WALKING TO CHAVIN
A pilgrimage through the Cordillera Blanca to the Chavín de Huántar ceremonial center
September 16–28, 2026 (13 days)
Huaraz and Chavín de Huántar – Áncash, Peru

This is a call to participate on a pilgrimage of deepening and encounter in the central Andes of Peru, where the ancestral ceremonial center of Chavin de Huantar is located. Chavin (chawpin: ‘the center’) has been a point of encounter (‘tinkuy’) since 3000 years ago, where people from different places and paths would prepare and walk to reach this space of initiation, un/learning, exchange and transformation. The temple and its fascinating architecture is designed as a labyrinth palace dedicated to memory and interconnection of life forms and beings. 

This year, 2026, we will be re-activating the walking memory of this path, accompanied by the hirkakuna (guardian mountains), making offerings to the wankakuna (memory monoliths) and the vital bodies of water: rahukuna (snow capped mountains), mayukuna (rivers), quchakuna (lagoons) and to the tamya (rain). 

We will be weaving our force and breath, walking on the footsteps of the ancestors of deep visions dedicated to take care of life in the Andean-Amazonian ethical principle of ‘raise and be raised by’, conducting our bodies and essences in a naani (path) composed by infinite arrivals and departures, connecting to a deep, teluric and cosmic mystery. 

This is an invitation to be present in an initiatic journey to meet the tsatsakuna (‘elders’) that dwell in the most intimate of our blood and bones, recognizing ourselves as part of a community of humans and non-humans, holding the responsibility, joy and wisdom of Buen Vivir, impregnated by the colors, textures and smells of the lands where we come from and those where we dwell.

Walking to Chavín: A pilgrimage through the Cordillera Blanca to the ceremonial center of Chavín de Huántar is a 13-day experiential immersion in Andean worldviews and ritual practices. Our walking tour takes us through an ancient and sacred territory that invites us to recognize and express the immensity within ourselves, in a sensitive and powerful dialogue with the beings and memories that reside in the central Andes of Peru.

This proposal is designed to facilitate individual and collective deepening through the body. In addition to guided walking along almost 40 km at altitudes between 3,100 m and 4,680 m above sea level, the program includes conscious breathing and movement practices, exercises in awareness and refinement of perception, offerings on the mountain, ceremonies with the sacred cactus, talking circles, the consumption of purifying and immunomodulatory plants, spaces for guidance, and ceremonial and guided encounters at the Chavin de Huantar temple. The gastronomic proposal is based on traditional and healthy local ingredients and foods. This will also serve as a strategy to cleanse the senses, connect with the external space, and prepare the body to receive the sacred plants and messages from the territory.

We will start in the city of Huaraz, where we will have acclimatization walks, a discussion about Chavín, and a connected and conscious breathing session as part of the preparation for the journey from Olleros through the ravines and mountains of the Cordillera Blanca to the ancient town of Chavín de Huántar.

The team of guides will be made up of Renata Borges (Brazil), Ana Marica (Romania), and Carlo Brescia (Peru), people with experience and knowledge in accompanying personal processes that are close to the original and traditional worldviews of South America.

During the four days of hiking in the Cordillera Blanca, we will have the support of a specialized team, composed of Gladys Jiménez (Peru), lead hiking guide, along with Geonela Díaz (Peru), mountain expedition guide and cook, and three muleteers, who will provide us with delicious food, guidance, and interesting stories about the area. As our grandparents did in their time, we will walk with the support of llamas that will carry our backpacks, freeing us to enjoy the journey without burdens. The second day in the mountains will be dedicated to offerings and a daytime ceremony with the sacred cactus (lapituq or wachuma), native to the territory.

In Chavín de Huantar, we will have a guided tour of the Chavín National Museum, time for rest and contemplation, and a very special new moon ceremony at the ceremonial center.

Throughout the days, there will be circles of conversation and integration, where we can reflect on our personal processes and share what we have learned along the way in a welcoming and supportive space. We will also take a walk to Piruru Hirka and have the option of relaxing our bodies in the hot springs of Quercos, a 20-minute walk from the village of Chavín.

Extended Itinerary

Date	Location	Activities
Day 1 Wednesday, September 16th	Huaraz	(Everybody is in Huaraz) * Breakfast * Reception of participants * Lunch * Welcome circle and presentation * Introduction to the program and cultural activity * Dinner
Day 2 Thursday, September 17th	Huaraz	* Breakfast * Acclimatization walk (light) around Huaraz * Lunch * Breathwork re-birthing session * Dinner
Day 3 Friday, September 18th	Huaraz	* Acclimatization walk (moderate) to one of the special places around Huaraz, Hiking snacks * Lunch * Dinner
Day 4 Saturday, September 19th	Huaraz Olleros Cordillera Blanca	* Breakfast * Transportation to the village of Canrey Chico (Recuay District) * Initial offering upon departure * Walk to Sacracancha (4080 m), 12 km, 4-6 hours * Hiking snacks * Offering at the huanca at the entrance to the gorge  * Final offering upon arrival (at the camp) * Body practice session * Dinner
Day 5 Sunday, September 20th	Cordillera Blanca	* Breakfast * Ceremonial walk to Huanca, including offerings at the Collotacocha lake and cave * Dinner
Day 6 Monday, September 21th	Cordillera Blanca	* Breakfast * Walk to Yanashallash Pass (4,700 m) and Shonqu Camp (4,088 m), 14 km, 6-8 hours * During the walk, we will make offerings at the water altars and the pass. * Dinner
Day 7 Tuesday, September 22th	Cordillera Blanca Chavín	* Breakfast * Walk from Shonqu field to Chichucancha (3,850 m), 4 km, 2-3 hours * Lunch * Afternoon rest and/or visit to town * Dinner
Day 8 Wednesday, September 23th	Chavín	* Breakfast * 1st Ceremonial visit to the Temple with Ceci and the sacred cactus, includes ritual offerings, fire and soup
Day 9 Thursday, September 24th	Chavín	* Breakfast * Integration space * Lunch * Optional visit to Quercos hot springs or to Nunupata viewpoint * Dinner
Day 10 Friday, September 25th	Chavín	* Optional early walk to Piruru Hirka * Breakfast * Guided visit to the Chavin National Museum * Lunch * Chavin stone art workshop * Dinner
Day 11 Saturday, September 26th	Chavín	* Breakfast * 2nd Ceremonial visit to the Temple with Ceci and the sacred cactus, includes ritual offerings, fire and soup
Day 12 Sunday, September 27th	Chavín	* Breakfast * Rest and integration space * Lunch * Optional visit to Piruru Hirka * Dinner
Day 13 Monday, September 28th	Chavín Huaraz	* Breakfast * Closing and farewell circle * Final Lunch