Community Tourism in Misminay or Huilloc
Community tourism in Cusco lets you spend a day with Quechua families in the Sacred Valley, take part in their farm work, learn their ancestral weaving techniques and share a traditional lunch in their home.
Travel to share, not just to see
Summary
This experience of community tourism in Cusco invites you to discover the daily life of Andean communities from the inside. You visit Misminay, a farming community near Moray, or Huilloc, a weaving community in the Patacancha valley, depending on availability and your preferences.
First, local families welcome you with a traditional greeting. Then you take part in activities such as planting or harvesting, depending on the season, as well as caring for animals and demonstrations of spinning, natural dyeing and loom weaving.
Finally, you share a lunch prepared with products from their own fields and talk about their customs, their language and their worldview. The income from the experience directly benefits the host families. If you want to explore these landscapes further, you can combine it with the Sacred Valley or the Lares Trek.
Highlights
Itinerary
07:00 - 07:30
Hotel pickup
We pick you up at your hotel in the historic center of Cusco before the drive.
Our team picks you up at your hotel. Then we begin the journey to the Sacred Valley by tourist transportation.
07:30 - 09:00
Transfer to the community
Drive through the landscapes of the Sacred Valley while your guide explains them.
We travel to the chosen community: Misminay, on the Maras plateau, or Huilloc, in the Patacancha valley near Ollantaytambo. Meanwhile, your guide tells you about how Andean communities are organized.
09:00 - 09:30
Community welcome
Traditional welcome, then you meet the host families.
The families welcome you with a traditional greeting, music and typical dress. Then you meet your hosts and learn about the community’s way of life.
09:30 - 11:30
Farm work
Take part in the season's farming activities, especially planting or harvesting.
You join the families in their daily tasks, such as planting, hilling or harvesting native potatoes and other Andean crops, depending on the time of year. Also, you learn about traditional tools and the agricultural calendar.
11:30 - 13:00
Weaving demonstration
Spinning, natural dyeing and loom weaving.
Later, the community’s weavers show you the complete textile process: spinning wool, dyeing with natural plants and insects and weaving on a backstrap loom, with designs that each have their own meaning.
13:00 - 14:30
Lunch with the family
Traditional food prepared with local products, then time to talk.
Then you share a lunch prepared by the families with products from their own fields, so it is an opportunity to talk and learn more about their customs.
14:30 - 16:30
Return to Cusco
Farewell, then the return by tourist transportation.
Finally, after saying goodbye to the community, we return to Cusco. The tour ends at the Main Square or near your hotel in the historic center.
Include
What does it include?
- Pickup from hotels in the historic center of Cusco
- Round-trip tourist transportation
- Professional guide in English or Spanish
- Hands-on activities with the families
- Weaving demonstration
- Traditional lunch with the host family
- Contribution to the community
- Permanent assistance during the tour
What's not included?
- Breakfast
- Purchases of textiles and handicrafts
- Additional drinks
- Tips for the guide
- Travel insurance
Important information
What to bring
Comfortable clothes that can get dirty
Warm jacket and rain poncho
Comfortable or hiking shoes
Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat
Water
Cash in soles for purchases
Passport or identification document
Weather
The communities are located in high areas, with sunny days and cold mornings. Also, afternoon rain is common from November to March.
Best season
The experience operates all year. However, farming activities vary by season: planting takes place mainly between August and November, while harvesting takes place between April and July.
Recommendations
Ask for permission before photographing people. Also, if you would like to bring a gift, school supplies are more appropriate than sweets or money. Buying textiles directly from the weavers is an excellent way to support the community.
Gallery
FAQ
What is the difference between Misminay and Huilloc?
Misminay is a farming community on the Maras plateau, near Moray. In contrast, Huilloc is a community in the Patacancha valley known for its weaving and traditional dress. Both offer an authentic experience.
Can I choose the community?
Yes. Let us know your preference when booking, and then we confirm it according to the availability of the host families.
What farming activities take place?
They depend on the time of year. They may include planting, hilling or harvesting potatoes and other Andean crops, as well as caring for animals.
Does the lunch include vegetarian options?
Yes. Let us know when booking if you have any dietary restrictions, so we can coordinate with the host family.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. Community tourism in Cusco is a very enriching experience for families, and children usually especially enjoy the activities with the animals and in the fields.
How does this experience benefit the community?
With community tourism in Cusco, part of the price goes directly to the host families and the community, who can also sell their textiles without intermediaries.
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