Preserving Weaving Traditions in Peru

Weaving is our passion and we can’t wait to share this ancestral knowledge with you! Whatever your specific interests, we’re ready to make your textile experience dreams come true! Learn first-hand about Andean textile methods through hands-on workshops with skillful master weavers and knitters. Can’t get enough natural dyes? How about getting your hands dirty with local plants, minerals, and insects to produce all the colors of the Rainbow. 

Peru’s textiles are prized around the world, which makes sense considering that the weaving tradition here is over 4,000 years old. Peru’s best weaving culture is found in Cusco, Chinchero. Textiles are made using the wool of llamas, alpacas and vicuñas, and the weavings are dipped into dyes made from flowers, roots, and leaves.

DAY 1: Arrival in Cusco

Today you will be welcomed by our representative at the airport, and we will drive you to your hotel, there will be a short introduction session on your plan. Then enjoy a walk through the cradle of the Inca Empire.

Services Included

• Transport: Cusco Airport – Hotel
• Hotel: Casa Andina Standard – Standard Room with private bath.
• Meals: Not included

DAY 2: Art of Cusco: City Walking tour.

Begin at the Plaza de Armas, the Main Square, which is marked by the exquisite Spanish Colonial architecture and ornamentation imposed by Spanish colonists to exert religious and political influence. Underneath it all, however, you can clearly see remnants of Inca Cusco in the solid stonework. Visit Koricancha, the most iconic “Sun Temple” in the Inca Empire, and the breathtaking Cathedral, a repository for Cusco’s colonial art, as well as many other important archaeological relics and artifacts. You will also stop by the colorful San Pedro market and pass through the magical neighborhood of San Blas. Next, visit Sacsayhuaman, an Inca citadel atop a hill, on the outskirts of the city. Not only are the imposing terraces of masterful stonework a sight to behold, but the vistas overlooking the sienna rooftops of Cusco provide a whole new perspective to the city you traversed. Afterwards, we take you back to your hotel

Services Included

• Private Guide: Included
• Hotel: Casa Andina Standard – Standard Room with private bath.
• Meals: Not included

DAY 3: Sacred Valley of the Incas: Meet the locals: llamas, alpacas and vicunas, Pisaq ruins and market

We will pick you up at 7:00 am at your Hotel in Cusco, then we will head to the Sacred Valley, there will be great viewpoints to gaze at the great mountain range.  Once at Pisac you will see and learn about different aspects of Inca culture. Here you can see amazing art work etched into the stone and take in the impressive agricultural terraces, we will spend some time here then we head down to Pisac Market, you will have the opportunity to interact with local people and buy crafts. The Sacred Valley was a key area of settlement for the Incas. The climate in the valley sustains fertile plains, which allows for a lot of growth, which is unusual for the high Andes. Here, the Incas sculpted the mountain flanks with vast contour terracing and irrigation channels. Our driver and guide will point out the best places to take photos to capture the beauty and vastness of the Sacred Valley.

After our lunch in Urubamba, we drive to our second Inca Site. Moray is made up of three amphitheater-like terraces made by the Incas. These terraces, which are carved deep into the earth in a bowl shape, are thought to have been used as an agricultural laboratory to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops. Then we will visit “Salineras de Maras” salt mines of Maras, which are just 2 miles away. Dating back to colonial times, Maras was considered a salt-producing center. Carved into the mountainside are over 3000 salt pools, which are filled daily by a little stream of water. Once the water evaporates, it leaves behind a glistening patchwork of salt. The salt mines are a great spot to take pictures and capture the amazing beauty of both the Andes and the spectacular Salineras.

Finally, we will be led to the Archaeological Park of Ollantaytambo, we will visit the ruins. This site highlights the remarkable Inka architecture and was built during the Incas heydays. This is an extraordinary Inca site and in addition to the ruins, you will see an amazing rock formation representing the Inca god Wiracocha. We spend the night in Urubamba

Services Included

• Private Guide: Included
• Hotel: Taypikala Valle Sagrado – Standard Room with private bath.
• Meals: Not included

DAY 4: Sacred Valley of the Incas: Textile Workshop: Colors of the Rainbow

Leaving our hotel, drive throughout the Sacred Valley for a day with traditional weavers. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel to travel to one of the communities where Sacred Loom Peru in Cusco works within the Sacred Valley.

We stop in Chinchero (3,800m/12,500ft). Higher than Cusco and the Urubamba Valley, Chinchero was once home to the great conquering emperor Inca Topa Yupanqui and is said to be the birthplace of the rainbow or the land of the rainbow. The town is known for its colourful Sunday market where locals come from nearby communities to sell everything from textiles to produce. Home of our family, the stop in this town will give you a chance to purchase high-quality handwoven textiles. You will also be provided with an opportunity to meet and greet our weavers.

As well as learning about traditional weaving techniques and seeing artisans in action, the weaving village visit includes a traditional lunch at the community and a chance to interact with its members. Following lunch, you will head to your hotel and we prepare for our next day’s adventure.

Services Included

• Private Guide: Included
• Hotel: Taypikala Valle Sagrado – Standard Room with private bath.
• Meals: Not included

DAY 5: Ollantaytambo Train to Aguas Calientes

Today we will be picked up from our locations and start collecting some plants and other ingredients for the dying process. Then you will have the complete and most advanced classes of the Andean weaving process. Once the classes are culminated we will have lunch at our restaurant (included). Afterwards, we will head to the Train Station in Ollantaytambo. 

Your train departing train is at 3:37 p.m. The train trip to Aguas Calientes is just under two hours, descending into the Cloud Forest, where you will see orchids, bromeliads, and ferns. Upon arrival, our representatives will meet you just outside the train station and lead you to your hotel.

Services Included

• Private Guide: Included
• Hotel: Santuario Machupicchu – Standard Room with private bath.
• Meals: Not included

DAY 6: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Cusco

Today, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the breathtaking sunrise over Machu Picchu, weather permitting, and enjoy the site with fewer visitors. Start your day with a 5 am breakfast at the hotel before taking a 30-minute bus ride from Aguas Calientes to the main entrance of Machu Picchu. The gates open at 6 am, and you and your guide will embark on a 2.5-hour guided tour, learning about the fascinating history and significance of this iconic Inca citadel. This day we will heal ourselves inside this sacred place.

After the guided tour, you may opt to hike Wayna Picchu mountain for an elevated perspective, but remember to purchase tickets well in advance for this climb. If you prefer, simply spend some more time exploring Machu Picchu before taking the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for a leisurely in town.

Afterwards, board the train at 14:55 pm or 3:20 pm for a 1.5-hour journey back to Ollantaytambo, where a car will be waiting to transport you back to Cusco. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel, bringing an unforgettable adventure to a close.

Services Included

• Private Guide: Included
• Hotel: Casa Andina Standard – Standard Room with private bath.
• Meals: Not included

DAY 7: Cusco – Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley

After picking up everyone from their respective hotels, we will go to Llacto (4,638m/15,216 ft) by car for 3 hours. We enjoy breakfast at this point. During the drive, the scenary becomes amazing with views of traditional villages, farming areas. Afterwards, we get ready for the hike towards the Rainbow Mountain for around 2 hours uphill hike a distance of 4 km. 

Cusco’s weather is usually quite cold, and the trailhead is even colder, so early in the morning. Be sure to bring a warm jacket, scarf, hat, and gloves.

The trek is good for those who have vertigo or a fear of heights,  during the dry season the path is perfect. Upon your arrival at the top, you will have 1 hour for admiring the astonishing views of the Rainbow Mountain as well as the 3rd highest Mountain in Peru and the most important in Cusco, Ausangate. Take your time for treasuring photos.

We make this trip memorable and you have an optional hike to the red valley, which takes 1 more hour. we descend to the base camp where our car awaits us. We will have lunch after 1 more hour of drive and then we head back to Cusco, arriving by 5 pm.

Services Included

• Private Guide: Included
• Hotel: Casa Andina Standard – Standard Room with private bath.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8: Thank you Cusco

Enjoy your remaining time in Cusco. Your transportation will be waiting for you at the hotel to take you to the airport for your flight back to Lima.

Services Included

• Transport: Cusco Hotel – Airport
• Meals: Not included