Visit the Racchi Ayllu community and immerse yourself in Andean culture by engaging with the locals to learn about their ancestral textile techniques. Plus, you’ll have the chance to weave a garment with your own hands—you’re going to love it!
Tour Options
When booking, you can choose between two different options, both of which begin at the designated time at kilometer 35 in the community of Racchi Ayllua. Each option includes an English-speaking guide, materials for the weaving workshop, and food for the llamas and alpacas. Plus, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch featuring soup, a traditional main course, and a seasonal fruit drink.
Below, you can see the particularities of each tour option:
Bracelet Workshop (2 Hours and 40 Minutes)
After a warm welcome and a hearty lunch, we'll kick off our visit by interacting with the llamas and alpacas, giving you the chance to feed them and snap some memorable photos! We'll also visit the guinea pig barn, where you'll learn more about the domestication of these fascinating animals.
Next, we’ll participate in a bracelet weaving workshop, where local craftswomen will guide you in creating these beautiful Andean garments. During the workshop, we'll also discuss the social project they run and explore the process of making a textile garment—from obtaining wool from sheep or alpacas to transforming it into yarn and dyeing it with natural elements.
Before wrapping up our incredible experience, you can opt to purchase some hand-woven textiles.
Schedule: every day at 12 noon, 1 pm, and 2 pm
Waist Weaving Workshop (4 Hours)
If you choose this option, we'll begin by feeding the llamas and alpacas while learning about guinea pig domestication. You'll also gain insight into the textile and handicraft processes, as well as the mission to empower single woman in vulnerable situations.
Alongside an expert craftswoman, we'll discuss the dyeing process and continue with hands-on activities, including hand spinning wool, dyeing wool, and waist weaving using sheep and alpaca fibers. At the end of the workshop, you'll have the opportunity to take home the dyed wool and the belt you created. If you'd like, you can also purchase handcrafted items made by the locals.
Depending on the start time you select, we'll begin or end with an outdoor lunch.
Schedule: every day at 9 am and 12 noon.