Nomadillo

Cusco, Peru
March 2024

Before stepping into the bustling heart of Cusco, we explored the ancient Inca sites that surround the city like guardians of its history.

🗿Sacsayhuamán
The crown jewel of Cusco's ancient temples, Sacsayhuamán is an architectural marvel. This massive fortress boasts gigantic stone blocks, some weighing over 100 tons, fitted so precisely that no mortar was needed.

🗿Q’enqo
A short distance from Sacsayhuamán, we found Q’enqo, a small but intriguing site. This labyrinth of carved rock channels and altars was likely used for rituals and sacrifices.

🗿Puka Pukara
Further along, we came to Puka Pukara, or the "Red Fortress" which served as a military outpost. Its name comes from the reddish hue of its stones during sunset.

🗿Tambomachay
Known as the "Baths of the Inca," Tambomachay is a serene site dedicated to water worship. Its intricate aqueducts and fountains still function, channeling clear mountain water.

These ruins are more than remnants of stone—they are windows into the ingenuity of a civilization that once thrived here.

Pisac, Peru
April 2024

At the foot of the ancient Incan archeological complex lies the town of Pisac, which was built in the 16th century during the Spanish colonial era.

Despite its colonial origin, the town of Pisac feels deeply infused with the valley's mystical Inca energy. 
Along its cobblestone streets, shops sell all sorts of traditional clothes, shamanic objects and ritual instruments, while the scent of palo santo spreads through the air. 
On notice boards around town, many posters are dedicated to spiritual readings, tarot and ayahuasca ceremonies.

Outside the town, the atmosphere becomes even more ethereal and the peace of nature and traditional way of living becomes pervasive. It's in this valley of farming fields, with a backdrop of mountains, forests and old sanctuaries, that are concealed the locations of multiple Shaman retreats.

Here, many traditional shamans still practice in the ancestral ways, honoring the roots of this tradition despite its commercialization. Shamans carefully prepare their own ayahuasca brew - a thick, earthy tea made from the ayahuasca and chacruna plants.
During night-long ceremonies, the shaman calls upon protective spirits, through chanting and ritual instruments, channeling the energy of mother ayahuasca to help their patients navigate the intense visions and emotions that arise.

Chinchero, Peru
March 2024

The Sacred Valley is made colorful and memorable also through the textiles and fabrics that revive the Inca traditions.
Those same textiles, are in large part originated from the town of Chinchero!

Chinchero stands out among the other towns of the Sacred Valley as one of the main textile production centers, still employing traditional weaving techniques and producing the highest quality of fabrics.

The history of Chinchero is very rich. It was once the Royal Estate for Inca emperor Tupac Yupanqui, it served as an administrative and agricultural center connected by roads and trails to all other towns, and witnessed the blending of Indigenous and Spanish architectural styles when, during the Spanish conquest, a colonial church was built atop the Inca foundations.

Today the town is known for its well preserved Inca terraces and ruins, and the large textile market, where every Sunday all local producers showcase their colorful, high quality hand-made products.
..and yes we bought as much as our small van could fit 🚐🎁

Inti Punku, Ollantaytambo, Peru
March 2024

We went on a long hike near Ollantaytambo, up one of the peaks in the Sacred Valley to find the lesser-known Sun Gate, Inti Punku. The other, more popular, Sun Gate sits at Machu Picchu, but this one has its own unique charm, far away from the crowds.

The views on the hike were majestic! As we climbed higher, the valley unfolded before us - vast and green, dotted with patches of farmland and small, quiet villages. The mountains loomed on all sides, their peaks jutting into the sky. It felt surreal to be surrounded by the same breathtaking landscape that the Incas once revered.

For the Incas, the Inti Punku was more than just a structure - it was a sacred place where they could connect with their sun god, Inti. Its position was such that it would be the first place the sun’s rays would touch at the start of the day.

As we got closer to the Sun Gate, the weather turned and it started to rain on us. But it only added to the experience, as the whole landscape felt much more epic and alive.