Tipon and Pumamarca are two archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley of Peru that are far less popular – and therefore far less populated – than Machu Picchu. And if you’re heading to Peru for a ‘spiritual’ experience, I’d add these sites onto your agenda. The energy at both locations is clean and clear.
Tipon
This archaeological site was my first real ‘retreat’ experience with a group of women organized and facilitated by Ashera Sefarty at Luminosity Healing Arts. The retreat was co-led by Daina Puodziunas Awakened Potentials for Woman.
As we climbed the stairs out of the parking lot into the site, and then continued to climb along ancient stairs, I felt the altitude. Normally I walk with a certain amount of speed and urgency; I’m a little slower on stairs, but still.
It was hard. Very hard at times. So hard that I was usually one of the last ones to arrive at a destination. I wanted to sit down and pout.
I don’t know if it was 100% altitude, or because I wasn’t in amazing physical shape, or what. Chewing coca leaves gave me energy, but this body just said, “Um, nope, not gonna climb that fast. No way.”
So I let go of any expectations I had for this awesome body. I slowed down. I chanted Om Mani Padme Hum. I paused to catch my breath and enjoy the view.
I laughed with a traveling friend who also found stairs challenging. And I got where I needed to get, as you can see from the photos.
More About Tipon
Academics may tell you that Tipon was home to royals, and an ‘agricultural’ site. My traveling companions and I, however, saw and felt other things. We scooped water by the handfuls out to bless ourselves. We lunched high above the site. The weather turned from hot to cool, and I pulled out my lightweight winter jacket and hat. We finished our visit to Tipon with a despacho: a formal way to send prayers to Pachamama and the Apus (earth and mountains.) We also received the first of two Munay Ki rites.
- The Spanish language Wikipedia entry
- Also in Spanish this website has many pictures.
- From Cusco Online, more information about the archaeological park of Tipon.
- Don’t miss this professional video on Vimeo; can’t for the life of me make this video appear here.
- Here’s another, older video of Tipon:
Pumamarca
Also spelled Pumamarka, this archeological ‘park’ is at the opposite end of the Sacred Valley from Tipon, a short van ride from Ollataytambo, and just as deserted. Here is another professionally shot video. Never mind the professional cyclists: look at those views!
The only other people we saw were some boys playing soccer. I don’t have pictures to share because I didn’t take my camera; suffice to say, another mountain top and a feeling of deep connection.
Others in the group did have cameras, and someone took this wonderful shot of me, standing on the mountain, arms flung wide to accept and embrace the energy. Thank you, sisters!
