A. Staying in Vamoss
If there is a road reaching up the Truth, there needs to be a passenger that looks for himself.
If there is an innkeeper hosting passengers, there needs to be Love that puts in order.
Hz. Mevlânâ
The aim of what we are building is to create a well-held, thoughtfully structured living space—one where everyone who arrives can take part in life here and in the spirit of sharing with ease; a meeting place where we produce, learn, enjoy, and heal together. As Vamoss, we offer a shared living space in Peru for those who feel called to come and enter into a deep experience.
What happens here goes beyond a simple accommodation stay. Alongside your own private space, you share a communal living area; you witness village life up close, and the way Quechua communities live at these high altitudes. For those who stay with us for less than a week, we do not expect participation in communal work—we simply do our best to make your experience as comfortable and effortless as possible.
Here, we eat as organically and naturally as we can. Our kitchen carries many of the region’s special nuts, superfoods, seeds, and fruits.
In our former place—our experimental home base (also known as the Vamoss Home)—we hosted more than a thousand people since 2012. Now, we are serving from our own land, in our village.
Short stays (2–6 days):
You visit us and add a beautiful color to your journey; you have a comfortable private space; you come closer to Peru’s culture and nature. You can receive guidance for your inner and touristic journeys here. In a light way, you support the work by contributing to simple communal tasks (even something as small as watering the garden). You receive 5% off on activities held in Vamoss Village.
Mid-length stays (7–30 days):
You come for a deeper experience—you may detox, and you can contribute by giving a talk, organizing an activity, or working in communal tasks. You receive 10% off on activities held in Vamoss Village.
Long stays (1–3 months):
You take a real place within the community; you carry responsibility, support our productions, and gift yourself a lived communal experience in one of the most special corners of a place like the Sacred Valley. You receive 15% off on activities held in Vamoss Village.
For volunteering options, please see here: LINK
Beyond the one-to-one support we offer—and the friendship we will naturally build—both the touristic and spiritual guidance we provide become additional gifts of your stay.
In essence: you are coming to friends who live in South America—Peru, the Andes, the Sacred Valley—while also receiving a qualified, professional service.
This place exists for all of us. You are welcome.
1. Accommodation — Vamoss Home
Vamoss Home, which had been open continuously since 2013, closed for the first time in 2020. Our doors reopened in 2024. We are looking forward to welcoming you—again, anew, once more—into our new home. Truthfully, we have missed being together more than we realized.
Vamoss Home offers not only a comfortable personal space, but also a communal living experience. It serves as a gathering point for learning, healing, and sharing. In our home, we fully support healthy eating and personal dietary needs.
We drew the plans ourselves, and we built it together with the team.
Let us share a few details that make our homes different from the others around us: they are built with natural materials. The floors are wood or bamboo; there are wide glass windows and wood stoves; the spaces stay warm—day and night; hot water runs with strong pressure from every tap. The houses sit in the middle of the fields. You can pick fresh vegetables from the garden, linger on the shaded platform, set out on inner journeys with the Pachatusan view, and spend time with our dog.
Our homes are full of light—natural, handmade, and organic in their feeling. (And thanks to the big windows and the stoves, they remain warm both in daytime and at night—something that is not so common in the Valley.) We also have a very large garden, and only a few houses nearby.
Vamoss is a place where people from every background and income level meet. For travelers, it is the home they have been missing for a long time; for artists, bureaucrats, businesspeople, retirees—for those who are searching, and those who have already set out—it is a safe, loving space.
a) General
We want to emphasize something clearly: when we designed and invested in this home, our intention went far beyond creating an Airbnb property. Vamoss Home was built to serve the growth of our family, our community, and our shared living space. This home is only one part of what we wish to offer you here.
If what you are looking for is simply to rent an ordinary Airbnb, you will find many options around us. There are plenty of houses in the area that were built specifically for Airbnb-style rentals.
The moment you step inside our home, you feel that it was made with love and care.
Rooms: Our house has three rooms. One single room and one double room share a bathroom and toilet, while the third room has its own private bathroom and toilet. Each room includes shelves, a desk and chair, and wooden floors. Feather duvets and pure wool blankets will be ready for you. The rooms receive plenty of light and are warmly comfortable. The windows have mosquito screens, and in the upstairs rooms there is an additional glass panel in the ceiling—so you can watch the sky from your bed.
Kitchen: We have a fully equipped open-plan kitchen. It includes a large refrigerator with a freezer, and a five-burner gas stove. We purchase olive oil and coconut oil in bulk from farms that produce locally in Peru. For guests staying at least one week, we offer 100g of olive oil and 50g of coconut oil free of charge. If you enjoy eating well and nourishing yourself, we can also source any additional items you may need.
You will find many spices and cleaning supplies in the house. If there is anything you feel is missing in the kitchen, please let us know.
Veranda: We have a spacious veranda where you can drink in both the view and the sunlight. It includes an umbrella, a seating set, and a table. We also have outdoor power outlets and lighting.
Bathrooms / Water: Our water comes from a natural spring with strong pressure. In case the water supply is cut, we have a 2,500-liter water tank. If that happens, once you notify us, reconnection can take 1 to 8 hours—and yes, during that time we use the tank. We use a gas heater to warm the water, so hot water is essentially unlimited, and it works very well for the kitchen, shower, sink, and bathtub.
Cleaning: We don’t enter the house with shoes. The home is cleaned by Vamoss once a week. Cleaning supplies are provided by us. If something is missing, you can let us know—or you may purchase it and deduct it from your payment.
Laundry: We have a top-loading washing machine, the type commonly used in South America, which does not heat the water on its own. It has a hot-water connection; you will need to adjust the temperature yourself.
b) Payments
- Double Room with Private Bathroom:
Located on the ground floor; includes one double bed. The bathroom has a bathtub.
For 2 people: $50/night, $300/week, $1,150/month
For 1 person: $35/night, $210/week, $805/month
- Double Room with Shared Bathroom:
Located upstairs; includes two single beds.
For 2 people: $35/night, $210/week, $805/month
For 1 person: $30/night, $180/week, $690/month
- Single Room with Shared Bathroom
Located upstairs; includes one single bed.
For 1 person: $25/night, $150/week, $575/month
For 2 people: $30/night, $180/week, $690/month
- Entire House:
If you rent the house, two additional guests can sleep on the sofas in the living room.
$100/night, $600/week, $1,750/month
Traveler discount: For travelers (those who have been on the road for at least 15 days before arriving, or who will continue traveling for at least 1 month after leaving us), we offer a 30% discount on the rates above.
c) Galery
LINK
d) Sharing the Home
All kinds of colorful characters—people living very different lives—come through our doors. Here, before anything else, we learn how to be together.
Vamoss Home is a space where our stance and intentions are respected and sincerely supported by those who live here. Anyone who lives here becomes a part of this home through their contribution. We see Vamoss Home as a gift given to all of us.
Here, we believe in personal growth, in cultivating awareness, and in human relationships that can deepen—relationships that can grow, and help one another grow. We experience this change together, we know the taste of sharing it, and we live its beauty.
From those who live in our home, we expect care for certain values and principles:
- As much as possible, unconditional and non-judgmental love and respect—for oneself and for all beings and things, living or non-living
- Respect for privacy, life rhythms, choices, and dietary needs
- A sense of equality and justice
- Open and direct communication
- Freedom of ideas and thought
- Personal development, healing, and awareness
- A sense of social and existential responsibility
- Active and healthy living
- Simple, ecological, and also aesthetic solutions
- Accountability and honesty
- Participation in weekly meetings
- A clear stance toward addictions
- A firm stance against violence, swearing, and discrimination
- Contributing through work, help, and what we share
- Taking joy in the responsibilities that come with community life
- Offering both mind and labor to help Vamoss grow
- Taking initiative for different methods and interesting solutions
- Openness and curiosity toward change and life
- A felt sense of contributing to the whole
- The joy of supporting one’s environment / the circle one belongs to, and of being in service
We listed these values and approaches to protect the peaceful, harmonious, and growth-oriented functioning of our home. We have seen that practicing them brings benefit and beauty to all of us—and we believe it will continue to do so.
And if we sometimes fail at some of them… may we be well anyway. (:
As long as we remain in love,
2. Accommodation — Our Home
This is our home—the one that was meant to begin as a very, very simple little house, and then, with the support of our family and friends, became something beautifully made. It gave me my first true “how a house is built” experience. We designed the plan and built it ourselves. From start to finish, we constructed it with friends and a few workers—without using electricity or machines. Along the way, we had to learn (and do) a little bit of everything: architecture, infrastructure engineering, contracting, labor, apprenticeship, carpentry. It was a wonderful process, and my respect for these professions grew immensely.
Our home is quite special: it has large windows and is filled with light. We hold a powerful view facing Apu Pachatusan. The house stays warm both day and night—something not often seen in the Valley (thanks to the big windows and the stove). We have a very large garden, and there are only a few houses nearby.
Built entirely with natural materials, the floors are wooden throughout. The rooms, the living area, and the bathroom all offer beautiful views. We also have a dishwasher. The kitchen is fully equipped. The lighting is soft.
The house is detached and single-storey. It includes 3 bedrooms and a living room, with a total area of 100 square meters. It can host up to 8 people.
We also have two baby high chairs, a children’s table, and children’s stools—so it is well-suited for families with kids.
Rental rates: $120/day, $720/week, $1,800/month (USD).
3. Accommodation — Tent / Caravan
If you’d like to come and camp with your caravan or a tent, you are most welcome.
My wife is someone who cycled here all the way from Mexico, and as a family we truly love camping—and we love campers. We’re here to support all your needs: water, electricity, internet, and anything else essential.
Caravan parking fees: $15/day, $90/week, $345/month (USD).
If we provide your tent, sleeping bag, and mat, the per-person rate is the same as the caravan parking fees.
If you bring your own gear and set up camp, we charge $10 per person per day, $60 per week, $230 per month (USD).
4. Food
You are welcome to use our fully equipped kitchen at any time.
If you would like to receive meals from us, we charge 35 soles per meal.
Food matters deeply to us. We use the highest-quality ingredients, and we serve meals at the same standard we feed our own children.
All meals are prepared in accordance with your diet.
Breakfast
- 2 or 3 village eggs, cooked however you like
- The Andes’ lightly salted white cheese, and a local regional gouda-style cheese
- A goat cheese similar to tulum
- Organic village butter made from the milk of cows living near Ausangate
- Pure honey
- A local tea remarkably similar to the black tea grown on Turkey’s Black Sea coast
- Coffee made from beans we buy from an organic coffee farm run by a family we know—and roast ourselves here (or herbal teas)
- A wonderful German-style sourdough bread made by our neighbor
- Beets, carrots, cucumber, and avocado dressed with olive oil
- Peru’s surprisingly good green olives
- Orange juice (every other day)
- Oats with fruit and nuts
Lunch & Dinner
We use quinoa, amaranth, brown rice, quinoa pasta, and fresh vegetables. We cook using only coconut oil, olive oil, and pure butter. Yogurt and salads—often enriched with produce from our own garden—are also part of our menus.
For those who eat meat: We mostly cook our meals in bone broth. Our protein options include local trout, village chicken, and alpaca and beef from high altitudes—animals raised peacefully and without injections.
5. Community Life?
Yes—many people come to Peru with an intention to step slightly outside their comfort zone, to look at life from a different angle, to take lessons and bring them back into their own lives. They come to meet people, to live a journey with substance, and to gather real experiences.
Pueblo Vamoss is more than a place to stay—it is a shared living space. Those who stay here live both in their own rhythm and private space, and also within a field of sharing.
This organized space is designed to support everyone in joining community life with ease, and in contributing naturally.
For those who stay with us mid- or long-term, we do expect them to take responsibility for some of the communal tasks.
Communal tasks may include: carpentry; garden and vegetable patch work; tidying shared areas; spending time with the children (if that kind of relationship forms naturally); supporting the mothers in the community; offering an organized knowledge-sharing session on a topic you love; or hosting an activity.
In this way, we get to taste something that community life brings—an old, half-forgotten sense of togetherness that is now being remembered again.
Note: If you do not wish to support any tasks, please tell us in advance. Your process may not allow it—and we understand. In that case, volunteers will do those tasks. And in return, one other thing is gently expected: that you offer something back, in your own way—by supporting another good initiative one day; by bringing small gifts for the volunteers; by offering a thank-you to the volunteer house and to Vamoss in exchange for the support you received…
6. Life at Vamoss
Our home—and the Sacred Valley itself—can be extraordinary places for transformation and change. For that reason, as those who live at Vamoss, we take responsibility for our attitudes, our tone, and the way we relate to one another.
Because the house is not only a meeting place but also a place of production and sharing, we’d like to share the way we “hold the space,” and a few areas we care about.
i. Productivity
- When it’s work time, it matters to work: to produce, to take on tasks, to finish what we start—to not fall into laziness. (In Inca and Quechua culture, there are said to be three sins: lying, stealing, and laziness.)
- Before starting a task, we ask for input.
- We aim to do every task with care, and we complete it—or ensure that it is completed.
- On days we can’t begin with love, we move with responsibility—and we trust that love will meet us once the task is done.
- A task doesn’t end until the work, the materials we used, and the space we worked in are left even cleaner and more orderly than we found them
ii. Shared / Personal Spaces
- We don’t keep personal belongings in shared spaces, nor shared items in personal spaces for long periods.
- Those who create an alcoholic or smoky environment in shared spaces meet their need quietly—without making it conspicuous, and without trying to “expand the circle” around it.
- Everyone has their own diet. We respect each other’s diet and private space—and beyond that, we support it. You may offer; you do not insist.
iii. Kitchen
- Fully equipped. You can cook and eat as you wish.
- And of course, we keep it clean. (:
- We label personal items with “Privado.” We do not use “Privado” items— even for a shared meal—without asking.
iv. Trash & Recycling
- Room and kitchen trash goes into the blue bin in front of the workshop.
- Trash bags are under the kitchen counter.
- We don’t throw away reusable materials.
- We always take out trash bagged, and we replace bags neatly.
- Organic waste goes into the kitchen’s organic bin; when full, it goes to compost.
- Coffee, tea, and mate leftovers go to the base of the flowers—it enriches the soil.
- Used batteries and glass bottles are collected separately—thank you for checking.
- Truly-paper waste is collected separately and burned in the outdoor fire.
v. Laundry & Cleaning
- The washing machine is in the downstairs bathroom; it can be used anytime there is enough laundry.
- Natural detergent is right next to it; one full spoon is enough.
- We usually use QuickWash and hang laundry on the garden lines.
- Rooms are handed over clean by Vamoss.
- Each of us is responsible for our own room and linens.
- After using the shared bathroom, we check the shower, toilet, and sink.
- We don’t let dishes pile up in rooms. We wash personal dishes as soon as we bring them into the kitchen.
- The house is cleaned once a week by Vamoss.
vi. Water
- Our taps run with mountain water from Chuecamayo. After filtering, we can drink it directly—may it nourish you.
- Our infrastructure is based on a bio-digester system. This means we only put what comes from our bodies into the drains. Because of this, we live organically and do not use chemical detergents in the house.
- We have hot water 24 hours a day (including the kitchen).
- It may take a few minutes for hot water to reach the tap.
- As throughout South America, we do not throw any trash into the toilet—including toilet paper.
- If you need towels, as with everything, please feel free to ask.
vii. Air
- At sunrise, we open the windows and invite fresh, warm air inside.
- After the evening sun passes behind the mountain, we keep all windows and room doors closed.
- During or after a shower, we open the bathroom window.
- We keep the mosquito screens closed.
- If the wood stove is burning inside, all windows and doors remain closed.
viii. Fire
- Before lighting a fire, we make sure no window or door is left open.
- We do not put anything into the stove other than wood (no trash, cigarette butts, seeds, paper, plastic, ash).
- We use the stove’s ash to make soap, so we don’t use paper to start the fire. We begin it with eucalyptus kindling.
- We light the stove with the air intake open; once it catches, we keep the intake low. (The air intake is just above.)
- At the outdoor fire spot, we can burn non-plastic trash.
- Firewood is included in the shared fund; when appropriate, we can take wood from the woodpile as needed.
- If we lit an outdoor fire, we secure it before leaving: we extinguish flames, spread out embers, pour water if there’s wind, and tidy the area.
- We never leave any fire unattended—even a candle.
- The fire extinguisher is right at the entrance.
ix. Soil
- We try to give the earth the value it deserves.
- If you’re interested, please reach out. If not, at least support with watering. You’ll see—it’s good for you.
- If you’re unsure, please ask before pruning, harvesting, or similar actions.
- The “Nefs” in us loves bringing everything into the garden; we keep the garden clean and orderly.
- We don’t place metal tools (axe, shears) on the grass so they don’t rust.
x. Nefs
- A beautiful dog who lives with us.
- Our baby is born March 2014.
- He happily joins our walks.
- We don’t feed him raw meat. He eats once a day, around 5–6 pm.
- His food is stored in a bucket at the entrance of the house above; his bowl is on the veranda.
- We place his food in his bowl. You can fill the red cup in the bucket to the top. We don’t feed him from our own pots or dishes.
- We treat him like a person: we talk, we explain. Even when loving him, we don’t hurt him, and we don’t force him into anything. We never hit him—under any circumstances.
- We named him “Nefs” to remind ourselves that the adjectives we assign often belong to us more than to him.
- Nefs doesn’t like violence, but he may nip sometimes.
- If you are walking up toward the mountain or the village center and Nefs is with you, please don’t let him wander off—walk while calling him close (“Come Nefs, come!”).
- We didn’t train him formally, but when we speak calmly he understands; he knows words like: No, vamos, come, run, espera (wait).
xi. Our cats
- We don’t call them names we wouldn’t want said to our own child (like “crazy,” “mad,” “sick”). (“Bandit” is allowed.)
- They are cats—affection on their terms, in their timing (usually slow and gentle).
- We try not to disturb them, and we don’t treat animals as toys or entertainment.
- If their bowl is empty, fill a handful from the food stored under the stairs. If the water bowl is empty, you’ll know—they’ll complain.
- We don’t allow them inside the house.
xii. First to wake, last to sleep
- In the mornings, we boil water in a pot and fill the thermos; if possible, we tidy up a little.
- At night, before sleeping, we turn off all lights and the sound system; we clear the tables, wish Nefs good night, give him water, and secure the fire.
- If it looks like it may rain, we check outside.
xiii. Music
- We usually listen to music on portable speakers.
- If it feels appropriate, we can change the music freely.
- We can make sound and music between 8 am and 9 pm.
- We don’t turn the volume up unnecessarily, and we don’t stay on the same genre for too long.
- We honor the value of a circle formed for making music.
xiv. Technology
- In our early years, the village’s only internet provider would shut the connection off at night; now we have 24-hour connection.
- Wi-Fi password: ElMensajeeselAmor
- In shared spaces, we go online only briefly. We don’t spend long stretches in common areas with a phone in hand or a laptop on the lap.
- As long as we are using devices to work, of course we may use them anywhere.
- We don’t leave computers or devices in shared spaces; we keep them in our rooms.
xv. Our responsibilities
- Each room has shelves, a desk, a chair, and a desk lamp.
- If we damage something, we report it and arrange replacement.
- Toilet paper, hand soap, dish detergent, firewood, and laundry detergent are included in the shared fund.
- Hot drinks are always available.
- Thank you for using incense holders for incense, candle holders for candles, and ashtrays for ash. (:
xvi. Shopping
If you notice something missing at home, you can write it in the WhatsApp group—or you can buy it yourself and let us know. To learn what to buy, where, and at what price, please reach out.
xvii. Children & Babies at Vamoss
- Parents share their parenting approach and anything they want others to be mindful of whenever they feel it’s needed.
- We meet this with the highest respect and care.
- If there is a child under two nearby, or a child who is sleeping, we are especially attentive in our movements and volume.
- We listen to children. We explain things to them. We take them seriously. We learn with them. We play with them. (:
- Children are not the “center” of our community—and yet, yes, they are at its center.
- Without checking with the parents, children should not be given any packaged foods; sugary foods; foods containing dairy; foods containing pork; or foods containing gluten.
- Without the parents’ knowledge, no one leaves the village.
xviii. Let’s Make This Clear
It feels to us that Vamoss has emerged—above all—for people who can sense their intention, choose to walk that path, honor the diet they have committed to, and show full respect for (and even support) the diets of others.
Please do not talk in the house about “different types of getting high,” altered states, or drugs. And if you absolutely must speak about such things, try not to carry the topic through life in those words.
For ten years, the only “warnings” on the wall of Vamoss Home were these:
- Please do not download online. This type of connection is limited in Peru (:
- Please smoke your joint in privacy so that you can take its responsibility and you do not invade people’s privacy.
- Yes, our house is great but do not forget to go outside. There are great paths to walk.
Thanks to our hearts, we know that what we are looking for, is neither on internet, nor what we consume, nor inside the house.
Thank you,
7. What Can You Do?
Depending on how long you stay, there is so much you can do in this area.
- If you walk just 3 minutes, right behind us there is a beautiful valley—once you enter it, you feel completely cut off from the outside world. Walking in this canyon (which is also where our water comes from) is deeply nourishing. The flock of parrots you may see flying over Vamoss also lives here. Filled with fruit trees and bee-eaters, this valley leads us—within 15–20 minutes—to a waterfall. Beyond the waterfall, the terrain doesn’t allow us to climb much higher. For us, this special waterfall is a perfect place to breathe, reset, and set intentions.
- A 4–5 minute walk through the fields brings you to a wonderful bird-watching house—an entirely organic space created by a local friend, and a frequent gathering point for many types of bee-eaters.
- With a 1-hour walk in a lovely landscape—through forest paths and alongside the water canal—you can reach San Salvador.
- If you’d like to walk to Pisac, taking the dirt road that passes from the entrance of our land takes about 2.5 hours, and offers truly beautiful views.
- We have a gigantic rose tree that gives over 200 roses each time. You can enjoy them—especially from the bathtub.
- We have a scooter you can use to reach San Salvador or Pisac. You can add fuel and take it. The keys are at the entrance of Vamoss Home.
- We have many musical instruments you can enjoy (with care!): santur, djembe, didgeridoo, guitar, ukulele, bendir, Peruvian cajón, harmonicas, and more.
- We have firewood—you can light a fire. (:
- You can also visit some beautiful friends around us and learn so much: WilkaRoca, Apitusan, Pacha, Lumethos.(LINK to Our Circle in the Valley)
8. What We Consume at Vamoss
We purchase many essentials in bulk—spices, firewood, olive oil, coconut oil, cacao, coca, coffee, organic detergent, and various teas. If you need anything, you can let us know.
If there are items from the list below that you’d like us to source for you, please message us in advance. For some foods, 1–2 days notice is enough; for others, we may need 7–10 days.
Pantry & Staples (available on request)
Green olives
Real honey
Aloe vera
Cane sugar powder
Coconut sugar
Many types of kombucha (drink)
Water kefir
Milk kefir
Maple syrup
Cartons of almond / coconut / oat milk
Canned coconut cream
Dairy & Breakfast Basics
Fresh cow’s milk
Carton pasteurized milk
White cheese
Andes kashar-style cheese
Goat cheese
Yogurt
Village chicken eggs
Butter (for cooking)
Butter (for breakfast)
Peanut butter
Cashew butter
Pistachio butter
A very good olive oil produced in Peru
An excellent coconut oil produced in Peru
Proteins (Fish & Meat)
A fresh trout species very similar to salmon (averages ~2 kg)
The same trout, smoked (made by a friend—legendary in flavor)
Regular trout
Alpaca meat (raised high in the mountains, fed only on grass)
Village chicken
Village poultry
Beef tenderloin (exceptionally tender)
Marrow-rich bones
Extra-quality ground beef
Frozen hamburger patties from Argentine & Uruguayan Angus
Flours & Grains
White flour
Whole wheat flour
Quinoa flour
Corn flour
Banana flour
Yuca flour
Polenta
Maca flour
Teas, Cacao, Coffee & Leaves
Clove-cinnamon tea
Black tea
Very fresh chuncho cacao
Organic coffee (fresh or roasted)
Argentine mate
Anise tea
Chamomile tea
Lemongrass tea
Amber flower
Coca leaves
Fresh Herbs & Greens
Curly lettuce
Romaine lettuce
Basil
Munya (Andean mountain thyme)
Mint
Rosemary
Thyme
Arugula
Parsley
Cilantro
Vegetables
Broccoli
Avocado
Cauliflower
Tree tomato
Yuca
Cabbage
Tomato
Cucumber
Peppers
Beetroot
Eggplant
Celery stalk
Garlic
Onion
Fresh ginger
Fresh turmeric
All potato varieties
Sweet potato
Pumpkin
Zucchini
Green onion
Swiss chard
Spinach
Radish
Okra
Green beans
Carrot
Corn
Lemon
Legumes, Grains & Other Basics
Lentils
Dried peas
Small beans
Large beans
Quinoa
Kiwicha (amaranth)
Oats
Fava beans
Quinoa pasta
Brown rice
Chickpeas
Popcorn kernels
Semolina
Bulgur
Very fresh, pure chuncho cacao
Bee pollen
Nutmeg
Wheat
Coconut (powder or shredded)
Spices & Seasonings
Dried mint
Dried thyme
Red pepper
Sumac
Turmeric
Iodized table salt
Maraş salt
Black pepper (fine)
Black pepper (whole)
Stevia
Cumin
Cloves
Ground cinnamon
Whole cinnamon
Seeds & Add-ons
Chia
Flaxseed
Cardamom
Sesame
Alfalfa
Fresh cacao beans
Sauces & Vinegars
Vanilla extract
Soy sauce
Apple vinegar
Grape vinegar
Balsamic vinegar
Sesame oil
Fruits
Banana
Mango
Papaya
Pineapple
Blueberry
Watermelon
Strawberry
Green grapes
Red grapes
Black grapes
Kiwi
Peach
Apple
Pear
Mandarin
Orange
Pomegranate
Coconut
Melon
Quince
Fig
Cherimoya
Lucuma
Pepino
Golden berry
Dragon fruit
Raspberry
Nuts & Dried Fruits
Walnut
Pecan
Cashew
Roasted cashew
Almond
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Hazelnut
Roasted hazelnut
Dates
Dried mango
Dried pineapple
Dried ginger (comes with added sugar)
Brazil nuts
Golden raisins
Red raisins
Dried blueberries
9. Our Bond with the Local Community
Being good neighbors matters to us—deeply. In that spirit, it feels beautiful to carry our responsibilities, to participate in a healthy exchange, and to remain in a respectful relationship with the local community. Maintaining a warm and grounded connection with the people who are native to this land is very important to us.
Please be equally attentive in your own interactions with locals. Mutual respect is, without question, one of the most essential virtues.
10. Weather
So: welcome to these tropical lands—offering flavors that can feel unfamiliar to those accustomed to four-season climates.
To describe the weather where Vamoss Home stands—at 3,000 meters—we always say this:
“In the morning we live spring, at noon we live summer, in the evening we live autumn, and at night we live winter” (:
When you arrive, you’ll see it’s true.
In short, when you come here, be ready for heat, humidity, soft warm air, cold air, rain, wind—and if your route climbs to 4,000 meters, even the possibility of snow.
And one last detail: especially at high altitude, the sun can be intense and burning—so sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses become some of our most important travel companions.
At the latitudes we live in, you can generally expect:
- 3,500–4,500 meters: about 20°C in the sun, 15°C in the shade, and 5–10°C at night. (In July–August, just before sunrise it can drop to -5°C to 0°C.)
- 2,500–3,500 meters: about 25°C in the sun, 20°C in the shade, and 10–15°C at night. (In July–August, pre-dawn can fall to 5°C, even 0°C.)
- 1,500–2,500 meters: about 30°C in the sun, 25°C in the shade, and 15–20°C at night. (In July–August, pre-dawn can drop to around 10°C.)
When we go lower still, we enter the Amazon Rainforest—a humid region that stays warm year-round. In July and August, it softens slightly, but overall, it has a greenhouse quality throughout the year.
At altitudes below 1,500 meters—in the Amazon Rainforest—the weather is warm all year and partly rainy; in December–February it becomes very hot and generally rainy. (:
In the tropical belt, temperatures do not change dramatically across the year.
11. The Story of Vamoss
Since 2012, in the Sacred Valley—where we have lived and worked—we’ve been given a rare chance: to observe both ourselves and the world, without doing any promotional activity, and without needing to rush or worry about money. Over time, this made one thing very clear to us: what kind of service we were actually offering here.
With $600 in our pocket, we opened Vamoss Home. Over twelve years, more than a thousand people came and stayed. None of them had even seen a single photo of us online—because we didn’t share anything publicly.
In the beginning, our home offered hospitality at very modest standards. Slowly, it evolved. Whatever money entered the house, we always reinvested back into Vamoss Home. Including me (Arda), all volunteers ate and stayed without paying. Throughout those years, we never turned away anyone who wanted to stay but didn’t have money. In this way, Vamoss Home grew stronger in spirit—and also became more beautiful, more comfortable.
When Vamoss Home was founded in the Sacred Valley on 25 May 2013 (the very day the Gezi uprising began), it contained only a few basic kitchen items, a stove, a juicer, and a few sponge mattresses—and there were no other Turks living in the Valley at that time. On our very first night, we fell asleep with a single worry: “Who will ever hear about us, and come all the way here?”
And then, the next day, a message arrived—telling us that a friend was in Cusco and wanted to meet. From there, because those who came invited others, the house was almost always full of people.
This was never a business, because in the end, we were sharing our home. All the tasks and all the matters of the house—this house where we lived, and which, in truth, was never “ours” anyway—we handled together. Over the years it became a self-sustaining home. When we moved into our second house a year later, we worked with an even more permanent intention. And again, its beauty came through all of us, together. In every corner of Vamoss Home there is the heart of someone good—their giving, their work, their care.
In that time, we also learned how to live together: how to hold a space; how the beauty and productivity of those who arrive can be gently woven into daily life; and how repeating tasks can flow with ease. We learned how to bake bread, make yogurt, sow seeds, make chocolate, and more. The information file we sent to those who wanted to come made the order and rhythm here much easier to hold.
In the end, we saw something clearly: many people are, in fact, impatient to be part of a gathering like this—to enter a shared field of living and exchange.
As Vamoss Home grew into a home with 15 beds, we created a living space in the Sacred Valley—one in continuous growth—and we supported every production and sharing that took place inside it.
And now, on our own land, the Vamoss Home we built from zero is once again here—ready to host beautiful sharings.
12. Useful Information
Vegetable garden (bostan): You’re welcome to eat from what grows in our vegetable garden—may we give thanks to Mother Earth and to the hands that tend it.
Garden: You can enjoy the trampoline; a covered sitting area; a three-person swing and a baby swing; the fire area; and our sun loungers.
Electricity: Our electricity comes from a private grid. It is cut every 2–3 months at most, and the longest outage is usually 4–5 hours.
Internet: The Wi-Fi modem is located outside the house. We have a strong connection, with speeds that vary between 10–15 Mbps.
Parking: You can park your private vehicle in our village. You’ll need to ask us for the entrance key.
Transportation
Walking to San Salvador takes about 25 minutes. We also have a scooter and a bicycle you can use to reach San Salvador or Pisac. The keys are at the entrance of Vamoss Home—you simply need to fuel it and drive carefully.
It’s easy to call a mototaxi to the entrance of Vamoss: 6 soles during the day, 7 soles at night and on holidays. If you want to go to Pisac by mototaxi, they charge 25 soles.
Mototaxi contacts:
- Sra. Janet — 928 645 891
- Sr. Mario — 951 716 014
- Sra. Eliza — 929 367 202
- Sr. Xavier — 910 873 839
- Sr. Julio — 923 307 672
- Sr. Jaime — 973 633 371
- Sr. Rudi — 945 241 622
- Sr. Jorge — 918 291 843
It’s also possible to arrange a taxi—though taxis are not commonly used here, so we organize reliable vehicles:
In San Salvador (usually our first choices):
Dali (927 835 907), Jonathan (987 879 974), Achi (927 284 085), Wilbert Nina (994 830 737)
In Pisac:
Sr. Beltran (984 970 556) can arrange vehicles. Because cars come from Pisac, it takes about 20 minutes for them to arrive—so it’s best to message in advance. Drivers are tourism-service drivers; vehicles are clean.
Also in San Salvador:
Sr. Casimiro (984 482 964) — an older, sweet man. His car is old, but impeccably clean. A good option for Pisac or nearby.
Luis (964 631 493) — a clean, young driver; requires at least 1 hour notice. You can do longer trips within the Valley with him.
From across San Salvador Market, buses to Cusco depart every 15 minutes between 5 am and 7 pm. The return buses leave Cusco from Wayna Capac Street, pass along Avenida Cultura, and come to San Salvador via Oropesa and Huacarpay. The journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
It’s also possible to reach Cusco by changing vehicles in Pisac—minibuses pass every 5 minutes and go direct. The travel time is similar, and at some hours it can be even shorter.
If you need it and if it’s possible, a friend from the community can take you where you’d like to go in our vehicle: a 7+1-seat SUV, Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4. We charge 2 soles per km, which is slightly above local taxi rates in the Valley.
Shopping
For kitchen shopping and any other needs, if you write directly in the WhatsApp group called “Pueblo Vamoss,” organizing together can make everything easier.
San Salvador Market takes place on Sundays. Local aunties sell fresh products—often at better prices than other markets in the Valley. It’s not large, but it’s full of high-altitude locals; a calm, beautiful market.
At the intersection of Simon Bolivar and Cusco streets—right at the entrance of San Salvador—there’s a market called La Ezquina, where you can buy vegetables, fruit, and other basics. The owner’s name is Fran—a decent man. You can mention that you are Arda’s friend.
13. Where Our Village Is
- Our land is located outside the Sacred Valley, about 1 hour from the city of Cusco. Within the Valley, Pisac is about 15 minutes by car, and the village of San Salvador is about 25 minutes away on foot.
- When we look toward the river, we face Pachatusan—one of the most sacred mountains in the region. Its silhouette and scale are truly striking.
LINK PHOTO (In the photo, our land sits just beneath the rainbow.)
- At the meeting point of the Sacred Valley and the side valleys that connect into it, there is always a village or a small town. Our land sits right at the mouth of one of these side valleys that opens into the Sacred Valley—but because the point where our side valley meets the Sacred Valley is very narrow, San Salvador was established 2.5 km further ahead from us.
- A stream flowing down from the mountain peaks runs right beside us.
- There is no settlement around us—we are in the middle of the fields. If you walk 2 km in either direction from our land, the number of houses you encounter does not exceed the fingers on two hands.
- Our village is an excellent place for concentration—writing a book, going into retreat, and similar intentions. If you want to be around people, the village is 10 minutes away by mototaxi, and Pisac is about 20 minutes by car.
LINK Google Maps