Customizable private tour with flexible departure dates. Solo travelers are welcome—contact us for availability and a personalized quote.
Coca Leaf Reading Ceremony in Cusco
This ceremony, fundamentally, allows a reconnection to the world surrounding us. It’s a beautiful reminder for all that we don’t have to face life’s various challenges alone
The coca leaf has always been a symbol of peace, wisdom and magic in the Andes. Acknowledged in the Andes as a bridge, Mama Coca serves as a portal connecting two points – more specifically connecting the spiritual and physical world. For this reason, she is essential in ceremonies and offerings – in offerings the leaves serve as the medium to carry our prayers and intentions to Pachamama, and in readings the leaves serve as a medium for the Apus and Pachamama to communicate transcendental truths with us.
The Coca Leaf Reading Ceremony has been a spiritual practice since pre-Inca times, consulted whenever people needed to make important decisions related to anything from seeding season for predicting the weather and social conundrums regarding family, love, business decisions and general life processes. It used to serve as a powerful ally, helping and assisting in the process of decision making.
Participation Requirements
- Open Heart and Mind: The Despacho ceremony is a sacred spiritual practice. We invite you to come with love, gratitude, and an openness to connect deeply with Pachamama and the spirit world.
- Personal Intention: Before the ceremony, reflect on your personal intentions – whether it’s gratitude, healing, new beginnings, or simply offering thanks to Mother Earth.
- Comfortable Clothing: We recommend wearing comfortable clothes suitable for sitting outdoors and being in nature. Layering is ideal, as mountain weather can change quickly.
- Respect for Tradition: Please approach the ceremony with respect for the Andean traditions and the guidance of the Master who will be leading the offering.
- Physical Condition: The ceremony is gentle, but if you have specific mobility or health needs, let us know in advance so we can make sure your experience is comfortable.
Coca Leaf Reading: Step-by-Step Process
Each ceremony is unique, but a traditional Coca Leaf Reading in Cusco generally follows these steps:
1. Preparation and Intention
The ceremony begins in a quiet, respectful space. The Paqo cleanses the area energetically and invites the participant to set a clear intention. This intention may relate to:
- Life direction
- Relationships
- Health or emotional balance
- Spiritual growth
Clarity of intention is essential, as the coca leaves respond to focused energy.
2. Selection of the Coca Leaves
The Paqo presents a bundle of dried coca leaves and asks the participant to intuitively choose three perfect leaves. These represent:
- Mind
- Body
- Spirit
The leaves must be whole and unbroken, symbolizing harmony and completeness.
3. Offering to the Apus and Pachamama
Before the reading, the Paqo makes a brief offering—breath, prayer, or gratitude—to the Apus and Pachamama. This step acknowledges the spiritual forces being consulted and establishes respectful communication.
4. Invocation and Prayer
Sacred prayers in Quechua are recited, calling upon the mountain spirits, ancestors, and protective energies. This moment marks the opening of the spiritual channel.
5. Casting the Leaves
The coca leaves are gently blown upon, infused with intention, and then cast onto a ceremonial cloth (often a mesa). The Paqo observes:
- Direction of the leaves
- Distance between them
- Orientation (face up or down)
- Patterns formed
Each position carries symbolic meaning.
6. Interpretation
The Paqo interprets the message holistically, weaving together symbolism, intuition, and ancestral knowledge. The message is shared verbally, often accompanied by guidance or recommendations.
7. Closing and Gratitude
The ceremony concludes with thanks to Pachamama and the Apus. Sometimes a small despacho (offering) or blessing is given to seal the energy.
Experience an Authentic Coca Leaf Reading Ceremony
- We Live What We Share We share: this tradition because it serves as a bridge between the ancient wisdom of the Andes and the modern heart that still seeks connection, meaning, and guidance. Life was never meant to be walked alone, and through these ceremonies, we are reminded of the importance of community. We connect with Pachamama, the Apus, the elements, and the spirit world with deep reverence, listening, honoring, and offering thanks. These traditions teach us the values of balance, love, and respect, guiding us to live with greater harmony. By keeping the sacred flame of wisdom alive through the sharing of these ancestral practices, we not only honor ourselves but also ensure the preservation of this knowledge for future generations. We invite others to join us in experiencing the profound connection, clarity, and healing that the Andean spiritual world offers.
- Connect with Ancestral Wisdom! Before the reading begins, the Master calls upon the spirits of the land, asking for their guidance to ensure that the leaves fall in a way that accurately reflects the messages they carry. After taking three deep breaths, the shaman drops the leaves, interpreting their pattern to provide insight on any questions you may have. Whether it’s matters of love, family, healing, career, or spiritual journey, the possibilities are vast. Be open, think expansively, and allow yourself to receive the wisdom that comes. We invite you to experience the profound wisdom of Mama Coca. Let the spirits of Pachamama and the Apus illuminate your path, offering you clarity, healing, and a deeper connection to the sacred journey of life.
- Mama Coca: The bridge the physical and spiritual worlds Long ago, a woman named Kuka (Coca) was so beautiful and beloved by the people that when she passed, the gods transformed her body into the coca plant. From her sacrifice, humanity was gifted a sacred ally that would heal, nourish, and spiritually guide them forever. Mama Coca is the sacred spirit of the coca plant in Andean tradition. She is honored as a loving mother who connects the physical and spiritual worlds, carrying our prayers and intentions to Pachamama and the Apus. For thousands of years, Mama Coca has been a source of healing, wisdom, and guidance for the Andean people. She is seen not just as a plant, but as a living bridge to the sacred. In this ceremony we find clarity, balance, and a deeper connection to life.
- A Heartfelt Recommendation In the highlands of Peru, Coca Leaf is revered as an integral part of daily life, deeply embedded in the culture. We continue the sacred tradition of coca leaf readings, offering profound insights into the Andean way of life. Masters of this ceremony pass down their wisdom across generations, ensuring that this sacred practice is preserved for future generations. Coca leaves are known not only for their ability to alleviate altitude sickness, but also for their vital role in celebrations, ceremonies, and religious rituals. Traces of coca leaves have even been found in ancient mummies, underscoring their lasting cultural significance. We invite you to approach this practice with an open heart, embracing it with love, responsibility, and awareness. Let us walk gently upon the Earth, honoring each of Pachamama’s sacred gifts. It is essential that we maintain the flow of generosity and respect, not just between ourselves but with the natural world around us, ensuring a harmonious relationship for generations to come.
What Is Mama Coca? The Sacred Plant of the Andes
Long before the Spanish arrived in Peru, the coca leaf was woven into every aspect of Andean life — medicine, ceremony, agriculture, diplomacy, and spiritual practice. In Quechua tradition, the plant carries the spirit of Mama Coca: a sacred feminine presence who connects the human world to the world of the Apus and Pachamama.
According to ancient oral tradition, Mama Coca was once a woman of extraordinary beauty and wisdom. When she passed into the spirit world, the gods transformed her into the coca plant so that her gifts — healing, clarity, and spiritual connection — could remain available to humanity forever.
Today, the coca leaf is used in the Andes in two primary ways:
- As an offering in Despacho ceremonies, where the leaves carry prayers and intentions to Pachamama and the spirit world
- As an oracle in Coca Leaf Readings, where the leaves reveal messages, patterns, and guidance from the Apus
In this ceremony, we work with Mama Coca in her role as oracle and messenger.
Interested in experiencing coca leaves as offering? See our Offering to Pachamama ceremony in Cusco.
Prices & Inclusions
The coca leaf is a bridge between physical and spiritual worlds. We can find clarity, and also guidance, and in addition healing with its help.
Costs (per person, based on double occupancy)
- Starting at:
- $70 per person
How to Book
- Send Your Inquiry Share your preferred dates, number of participants, and accommodation details.
Solo travelers or guests with questions are welcome to contact us before booking. - Confirm Availability We will coordinate availability, ceremony logistics, and the best schedule for your experience.
- Reservation Deposit A deposit is required to secure and confirm your reservation.
- Booking Confirmation Once your reservation is confirmed, we will send all final details including pick-up time, recommendations, and important information for your ceremony.
If you already have planned dates and are 2 or more travelers, you can book directly using the Book Now button.
Included:
- Personal consultation
- Personal Coca Oracle Divination
- Divination instruments for the reading
- You will receive advice, orientation, and guidance
- Spiritual guide and translator (English, Spanish, and Quechua)
Not Included:
- Transportation if we will go to Chinchero
- Meals
- Tips
A Heartfelt Recommendation
In the highlands of Peru, Coca Leaf is revered as an integral part of daily life, deeply embedded in the culture. We continue the sacred tradition of coca leaf readings, offering profound insights into the Andean way of life. Masters of this ceremony pass down their wisdom across generations, ensuring that this sacred practice is preserved for future generations. Coca leaves are known not only for their ability to alleviate altitude sickness, but also for their vital role in celebrations, ceremonies, and religious rituals. Traces of coca leaves have even been found in ancient mummies, underscoring their lasting cultural significance.
We invite you to approach this practice with an open heart, embracing it with love, responsibility, and awareness. Let us walk gently upon the Earth, honoring each of Pachamama’s sacred gifts. It is essential that we maintain the flow of generosity and respect, not just between ourselves but with the natural world around us, ensuring a harmonious relationship for generations to come.
Why is this ceremony meaningful and how important it is for our life?
This ceremony connects us to wisdom shared for generations long ago. The coca leaf is a bridge between physical and spiritual worlds. We can find clarity, and also guidance, and in addition healing with its help. Coca leaves, for many centuries, have been in use by the people of the Andes to help in making big decisions regarding love, family, work, or anything at all weighing on the heart.
During the ceremony, the leaves turn into a channel for communication with Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (mountain spirits). They guide us upon our path, offer comprehension, as well as help us see things more clearly. To partake is similar to opening up ourselves in order to receive a message with gentleness and with an open heart, so that we can move forward in the process with some more understanding. This ceremony is in fact so very special because finding of balance is what it helps for us to do. We are connected to each and every other in addition to nature and also the spirit world. When we do participate in this tradition, we can pause and reflect, and tune in to something much deeper, bringing about peace, clarity, and a sense of belonging.
This ceremony, fundamentally, allows a reconnection to the world surrounding us. It’s a beautiful reminder for all that we don’t have to face life’s various challenges alone – the coca leaves as well as the spirits of the land guide us and offer wisdom whenever we need it.
Coca Leaf Reading Itinerary
The Coca Leaf Reading Process
- Location: Your Hotel, Master’s Home in Chinchero, or Online (WhatsApp/Zoom)
This special day will depend on you and where you are staying. If it’s more comfortable, we can come to your hotel, or if you prefer, you are welcome to visit the Master’s home in Chinchero. The ceremony can also be held online via WhatsApp or Zoom, making it accessible from wherever you are.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the Master will open with a sacred prayer, calling upon the higher spirits of Mama Coca and Pachamama to assist and guide the ceremony. The Master becomes the bridge between the spiritual world and our physical reality.
The ceremony then moves into the coca leaf reading. You will be invited to select your coca leaves, and the Master will use them to perform a personal reading — an ancient Andean oracle to offer guidance, clarity, and insight into your life. This ceremony is private and personal. If you speak English or another language, you will be accompanied by a spiritual guide who will translate and support you throughout the session.
The ceremony lasts approximately 30 minutes, during which you will have time to ask questions and receive spiritual guidance from the Master.
What Can You Ask in a Coca Leaf Reading?
The coca leaf oracle has no limitations on topic. For thousands of years, Andean communities have consulted Mama Coca for guidance on:
- Love and relationships — clarity on a partnership, a separation, or a new beginning
- Health and wellbeing — understanding an imbalance or seeking a path toward healing
- Family and children — guidance on family decisions or dynamics
- Career and business — direction when facing an important professional crossroads
- Spiritual path — understanding your mission, your gifts, and your next steps
- Travel and safety — protection and orientation before a journey
- General life guidance — when you simply feel lost and need the land to speak
Come with your questions prepared. The clearer your intention, the more direct the message.
The Coca Leaf Reading Process — Step by Step
Every reading is unique, but a traditional session with our Masters in Cusco follows this arc:
1. Opening and Energetic Cleansing
The Master opens the space with sacred prayer in Quechua, calling upon the Apus and Pachamama to guide the session. The space is energetically prepared so that the messages that arrive are clear and true.
2. Setting Your Intention
You are invited to hold your question or intention clearly in your mind and heart. The strength and clarity of your intention shapes the quality of the reading.
3. Selecting the Coca Leaves
The Master presents a bundle of dried coca leaves. You are guided to choose three whole, unbroken leaves intuitively — one representing your mind, one your body, one your spirit. The leaves must be intact: wholeness symbolizes harmony and receptivity.
4. Prayer and Invocation
Sacred breath and prayer are offered over the leaves, infusing them with your intention and opening the channel of communication with the spirit world.
5. Casting the Leaves
The leaves are gently cast onto a ceremonial cloth — the mesa. The Master reads the pattern: the direction each leaf faces, the distance between them, which side is visible, and the shapes they form together. Nothing is random. Every position has meaning within the symbolic language of the Andes.
6. The Reading and Interpretation
The Master interprets the message holistically, drawing on ancestral knowledge, intuition, and the living tradition of the Quechua people. The reading is spoken aloud and translated in full by your bilingual spiritual guide, so no nuance is lost.
7. Your Questions
You are welcome to ask follow-up questions during the reading. This is a conversation, not a monologue.
8. Closing and Blessing
The ceremony closes with gratitude to Mama Coca, the Apus, and Pachamama. The Master may offer a small blessing or protection for your onward journey.
Where Does the Session Take Place?
We offer three flexible formats to fit your travel plans:
| Format | Location | Best for |
| At your hotel in Cusco | We come to you | Travelers with limited time |
| Master’s home in Chinchero | In the Sacred Valley, 30 min from Cusco | Deeper immersion in the Andean world |
| Online (WhatsApp or Zoom) | Anywhere in the world | Pre-travel preparation or remote access |
All three formats are conducted with the same depth, reverence, and guidance from our Masters.
Why Choose PumAdventures for Your Coca Leaf Reading
The Coca Leaf Reading has become popular in Cusco — but not all practitioners carry the same depth of lineage or intent. At PumAdventures, our Masters are from Chinchero: families who have practiced this tradition without interruption for generations. This is not a cultural performance adapted for tourism. It is the real tradition, shared with sincere visitors who come with an open heart.
What you receive with us:
- A fully private and personal session — never a group performance
- A bilingual spiritual guide fluent in English, Spanish, and Quechua throughout
- A Master with genuine ancestral lineage from Chinchero
- Full translation of every message and recommendation from the reading
- Flexible format: hotel, Chinchero, or online
How to Prepare for Your Coca Leaf Reading
Set a clear intention. Before your session, take time to reflect on what is weighing on you or calling for clarity. One clear, sincere question is more powerful than ten vague ones.
Come with openness. This is not an entertainment experience. Approach it as you would any sacred conversation: with respect, humility, and a willingness to receive what comes — even if it surprises you.
Eat light. There are no strict dietary requirements, but arriving without a heavy meal helps you stay present and receptive.
Write your questions down. You will have time to ask during the reading. Having them written helps you stay focused and ensures nothing important is forgotten in the moment.
Coca Leaf Reading and Ayahuasca — A Natural Pairing
Many travelers who come to Cusco for plant medicine ceremonies find that a Coca Leaf Reading offers a powerful point of entry — or a meaningful way to integrate what they have already experienced.
If you are preparing for an Ayahuasca retreat in Cusco, the coca leaf reading can help clarify your intention and connect you to the spirit of the land before the ceremony begins. If you have recently completed an Ayahuasca experience, the reading can help you understand and ground what emerged.
Our Essence of Cusco 5-Day Spiritual Retreat combines a Coca Leaf Reading with an Ayahuasca ceremony, a Despacho offering, and other sacred Andean experiences into one cohesive journey — guided from beginning to end by our Masters.
Deepen Your Spiritual Journey in Cusco
The Coca Leaf Reading is often the first ceremony travelers experience with us — and rarely the last. If you feel called to go further, PumAdventures offers:
- Ayahuasca Retreat in Cusco – 1 Day
- Ayahuasca Retreat in Cusco – 2 Days
- San Pedro (Wachuma) Ceremony in Cusco
- Offering to Pachamama – Despacho Ceremony
- Andean Wedding Ceremony in Cusco
- Healing Peru – 10 Day Retreat
All experiences can be combined into a private itinerary tailored to your intentions, dates, and depth of exploration.
