sacred valley textiles
peru
July 8-14, 2025
$3,485 Usd Per person, shared room | 2 spaces available
$3,995 usd Per person, private room | sold out
Join Thread Caravan as we venture into the Sacred Valley of Peru alongside our trip partners Aula Artesana.
With accommodation in Ollantaytambo, a place of enormous natural beauty and profound generational wisdom, we’ll immerse ourselves in the centuries-old textile practices of the indigenous Quechaua people while exploring the rich culture of these Andean highlands.
Weaving together traditions of generations past with present-day textile practices, we’ll work alongside local artists to prepare natural dye vats and learn backstrap weaving techniques. Exploring millennium-old archaeological sites and pre-Inca salt ponds are also on our agenda.
weaving workshop
Over the course of two immersive days, guests are invited to step into the world of Andean textile artistry—learning each stage of the process firsthand. From washing and spinning raw alpaca wool to naturally dyeing it with plants and minerals, and finally weaving a wall hanging, every step is guided by the skilled hands of local artisans.
High in Peru’s sierra, alpaca herding has been a way of life for generations. Along the soaring peaks of the Andes, the Patacancha community continues this ancient rhythm. Now, after years of shared connection, they welcome guests into a time-honored tradition: the alpaca ceremony. This sacred offering to Pachamama, or Mother Earth, honors the profound bond between people, animals, and the land through the ritual of the alpaca shearing.
history + nature
Throughout our trip we’ll be immersed in the beauty of the Sacred Valley.
Guests will also have the chance to explore ancient Incan ruins and visit the stunning Maras Salt Flats just outside of Cusco.
natural dyes workshop
Tucked beside the shores of Lake Piuray, framed by the soaring silhouettes of the Peruvian Andes, the Pumaq Wasin workshop invites guests into the ancient world of natural dyeing. Using time-honored methods passed down through generations in the Cusco region, participants learn to transform local plants into vibrant color.
As part of this experience, guests are welcomed into a moment of gratitude. To honor the plants, fibers, and land that make this work possible, the women of the community lead a heartfelt offering to the spirit of Laguna Piuray. This intimate ceremony pays tribute to the lake’s feminine energy, a guardian presence long revered in local cosmology.
Pachamanca Lunch
The Pachamanca—an ancient Andean tradition—is more than a meal; it’s a celebration. Prepared in underground earth ovens and reserved for meaningful gatherings, each region in Peru brings its own unique touch. In Patacancha, we’re honored to share in their cherished version: marinated meats, native potatoes, sweet potatoes, plantains, roasted cheese, and more, all slow-cooked over hot stones, creating deep, layered flavors that speak of place and heritage.
On our final day together, students and weaving teachers will join hands in preparing this communal feast—a heartfelt hasta luego to the community that welcomed us.
ITINERARY
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- Arrive in Ollantaytambo, settle in
- Optional visit to distillery + coffee roasting plant
- Get-to-know-you and briefing
- Welcome dinner at El Albergue Restaurant
- Stay at El Albergue Ollantaytambo (all week)
Includes: Dinner
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- Ease-in morning for rest & altitude
- Gourmet Andean picnic
- Natural & botanic dyes workshop
- Visit to local ceramics studio
- Group dinner
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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- Yarn washing, spinning & dyeing
- Andean symbology & design selection
- Backstrap weaving - warp the loom and begin your piece
- Dinner at a favorite restaurant
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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- Alpaca shearing ceremony
- Backstrap weaving, continue your piece
- Traditional Pachamanca earth oven lunch
- Final weaving touches, textile exhibition and despedida
- Dinner at a favorite local restaurant
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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- Short hike to Pinkuylluna. Inca granary archaeological site
- Group box lunch picnic overlooking the pueblo
- Free afternoon (shopping suggestions for those who are interested)
- Museum visit and dinner at Alqa
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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- Check out of Ollantaytambo hotel
- Visit to Maras Salt Flats
- Visit to a favorite textile market
- Despedida dinner and stay at Antigua Casona San Blas
- Option to book spa services at hotel
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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- Farewell group breakfast
- Transportation to Cusco airport or next destination
Includes: Breakfast
TRIP DETAILS
Dates:
July 8-14, 2025
Pricing + Payment:
$3,485 USD per person, double occupancy room
This is a shared room with separate beds. You can book this option as an individual traveling alone, or with someone you know.
$3,995 USD per person, single occupancy room
A non-refundable deposit it required in order to reserve your space on this trip. The remaining balance can be made at your convenience on this page at least 60 days prior to the trip.
When making a reservation, there is the option to Pay it Forward. These contributions are directed exclusively towards our Artisan Exchange Program, in which we invite our indigenous craft collaborators to participate in retreats in other regions, thus weaving a larger web of this global artisan community.
Cost Includes:
In-Country Transportation: We cover all in-country transportation within the scheduled trip dates, as soon as you arrive at the airport until you depart.
*Airport transfers are only included if you are arriving within the workshop dates. If you choose to spend extra days in Peru, you will be responsible for transportation to and from the airport, and any expenses outside of our trip together.All Meals: This experience features locally-sourced ingredients and Peruvian flavors. Peru is world-famous for its food, and the Sacred Valley is a fertile land filled with organic produce and delicious flavors. We’re very conscious of food safety and only eat in safe, health-conscious restaurants. Some meals will be eaten with our partners in their communities, cooked with produce from the artisans’ farms using traditional cooking methods. Most meals will be eaten as a group, with plenty of options to try.
Artisan-Led Workshops: All-levels natural dyes and backstrap weaving workshops, including payment to artisan instructors and all materials necessary for the classes.
Additional Unique Experiences: We love the Sacred Valley and can’t wait to take you on some special activities that we have planned for the group including hikes, picnics, and visits to some local sites. All entrance fees are included.
Accommodation: We will stay at an independent, design-minded, locally-owned boutique hotel in the Sacred Valley.
Support: Guides & Translators to give support and explanations along the way. Most of our artisan partners do not speak English, and some only speak their Indigenous language, Quechua. We work with local trilingual guides to make sure that everyone can understand one another and share the experience. In addition, you’ll be accompanied by Thread Caravan and Aula Artesana founder Caitlin and Sonya who will be able to provide group support throughout the trip.
Oxygen Tanks: Oxygen tanks in case of altitude sickness. The Sacred Valley is lower in elevation than Cusco city, but we’ll always travel with oxygen - just in case.
Carbon Emissions Offset: We plant 50 trees on your behalf in order to offset the carbon emissions of your travel to Peru.
Additional Expenses:
Alcoholic Drinks: Thread Caravan does not cover the cost of alcoholic beverages (*except during scheduled mezcal tasting)
Airfare: To and from Cusco airport.
Personal Spending Money: For personal shopping and any activities in free time.
Personal Travel Insurance: We require all participants to have personal travel insurance. This will cover things like illness, trip and/or flight cancellations, theft, etc. If this is your first time purchasing travel insurance, we recommend World Nomads or Allianz.
Getting There and Away:
Guests should plan to fly into the Cusco airport. Upon arrival at the airport, our team of drivers will pick you up to bring you to our group meeting point.
We ask that all travelers arrive before 3pm on the first day of our trip to ensure private shuttle to Ollantaytambo and attendance at our group welcome dinner.
Other Info:
Vaccinations: Routine vaccinations, Hepatitis A and Typhoid are suggested by the Center for Disease Control. If you are traveling from a country with Yellow Fever, it is required that you have a Yellow Fever vaccination.
VISA: U.S. citizens traveling to Peru do not need a Visa if traveling for less than 183 days. If you are a citizen from another country, please consult with your embassy to determine if you need a Visa or not.
Passport Validity: In order to enter Peru, your passport must be valid for at least 90 days following your departure date. You must also have at least one blank page in your passport.
Preguntas? Contact us.
