From the 7 am pickup to the fire at night
A Huachuma Ceremony Day
What a full day of ceremony on the mountain above the Sacred Valley is like on our retreats, and what to bring.
Around 7 in the morning
The Morning
There is no breakfast on a ceremony day. Around 7 our drivers pick the group up at the house and take us up into the mountains, in a large van, or in several small cars where the roads are too narrow for one.
Nobody in the ceremony drives. The same drivers come back for us when the ceremony ends.
From mid morning to about 5
On the Mountain
The ceremony begins soon after we arrive. It follows the Red Road tradition, around four altars. First comes the walk, following Miguel Mendiburu to the first altar. At the first altar he opens the ceremony, and this is when the medicine is first served. From there the day moves through the remaining altars, and it usually ends around 5 in the afternoon.
Hamid Jabbar and Dani Reardon are with Miguel on every ceremony, and the group holds space for everyone in it.
At Each Altar
We sit in a circle, close enough to touch. During the altars nobody eats, drinks or takes notes, and outside of shared songs and invitations to speak the circle keeps noble silence. The stick, the rattle and the feather pass clockwise from hand to hand, and singing with them is an invitation, never a requirement. Between the altars there is time for water, tea and a little fruit.
From about 6:30
Back at the House
We are usually back at the house by 6:30, with hot food ready, the fire going and plenty of the evening still ahead. The medicine lasts a long time, so the space is held after the ceremony too.
There is usually live music by the fire, and everyone is free to go to their room, sit outside or spend the evening however they like. The day after a ceremony is mostly rest.
What to Bring and Wear
Dress warmly for a full day outside. We are out on the mountain all day, so you carry what you need, and lightly.
To Wear
The Sacred Valley is often warm by day in June and July, with highs in the 60s, and chilly at night, in the 40s and 50s. Higher up, where some ceremonies are held, it can be much colder. Bring layers you can add and take off, wool being ideal: long sleeves, a fleece or wool sweater, long pants, and a warm jacket if you run cold. Wear hiking boots or comfortable walking shoes, a hat for the sun, and carry a warm hat and gloves. Rain is very rare, though a light rain jacket or poncho earns its place on the odd day. Ponchos, hats, gloves and socks of local wool are for sale in Pisac.
To Carry
A day pack with a water bottle, two liters, and a thermos for hot tea if you like. Bring water, tea or other drinks and a little fruit. We show everyone the town and the farmers market, where you can buy whatever you want to bring, and less is more, since most people do not want to eat much. Add sun protection, some toilet paper and a plastic bag for trash: we leave nothing on the ground, fruit peels included.
Miguel advises no coffee the day before a ceremony or on the day, and no dairy the day before. Coca tea and cacao are fine, and there are coca leaves for tea at the house.
The full packing list comes with the preparation materials, and we go through it on the preparation calls.
On the Fire Path, from evening to sunrise
The Night by the Fire
On the Heart Path the two mountain ceremonies usually fall on a Monday and a Thursday. The Fire Path has two mountain days like this one, usually a Monday and a Wednesday, and on the Thursday an all night fire ceremony.
We arrive at Miguel’s property, where the temple is, around 6 in the evening. The ceremony begins later, usually between 8 and 9, and goes all night until sunrise, around 5:30 or 6. It follows the four altars too, around the fire rather than walking.
Questions
Do I Eat Before a Ceremony?
No. There is no breakfast on a ceremony day. Between the altars there is time for water, tea and a little fruit, and hot food is ready when we get back to the house.
Do I Have to Drive?
No. Our drivers take the group up in the morning and bring everyone back once the ceremony ends, and nobody in the ceremony drives.
How Long Is a Ceremony Day?
The drivers pick us up around 7, the ceremony usually ends around 5, and we are back at the house by about 6:30. The medicine lasts a long time, so the evening is part of the day too.
Do I Have to Sing?
No. The stick and the rattle are for singing, and singing is an invitation. If you do not feel to share a song, you pass them to the person on your left.
What Tradition Do the Ceremonies Follow?
The Red Road tradition, around four altars, guided by Miguel Mendiburu, who has offered Huachuma ceremonies in the Sacred Valley for more than twenty years.
The retreats
Heart Path
It runs July 1 to 11, 2027, with two mountain ceremonies.
Fire Path
It runs June 17 to 27, 2027, with the all night fire as well.
Getting there is set out in From Cusco to Pisac, and the questions worth asking any retreat in Choosing a Huachuma Retreat.