currently requires non-vaccinated travellers to provide a negative PCR test result issued within 48 hours before boarding your flight in the US. Vaccinated travellers must show their CDC vax card with evidence of whatever the current vax requirements are in the country of origin.
US Passport Expiry Date - Your passport must be good for at least 6 months after arrival in Peru. If it expires less than 6 months after your arrival they won't accept it.
Peru Entry Document - Your airline will direct you to a Peruvian web site to fill out an entry document. I will provide an email with the data to enter for destination and Peruvian contact person.
Masks - Peru requires either an N-95 mask or 2 face masks in the airport and on in-country flights. As you probably know, masks are now optional on US airlines and in US airports. I suggest getting 2 N-95 masks - it's way easier! Masks are no longer required anywhere in the Sacred Valley.
Visa - There is no need to get a visa before coming to Peru. You will receive a tourist visa when you go through immigration in Lima. They will stamp your passport with an entry stamp. They will ask when you are leaving the country. Normally they give you 90 days. Just say you are a tourist.
Vax / Non-Vax - Peru currently requires non-vaccinated travellers to provide a negative PCR test result issued within 48 hours before boarding your flight in the US. Vaccinated travellers must show their CDC vax card with evidence of whatever the current vax requirements are in the country of origin.
US Passport Expiry Date - Your passport must be good for at least 6 months after arrival in Peru. If it expires less than 6 months after your arrival they won't accept it.
Peru Entry Document - Your airline will direct you to a Peruvian web site to fill out an entry document. I will provide an email with the data to enter for destination and Peruvian contact person.
Masks - Peru requires either an N-95 mask or 2 face masks in the airport and on in-country flights. As you probably know, masks are now optional on US airlines and in US airports. I suggest getting 2 N-95 masks - it's way easier! Masks are no longer required anywhere in the Sacred Valley.
Visa - There is no need to get a visa before coming to Peru. You will receive a tourist visa when you go through immigration in Lima. They will stamp your passport with an entry stamp. They will ask when you are leaving the country. Normally they give you 90 days. Just say you are a tourist.
Peru Health Declaration Form - Instructions
When I have flown, the airline has provided a link to the form. If you don't have an account with the airline, or for any other reason can't find the form, you can use the link to the form (below). You can fill it out online,and then either print it, save it as a PDF AND take a photo of the completed form on your phone. Then in the Lima airport, when you are asked to show the form, you can show either the printed page, a photo of the completed form or the PDF that you have sent to yourself via email.
Here's the link: djsaludviajero.minsa.gob.pe/dj-salud/
Here's the link: djsaludviajero.minsa.gob.pe/dj-salud/