We’ve written about Markawasi, Peru before. The stone forest is as great a mystery as Machu Pichu and virtually unknown. Thanks to Kathy Doore’s gorgeous book, Markawasi: Peru’s Inexplicable Stone Forest, the place is a bit less unknown now.
Kathy and I recently had lunch and she described the five-day Markawasi trip that she leads. It’s part of a longer trek that includes Machu Pichu, Lake Titicaca, and some other sacred spots in Peru. By the end of the lunch, I was ready to take out a second mortgage on my house and follow her. This place is definitely on our bucket list: UFO sightings are frequent on the plateau and just the mystery and awe of these giant stone figures, at nearly 13,000 feet above sea level, is enough to inspire books and novels for years.
There is nothing on this plateau except the stones and the spirit of the place and stars, close enough to touch. This means: no hotels, restaurants, bathrooms, convenience stores, cars, scooters, bicycles. Nada. All camping gear, water, food, firewood, is brought up to the plateau by horseback and porters from the town at the foot of the mountain. That said, Kathy makes sure that you’re comfortable up there – the cook and dining tent, pads for sleeping bags, tents etc accompany the group. And yes, a Peruvian shaman tags along, too.
I’m not big on camping, although Rob and Megan are, but I will bend a lot of my silly rules for a mystical experience.
We won’t be able to make her June trip, but we’ve got our sights on a September journey.
Now, from Kathy:
June 12-16, 2012
Giant Rock figures reach across rocky escarpment in a land where the Gods have turned into stone, and siblings of the Sun dance for days on end . . . the LEGEND comes alive.
This place exists!
Rising majestically 12,800 feet above the world on the western Andean ridge, the Markawasi stone forest crowns the Pacific coastline; sprawling below this enigma lies the city of Lima, Peru. This three-mile long tabletop mountain landscape is punctuated with massive carved effigies, including curious replicas of unknown human races and long-extinct animals. Among the effigies may be found mind-boggling images of winged sphinxes, elephants, camels and animals unknown to this Age and continent. With its sixteen carved faces of the Races of Man, the massive Monument to Humanity distinguishes itself as the most spectacular and prominent structure dominating this ancient scene.
Considered to be one of Peru’s little known treasures among passionate travelers to the Andes, Markawasi provides a superb introduction to a poignant mystery. Following the route presented by author Kathy Doore in her book, “Markawasi: Peru’s Inexplicable Stone Forest”, our expedition begins with an ascent from the village of San Pedro by foot and horseback along winding trails through diverse ecosystems to the high plateau. Dazzling summits and sacred peaks greet visitors at the tented village, where they are confronted by the heart of a Mystery–the colossal 80-foot Peca Gasha with it sixteen carved faces!
Three days of hands-on access to the striking stone monuments, which lie upon converging earth energy vortices, allows for intimate investigation at an easy stride. At the end of each day, surrounded by soaring peaks under the Andean night sky, guests are nestled in the womb of a granite cathedral, where sumptuous dining and graceful slumber occur under a canopy of stars: the mind is invigorated, the body is rejuvenated, and the soul is revitalized.
Providing unfettered and private access to the Sanctuary grounds, our experienced mountain crew, who are dedicated to the conservation and spiritual maintenance of this impressive site, shares their genuine hospitality and intrinsic knowledge of this magnificent stone forest: Markawasi!
Come explore!
5-Day Markawasi Expedition June 12-16, 2012
2 nights in Markawasi Stone Forest (tented village)
1 night San Pedro folkloric community
1 night Miraflores/Lima, Peru
Double Occupancy (per person) $795.00. Single Supplement $995.00
This Tour Includes:
Hotel accommodations in Lima (1 night)
Overnight in San Pedro (1 night)
Overnight Markawasi (2 nights)
Full camp facilities including tents, pads, sleeping bags (or bring your own)
Tented lavatories and washing facilities, Tented dining and chairs, lanterns, firewood
Meals: (5) breakfasts (4) lunches (3) dinners
All ground Transportation to and from Lima/Markawasi
Admission entrance to Markawasi
Bilingual Mountain Guide,Camp Supervisor, Chef, Porters, Horses, Burros
A personally endorsed, signed copy of “Markawasi: Peru’s Inexplicable Stone Forest” is included with your tour.
Not Included:
Items of a personal nature
Customary Trip Gratuities ($22/pp/per day)
Anything not specifically mentioned in above program
Activity Levels
5-Day Markawasi June 12-16, 2012: typically 5-8 hours of activity per day, with hikes on mostly flat exposed rocky terrain with some uneven trails at 12,000 feet. Prior experience hiking at high elevation such as can be found in the Colorado Rockies, Aspen, etc. This trip is not recommended for those with heart and/or vascular disease.
11-Day Machu Picchu & the Andes June 2-12, 2012: Activity includes 1-5 hours of activity per day with gentle walks less than 3 miles on mostly flat terrain with some stone staircases in temple sites and city sidewalks in Cusco at altitudes of up to 11,000 feet.
*For high altitude touring on the 5-day Markawasi trek, it is suggested to first prepare by joining our 11-day trip allowing gentle acclimation to high-altitude before continuing on to Markawasi. Elevations include Machu Picchu (8,000 feet), Sacred Valley (9,000 feet), Cusco (11,000 feet), Lake Titicaca and Markawasi (12,000 feet). Participants should be physically fit for day walking in Cusco and Lake Titicaca, and in excellent physical condition with strong legs, ankles, and knees for walking and hiking in Markawasi.
For more information or to make a reservation, please visit Markawasi.
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At the end of our lunch, Kathy handed me two little figures from Peru – one of these guys is in the photo below. This guy is Ekeko, “God of Abundance and Wealth”. These clay dolls are packed with items representing abundance and are intended to bring their keeper’s good fortune. Various colors. Hand made by master ekeko doll maker in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru.
He brings prosperity – see that $100 bill on his chest? So we have our little guys where we can see them constantly – and talk to them about making the September trip possible.
What an adventure it will be too. I am gonna armchair travel as well i think, Daz because well….no hairdryer, no Nat. 🙂
Make that https://www.drronaldpdevasto.com/.
Click onto the first site that comes up with just his name. On the left will be his bio, hgis founding of the Hypnotic Research Society, etc. On the right is a photo of Peru mountain peak. Click onto the picture and enjoy the journey with Doc!!
Ron and Trish, as you know our mutual friend Ron D. has guided annual tours to all these sites for many years until he became ill. He has a lot of magnificent photos and details on his sites that folks can enjoy. One suggestion when you go: since we live at sea level, you will definitely want to take along the no-side-effect meds for altitude sickness, because the ascent is rather sudden and not gradual. It tends to have similar effects as swimming too rapidly to the surface after deep-sea diving, without decompressing, but can easily be avoided with simple meds. I’ll ask Doc what is used. You don’t want altitude sickness to interfere with such an exciting and sacred, once-in-a-lifetime journey. Who knows what spectacular, magnificent experiences one can have while being in these sacrocanct spaces!! Check out http://www.drronanldpdevasto.com and follow his prompts on several of the sites for photos and comments from various yearly treks. He and his fellow travelers have had some quite literally out-of-this-world phenomena. Amazing. Awesome. I would love to go, but must simply be the arm-chair traveler spoken of by Darren. The Pyramids in Giza are my destination!! Love, love this post.
Am well aware of the altitude! We aren’t going in June, hopefully in September. Thanks for the links. Ask Ron if he has heard of Markawasi.
For those who are like me…not enough spare cash,half a world away,and not that fond of camping and traveling in foreign lands.
Kathy’s book and DVD make armchair traveling a delight…and it’s much cheaper.-)
So why not take an armchair holiday and get yourself a copy of Kathy’s book and/or DVD ?
The book is full of beautiful colour pictures and is a bargain for the price.
The book is truly gorgeous. You feel like you’re there!
Yes,it definitely is the next best thing to being there,and having flicked through the book and watched the DVD I can highly recommend getting a copy,to anyone out there reading this post who is interested in Markawasi.
In fact I don’t think that she leaves one stone unturned in the book when it comes to the rock formations of Markawasi .-)
I agree. She covers everything!
Wow, fascinating indeed! I wish I could go along……although, alas, I’m not too good at high altitudes. I sure would love to see these stones.
I thought about the body of work about the vortexes and ley lines (the “Michael line” and the “Mary line”, etc.) connected with the whole sacred landscape of Avebury and Glastonbury in England. There is so much there that we do not understand, and need to. It’s also interesting to me that the Bosnian pyramids have only very recently become something we’re aware of as well – huge structures that may have been built more than 10,000 years ago…….these evidences of very ancient cultures.
Hmm, that high altitude IS a factor!
My feet are itchy! Have been looking at photos of Markawasi, so amazing – another must (definitely must) place to visit.
As for your ‘prosperity guy’ if you search those two words on Google Images your pic is the first entry.
Just putting up the pot made my feet itchy, too. I’ll check out google images!