Marriage Ceremony on Rainbow Mountain Wilcacunca

Marriage Ceremony on Rainbow Mountain Wilcacunca

Experience and Ceremony Organized by Our Hosts: Laura and Robert

The Search for a Unique Wedding Venue

Before diving into the details of the big day, let me share how we arrived at this moment. After discussing marriage with my now Inca wife, we both agreed that a traditional wedding ceremony wasn’t for us. Lyla embarked on a quest to find the perfect Peruvian location where we could showcase and pledge our commitment to each other.

Discovering Rainbow Mountain Expeditions

During our search, we came across a particular travel agency, and that’s where Roger came into the picture. After an extensive search, Lyla found Rainbow Mountain Expeditions and reached out to Roger. He suggested a fantastic option for a traditional Peruvian wedding: a private guided tour to Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca. However, he also told us about a mountain similar to Vinicunca—Wilcacunca, also known as the “Mountain of Love.” He mentioned that we would be the first to visit it since it wasn’t as well-known.

The adventure begins

Making the Decisión

It didn’t take us long to decide that this option was perfect for us, and what caught our attention the most was its name, “Mountain of Love.” We contacted Roger again, and he informed us that it would be a full day, including the journey, requiring an early start—but that didn’t discourage us.

Arrival in Cusco

Once we arrived in the land of the Incas, specifically in Cusco, Lyla was contacted by Roger, who met us at our hotel to finalize the arrangements. Roger was helpful, warm, and genuine, explaining that the Cayanca community had never had visitors before and was extremely excited to host us. He had even visited the village president personally and brought photographs of the stunning views we could expect, which did not disappoint us at all.

A Thoughtful Gesture

To add a special touch, we were told that we might be lucky enough to spot vicuñas along the paths to the mountain. Before heading to the community, we decided it would be a good idea to bring a gift. As educators, we bought school supplies for the local children, which would be distributed by the community president.

The Morning of the Big Day

And so, our exciting day began. The night before the tour, we could hardly sleep from excitement, knowing we had to leave at 3:30 AM. We made sure to pack everything necessary to keep warm, as we would be at a high altitude of 4,950 meters above sea level. (¡Yes, we got married at 4,950 meters!) Roger took care of organizing the rest.

The Journey to Base Camp

Pickup and First Destinations

At the agreed time, Roger and the driver promptly picked us up, and we began weaving through the narrow, charming streets toward the outskirts of the ancient Inca capital, Cusco. Along the way, we picked up our Shaman, who would oversee the ceremony. Just like us, the Shaman took advantage of the comfortable seat in the vehicle and almost instantly fell into a deep sleep.

Breakfast and Onward Journey

Finally, after two and a half hours, mostly on paved roads, we stopped for breakfast to fuel up for the big day ahead. Despite the lack of sleep and the nerves about the day to come, we managed to devour some pancakes with jam and a variety of fruits before continuing our journey.

Arrival and Preparations

The roads took us through small traditional villages, marking our way; the environment and the roads began to change, signaling that we were heading off the beaten path. Not long before we began our hike, we stopped in the main village of the area to pick up some supplies. We saw people wearing traditional clothing, herbs, and many other items that were hard to identify. We would later learn more about these.

Preparation for the Ceremony

Traditional Attire

In addition to gathering supplies, we also picked up more passengers. A local woman and her daughter (who turned out to be something like bridesmaids) joined us in the vehicle, along with Félix, the head of tourism. After another twenty minutes, we left the village and passed through field after field of potato crops. Our guide, Roger, explained that potatoes are their main source of sustenance and must be carefully tended to ensure good harvests.

Arrival at Base Camp

Finally, we arrived at the base camp for our initial hike. The side door of the vehicle swung open, and we carefully stepped out, greeted by a crisp breeze on our faces and snow-capped mountains in our view. Wide smiles spread across our faces.

Outfits and First Impressions

Before we could fully take in the breathtaking snowy landscape, Lyla began preparing for what would be her traditional attire. The local villagers were lending some of their own wedding clothes for us to wear on the mountain. Within moments, I found myself admiring Lyla in her complete traditional Peruvian outfit.

The scarlet red jacket, adorned with colorful patches and intricate spirals on the lapels, along with vibrant pom-poms in shades like yellow, lime green, pink, and other hues, hung like two loose ribbons and looked absolutely stunning on her. Then, she was dressed in a skirt that matched the jacket; although mostly black, the hem was an explosion of bright colors. Many woven rectangles in equally vivid colors made this wedding outfit uniquely special for us.

The Traditional Hat

Finally, Lyla was given a traditional wedding hat—a deep blue velvet creation adorned with many decorations that showcased the local people’s craftsmanship.

Groom’s Attire

After this, I was handed a matching poncho and the most exquisite hat. However, being 6’1″ (1.85 meters) tall, I was noticeably taller than the average villagers, so my pants turned into something more akin to shorts.

Introduction of the Filming Crew

Once our outfits were ready, Roger introduced us to a young man he had hired for the day. He would be capturing aerial footage of the area and filming parts of our ceremony. This was a true bonus for us. Roger then disappeared for a few moments to meet with the shaman, while we finally took in the breathtaking views. We were in awe as we gazed upon the snow-capped Ausangate, the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range, part of the Peruvian Andes.

Beginning of the Hike

Ascent and Challenges

We then set off on our journey. At this point, it’s important to remember that we were at around 4,500 meters in altitude and still had 500 more meters to climb. The starting altitude from Cusco was about 3,400 meters, and we had barely taken a step since then, so the hike was tough. It wasn’t that the trails were steep or the terrain slippery and uneven, but because, apart from airplanes, none of us had ever been this high up. Lyla had come close while living in Nepal but never at this exact altitude.

Stops and Surprises

Every twenty meters—or rather, every twenty minutes—we stopped to catch our breath in the cold air, taking advantage of the breaks to admire the stunning views. It was during these stops that all the wedding gear and supplies flew past us. Not on bikes or in cars, but carried by the locals, who seemed to have large loaves of bread slung over their shoulders. At each stop, more “helpers” walked by, smiling at us. Lyla could hear and see the locals coming from various directions, with distant shouts of “Marriage,” knowing that this was a very important occasion for us.

Flora, Fauna, and the Consequences of Tourism

During our hike, Roger was excellent at answering our questions about the native flora and fauna, as well as explaining more about the difficult decisions the community members had to make when inviting tourism into their area. They have many natural resources that rival other wonders of Peru, but they were concerned about the impact tourism might have on their fragile ecosystem. He explained that the place where we were to have our ceremony didn’t exist some 5-10 years ago, but due to global warming, the glacier that once covered the land had permanently disappeared, revealing a breathtaking multicolored lunar landscape.

Encounter with the Vicuñas

However, just before reaching the summit, we had an unexpected surprise. As we rounded another peak of the mountain, hoping it was our destination, we were greeted by all the locals who had passed us earlier. They were chatting in their native Quechua and pointing off in the distance, explaining to Roger that there were vicuñas grazing there. Though they appeared small from afar, they were clearly different from the llamas and alpacas we were used to seeing.

As they began to move, it was like watching a giraffe with a toy head gliding across the terrain. Unfortunately, my long-distance lens didn’t do them justice, but we still managed to spot an extremely rare animal.

The Mountain of Love: Wilcacunca

With the cold air swirling and the sun shining, we finally arrived at the site. It was immediately clear why Roger and the locals had dubbed it “the Mountain of Love.” The minerals and oxides in the surrounding mountainous terrain created heart-shaped patterns, with red iron oxides and green copper interlaced with layers of other natural minerals. And to our surprise, there was more than one colorful mountain.

Preparations for the Ceremony

Rest and Snacks

Roger advised us to rest and have a snack before the ceremony began. Meanwhile, he, the shaman, and some community members went off to find a suitable spot for the event. We took this time to enjoy the views, take photos, and breathe in the fresh air, all while soaking in the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings. Roger soon returned with the news that, due to the strong winds higher up, the ceremony would take place right where we were.

Intense Activity and Challenges

A flurry of activities began. First, we were dressed in the traditional clothing we had tried on earlier, a process that seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Meanwhile, the locals were constructing a large heart-shaped figure for us and the shaman to sit on during the ceremony. The heart was entirely made of rose petals.

Setbacks and Solutions

However, a sudden gust of wind destroyed this meticulous work. Undeterred, the villagers quickly started gathering large stones. I felt that, since I was ready, I could help with these tasks.

For a moment, I forgot we were at 4,950 meters of altitude. Soon, my own fragility at this height became evident, and after a brief attempt to carry a stone, I decided it was better to leave the work to the capable hands of the locals. Within minutes, the stones were in place, and the villagers had recreated the heart of petals inside a small stone wall that now protected the petals from the wind.

The Ceremony on the Mountain of Love

Initial Preparations for the Ceremony

At the start of the ceremony, our spirits were purified to prepare us for the union. The shaman placed some stones and instructed us to sit on them within the heart made of petals. Meanwhile, the women, who had somehow changed into their finest attire, formed a human barrier to shield Lyla from the icy wind. This gesture moved Lyla to tears, marking the start of a series of emotional moments throughout the day.

The Ceremony

The wedding ceremony began, conducted in a mix of Spanish and Quechua, allowing Lyla to translate much of what she heard. Pachamama took center stage as the shaman spoke about how she would guide us through life. Additionally, the mountains of Salkantay, Ausangate, Machu Picchu, and Wayna Picchu played a significant role, being revered as gods by the locals.

An extra touch that made the experience even more surreal was the mention of Scafell Pike as the largest mountain in England, which would act as our guide in life together. Although I did not fully understand the words, I could feel the passion in his speech, and the emotion was palpable. We cried with joy as the shaman completed his duties, and the celebrations began immediately.

Celebrations and Gastronomy

Dance and Feast

Lyla and I were swept into a waltz as a small band of drums and flutes played a cheerful melody. Both of us, in a matter of seconds, remembered our altitude, struggling to keep up with people who were possibly twice our age.

Food at the Summit

Once the dance concluded, we were serenaded to the summit of the mountain, where we were once again touched by the generosity of the community. Every local had brought a part of their harvest to share with us at the top. Thus, we enjoyed a truly unique and unconventional breakfast, consisting of potatoes, corn, dried llama meat, and a generous amount of chicha (fermented corn beer). The hospitality was further enhanced by a gift of two handmade hats as wedding presents.

Conversations and Reflections

After another burst of emotions, Lyla began discussing with the village elders about the challenges of tourism and how they might manage it appropriately. Roger remained committed to supporting the wonderful people of this region, and these conversations continued during our descent.

Farewell and Return

The Descent

After the meal and drinks, the shaman concluded the ceremony by burning the offering on the mountainside, and we began our journey back. During the descent, Lyla and I spent time with Félix and Roger, who were eager to continue the conversation about conservation and tourism. The descent seemed to get easier with each passing minute until, before we knew it, we were back on the bus.

Gratitude and Donations

We ended the day on a high note, expressing our gratitude to the local people of Cayanca for their wonderful hospitality and presenting them with a gift for the local children, in addition to making a small donation to the village funds. None of this would have been possible without Roger’s help, whose expertise and knowledge of the area allowed us to experience the adventure of a lifetime and the story of marrying at the Mountain of Love, Wilcacunca.

Final Note

Although we slept most of the way back, we managed to wake up to enjoy a massive Peruvian feast prepared for us at the charming breakfast spot we had visited that morning. The food was delicious, with a variety of options available. We quickly filled our surprisingly hungry stomachs before falling back to sleep on the tourist bus, until we were dropped off at our hotel with a heartfelt farewell.

On behalf of the community and from all of us:

We are incredibly happy and grateful to have shared this beautiful and unforgettable experience at The New Rainbow Mountain, Wilcacunca. Thank you for reviving and honoring a tradition once thought lost, bringing it back to life. We appreciate your choice, and remember, you will always be a part of the history of the new Rainbow Mountain. See you soon!