Woven Paths: A Peru Weaving Tour: Day by Day Full Itinerary
1. Arrival Lima
You will be met at the Jorge Chavez airport and transferred to your unique hotel in the arty Barranco neighbourhood. Your tour leader will be there to greet you to Peru*; and a light meal will be included at the hotel.
- Not for late PM or early AM arrivals!
Meals: D
Hotel: Comfort - Second Home
2. Exploring Lima
After welcome breakfast and group meeting, we will head out to visit Dedalo, a unique artisan shop in Barranco. Then we head out into Lima, a thriving metropolis of over 14 million people with a rich history. With so much to do and see, we’ve chosen just one museum for you to immerse yourself in.
First up we will have lunch in one of the oldest, and most typical bar restaurants in Lima, in the historic centre.
We will then before continue to the Amano Museum which is a private collection of pre-Columbian artwork including ceramics and one of Peru’s most complete set of textiles that were salvaged from tombs and other pillaged sites.
From here, we will return to our hotel for an introductory talk about the Textile Traditions of Peru, before heading out to a celebratory dinner at one of Lima’s landmark restaurants.
Hotel: Comfort - Second Home
Meals: B, L, D
3. Fly Lima- Cusco
Today we will be transferred to the airport and take our 1 hour flight to Cusco, the Bellybutton of the world, the Capital of the Incas and also the home of Threads of Peru. A cosmopolitan city with world class food, hotels, museums and galleries exists alongside indigenous people who still sell their wares on the street and are the inheritors of a fascinating textile tradition.
Due to the altitude of Cusco being a very high altitude (11154 ft. / 3400m) we recommend taking it easy today. After freshening up, we will have an orientation tour and light lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the Threads of Peru office and CTTC museum (Centre of Traditional Textiles, founded by famous Peruvian Weaver Nilda Callañaupa). This is a wonderful way to get an overview of Andean Weaving as well as not overdoing it at high altitude.
Hotel: Comfort - Andenes Al Cielo
Meals: B, L, D
4. Explore Cusco’s Art Scene
Today, while allowing our bodies to acclimatise to high altitude we will enjoy learning more about the diverse art traditions of Peru we delve deeper into the Cusco art scene, while also gaining greater insight into Peru’s Art History. We visit the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (MAP), then continue to the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, and visit the most famous artisans of Cusco, the Mendivil family. After a local lunch we visit the workshop of Maximo Laura whose tapestries are rich in color and famous worldwide. After a visit to the Tawa Concept gallery you will have a didactic pottery class where you will learn different techniques and create a beautiful piece of art.
In the afternoon we will enjoy a cooking our own meal at one of Cusco’s famous cooking schools where you will learn some Peruvian cooking techniques!
Hotel: Comfort - Andenes Al Cielo
Meals: B, L, D
5. Sacred Valley and travel to ParobambaToday we leave the bustling vibrancy of Cusco to travel to the Sacred Valley – a verdant valley between high mountains it is some of the most fertile and beautiful land in the region, and was the personal property of the Inca King. First stop for us is Awanacancha a community owned weaving centre which has weaving displays, and an amazing collection of camelids which you can get up close to. This is also a great opportunity to feel the fibers on the animals themselves.
From here, we get a stunning view of the entire Sacred Valley before descending to Pisac which has a lively artisan market. We will have lunch around in Pisac and then you have the option of staying longer to wander the markets, or head up to the very attractive Pisac ruins.
In the afternoon we will travel 3 hours far off the beaten track to Parobamba in the Rio Mapacho. The roads are steep, and winding! We will pass over the Ampares Pass at 4580m before descending back to Parobamba, still a high 3185m.
Upon arrival we will settle into our rustic homestay style accommodation with Master Weaver Daniel Sonqo and his wife Leonarda. There may be time to get out into the fields and look for dye plants.
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals: B, L, D
6. Natural Plant Dye Workshop Parobamba
After a typical Andean Breakfast we will take part in the identification of dye plants by joining Master Weaver Daniel Sonqo in the mountains around his home. This will require some level of fitness and balance. Not only will we identify dye plants but we will pick them in preparation for the dyeing workshop. During this session Daniel will explain about the leaves, roots and flowers of different plants, how to pick them and how they are prepared for natural dyeing.
During the morning we will participate in a dye workshop where Daniel will obtain more than 10 colors with natural dyes. During the dye workshop he will also do a weaving demonstration.
After lunch, the dyeing workshop continues until the late afternoon. During this time Daniel will also explain the iconography used in the textiles.
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals: B, L, D
7. Continuation of life in Parobamba/ Travel to Ollantaytambo.
After breakfast Daniel will show the group his bee-keeping, and honey producing enterprise, which he has established to supplement his weaving incomes. He will also take the group to see the pre-inca archaelogical site in Parobamba.
After lunch, en route to Ollantaytambo, we will have the chance for a welcome soak in the little visited hot springs at Chimor before a 4 hour drive back of the Amparaes Pass down to the fertile Sacred Valley and the village of Ollantaytambo.
Dinner will be at the Café Mayu, located in the atmospheric train station to Machu Picchu and featuring in season meals from El Albergue’s organic garden and orchard!
Accommodation: Comfort - El Albergue, Superior room
Meals: B, L, D
8. Sacred Valley – Chincheros and Moray
Today you have the option of accompanying us to Chinchero or spending a free day around Ollantaytambo.
Chinchero is about 1 hour drive from Ollantaytambo, and is the ‘poster child’ of Peruvian backstrap weaving due to the fame of Nilda Callanaupa Alvarez and the Centre of Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC). Their dress and weaving is different than others we will visit and an interesting comparison.. We will return to this hotel in 2 nights so can leave our bags here
On the return trip to Ollantaytambo we will make a stop at the fascinating Inca site of Moray, and give you the opportunity to hike downhill to the Inca salt pans at Salineras (or take the car).
Note, will return to this hotel in 2 nights so can leave our bags here, taking just a small backpack or overnight bag for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Comfort - El Albergue, Superior room
Meals: B, L, D
9. Threads of Peru Weaving & homestay Huilloq Community
After a leisurely breakfast, we will head back into the Andes to experience a very different terrain and insight into the way of life of the Huilloq community, part of the Patacancha valley of weavers. While each community is different, Huilloq has many similarities (in terms of dress and style of weaving) to the first communities Threads of Peru worked with in much higher, less accessible places in this valley. We started working with a group of young weavers in Huilloq in 2015 after they took their own initiative and contacted us! Read their story
Huilloq also has a ‘first class’ homestay project which makes it easier for our group to visit. It is also lower altitude which means that the weather is a little warmer and less harsh.
In the afternoon the women will set up looms, show their work and there will be the chance to weave your own bracelet or belt.
Accommodation: Huilloq Homestay
Meals: B, L, D
10. Threads of Peru Weaving & homestay Huilloq Community
Today we will continue to weave alongside the women of Huilloq and experience a little bit of daily life in the Andes. Late in the day we will return to our Ollantaytambo hotel.
Dinner will not be organised this evening so you can head out or stay at home.
Accommodation: Comfort - El Albergue
Meals: B, L
11. Ollantaytambo & Rest Day
Ollantaytambo is the last village that exists using the traditional Incan design, of houses within courtyards.
There is a chance to journal or note down your reflections, enjoy wandering the narrow cobblestone streets.
If there is sufficient interest (after booking) we may be able to organise a visit to a knitting cooperative in this area. However this is a very full and demanding program and we wanted to structure some time to rest and soak up the atmosphere before the final full days.
Accommodation: Comfort - El Albergue
12. Ollantaytambo, & travel to Aguas Calientes
Today will enjoy a guided tour of the Ollantaytambo ruins and then time to wander this village which is laid out according to Incan design. We will have an early lunch at the Hearts Café, whose profits support high Andean communities. Founded by a 70 year old British woman, it also has delicious wholefoods! From here we take a spectacular train trip through a deep Valley to emerge at Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. There are plenty of souvenir markets to explore, or if you would prefer to rest a little before your visit to the famous lost city!
Hotel: Comfort - Rupa Wasi
Meals: B, L, D
13. Visit to Machu Picchu
Today we will rise early for our visit to Machu Picchu, the famous lost city of the Incas and one of the 7 new wonders of the world. We take the bus up the hairpin road, to enjoy a 2 hour guided tour of key points of this city. We will enjoy a buffet lunch before you have the chance to go back and take a second look at this city.
Mid-afternoon we will depart Machu Picchu for the 4 hour return train and car ride back to Cusco city. As this was a big day we will have a quiet meal close to the hotel upon return.
Hotel: Comfort - Andenes Al Cielo
Meals: B, L, D
14. Cusco
After breakfast you have a free day to explore Cusco city. There are a rich variety of things you can do; museums, restaurants, spas and many craft markets.
Hotel: Comfort - Andenes Al Cielo
Meals: B
15. Return Home.
Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Lima. Please coordinate with us your flight time from Peru so that we can ensure the easiest travel experience (eg, minimum but not too short connection times!!)
Meals: B
End of services.
