Beyond its impressive archaeological sites and the vast biodiversity of Cusco’s landscapes, a visit to this ancient land can also have a spiritual purpose. Through Andean traditions, Cusco has always been an energetic epicenter, where travelers stop to discover a more introspective experience. Discover the most transcendent spiritual and mystical rituals and their relationship to the Andean worldview.

• Spiritual experiences in Cusco
• Relationship of the Andean worldview with spiritual expertise
• Spiritual ceremonies offered in Cusco
  • Payment to the Land
  • Andean Marriage
  • Ayahuasca
  • The San Pedro
  • Reading the coca leaf
  • Meditation retreats
• Tips for spiritual and mystical tourism in Cusco
• Frequently Asked Questions

Tourist feeling the energy – Ñaupa Church

Spiritual experiences in Cusco

Surely at some point you’ve heard about the Andean rituals that take place in Peru and their relationship with nature. Ceremonies like Ayahuasca and San Pedro are world-renowned, but what’s their main claim to fame? Are they just a tourist attraction? What will I feel? What will I see during these types of experiences? Is it perhaps an internal well-being that helps us heal and understand a different perspective? What is their relationship with the environment?

They say reason always comes later. These are moments when we delve into the innermost core of our being and just flow, forgetting tomorrow and focusing on the only true and real thing: the present. In this way, we embrace everything around us, maintaining an attitude of humility and gratitude for the simple fact of feeling.

Visual representation of Ayahuasca

Symbolic Value of Spiritual Rituals and Ceremonies
Each of the rituals and ceremonies you can perform in Cusco is steeped in symbolism and tradition, which is why you should give them equal value. Performing them with a purpose or meaning will help make your experience much more harmonious and focused. Always remember that the location and context are the most important aspects of any ceremony, as these stimuli can enhance your experience.

Relationship of the Andean worldview with spiritual expertise

The Andean worldview allows us to understand how the inhabitants of this sacred land relate to their environment and their beliefs about it. It encompasses their ways of life, the care they give to nature, reciprocity, and the close relationship between soul and body, where both need to flow in harmony to achieve holistic well-being.

Through many ceremonies and rituals, people of the Andean culture constantly express gratitude to Mother Earth (Pachamama), to the Apus (sacred mountain spirits), and to all life that surrounds them and allows them to have what they have. Their way of life leads you to question how we relate to everything in a contemporary world where productivity causes us to lose our sensitivity and sense of communion. Places where Andean traditions are so prevalent allow you to see an angle of life you thought was lost, or that you never noticed due to the constant noise.

Reading the Coca Leaf

Spiritual ceremonies offered in Cusco

There are many ceremonies or rituals you can experience while in Cusco. Some are dedicated to reciprocity with the land, others are introspective experiences that require further preparation. Each carries a wealth of symbolism; they are not just productive, they are a way of seeing and relating to the world.

• Payment to the Land

  This ceremony features Pachamama (Mother Earth) as its main protagonist, and tributes are sought for her blessing. Payments to the earth are typically used to pray for better health, to bring fertility to the land, or to bless the burial site. A shaman participates in the ceremony, constantly asking for the blessings of Mother Earth and the Apus (the Apus) so that everything goes well.

  In payment to the earth, offerings are made of products such as coca leaves, chicha, animal fat, food, and in some cases, animal fetuses. These tributes are generally placed on a cloth, which is then burned and buried after expressing one’s wishes to Pachamama.

• Andean Marriage

  Many people come to Cusco to strengthen their union through Andean marriage, a symbolic ritual in which one asks for the blessing of Pachamama and the Apus to bless them and create a stronger spiritual bond. This ceremony is conducted by a shaman in a place surrounded by greenery and vibrant energy, such as the Sacred Valley.

  During Andean weddings, elements such as incense, coca leaves, seeds, and other natural elements are used to add even more symbolism to the environment and are also used to bless the couple. Offerings are also given to Mother Earth during the ceremony as a token of gratitude for her blessing. Adorned with flowers and a multitude of colors, this ceremony symbolically unites a couple who seek to demonstrate their love through the blessing of nature.

• Ayahuasca

  Viewed as an ancestral medicine, Ayahuasca immerses us in an introspective journey of healing and spiritual connection. Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage of Amazonian origin made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub. It is the most significant ritual on our list, given that its performance requires significant prior preparation.

  First of all, the meaning is very important. Performing Ayahuasca isn’t a game, so one should do it when it truly imbues a greater symbolism. Remember to perform Ayahuasca in a trusted place; the location and context of this ceremony are among the most important factors. Many notable sites are located in the Sacred Valley; being well-informed will help you have a better experience.

  The psychedelic experience involves an introspective journey accompanied by a shaman or spiritual guide throughout. The trance typically lasts between four and five hours. Music, featuring jungle instruments, is a key element, enhancing the experience.

• The San Pedro

  The San Pedro ceremony is a ritual based on the use of the Echinopsis pachanoi cactus, which introduces you to a psychedelic journey associated with internal visions and purgative processes. It is also commonly called wachuma, and its symbolism is similar to that of Ayahuasca.

  This ritual is performed in an open space, usually surrounded by nature, with stimulants that help your journey flow at its own pace. It also acts as a spiritual guide who constantly accompanies you and ensures a harmonious experience.

  The introspective journey lasts about six hours and creates a greater sense of connection with nature, which is why the context in which it takes place is so important in this type of ceremony.

• Reading the coca leaf

  Considered a means of spiritual communication with Pachamama and the Apus, coca leaves are read to reveal messages or signs of prediction. Coca leaf reading is performed by a shaman who takes a handful of leaves and blows them, allowing them to fall onto a mantle from which the reading is performed.

  You ask questions that reflect what you want to know, such as about health, important decisions, or a search for meaning. The shaman tries to translate what he sees in the leaves, providing answers that aren’t always literal. Remember that every ceremony begins with a request for a spiritual blessing. At the end of the coca leaf reading, you offer an offering or an expression of gratitude to Mother Earth.

• Meditation retreats

  The Sacred Valley has become an epicenter for spiritual and meditation retreats, where you’ll find moments of introspection, silence, and a deep connection with nature. Retreats typically last between three and ten days, where you can escape digital stimulants and experience calm.

  Guided practices during retreats include traditional yoga, conscious breathing, daily meditation, symbolic ceremonies, and contemplative walks. Mindful eating is often practiced, with a vegetarian or vegan diet featuring local ingredients, and some even practice intermittent fasting.

  These are days where one shares reflections and lessons learned from one’s experiences with constant emotional and spiritual support.

Tips for spiritual and mystical tourism in Cusco

If you’re planning to participate in one of the spiritual and mystical rituals in Cusco, we’ll provide tips and recommendations that will allow you to have a better, more informed, and safer experience during each one.

• To perform rituals such as Ayahuasca or San Pedro, you should maintain a light diet a few days beforehand, avoiding alcohol, meat, and processed foods.
• In each ceremony, you should have clear intentions; having a purpose makes your experience flow more harmoniously.
• San Pedro is performed during the day, as it is associated with the sun and masculine energy, while Ayahuasca is performed at night, associated with the feminine.
• Remember to perform any of these rituals in trusted locations, always ask for recommendations, and look for more than one option to choose the best one.
• Many of these rituals are performed in groups or collectively, which helps make the experience more shared and makes us feel much more secure and confident.
• Thanking Pachamama is very important before and after each ceremony; this adds much more symbolic value to your experience.
• The Sacred Valley is the ideal destination in Cusco to perform any of these spiritual ceremonies.
• These Andean rituals and ceremonies have been practiced in these lands long before the Inca culture.
• Nature is one of the main actors in most of these experiences, helping us to have visual stimuli and feel more connected to the environment and to ourselves.
• Always remember to preserve and reciprocate with nature, just as they do in Andean culture. It’s a way of living in harmony, conscious of its importance and value.
• The Sacred Valley is the best place to acclimatize during your stay in Cusco, and you can also take advantage of the opportunity to perform any of these rituals.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1) What should I keep in mind before participating in an Ayahuasca or San Pedro ceremony?

  It’s essential to prepare yourself physically and emotionally. Days before, follow a light diet without alcohol, meat, or processed foods. But above all, be clear about your purpose for participating; intention is a central part of the journey.

• 2) Is it safe to take Ayahuasca or San Pedro?

  It’s safe if you do it in a trusted environment, with an experienced guide or shaman, and under appropriate conditions. Do your research and avoid improvised or unsupported tourist spots.

• 3) What does it feel like to drink Ayahuasca or San Pedro?

  Every experience is different; some people experience visions, deep emotions, memories, or a strong connection with nature. It’s an inner journey that can help you see different angles and heal.

• 4) Where are these rituals performed?

  Most ceremonies take place in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, in energetic places surrounded by nature.

• 5) What is the Land Payment?

  It is an Andean ceremony where gifts are offered to Pachamama (Mother Earth) as a sign of gratitude and a request for blessings; it is a profound act of reciprocity.

• 6) What is an Andean marriage like?

  Andean marriage is a symbolic and spiritual ritual; it is a way of sealing a commitment to nature and the apus.

• 7) How is the coca leaf read?

  The reading occurs when the shaman blows on a handful of coca leaves and lets them fall onto a blanket, then interprets them according to his disposition.

• 8) How do I know if I’m ready to do one of these rituals?

  You’ll know when you feel like you’re not just coming out of curiosity, but out of a genuine search. If there’s something stirring inside you, like a doubt, a healing process, or a sense of reconnection, then you’re on the right path.

• 9) Can I do these rituals alone or are they always in a group?

  Many rituals are performed in groups, which helps create a space of trust. However, you can also request a private ceremony if you prefer.

• 10) How much does it cost to participate in one of these ceremonies?

  Prices vary depending on the location, the type of ceremony, and whether it’s a group or private ceremony. A coca reading can cost between 50 and 100 soles, while a well-guided Ayahuasca ceremony can cost between 300 and 600 soles, depending on the location.

Advice from people who have been there

Temple of the Moon

By: Thiago S.

“A place to meditate and disconnect“

“I went early in the morning, without many people, and felt an incredible peace. It is not a typical tourist site, so if you are looking for something spiritual and quiet, this is ideal. The walk from Sacsayhuaman is short, about 30 minutes with calm. I sat for a while in front of the cave and meditated. Bring water, sunscreen and something to sit on. There is not much signal and that makes it better.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 9, 2025