Best spiritual destinations in South America
Best spiritual destinations in South America
High Andean sacred valleys and historic brick ruins in South America
South America has ancient ruins, huge empty landscapes and living Indigenous traditions, which makes it a natural choice for travelers looking for something deeper than a regular holiday.
Machu Picchu is the obvious highlight, and arriving early, when the mist is still lifting off the mountains, can feel like a real reward after the journey. The nearby Sacred Valley is full of small villages, markets and yoga and meditation retreats, and it makes a gentle base for getting used to the altitude. In Bolivia, the Salar de Uyuni is one of the most surreal places on earth, especially after rain, when the salt flat turns into a giant mirror for the sky. Further south, the peaks and glaciers of Torres del Paine in Patagonia offer plenty of silence for long walks and reflection.
Machu Picchu has strict ticket limits, so book well ahead, especially for the dry season.
Lists by region
City in Peru
Cusco
Gateway to the Incan Empire's Heart
Qorikancha, meaning golden place, was the Inca Empire's most important sanctuary to the sun god Inti. The Convent of Santo Domingo was built on its foundation. Cusco is nicknamed the Navel of the World. Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, is held every 24 June at Sacsayhuamán.
Valley in Peru
Sacred Valley
Ancient terraces echoing timeless Andean rhythms
The Quechua name of the Urubamba River, Willkamayu, is often translated as the sacred river. Quechua oral histories say the ancient Inca married the earth mother Pachamama. The valley runs about 60 kilometres from Pisac to Ollantaytambo. Chicha, a maize drink, was consumed in large quantities at ceremonial feasts and religious festivals.
National Park in Brazil
Chapada Diamantina National Park
Waterfalls, Caves and Diamond History
Spiritual communities took root in the Vale do Capão from the late 1970s. The village began as a supply stop for diamond miners. Today about 3,000 people live there year round. Yoga, meditation and natural therapies are part of the experience. Its waterfalls include Fumaça, Purificação and Angélica.
Salt Flat in Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni
World's largest surreal salt mirror
Aymara legends link the nearby Tunupa volcano to the origin of the salt flats. Some guides teach visitors how to make an offering to Pachamama. One travel writer says Indigenous peoples there share a sense that the land is spiritual. The flat covers about 10,582 square kilometres at 3,656 metres.
Archaeological Site in Peru
Machu Picchu
Lost Inca city among clouds
Intihuatana means place where the sun is tied in Quechua. At midday on 11 November and 30 January the stone casts no shadow. It lines up with the peaks Veronica, Salcantay and Huayna Picchu. The Temple of the Three Windows lets visitors see both sunrise and sunset from inside.
Desert in Chile
Atacama Desert
Endless dunes under starlit desert skies
Licancabur, a sacred volcano near San Pedro de Atacama, rises to 5,916 metres. The Atacameño and Inca worshipped the mountain until the 20th century. Climbing it was taboo and legend says the mountain defends its summit. Researchers think summit sites may have hosted equinox and solstice feasts.
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