peru-8-cuzco-sacred-valley

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YOUR SACRED VISION FOR SALE
Shamanic ceremonies may be native to the Amazon, but they have become a hot commodity
in Cuzco and the Sacred Valley. The psychedelic properties of the San Pedro and
ayahuasca plants have earned them fame and piqued public curiosity and the interest
of psychonauts who travel in search of these experiences. Extremely powerful drugs,
they can be highly toxic in the wrong hands.
Yet they are ubiquitous. In Cuzco, San Pedro is offered alongside massages by street
hawkers; ayahuasca ceremonies are advertised in hostels. Of course, travelers can
decide what is right and wrong for them. It’s important to note that these are not recreational
drugs. A real shaman knows the long list of dos and don’ts for practitioners, and
they screen participants. Ceremonies can require multiple days for preparation, fasting
and extended rituals.
It is hard not to be skeptical about a store-bought spiritual experience. Many
cuzqueños believe that it’s a mockery to make these sacred ceremonies into moneymakers.
Still, participating in a ‘guided ceremony’ can be a lot safer than scarfing down
a powerful narcotic by yourself, as long as you trust the practitioners (in some cases,
female guests have been attacked while under the influence). Avoid casual opportunities.
Serious operations often use a medical questionnaire. It’s also advisable to look
into ceremonies and ask previous participants about their experience before signing up.
A good place to learn more about rituals of ayahuasca and San Pedro is the new Museo
de Plantas Sagradas, Mágicas y Medicinales in Cuzco.
photography tours and workshops over all
of Peru, as well as shorter trips out of Cuzco.
Alain Machaca Cruz
GUIDED TOUR
(%984-056-635, 973-220-893; alain_313@hotmail.
com) Recommended for interesting alternative
city tours where you can make chicha
or see cuy farms, and hikes and visits to surrounding
communities. Quechua and English
spoken.
Leo Garcia
GUIDED TOUR
(%984-70-2933, 984-75-4022; leogacia@hotmail.
com) Personable, passionate and supremely
knowledgeable about all things Inca.
Raul Castelo»»
GUIDED TOUR
(%24-3234, 984-31-6345; raulcastelo10@hotmail.
com) Has his own transport and specializes
in customized tours to Sacred Valley, Machu
Picchu, Cuzco, Cuzco–Puno and Lares.
z Festivals & Events
Cuzco and the surrounding highlands celebrate
many lively fiestas and holidays. In
addition to national holidays (p534), the following
are the most crowded times, when
you should book all accommodations well
in advance:
El Señor de los Temblores
FESTIVAL
(The Lord of the Earthquakes) This procession on
the Monday before Easter dates to the earthquake
of 1650.
Crucifix Vigil
FESTIVAL
On May 2 to 3, a Crucifix Vigil is held on all
hillsides with crosses atop them.
Q’oyoriti
FESTIVAL
Less well-known than the spectacular Inti
Raymi are the more traditional Andean rites
of this festival (see the boxed text, p266),
which is held at the foot of Ausangate the
Tuesday before Corpus Christi, in late May
or early June.
Corpus Christi»»
RELIGIOUS
Held on the ninth Thursday after Easter,
Corpus Christi usually occurs in early June
and features fantastic religious processions
and celebrations in the cathedral.
Inti Raymi
FESTIVAL
Cuzco’s most important festival, the ‘Festival
of the Sun’ is held on June 24. It attracts
tourists from all over Peru and the
world, and the whole city celebrates in the
streets. The festival culminates in a re-enactment
of the Inca winter-solstice festival
at Sacsaywamán. Despite its commercialization,
it’s still worth seeing the street dances
and parades, as well as the pageantry at
Sacsaywamán.
Santuranticuy Artisan Crafts Fair FESTIVAL
A crafts fair is held in the Plaza de Armas on
December 24 (Christmas Eve).
Cuzco & the Sacred Valley F C E u S zC T I O VA L S & E V E N T S