DESCRIPTION
Experiencing an Andean wedding in the Sacred Valley is much more than a ceremony: it is a profound connection with nature, spirituality, and the essence of the Quechua people. This community-based rural tourism experience in Cusco invites visitors to immerse themselves in the ancestral knowledge of a living community, where every song, color, and aroma holds sacred meaning. In Umasbamba, community members open the doors of their homes and hearts, sharing a celebration that transcends symbolism and transforms the way we understand union, love, and harmony with Pachamama.
ITINERARY
🌸 Community-Based Rural Tourism & Andean Wedding in the Sacred Valley – Day 1
Pickup from your hotel in Cusco
The day begins early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. As we head toward the community of Umasbamba, located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the guide shares interesting stories about the Andean worldview, the value of rural community tourism, and how this experience promotes the sustainable development of local communities. During the journey, we admire majestic Andean landscapes, with mountains, agricultural terraces, and colorful fields.
Arrival and traditional welcome in Umasbamba
Upon arrival, the community members greet the group with traditional music and a warm welcome ceremony. A muña or coca infusion is offered, a symbol of Andean respect and hospitality. The hosts then present the history of their community and explain the profound spiritual significance of Andean marriage, considered a union of love, energy, and connection with Pachamama.
Preparation of the bride and groom and ceremonial altar
The bride and groom dress in traditional attire handwoven by the community members. The bright colors and embroidery represent prosperity, respect, and unity. Meanwhile, the ceremonial altar is decorated with flowers, fruit, coca leaves, chicha de jora, sacred stones, and candles, forming an “offering table” that symbolizes the Andean universe. Everything is accompanied by the mystical sounds of the quena, pututo, and zampoña, creating a sacred and harmonious atmosphere.
Andean Wedding Ceremony
Guided by an Andean priest, or Paq’o, the ceremony begins with an invocation to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus, or protective mountain spirits. Coca leaf readings, purification rituals with sacred smoke, and the presentation of offerings are performed. The couple exchanges rings or ancestral symbols, such as textiles or seeds, sealing their union before the universe. Those present form a sacred circle that symbolizes support, energy, and protection for the newlyweds.
Ceremonial Toast with Chicha de Jora
After the spiritual union, everyone shares a toast with chicha de jora, an ancestral beverage made from fermented corn. This act represents gratitude, fertility, and abundance. The priest and community members offer words of blessing for the new couple, celebrating the harmony between love and nature.
Communal Andean Banquet
Lunch is enjoyed in a traditional Andean style, with typical dishes from the Sacred Valley such as pachamanca, quinoa soup, native potatoes, fava beans, and lamb or alpaca meat. The food is prepared in an earth oven and served on handwoven blankets. This communal banquet symbolizes the union between the people and the land that provides their fruits.
Traditional Dance with Live Music
After lunch, joy overflows in a colorful Andean dance. The couple opens the dance to the rhythm of zampoñas, drums, and quenas, inviting everyone to participate. Live music performed by community members creates a festive atmosphere, where locals and visitors celebrate life, love, and spiritual connection together.
Cultural and Experiential Activities
To complement the day, participants can participate in various experiential tourism activities, such as traditional textile workshops, agricultural demonstrations, natural dye production, or hikes to valley viewpoints. Participants can also learn to bake Andean bread or spin wool, sharing their knowledge with local families.
Closing Ceremony and Souvenir Presentation
Before we say goodbye, a moving ceremony of gratitude is held, where Pachamama is once again honored. The bride and groom receive a symbolic certificate of their spiritual union, and visitors are presented with handcrafted souvenirs made by the community as a token of gratitude and friendship.
Return to Cusco
At the end of the afternoon, we begin the return journey to Cusco, carrying in our hearts a unique experience of spiritual connection, cultural exchange, and respect for Andean traditions.
INCLUDES
✅Includes
✔️Round-trip tourist transportation from Cusco
The tour begins with pickup from your hotel and transfer to the community of Umasbamba, in the heart of the Sacred Valley.
✔️Professional guide specialized in rural community tourism
Permanent accompaniment by a bilingual guide (Spanish/English) who interprets the rituals and traditions.
✔️Andean Wedding Spiritual Ceremony
Ritual guided by an Andean priest or Paq’o, heir to ancestral knowledge, who performs invocations to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (mountain spirits).
✔️Traditional attire for the bride and groom
The couple receives traditional garments handwoven by the women of the community: ponchos, sashes, chullos, skirts, and multicolored blankets.
✔️Ceremony Materials
All ritual elements are provided by the community members: coca leaves, flowers, fruit, chicha de jora, candles, wool, sacred stones.
✔️ Andean Communal Lunch
Enjoy a traditional feast prepared with organic products grown in the area: pachamanca, quinoa soup, native potatoes, fava beans, tamales, and alpaca or lamb meat.
✔️Personalized Assistance
Guidelines are provided throughout the tour by the guide and community members to ensure a safe, authentic, and meaningful experience.
NOT INCLUDED
❌Not Included
Accommodation in Cusco or in the rural community
The package does not include overnight stays in Cusco or Umasbamba.
Additional drinks or drinks not included in the main menu
The communal lunch includes traditional drinks such as chicha de jora or natural infusions, but any extra drinks are the visitor’s responsibility.
Voluntary tips for community members and tour guide
Tips are not included in the tour cost. It is up to the traveler to acknowledge the work and hospitality of the hosts.
Professional photography and video services
During the ceremony, it is possible to hire a professional photographer or videographer to record the experience, but this service is not part of the standard package.
Personal expenses and optional purchases
Souvenirs, handicrafts, textiles, clothing, or agricultural products offered at the end of the visit are optional and are not included in the tour price.
Entrance fees to other tourist attractions in the Sacred Valley
The itinerary focuses exclusively on the community experience and the Andean ceremony. Therefore, entrance fees to nearby archaeological sites such as Moray, Maras, or Pisac are not included.
RECOMMENDATIONS
✨Recommendations
🌞 Clothing and Weather:
The Sacred Valley has a mild climate during the day and cool evenings. Bring light clothing, a windbreaker or fleece jacket, a hat or cap, and sunscreen.
👟 Appropriate Footwear:
Wear comfortable and sturdy sneakers, especially if you want to participate in agricultural activities or rural hikes.
🎒 What to Bring:
A reusable water bottle, a rain poncho (during the wet season), a camera, and cash in soles for artisanal purchases.
🙏 Attitude and Respect:
Remember that this is a sacred ceremony for the community. Listen to the guide’s explanations, avoid interrupting the rituals, and ask permission before taking photographs.
📷 Photography and Video:
The community allows taking photos and recording videos, as long as you respect the elders and during ritual moments.
💐 For real couples:
If you wish to perform an Andean wedding as a symbolic commitment ceremony or vow renewal, please inform us in advance so we can personalize the altar, attire, and blessing.
🍃 Sustainability:
Avoid littering, use biodegradable products, and support the local economy by purchasing
FAQ's
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an Andean wedding?
It is a spiritual ceremony that represents the union of two people before Pachamama and the Apus, without legal status. It symbolizes respect, reciprocity, and balance between the couple and nature.
2. Where does this experience take place?
In the community of Umasbamba, located about 50 minutes from Cusco, in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is a place surrounded by mountains, agricultural fields, and a unique spiritual energy.
3. Can unmarried couples participate?
Yes. It is open to couples, friends, or individual travelers interested in learning about the Andean worldview. The ceremony can be adapted as a blessing or energy renewal ritual.
4. Is it possible to customize the ceremony?
Of course. It can include special music, the exchange of symbolic gifts, the participation of family members, or an altar with items representative of the couple.
5. What type of food is served?
The community members prepare a traditional menu with local ingredients: pachamanca, quinoa, native potatoes, fava beans, alpaca meat, or lamb. A vegetarian menu can be requested with advance notice.
6. What is the best time to take the tour?
From April to October, during the dry season. The days are sunny, ideal for enjoying the views of the valley and the outdoor ceremonies.