Andean Wedding Half Day

Introduction:

This Andean ceremony is much more important than a common conjugal union between two individuals, as it is a whole sacred ritual performed by an Andean Priest, together with all of nature´s energies.
In the Andean wedding ceremony, not only do the people present participate, but also are present all the Sacred Deities considered in the Andean religion. We can mention here the main ones that constitute the Andean Duality which is composed of THE APUS (Mountain Spirits), representing the masculine side and THE PACHA MAMA (Earth Mother), representing the woman and in addition to these two Main Deities, Water is considered as the element that represents Purity and Fire which symbolizes the Path or Strength.

The Andean wedding ceremony is one of the simplest, in comparison with that of the Catholics in which the best dressed couple or whoever looks best is the one that had the best wedding. In this case, the luxury part doesn´t exist and the couple must step into the ceremony with an open and pure heart.

CEREMONY ORGANIZATION:

The ceremony will take place outside the city of Cusco, so as not to have any contact with the Catholic religion, as this is a mystical ceremony and not a Catholic one.

Generally, the Andean wedding ceremonies start in the morning, as we´ll go to QUILLARUMIYOC, to perform the ceremony only in the course of the morning. Then, if the couple wishes to, they can go on with the Catholic and civil ceremony, in accordance with their program.

Normally, we perform the ceremony in the QUILLARUMIYOC Archaeological Center; a place of great power and energy, where the vital liquid which is favorable to the undertaking of the ceremony, is also present. On the other hand, it is a magnetic religious center. It is considered by us as a place with many positive qualities for our ceremonies. But, we don´t discard the possibility that the interested parties might choose a place they find more convenient to organize their ceremonies.

The ceremony starts in QUILLARUMIYOC, at 9:30 a.m. and will last about three and a half hours, as it will end with the Purification and Flowering Ceremony, followed by the Ceremony of the Four Elements: Water, Fire, Air and Earth. During the ceremony, the Offering or “Despacho” Ceremony to the PACHA MAMA will be carried out, which consists in giving a matrimonial offering so that the PACHA MAMA might protect the Sacred Union which is being sealed. The ceremony is complemented by a series of activities, to confirm the union before the eyes of our Andean Gods, which can be:

ANILLO CHURACUY: (Exchange of Rings): The rings will have to be silver or gold, even if they are just plated, as each one of these metals has a meaning which will be revealed to you in the agency.
SUCHI TIYRAY: (Exchange of Presents): In this case, there is a series of mutual exchanges of presents between man and woman. The kind of products to be exchanged will be explained to you at the agency, as each product has a special meaning that only you will know at the moment of the ceremony.
T´INKAY: (Drink of Honor): This ceremony is performed with a drink of Andean beverages that will be useful to strengthen the marital union from that moment on.
PICKNICK (Buffet): This is the food that is being offered to thank the guests, which is composed of Andean snacks and even of a main course dish. (This part of the ceremony is optional).

What is included:

• Andean Priest
• Transportation, only for the fiancés
• Offering to the PACHA MAMA, including the basic liquids for the ceremony
• Guide and translator
• Basic music for the ceremony.
• Typical clothes, if the interested parties prefer it so

What is not included:

• Gala musicians
• Clothes for the witnesses or other relatives
• Food
• Transportation for the accompanying suite.

What you need to bring/carry:

• Rain clothes
• Water
• Camera or video cam
• Some product for the offering (ask for the kind of product at the agency).

IMPORTANT:
*During the ceremony, it is necessary to make the exchange of presents which will be mentioned to you at the agency, so that the ceremony might be stronger, in the same way as for the products that you will take along for the Offering Ceremony, so that the individual or couple might identify better with the Offering Ceremony. All services that are not included can be offered and will represent an additional cost to the price of the package.

RURAL TOURISM

Peru has a cultural wealth at the height of great and millenary civilizations in humanity´s history.
Our visitors have the opportunity to go back to the past and live pre-Incan, Incan, colonial and republican Andean traditions manifested through the varied Peruvian gastronomy, art, communal customs, music, in the use of the llama as the Andean burden animal, on a hike through snowy landscapes of the Andean White Cordillera, on the Inca´s Trails, within and around Cusco or in the surroundings of the enigmatic Temple of Chavín de Huantar and in general, in this wonderful country´s Andean region.
Visitors who wish to journey through our territory, step by step, have the opportunity to go for rural live experiences in farmers´ houses, with families who have prepared their houses in order to lodge guests and who are willing to show them their way of life, customs and traditions such as that of plowing fields with oxen, preparing bread, participate in offering ceremonies to Mother Earth, sow products of the area, go on hikes to nearby attractions, as well as so many other local customs and practices kept through time.
For example, in Cusco, inhabitants of three communities of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, open their doors to “pilgrims”, in order to share their daily lives through live experiences. Your stay allows you to directly participate in farming activities, celebrations and rituals, achieving a true live exchange, in balance with nature. In addition, it is possible to relive multi-millenary myths and traditions in contact with local inhabitants, during the journey on the ancestral itineraries of the Inca´s Trails, as well as that of Ollantaytambo.