Inca spirituality, deeply rooted in the Andean culture of Peru, is a captivating blend of ancient beliefs and reverence for nature.

In the Sacred Valley you’re invited to immerse yourself in this mysticism as you join a sacred Welcome Ceremony performed by Shaman Laura. Here, she shares how she got her calling and what you can expect from this exclusive and privileged experience.

The Spirituality of the Incas

The Inca religion, known as “Inca tradition” or “Andean spiritual art,” holds a significant position among the world’s major religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. It is often described as nature mysticism due to its belief that humans are inseparable from nature, its creatures, and the vast universe with its stars and planets. Everything is one and everything is interconnected.

Despite the near loss of the Inca culture during the Spanish colonization of the Americas, the communities in the heart of the Peruvian Andes have successfully safeguarded these deeply ingrained traditions.

The spirituality and mysticism that enveloped the Inca culture continue to thrive within traditional families in the city of Cusco and throughout the Peruvian Andes.

For travel inspiration: Peru destination guide

Cusco and the Sacred Valley

The Incas understood that Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire from 1200 – 1533 AD, holds a unique vibrational resonance. Its location is a huge energy portal to connect with the spirit world and source, the connectedness of all things.

Just 15km north of Cusco, you will find the Sacred Valley, hailed as one of the most important historical sites in South America, and of particular significance to the Incas.

It is here, in this stunning valley gateway to Machu Picchu, embedded with mysteries, spirituality, Inca history and a myriad of ruins and stone terraces, that you will meet Shaman Laura, for this very special Welcoming Ceremony.

“[In Cusco] we have a mystical and magic city,” Shaman Laura says. “Performing the ceremony helps guests to connect with our magical city, and with natural signs.”

Dating back to pre-historic times, the ceremony is a way to celebrate and show gratitude to Pachamama, the only goddess revered by the Indigenous people of the Andes.

As part of the ceremony offering you’ll also savor a typical Peruvian meal of fresh vegetables and slow-roasted meats.

Discover this on: Treasures of the Incas and Grand South America

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A Natural Calling

“My Grandfather was an Alto Mesayuc or ‘Altomisayoc’,” Laura tells us. Increasingly rare, the Altomisayoc are the high priests of the Andes (Alto means ‘High’ and misayoq means ‘one who has power’). It is thought that there are around only 10 alive today, spread throughout Peru and Bolivia.

They receive their vocations during a dream, during a dive into a frozen lake or if they survived a lightning strike. They are said to have a special communion with the spirit world – an ability to gain access to places that most people are unaware of.

Laura explains that that due to her connection to her grandfather she also received signs from the natural elements. “As per my grandfather’s legacy, since I was a little girl, I have been connected to natural elements, in the shapes of the signs and evidence I was receiving.

“In many countries there’s a ‘sage’ and in Peru they have a lot of sages both men and women that accomplished the same function. The difference is that some of us evoke to honor our ancestors with all our soul body and spirit.”

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The Importance of Goddess Pachamama

Guests of Luxury Gold will join Laura for this age-old ceremony, in which an offering is made to the Goddess Pachamama. A fertility goddess, in the indigenous Quechua language, Pachamama (also known as Mama Pacha) translates as Mother Earth or Mother Cosmos.

“Through the Goddess Pachamama you can improve abundancy, heal production, life and spirituality,” says Laura. “Also, she can help us to find our inner force of the heart.”

During her ceremony, Laura expresses gratitude to Pachamama for crops, good weather, animals and the abundance of the soil. Andean people believe in living in harmony with nature and preserving its resources. It is believed that disrespecting Mother Earth can have negative consequences such as earthquakes and floods.

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An Exclusive and Significant Invitation

To join Laura for this ceremony is a rare and privileged invitation, which offers a deep connection both to Peru and to yourself.

“When performing the ceremony, for me I travel through my body with my ancestor and find a lot of answers to the questions of those participating, and I try to help them,” Laura says. “Also, they will be protecting their paths and their journey on this tour.”

Through the ceremony Laura also explains that guests will be ‘opening their energy circle.’ “This allows only positive energy to flow in, so they can absorb only the positive energy,” she says.

Something very deep to Laura’s heart, and that of the Andean people, she’s delighted to share her gift and the ceremony with guests. In return she hopes that guests will enjoy the experience and place a lot of “respect, focus and value to this spiritual heritage.”

To share in Inca spirituality and have the privilege to meet Shaman Laura in the Scared Valley, take a look at our luxurious Treasures of the Incas and Grand South America limited edition tours.

Esteemed Peruvian artist Victor Delfin has been inspired by the unique heritage and people of his native Peru. From large scale sculptures to graphic, vibrant paintings, Delfin captures the events and emotions of Peruvians. We are fortunate that he opens his home and workshop to Luxury Gold guests as one of our VIP Experiences on our Grand South America and Treasures of the Incas tours.  

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Victor Delfin’s house 

You’ll find Delfin’s Tudor-style home perched on a cliff above the Pacific Ocean. Here, giant waves add a dramatic background to the setting. While Delfin maintains residency, his home is also a contemporary art museum, artist studio and bed and breakfast called Second Home Peru. 

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Inside Delfin’s home

Approaching the home, gardens dotted with sculptures of angels, a bull, a horse tossing its mane and a lion creating a sense of wild movement and energy will impress you. Inside, Delfin’s home welcomes with warm wood trim, colorful stained glass and curio cabinets filled with sculptures. The second floor was once family rooms and galleries. Up one more level, a hidden spiral staircase leads to a tower studio overlooking the ocean where Delfin used to work. 

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Delfin’s presence 

Delfin’s touch is everywhere. For example, you can view the wrought-iron wood burning stove, hand-shaped light fixtures, leather chairs and even chess pieces he designed as well as the numerus boldly colored paintings that adorn the walls. 

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Over the years Delfin has expanded his property to include a new studio, cave gallery and a large swimming pool with a fountain shaped like a puma head. Before Delfin’s daughter converted the family rooms, gallery space, dark room and her father’s former studio into guest rooms in 2004, it was once a meeting place for Lima’s artists and activists.  

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Community and legacy 

Victor Delfin’s house is in the Barranco neighborhood known for its cafes and murals. The neighborhood is also a hub of creativity among the local writers, poets, musicians, photographers and other artists. In addition, politically, Delfin’s house was also a gathering space for dissidents from “La Resistencia Democrática,” a group who opposed then-president Alberto Fujimori in the late 1990s. Delfin played a role in organizing the marches and protests. As a result, his involvement in political causes is just as strong a contribution to Peru as his art.  

Victor Delfin’s art 

However, Victor Delfin’s art is his legacy. The pre-Inca Paracas culture inspired Delfin. Thus, his art has a boldly colorful yet mysterious and magical quality reminiscent of this disappeared nation. He works with a range of materials including wood, metal, canvas, polychrome acrylics and aluminum. But, many know Delfin for his large metal sculptures of birds, horses and other animals. For example, Delfin’s famed “El Beso” (The Kiss) sculpture sits in Lima’s Parque del Amor (Love Park). It has become a popular spot for couples to pose with the sculpture on romantic occasions.  

We connected with Delfin to learn more about his artwork and influences in his own words.  

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In Delfin’s words

Peru has certainly influenced my artwork. With roots as old as the Greek, Egyptian and African cultures, Peru has an exciting amount of history to discover and display. 

From its unique, pre-Columbian architecture to its music and folk crafts, it is full of surprises. Its natural beauty and heritage is inspirational, with the splendor of the Amazon, the powerful snow-capped mountains and, of course, the welcoming nature of its people. 

All my work is somehow based on my country, and I like to show this to Luxury Gold guests when they visit my workshop. My passion for creativity is kindled by my love for home. There’s little surprise that the place I feel most comfortable is right here (in a studio I designed, “my way,” to quote Sinatra). 

When Luxury Gold guests visit, they ask me about my favorite piece of artwork, and are surprised when I explain there is no favorite. As artists, everything we make, we make with a lot of enthusiasm and passion. We give the best of ourselves in the art that we create. 

Delfin’s passion

For artists, our creations are like our children, and we care for them with the same passion, whether one makes a painting, a sculpture or a jewel. 

I hope to pass along this passion for creativity, which nature gave me as a child and which was guided by the immense love of my parents, friends and mentors, and inspires me to take care of others. I feel obligated to be an activist for human rights, for the struggles of citizens to improve their quality of life. 

It’s my way of giving back to the people. After all, my inspiration is in the streets, in the towns, in the customs of the people and their ways of expressing themselves. 

What will you be inspired by in Peru?

Explore dining in Peru and our tours: Treasures of the Incas and Grand South America.