Known as Inca Písac, which lie atop a hill at the entrance to the valley, the ruins are separated along the ridge into four groups: P’isaqa, Inti Watana, Qalla Q’asa, and Kinchiraqay.[3] Inti Watana group includes the Temple of the Sun, baths, altars, water fountains, a ceremonial platform, and an inti watana, a volcanic outcrop carved into a “hitching post for the Sun” (or Inti). The angles of its base suggest that it served to define the changes of the seasons. Qalla Q’asa, which is built onto a natural spur and overlooks the valley, is known as the citadel. 8021397_origThe artisan market at Pisac is now world famous, and although held every day, the largest market is held on Sundays, where the stalls start from the main plaza and spread into the inclined streets – leading to the foot of the mountain. There are literally hundreds of individual vendors, whose market stalls engulf the streets of the town in a blanket of tables, knitted products and plastic tarpaulins. Although many of the vendors sell similar products: knitted scarfs, trinkets, jewellery, alpaca jumpers, clothing and ceramics etc. there are some stalls which sell unique quality products which make excellent gifts or personal purchases.

Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba River valley. Built in the 15th century and later abandoned, it’s renowned for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar, intriguing buildings that play on astronomical alignments, and panoramic views. Its exact former use remains a mystery.

Temazcal is a type of sweat lodge that originated from pre-Hispanic Indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica. Shamans have adapted it here in the Andes as it is a ceremony to help cleanse the mind, body and spirit. Inside the Temazcal it will feel like a sauna and intensify as the shaman continues to bring in hot stones from the fire. Everyone creates music, chants or hums together to create a powerful energy that can guide you through your intensions. Everyone can participate in this ceremony, even children, as you can leave whenever you begin to feel too hot.

A personal despacho is an opportunity to really focus on any areas of your life where you feel you need support or would like to ask for blessings. It is quite a powerful way to set your intentions and let them go. You may be surprised to recognize in the weeks and months following a despacho ceremony that you are indeed receiving the things you asked for, though perhaps in an unexpected or unusual form, perhaps in a way more appropriate or powerful than you could have dreamed of on your own.

Allow yourself to be taken on a guided journey with Himalayan singing bowls, crystal singing bowls, Chinese wind gongs, Javanese temple gongs, bells, whistles, flutes, drums, rattles, shakers, and a few rare, and very esoteric traditional indigenous, shamanic healing instruments such as bird quill pan pipes, Peruvian Chimu water whistles, and reproductions of 3,000 year old Peruvian flutes. Shamanic sound ceremonies induce a tranquil, meditative state that promotes healing, reduces stress and dis-ease, and infuses a sense of relaxation and well-being. **No plant medicines will be used during these experiences