Weaving textiles Willoq Patacancha Homestay

Tour Off the beaten track in Peru! Indigenous textile Weaving Lessons and home Stay at Patacancha community, travel to a weaving community to practice weaving. Woven, knitted and braided textiles in Peru are often exquisitely made and are deeply imbued with meaning & mystery.

Each village has its own patterns, and one piece can incorporate several different techniques as well as express many different layers of meaning. Some of the abstract patterns show a deep connection to and respect for the earth and the inter-relatedness of all things. Others feature an Iconography that is many hundreds of years old and often is used as a form of communication about the lives lived in each village. Travel to a remote weaving Willoq community. Enjoy a weaving demonstration and share lunch with community members. Shop for fine textiles at a fraction of the price you would pay in Cusco.

OVERVIEW

RANRA RUMY -PATACANCHA is located in a beautiful mountain area at 3,654 meters above sea level (13,000ft) that divides the Sacred Valley in two. This is the home of 15 native Quechua speaking families who are dedicated to agriculture and cattle pasturing, amongst them the llamas and alpacas. The typical and picturesque high Andean architecture can be appreciated in the homes of the local people and in the cattle folds built with local stones.

Whilst walking you are also supporting the Llama Project; a recovery project to rescue ancestral cultural values related to the breeding and use of llamas anda weaving textiles. This is a tradition almost forgotten in the high Andean communities.

HOMESTAYS

During your time in Patacancha, you will be immersed in the culture and daily life of your host family. Depending on the season, you may plant and harvest crops in the family chacra (personal farm plot), prepare meals, hike up to pasture livestock, and of course, weave. Homes in Patacancha are rustic. Rooms will have one light bulb and an outlet, but no appliances. Homes will have running water, but the only tap is usually located outdoors. All homes have a toilet, but some are pit toilets. Most homes do not have showers or running water in the bathrooms. Some homes may have dirt floors. Nights are cold, and the village is at high altitude (12,800 ft) and may require acclimatization. If it sounds like a far cry from a hotel, it is! But the food is tasty, the beds are warm with layers of wool blankets, the families are kind and welcoming, and the mountains are spectacular.

This unique opportunity to engage indigenous Quechua culture is often one of visitors' favorite experiences in Peru. You will share a room with one or two other people in your tour group. Food is basic but wholesome Andean fare consisting mainly of thick potato, grain and vegetable soups, chicken, eggs, and plenty of potatoes cooked every way. Explore Adventures will also provide you with a large basket of fruits and vegetables to share with your homestay family during your stay.

COMMUNICATION

Most men and children speak Spanish, but many women in Patacancha only speak Quechua. Your group will be accompanied with an English/Spanish speaking guide who can help with communication along the way.