Ausangate feels spiritual before you even mount up. This 2-day escape from Cusco pairs a coca leaf oracle reading with a horseback day in Pacchanta near Ausangate. I love the oracle moment and the ride toward lagoons by Ausangate, because it turns the mountain from scenery into something you can actually feel.

I’m also glad the team covers the heavy lifting with private transport, Ausangate entrance, and full meals, so you’re free to pay attention. Possible drawback: the homestay is simple, and the trip includes long hours sitting in a vehicle plus time outdoors.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Coca leaf oracle + Andean shaman: you’re guided with intention before the day gets physically active.
• Horseback to Ausangate-area lagoons: scenic access without turning the day into a wrestling match with steep trails.
• Spiritual cleansing in Ausangate’s presence: not just photos—this part is about participation and respect.
• Overnight at a local homestay: clean, simple lodging with dinner that’s part of the cultural flow.
• Mother Earth offering next morning: gratitude and intention, done in a peaceful sacred spot.

Cusco To Pacchanta: The South Valley Drive That Sets the Tone

The experience starts in Cusco with pickup from your hotel in the city center or nearby. Then you settle in for about a three-hour scenic drive through the South Valley to the Pacchanta community near Ausangate Mountain. It’s the kind of transfer that quietly changes your mindset: you leave the busy feel of town and gain patience for the slower rhythm of rural life.

Before you reach Pacchanta, you stop for breakfast. That matters more than it sounds, because the day that follows is active and ceremonial, not a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing loop.

When you arrive, you get welcomed by a local family. It’s not a stagey performance. It’s the start of a relationship—small talk, eye contact, and that sense of being received rather than processed. That tone carries into everything else, from the oracle reading to the way people explain what’s happening.

Coca Leaf Oracle Reading With an Andean Shaman

One of the most interesting parts is the coca leaf oracle reading with the Andean shaman. You’re given insight and guidance for the days ahead, and it’s framed as practical spiritual support rather than entertainment.

Even if you’re not sure what you believe, the value here is how grounded it feels. The shaman isn’t just doing something for show. You’re encouraged to pay attention to what the mountain, the community, and the moment might be asking from you.

I also like that the experience is guided by a team that includes someone who speaks Quechua, English, and Spanish. That kind of language coverage helps you follow the meaning, not just the schedule. And from what I’ve seen in this provider’s work, their support staff style is warm and steady—names like Laura and Ruty come up for that careful, attentive presence.

Horseback Day to Ausangate Lagoons and Cleansing Ceremonies

After the oracle moment, you head out on horseback. There’s a horse and horseman included, which is a big deal for value and safety. You’re not just renting an animal and hoping for the best; you’ve got support built into the day.

The route takes you through breathtaking mountain scenery, including a ride along lagoons near Ausangate Mountain. This is the part that feels like real access. Instead of looking at the landscape from a viewpoint, you’re moving through it, at the pace of the guides and animals.

Then comes the spiritual part: spiritual cleansing ceremonies held in the powerful presence of Ausangate Mountain. The best way to think about this is respect-driven, not performance-driven. You’ll do better if you treat it like a ritual you’re invited into, not a spectacle you’re filming your way through.

Practical note: horseback riding can be a comfort issue for some people. If you have balance concerns, strong leg pain, or you get anxious around animals, this is worth thinking through before you commit.

Overnight Homestay: Simple Comfort and Real Conversation

At the end of day one, you settle into a local homestay in Pacchanta. The accommodation is described as simple, clean, and comfortable—think functional, not fancy. This is exactly the tradeoff you make when you choose a more cultural experience over a resort version of the Andes.

You share a local dinner, and you’ll have opportunities to learn more about the Andean way of life. This is where the tour stops feeling like a checklist and starts feeling like a story you’re stepping into.

If you want to get the most out of the homestay portion, come in curious. Ask normal questions: how mornings work here, what people eat, what days look like during different seasons. Even if your Spanish or Quechua is limited, good listening goes a long way.

From the positive feedback tied to the provider’s approach, people often highlight feeling cared for from start to finish. Names like Laura and Ruty show up in accounts of support that feels human and grounded. That kind of staff attention matters when you’re sleeping somewhere unfamiliar.

Mother Earth Offering the Next Morning

Day two begins with breakfast, then you head out to a peaceful, sacred location for a traditional offering to Mother Earth. This ceremony centers on gratitude, intention, and connection—both to nature and to yourself.

This is one of those moments where you’ll get more out of it by going in quietly. You don’t need to know every symbol to participate respectfully. If you take the time to slow down and listen to the guide’s framing, you’ll feel how the ritual shifts your attention.

After the offering, you return to Pacchanta for lunch. Then you begin the journey back to Cusco. The whole structure makes sense: you don’t cram a spiritual morning and then rush straight into a chaotic schedule. Lunch gives you a buffer, and the ride back feels like a soft landing.

Price and Value: What You’re Paying For (and What You’re Not)

The price is $605 per person for about two days. That’s not cheap, but it’s also not a random high number. Here’s why it can feel fair for the right traveler:

You’re paying for private transportation, all meals on day one, and breakfast and lunch on day two. You also get a guide who works across Quechua, English, and Spanish, plus an Andean shaman who performs the ceremonies. Add horseback and a horseman, plus the Ausangate entrance ticket, and the overnight homestay—suddenly the cost looks more like a full-service cultural day trip package than a bare sightseeing ticket.

Also, it’s a private group. The experience is described as private, meaning only your group participates. That often improves the quality of the ceremony and the guidance, because the pace doesn’t have to accommodate strangers doing their own thing.

What’s not included is simply other meals or activities not mentioned. So if you plan to buy snacks, drinks, or extra stops beyond the outlined day flow, that’s on you.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Something Else)

This experience is a good match if you want spirituality that’s connected to place, not just a background story. If you like learning through participation—coca oracle reading, cleansing ceremonies, and an offering to Mother Earth—you’ll likely feel satisfied.

It also fits people who want a more human pace. The homestay and local dinner portions give you a chance to slow down and ask questions without feeling rushed.

It might be less ideal if you strongly prefer comfort-only travel. The overnight is in a local setting, and the day includes horseback riding and outdoor time. If you’re someone who gets stressed by uneven surfaces, animal handling, or long travel blocks, consider that before booking.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Day (Without Overthinking It)

You don’t need special gear info in the listing, but you do want to prepare for the basics that come with horseback and outdoor ceremonies. Wear something you can move in, and bring layers you can adjust as conditions change during the day.

Because the tour includes ceremonies, it’s wise to show up with a calm, respectful attitude. Follow the guide’s instructions closely for where to stand, how to participate, and when to be quiet.

Also, plan your expectations for comfort. A homestay isn’t a hotel. You’ll likely do better if you treat it as part of the point: you’re not just visiting the Andes; you’re sharing a night inside someone’s world.

Should You Book This Ausangate Ceremonies Experience?

Book it if you want a two-day mountain experience that treats spirituality and local hospitality as more than a marketing line. The combination of oracle reading, horseback access to Ausangate-area lagoons, cleansing ceremonies, and a Mother Earth offering is structured in a way that feels meaningful and paced.

Skip it or rethink it if horseback riding or basic rural lodging would make you uncomfortable. This isn’t a luxury retreat, and it’s not trying to be.

My final take: if you’re open-minded, respectful, and curious, this is the kind of trip that leaves you with more than photos—more like a memory of how the mountains, the community, and the ceremonies align.

FAQ

How long is the experience?

It runs for about 2 days.

Where does the tour take place?

You travel from Cusco to the Pacchanta community near Ausangate Mountain, Peru.

Is pickup included, and where does it happen?

Pickup is offered from any hotel in Cusco city center or nearby. You should share your accommodation details in advance.

What ceremonies are included?

The schedule includes a coca leaf oracle reading with an Andean shaman, spiritual cleansing ceremonies, and an offering to Mother Earth.

What’s included in the price?

Included are private transportation, meals on day 1 (all meals) and breakfast and lunch on day 2, a guide who speaks Quechua, English, and Spanish, an Andean shaman for ceremonies, horseback and a horseman, an Ausangate entrance ticket, and an overnight stay at a local homestay.

Is this tour private?

Yes, it’s described as private, with only your group participating.

Can I get a refund if plans change?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, no refund is provided.