Some journeys are not planned—they are summoned. That’s how I would describe my recent voyage to the Q’ero Nation, a remote Andean community nestled at nearly 4,800 meters above sea level in the mountains near Cusco, Peru. Known as the last living descendants of the Inca, the Q’ero people are guardians of a 6,800-year-old legacy of ancestral wisdom, sacred rituals, and profound connection with nature.
As the founder of AYPA, a holistic wellness and natural skincare brand inspired by Andean traditions, I’ve always been drawn to the deep spiritual knowledge rooted in the mountains of Peru. Yet, nothing could have prepared me for the powerful lessons I would receive from the community of Quico Grande—a hidden world where harmony with the Earth is a way of life.
My trip began in Cusco, where I acclimated to the altitude with traditional coca tea. From there, I took a bus to Ocongate and then embarked on a four-hour ascent into the Andes with Clímaco Apaza, a warm-hearted member of the Q’ero community who had invited me to stay with his family. As we drove, the air thickened with eucalyptus and the landscape transformed into an untouched paradise of alpacas, waterfalls, and crisp mountain rivers.
When snow blocked the road, we had to walk the final stretch. I wasn’t fully prepared for the cold, but Tomasa, Clímaco’s wife, took my hand and began to sing softly in Runasimi (Quechua). In that moment, illuminated by the new moon and surrounded by darkness, stars, and snow, I felt held by the mountain—by Pachamama herself. The journey became an energetic initiation—one that stripped away distractions and grounded me in the present.
Upon arriving in Quico Grande, I was welcomed with warmth and coca tea, followed by a herbal steam bath made with eucalyptus to soothe my frozen legs. They also gave me coca leaves to chew, as this gives you a lot of strength to withstand the altitude and weather conditions.
The simplicity of life here is profound: homes are built with intention, food is grown in harmony with the land, and water flows pure from mountain springs.
Meals consisted of potatoes, rice, and native herbs—all cultivated by hand using traditional agricultural techniques passed down through generations. The Q’eros grow hundreds of varieties of potatoes, honoring their ancestral ties to the land and to Pachamama, the Earth Mother.
Their cosmovisión andina—the Andean worldview—teaches that all life is sacred. Everything is connected: the mountains (apus), the rivers, the animals, the stars, and the human spirit. They live by the principles of ayni (reciprocity), sumaq kawsay (living well), and harmony with the cycles of nature.
One of the most moving moments of my stay was a coca leaf reading ceremony. The coca leaf is not just a plant—it is an oracle, a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. With care and reverence, Clímaco read the leaves and spoke of my path, confirming what I already felt: AYPA was meant to carry the Q’ero wisdom to the world.
Later that evening, we performed a ceremony of gratitude to Pachamama using quintu—three sacred coca leaves symbolizing body, mind, and spirit. As we offered sweets and prayers to the fire, a spark jumped in a way that Clímaco said was an “approval” from Pachamama. My heart knew it too.
In the fields surrounding their home, the Q’ero family introduced me to the native medicinal plants they’ve used for centuries—plants that heal everything from inflammation to altitude sickness. These herbs, gathered with care and intention, are living proof that nature provides all we need to heal.
Children joined us, identifying plants by name and purpose with ease. Their knowledge astounded me and inspired a future project: a botanical preservation initiative to protect and share this living wisdom. It echoed everything AYPA stands for: natural self-care rooted in ancestral knowledge.
At AYPA, we offer more than skincare—we offer rituals of connection, self-love, and earth-based wisdom. Every product is crafted with native Peruvian plants and embodies the Q’ero values: sustainability, intentional living, and reverence for nature.
Our holistic facial and body rituals, oils and creams are made for those seeking something deeper: beauty with purpose, care from the soul. It´s an invitation to our community to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what matters most. Our offerings are inspired directly by communities like the Q’ero, who remind us that true beauty begins in harmony—with ourselves and the Earth.
The Q’eros believe in the coming of a new era, a time when the world will return to balance after chaos. In their eyes, this moment is now. Their rituals are not tourist attractions—they are sacred acts meant to restore harmony to humanity and nature.
Spending time with them was not only an honor, but a call to action. A call to live with more presence, more gratitude, more connection. A call to awaken the ancient within us.
If you’re seeking more than skincare—if you’re yearning for purpose, ritual, and reconnection—AYPA is here to guide you. Through our products and our mission, we invite you to carry a piece of the Andes into your daily life.
To nourish your skin, your spirit, and your relationship with Pachamama.
I will return to Quico Grande, of that I am sure. But until then, I carry their teachings with me—and now, through AYPA, I share them with you.
And, as the Qeros say: “Orpelli sonkoy” (thank you from the bottom of my heart).
If this story has awakened a desire in you to connect with the ancient wisdom of the Andes, I invite you to consider visiting the Q’ero community yourself. This sacred place is not listed in travel guides—and for good reason. It’s a hidden treasure in the high mountains, where the spirit of the Inca still breathes and ancient ways of living are preserved with reverence.
If you feel called to experience this transformative journey, please write to us at:
📩 mirella@aypa-spa.com
and we will be happy to guide you in organizing your visit, always in respectful collaboration with the local community.
May your heart, too, be touched by the magic of the Q’eros, as mine was.
info@aypa-spa.com
PO BOX 18028 | 46080 Valencia | Spain
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