Welcome to In the Footsteps Of, a storytelling series by Mountain Lodges of Peru that celebrates the people who shape our journeys—from creators and team members to travelers and local partners. Through thoughtful interviews, we uncover personal stories, cultural insights, and moments of transformation in the Andes. This series invites you to walk alongside those who inspire connection, honor tradition, and help us see the world—and ourselves—more clearly.
This month, we’re honored to introduce a special member of the Mountain Lodges of Peru team, Andrés Adasme!
Andrés Adasme is an archaeoastronomer, experience designer, and co-founder of Kind Human, with over 20 years of exploration and cultural immersion in the Andes. Originally from Chile and now based in Cusco, Peru and Italy, he specializes in uncovering the celestial wisdom of ancient civilizations, blending architecture, archaeology, and spirituality to create deeply meaningful travel experiences. As Executive Product Developer at Mountain Lodges of Peru, Andrés designs immersive, sustainable journeys that honor Andean traditions, connect travelers to the land, and inspire a deeper sense of reciprocity with nature. His life’s work bridges ancient knowledge and modern consciousness—inviting us to walk with purpose and rediscover our place within the natural world.
About the Journey
1. What originally brought you to the Andes—and what has kept you here for over two decades?
When I was studying architecture in Chile, we went on a study trip to Cusco, back in 1999. That’s when I became captivated by the magnificent megalithic architecture present at several of the archaeological sites we visited. However, it was Sacsayhuamán that impressed me the most, as at the time I was already interested in archaeoastronomy—that is, the study of the astronomical knowledge of ancient civilizations. This megalithic temple was what ultimately triggered my decision to come to Peru.
My plan when I came to Cusco in 2003 was to stay for one year, studying in depth all the ancient temples that had caught my attention during my first visit. However, many other reasons emerged for me to remain in this fantastic city, starting with the human connections I made along the way—with architects and students I met at the San Antonio Abad University of Cusco, as well as with people from remote communities, with whom I formed close and meaningful relationships. Choquecancha crossed my path, and this living, ancient, and wise culture became the deepest connector. Then, in 2006, my first daughter, Lira, was born—on June 21st (winter solstice / Inti Raymi)—which deepened my roots even further in this land.
2. Can you describe a moment in the mountains that changed the way you see the world?
There have been so many moments in the mountains that have changed the way I see the world, but if I had to choose just one, it would be my first visit to Qoyllur Rit’i. This is a pilgrimage that takes place every year during the sixth full moon, when the faithful climb to Mount Sinakara, part of the Ausangate mountain range, where there is a magnificent glacier. Ceremonies have been held there for centuries, especially around the lagoon formed by the glacier’s meltwater. It was there that I witnessed the deep devotion of the Andean people (a devotion I deeply feel a part of) in a truly sublime moment: the Ukukus (guardians of the glacier) stand in silence, waiting for the sunrise, holding a candle in their hands, which they then place on their heads while kneeling as a gesture of reverence and devotion to the Sun and to Qoyllur Rit’i (the “Frozen Star”)—from where the water of life flows. At that moment, I got goosebumps, and I knew my soul was bound to those mountains. I felt a sense of belonging. I felt Andean. I felt human.
Ancient Wisdom & Archaeoastronomy
3. How did you first become interested in archaeoastronomy, and why is it still relevant today?
My passion for archaeoastronomy had two key moments. The first was in 1994, when my family and I visited Mexico—specifically Teotihuacan. There, I understood that architecture was much more than just a place to inhabit; it was a book carved in stone, a vehicle of ancient knowledge that imprinted upon the earth an unbreakable marriage between architecture and the sky. Later on, a fantastic book came into my hands: “The Footprints of the Gods” by Graham Hancock. Through it, I came to understand the mechanisms and gears that work in harmony within that marriage—between human architecture and the divine sky.
Archaeoastronomy is a passion that continues to inspire me every single day—it fuels my curiosity and keeps me engaged in the research I conduct in Peru and in other places like Egypt. Nowadays, newly uncovered archaeological sites around the world, such as Göbekli Tepe, lend strong support to my theories and ideas about the deep antiquity of civilization. More than ever, astronomical alignments are proving to be essential in unlocking the mysteries of ancient cultures.
Likewise, new technologies such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) are offering fresh perspectives on sites like the Giza Plateau, where new underground structures have been discovered. These findings support the thesis that these sites are thousands of years older than the Pharaonic dynasties—a long-standing dogma that is now beginning to break.
4. What is something most people don’t realize about how ancient Andean cultures viewed the sky?
What’s most significant is that the ancients saw a “different sky”, and this was petrified in their temples. In this way, archaeoastronomers study the ancient alignments, because due to the wobble of the Earth’s axis, the sky our ancestors once saw has gradually changed over the years. Yet it becomes strikingly clear that the temples are now misaligned—and were built not hundreds, but thousands of years ago.
5. How do you think modern travelers can benefit from connecting with ancient wisdom?
When travelers connect with ancient civilizations, they have the opportunity to rediscover themselves—to reconnect with their essence, with our shared roots. In doing so, we begin to realize that it is not us who need to “save the planet,” but rather, we need to save ourselves. By returning to those roots, we can recover the purest and most essential human values—values we have lost since we became disconnected from the Earth. That disconnection began when we stopped being farmers, when we stopped putting our hands in the soil and ceased to give thanks for the rain and the sun that make our food grow. We have forgotten how to be grateful, and this has distanced us from nature, making us believe that we own and control it—when in reality, it is the planet (Pachamama, Mother Earth) that owns us.
Creating Immersive Experiences
6. As an experience designer for Mountain Lodges of Peru, what inspires you most when scouting a new route or concept for travelers?
My inspiration always comes from ancient civilizations, from the wisdom of our ancestors—who are still present on our planet in remote communities that many consider primitive or ignorant, yet they still hold the key to creating real change in humanity. Human connection is the most important thing—we should never lose physical contact with one another: shaking hands, looking each other in the eye, showing respect for one another and for the planet, being grateful and humble.
When I begin a new project, I always pay attention to my intuition and to the connection a place offers me—without relying first on the mind. I allow myself to feel and to understand the site, which reveals elements that cannot be found in books or technology, but rather in my own spirit.
I am inspired by love, by the sensitivity of people, by genuine connections, and certainly by ancient wisdom.
Kind Human & Responsible Travel
7. What does it mean to be a Kind Human in the travel industry?
To be a Kind Human is to honor and protect our most ancient legacy—to preserve the roots of humanity that still endure in the world’s most remote and isolated communities. It’s about adopting a way of travel that goes far beyond tourism, seeking instead deep, immersive experiences that foster genuine connection with the places we visit.
Being a Kind Human means redefining the path of humanity—slowing the overwhelming pace of modern life and returning to our origins. It’s about becoming, once again, a compassionate and grateful human being—one who is part of nature, who nurtures our collective heritage, and who remembers the fundamental values that are fading but not yet lost.
Ultimately, it means caring for ourselves—because if we don’t, no one else will.
8. In what ways can travelers support the protection of Andean culture and environment?
To support what Kind Human has been preaching, it is extremely important that travelers first understand that the experiences we offer are not intended to economically develop the communities we visit. Rather, travelers must approach these experiences with an open mind, seeking personal growth and transformation. It is the local inhabitants who have so much to offer us, and from whom we can learn.
It takes great humility to realize that our Western civilization is in decline—especially in these times dominated by social media, where everything seems so superficial and overly simplified. We must recognize that in order to move toward a more promising future, we need to look to the past. To save the planet, we must first save ourselves, and in that sense, the best way to do so is by recovering and protecting our roots.
Therefore, what Kind Human offers is not community-based tourism, but rather human experiences where reciprocity is the central thread, and where learning from the past is the path we believe will help us reclaim our human essence.
Reflections
9. If you could take every traveler to one sacred site in the Andes, where would it be and why?
As I mentioned earlier, Sacsaywaman is probably one of the most incredible places I’ve ever encountered. However, another site that I’ve been studying for several years—and that continues to inspire my research—is located in the town of Ollantaytambo. There, one can find the largest astronomical clock in the Americas, a site that few people know about or have even heard of: the Pyramid of Pacaritampu.
It is designed upon the agricultural terraces near the western side of the Urubamba River. The ancient builders outlined a pyramid that is aligned with the winter solstice and the equinoxes, creating a magnificent solar clock. This pyramid can be observed from a terrace located about 80 meters above the river level, from where it appears majestic—and holds great significance in my studies. Its misalignment with our current sky suggests, in my view, that it dates back several thousand years.
This conclusion comes from direct observation and the use of astronomical software (Stellarium), which takes into account the wobble of the Earth’s axis in its calculations. For that reason, I believe this pyramid is a footprint from time immemorial—a legacy left by the architect-astronomers of a distant past, who decided to etch their knowledge into this singular construction.
That is why visiting the Pacaritampu pyramid offers us a glimpse into the past — the ancient past of our planet, which is still lost to us, still not fully understood. Sites like this provide us with valuable clues about those ancient megalithic builders.
10. What message or lesson from Andean cultures do you believe the world needs most today?
To love our Mother Earth and be grateful for every drop of rain is to reconnect with the sacred bond that unites us with nature. It is to recognize that we are not separate from the Earth, but an extension of her life and cycles. Gratitude for the rain, the sun, the wind, and the soil is a form of reverence—an ancient practice that reminds us to live in harmony with the natural world.
To believe once again in our intrinsic abilities and knowledge is to awaken the ancestral memory that lies dormant within us. It means understanding that we carry within ourselves the wisdom of generations who lived in balance with the Earth, who read the stars, the rivers, and the mountains as if they were sacred texts.
To return to using our intuition and to listen to our hearts is to allow ourselves to be guided not only by logic and reason, but also by the subtle and powerful voice within. In a world increasingly dominated by noise and distraction, reconnecting with our inner guidance is an act of resistance and healing. It is a way of walking through life with purpose, presence, and respect—for ourselves, for others, and for the planet we call home.
For more information about booking one of our adventures designed by Andres Adasme, contact us today!
