Rural Homestay in Raqchi

RAQCHI (3,480 msnm. or 1,1417 feet) is a small village located in the Province of Canchis, about 120 km. from Cusco (approximately 2h from Cusco by car). Raqchi is found in a plain surrounded by small hills from volcanic origin, formed by an ancient volcanic eruption from the volcano Kinsach’ata. The legend tells that it was after an eruption that the local Incas, threatened, decided to build a temple to honor their god Wiracocha. This temple is an imposing construction of huge historical interest for foreigners. Raqchi is also very famous for its pottery productions from a long time ago.

The community also takes part in several traditional agricultural and farming activities, growing of products from the Andes, razing cattle and sheep.

The asociation “Raqchi Raices Incas” opens its doors with a view to share the daily life of the community through rural homestay. You are invited to get to know from the inside several prehispanic cultural expressions which have survived throughout the time. Learn the process of making pottery, learn how to play traditional Peruvian instruments, take part in the agricultural and farming activities, discover ancient mystic rituals from the Andes…

The visitors will enjoy a comfortable stay: each families count with clean accommodations with private bathrooms and hot water, in picturesque and cozy rooms, typical of this area.

The families will provide food for their guest and they offer delicious dished made out of corn, potatoes, ollucos, habas (broad bean), pea, tarwi, quinoa y wheat, all locally produced. During the dinner, several families are used to join together to form small “fiestas” in which they sing dance and play their traditional instruments in a joyful rhythm.

The encounter with the craftswomen, heiress of ancient techniques will unable you to appreciate pottery’s process of production in the very workshop. Hands trained by the family paint and draw decorative and utilitarian objects, demonstrating their skills and precision. If you would like, you can take pottery lessons with an expert. We can also organize more intensive pottery workshops. If you are interested, please contact us, or see in Cultural and Academic Activities.

Rural Tourism in Chinchero’s weaver community  

CHINCHERO (3,772 m.a.s.l.) is a village that conserves its colonial style. It is located 28 km. North-East of the city of Cusco (45 min. by car). Stands out the church built during the time of the Colony, in which one can appreciate beautiful oil paintings on canvas from the Cusquenian School of Art. On Sundays, there is a fair in which merchants and farmers trade their products, using the traditional exchange (barter). In the area, there also are important archeological remains. Chinchero definitely stands out for its textile works and among them, beautiful carpets and textiles dyed with natural dyes, which are excellent elements of decoration for modern homes.  

For those who truly want to experience life of a traditional weaver, with a member of the women’s weavers Association “Loraypo”, we offer the opportunity to learn traditional weaving in Chinchero, where they make very fine textile work with ancestral techniques and iconography.

If you wish to stay in Chincheros for the night, you can stay in the house of “Loraypo association”. Bathing and toilet facilities are basic, but they fit the requirements of foreign visitors.

If requested, you can take weaving lessons with expert women from the Association. We can also organize more intensive weaving workshops. If you wish, please contact us, or see in Cultural and Academic Activities.

The women from the community will provide your meal in lunch time and in the evening (according your stay).