From consulting shamans in Indonesia to Maya cleansing ceremonies in Mexico, these rituals off er travellers a deep connection to culture, tradition and local wisdom


WORDS: EL IZ AB E TH BENNE T T


T


he idea of a wellness escape is evolving. Today’s travellers are looking beyond traditional spa experiences towards nature, cultural connection and practices rooted in place. A Global Growth Insights report (2024), stated nearly half of wellbeing


travellers now choose destinations specifi cally for their traditional rituals and heritage practices, proving that wellness is increasingly shaped by community. From oracle readings in the Himalayas to horse-led healing journeys in Patagonia and Viking-inspired sauna rituals in Iceland’s wild north, these six experiences invite an alternative approach to wellbeing, one that feels both authentic and transformative.


TRY A TEMAZCAL CEREMONY ON MEXICO’S PACIFIC COAST A cornerstone of Maya culture for more than a millennium, the temazcal cleansing ritual was traditionally performed before and after battles. Its eff ects are said to be deeply restorative and today, travellers can experience this ancient practice at One&Only Mandarina. Ceremonies are led by a Curandera, a traditional healer who draws on plants, herbs and ancestral knowledge. Curandera-in-residence Linda Mariscalda comes from a long lineage of healers, having learned her craft from her great-grandmother and grandmothers, as well as Indigenous communities that pass knowledge down through oral tradition. Held within a cave-like stone structure hidden between


rainforest, cliff s and ocean, the ritual unfolds as water infused with medicinal herbs is poured onto heated stones, releasing dense, fragrant steam. Participants sit in total darkness as chanting, drumming and prayer reverberate around the dome, guiding a ceremony of purifi cation and reconnection with both the self and the natural world. HOW TO DO IT: The temazcal ceremony costs £170 per person. Double rooms start from £950 per night. oneandonlyresorts.com


EXPERIENCE ANCESTRAL RITUALS IN PERU Peru’s Sacred Valley is steeped in spiritual resonance, but a bespoke journey with operator Machu Travel Peru enables travellers to engage more deeply with Andean cosmology. One of the most profound experiences is witnessing — and


participating in — Pago a la Tierra, a ceremonial off ering to Pachamama (Mother Earth). Guided by a local spiritual leader, the ritual begins with an introduction to the Andean worldview, where mountains and landscapes are honoured as living protectors. Seeds, fl owers, coca leaves and foods are carefully arranged, with each gesture explained as the off ering takes shape, symbolising gratitude and balance with Pachamama. The ceremony concludes with a traditional meal, off ering time


A temazcal ceremony is an ancient Mexican steam


ritual where heat, herbs and chants are said to purify the mind, body and spirit


for refl ection. Travellers can then join local healers on guided walks to sites where medicinal plants are grown and gathered, learning about their uses and how infusions and treatments are traditionally prepared. HOW TO DO IT: Bespoke itineraries available in consultation. machutravelperu.com


NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER – SPA & WELLNESS COLLECTION 31


IMAGE: ONE&ONLY MANDARINA


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