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Discover the art of Andean weaving and the biodiversity of native potatoes in Chinchero. Learn about the entire textile cycle, try your hand at weaving, and explore the Chinchero market.

Highlights

• Discover the art of Andean weaving at a Chinchero textile center
• Learn about the entire textile cycle, from shearing to dyeing
• Try your hand at weaving on a traditional backstrap loom
• Explore the biodiversity of native potatoes in the Sacred Valley
• Visit the Chinchero market and see potatoes sold by color and shape

Description

Begin your journey in Chinchero, one of the most iconic communities in the Sacred Valley, known as the 'land of the rainbow' and recognized as a fundamental center for Andean textile art. Visit the Chinchero Textile Center, where weaving traditions are carefully preserved by cooperatives and weaving centers founded by the weavers themselves. Experience a 'living culture' as master weavers guide you step-by-step, from raw fiber to finished product. Learn about the entire textile cycle, from shearing sacred alpaca or sheep wool to washing it with the root of the Sacha Paraqay plant, a natural soap. Witness the astonishing process of cochineal dyeing, where a simple change in pH transforms crimson red into orange or purple. Try your hand at weaving on the Backstrap Loom (away), attempting to create the complex geometric figures that represent the Andean cosmovision. By purchasing textiles in Chinchero, you directly support the families in the community, promoting fair trade and the continuity of a tradition at risk of being replaced by industrial methods. Next, explore the magic of native potatoes, a fundamental part of Andean life and agriculture. Peru is the center of origin of the potato, with thousands of varieties domesticated over 8,000 years. In the Sacred Valley, the potato is the foundation of life and agriculture. Discover the biodiversity of Andean potatoes, which come in purple, blue, yellow, red, and black hues. Taste key varieties like the Puka Papa (red potato), the Papa Amarilla (yellow potato, known for its creamy texture and intense flavor), and the Quechua varieties, often grown on high-altitude terrains. Visit the archaeological site of Moray, with its concentric circular terraces, believed to be an Inca agricultural engineering laboratory. Learn how the Incas used Moray to simulate different microclimates and adapt seeds like the potato to various altitudes, ensuring a successful harvest throughout the empire. Witness the ancestral transformation of potatoes into chuño and moraya, an ancient technique for preserving potatoes by repeatedly freezing and thawing them under the sun and high-altitude Andean frosts. This process allows potatoes to be stored for years, ensuring food security during times of scarcity. Integrate a visit to the Chinchero market, where potatoes are sold by color and shape, with a natural cooking class that utilizes these tubers, alongside a weaving workshop, creating a holistic experience that honors the work of the Pachamama and the hands of the Andean artisans.

Includes

Guided tour of Chinchero Textile Center Demonstration of traditional weaving techniques Hands-on experience with Backstrap Loom Visit to Chinchero market Culinary experience with native potatoes Visit to Moray archaeological site Farm Alpacas and Llamas Pick-up from your hotel

Important Information

• The activity involves walking, so wear comfortable shoes. Weather can vary, so dress in layers. Photography is encouraged, bring a camera.

Easy cancellation

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