That’s it. You’ve finally booked that relaxing vacation and now it’s just a week away. The question of what to pack makes you a bit nervous and you’re wondering what to do. How will you pack for the possible weather changes and all the activities you may want to do when you’re there? What if you pack too much and you’re lugging around all these extra items? Fear not, this article will teach you what to do to achieve that feeling of bliss before you even arrive at your destination. 

Yes, you can travel with just a carry-on. This requires a little extra planning but it can be a true luxury if you’re traveling to more than one destination. A sturdy and comfortable backpack isn’t just for jumping from hostel to hostel. It is easier on your back and often has more space than a typical carry on suitcase. There are lots of second-hand options that will serve just as well as getting a brand new one. This all depends on where you want to allocate your travel budget. Find a thin, small day bag to use when you’re out exploring during the day so you can leave that backpack where ever you’re staying.

10 Tips to Care for Your Soul: At Home and on the Road

Often our plans for our days are full of errands, chores, don’t-forgets, and the usual chaos that makes up everyday life.

How many times have you been right in the middle of a hectic day and longed to be back at your favorite travel destination where you felt calm and your soul was at peace? We so often mistake this feeling for wanderlust, or a need to get away from it all. What if you were able to experience that feeling of peace from your last journey and bring it into your everyday life and all your future travels?

The reason that we often feel more at peace while traveling is because we are nourishing our soul. Filling it full of love and appreciation. We begin to feel more in balance with the world as a whole and appreciate what we have at home. This is just one of the many benefits of travel and spiritual journeys alike. Here are 10 ways you can tap into that feeling of happiness and peace in your soul when you’re at home and next time you are traveling.

7 Tips for More Sustainable Travel

Do you worry about the impact of your travel?

According to National Geographic, sustainable tourism is based on three main pillars:

• Employing environmentally friendly practices, such as reduce, reuse, recycle;
• Protecting cultural and natural heritage, such as reducing our impact on historic buildings and endangered species
• Providing tangible social and economic benefits for local communities, such as buying local and upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples

5 Ways Peru can heal your Mind, Body and Soul

What makes a journey to Peru so satisfying and perfect for natural healing? How does a vacation help heal and transform us? Here we look at some of the vital ingredients that make Peru such an important place for sacred travel, healing, and transformation.

1. The Sacred Medicine of the Andes

San Pedro (also known as Wachuma) is a sacred cactus native to the Andean mountains of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Along with Tobacco, Ayahuasca, and Coca, it is one of Peru’s most sacred plants and has been used since 1300 B.C. to heal and expand consciousness. The medicine is typically prepared as a tea; pieces of the stem are boiled for a few hours, and once the liquid is cooled it is taken orally. It is known as a gentle but powerful plant and can be used as a tool for meditation and self-awareness. It is very important to work with this medicine as part of a sacred ceremony led by an experienced Healer or Medicine Man/Woman, and with the protection of the ancestral spirits.

Read the Medicine Hunter’s account of using San Pedro

Five Benefits of Spiritual Travel

The world and our lives can rush past us at remarkable speeds. We strive to find time to meditate, read, pray and learn but it can be hard to carve out time for these important spiritual practices as the demands from day to day life keep propelling us forward.

When was the last time you were able to sit in peace and feel connected to the universe? To relax without the interrupting pings of electronic notifications and constant pull of responsibilities? Taking time for yourself and embarking on a spiritual journey can give you back that feeling of connectedness and peace. A spiritual guide can help you discover some of the most sacred places that this beautiful earth has to offer can aide you in reconnecting with your inner self and all the peace the world has to offer. Read on to discover five benefits of spiritual travel.

History and Mystery of Peru’s Sacred Grounds

Peru has a deep pool of intricate history that was born by turmoil and the beauty of its people. Anyone fortunate enough to visit this country can witness some of the precious remains of a time and a people dedicated to their higher being and spiritual journeys. These were the Inca people. Travel to this beautiful land to discover hidden portals to the gods, underwater cities, and a secret oasis

A History of Turmoil and Preservation

The earliest Inca empire dates back to the 1400’s and may have been the largest and most sophisticated early empire in the Pre-Columbia Americas. The Incas had developed the largest military, administrative, and architectural systems in the world. They worshipped the elements and their lives were ruled by the gods of the earth.

In 1542 the Spanish invaded the Inca territory and so began the early days of the crumbling of an empire. During this invasion, the Spanish sought out as many Inca monuments, villages, and holy places to destroy them in an effort to diminish their beliefs and customs. However, to enter a land without understanding the culture meant they could not possibly diminish the Incas deep-rooted beliefs nor stomp out the undeniable magic of the land.

Discover Peru’s Recipe for Natural Healing

What makes a journey to Peru so satisfying and perfect for natural healing? How does a vacation help heal and transform us? Here we look at some of the vital ingredients that make Peru such an important place for sacred travel, healing, and transformation.

Sacred Medicine – San Pedro (Wachuma)

San Pedro (also known as Wachuma) is a sacred cactus native to the Andean mountains of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Along with Tobacco, Ayahuasca, and Coca, it is one of Peru’s most sacred plants, and has been used for over 4,000 years to heal and expand consciousness. The medicine is typically prepared as a tea; pieces of the stem are boiled for a few hours, and once the liquid is cooled it is taken orally. It is known as a gentle but powerful Masculine teacher plant, and can be used as a tool for meditation and self-awareness. It is very important to work with this medicine as part of a sacred ceremony led by an experienced Healer or Medicine Man/Woman, and with the protection of the ancestral spirits.

Read San Pedro: Mother Earth’s Most Powerful Medicine.

Power Places in Peru for Natural Healing – Machu Picchu & More

When you visit sacred sites that have been specifically chosen for their healing energy and importance to the spiritual teachings of the journey you are on, the connection to them is extremely powerful. Machu Picchu, the 15th century Inca site, majestically perched above the Sacred Valley, is one of those energetically powerful sites, and an important part of any visit to Peru. Because it sits within three corresponding high peaks of power, which create an energy triangle, it is a perfect spot to sit and meditate, focus your intent, and expand your awareness.

7 Well-Kept Secrets About Peru

Peru is one of the most fascinating countries in the world.

It’s unique landscapes span from the Pacific, through the Andes and well into the Amazon rainforest, providing fertile ground for the emergence of hundreds of fascinating cultures that come together to create Modern Peru. This diversity has given the world things as beautiful as Machu Picchu, the prose of Mario Vargas Llosa and the tastes of fresh ceviche.

While this rich culture and immense beauty make Peru a must-see destination for any traveller, pilgrims looking for life-changing experiences off the beaten path have plenty to discover in this magical South American nation.

Here are our favourite seven Well-Kept Secrets About Peru That Will Spark Your Desire For Sacred Travel:

1. The energy of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a highlight of any trip to Peru and with very good reason. This 15th century Inca site, majestically perched above the Sacred Valley, affords any traveller mesmerizing views and a powerful connection with the past.