Dyeing and Textile Art Experience in Cuzco: Empower Single Mothers and Interact with Alpacas
5.0
30 Ratings
Urubamba
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of dyeing and textile art in Cuzco. Empower single mothers, interact with alpacas, and create unique garments using natural elements. Join us now!
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • JWPC+Q3P - We seek to show during your tour the activities carried out by the Andean people, especially those of the rural community of Racchi Ayllu, for example, the alpaca cattle and their differences are shown, as well as the guinea pigs and their breeding process.
    In addition, it seeks to revalue the ancestral textile legacy through fabrics worked by hand with the fiber of alpaca, sheep and vicuña; taking into account that these products are made by women who live in inequality of opportunities and domestic problems. For this reason, through We want to empower them, that they achieve economic independence, that they live knowing and respecting their rights as women, and above all that they do not forget their ancestral textile legacy, but that it lasts and can be taught to new generations.
    During that time, you will be part of the experience of the textile manufacturing process, such as weaving waist bracelets starting with basic designs and different colors; and alpaca or sheep fiber fabrics will also be dyed with elements of nature with which three colors will be formed.
What's Included
  • Work materials for dyeing and weaving
  • Lunch provided
  • Guided service included
  • Food for alpacas and llamas
What's Not Included
  • Carbonated beverages
  • Breakfast
  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
Additional Information

We aim to empower single women mothers skilled in textile art by showcasing their talent to the globe. With this initiative, you will be allowed to not just observe but actively participate in the production steps such as coloring the wool with natural elements before it’s fashioned into clothing. Also, you’ll learn waist-weaving techniques where you commence with forming a simple bracelet. Once you learn enough, you can create intricate patterns from the diverse communities of Cusco. An added charm - the place is a community teeming with nature’s bounty. You will get a chance to interact with adorable llamas, alpacas, and visit the guinea pig farm.

Location
JWPC+Q3P
We are located on the Cusco - Chinchero - Urubamba highway, at kilometer 35, about 5 minutes from the Chinchero district and enters Racchi Ayllu. Andean Colors is next to the Virgen Asunta School. We also offer additional transportation service that can be requested upon request.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(30 Ratings)
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Julia
May 5, 2024
A truly special experience - We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Andean Colors learning about the traditional ways of dying, spinning and weaving wool. Miguel was a wonderful and very attentive guide who taught us so much about the whole process. I loved being so involved in everything and getting to know the animals and the area. We had an amazing lunch as well and ended the day with many great impressions and our hand-dyed wool and woven bracelet!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mobile11045388760
May 2, 2024
Must-do highlight of Cusco region! - BEST PLACE to visit in the Sacred Valley! What a special experience! I am extremely grateful to Miguel and the whole team for the four-hour dyeing workshop with lunch. Andean Colors has an inspiring mission, and their passion for sharing the dyeing and weaving culture of Chincero shines through. First we had lunch; then met the llamas, alpacas, and guinea pigs; walked to harvest a dye plant; worked with various natural dye plants and substances from the region; cleaned and spun wool; and did some introductory weaving. The team was super patient, encouraging, and detail-oriented — these skills are not easy to teach to beginners in a multi-lingual setting, and they excelled! Miguel speaks great English and the whole team speaks Spanish and Quechua. They truly went above and beyond to communicate with me in advance to make plans, including being flexible on day/time; help me figure out transport. They even walked me back to the bus stop at the end and made sure I got on correctly. The team extended a really kind, fun, and loving energy. I went home with the dyed yarn we worked on; beautiful woven bracelets; and some gifts from the extensive onsite store. I love knowing that I can gift my family genuine alpaca items that have been naturally dyed, nothing artificial, and in support of an amazing mission to empower single women artisans. THANK YOU ANDEAN COLORS! <3
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z5789hekathrynm
Apr 19, 2024
An absolutely must-do and colorful experience - This is an absolute must see in Peru. It is a wonderful experience and way to appreciate all of the woven and hand-dyed materials that we wear everyday and especially those we are lucky enough to purchase in Peru. The Andean Colors family and friends are impeccable hosts You're welcome. You from the start and share their skills, talents, and practices in hand dyeing from Mother Earth. We got to pick our own herbs and oil yarn which you get to take with you. Lunch was incredible and there was a vegetarian option which I really appreciated. You get to feed the adorable and friendly llamas and alpacas. We were able to arrange through Andean Colors for a ride from our Cusco hotel which took about an hour which made it so easy to do. I recommend you wear dark clothes and shoes that you're okay with getting splashed with a little die and some dirt. The items available for purchase are absolutely stunning and handcrafted to perfection. One review said things were overpriced, but when you consider that you're supporting an organization that helps women escape domestic violence, I think it's a wonderful and very worthy cause.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kimberleypa
Apr 14, 2024
Visit Andean Colours if you want to be able to truly appreciate the work and traditions behind textiles in Peru! - This was one of the best things I did during my stay in Peru! The drive from Urubamba through the beautiful highlands was an experience in itself. After a delicious lunch (vegetarian for me), I was shown around the farm by Naomi and Miguel, and introduced to all the animals living there. The rest of the afternoon, I learned about the different materials and substances used to treat and dye the wool. We went for a short walk to pick Ch’illca leaves, accompanied by two cheeky alpakas. I also got to try my hand at weaving, which I was allowed to take home with me alongside the yarn that I had dyed! As I am a knitter, I of course couldn't leave without a few skeins of hand-dyed alpaka wool from their beautiful artisan shop! Everyone made me feel super welcome and Miguel did an amazing job explaining all the techniques, and the cultural and historical significance of textile traditions in Peru. If you want to get an insight into all the work that goes into the beautiful textiles you see at markets in Peru, as well as support an important project, I would definitely recomment this experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jenjcalgary
Mar 28, 2024
A wonderful gem! - We had a large group of 9, including seniors and young kids ages 5 and up. This was an exceptional and lovely place. The owners Marco and Hilda were so knowledgeable, warm, and welcoming. Their entire team was so kind (Paula and Miguel and others). We had such a unique experience. We arrived in the rain and were greeted with cozy ponchos to keep us warm. We got to feed the llamas and baby alpacas. My 5 year old son was scared of the llamas, and the team was so accommodating to him. They took us to the pen with little guinea pigs, and the kids absolutely loved holding the baby guinea pigs. We then got to learn about alpaca textiles and the coloring dyeing process. We were then treated to the most delicious traditional meals and really got to know the team, which was so special. What made this experience the most exceptional of all was the core purpose of Andean Colors and Hilda's very inspirational story of how life as a struggling single mother motivated her to start this beautiful social enterprise to support single mothers in the community. They have a lovely shop with all local products. This place is truly a hidden gem. We will be back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer_s
Mar 19, 2024
The best thing I did in Peru! - This was absolutely the best thing I did on my 9 day trip to Peru. I booked transportation through the vendor and didn't have to think about anything but showing up on time. I was welcomed with a family lunch, then we toured the farm, and I took a llama/alpaca for a walk to get leaves to use for dye. I learned to clean the wool, to spin it into yarn using only my hands and a top type object, then learned all of the different ways they use natural items to create a variety of colors of yarn. When I learned that pinks came from a cactus my brain exploded. I was taught to weave...difficult! And was given my 3 yarns that I dyed as well as the weaving I did. It was such an incredible and authentic experience. I cannot recommend this enough! Plus, this is an organization that is giving back to single artisan mothers.
Review provided by Viator
Herabouts
Mar 13, 2024
Must Visit - This was a truly amazing experience! I was the only one there so it even felt more personable. Everyone was so welcoming and nice! It was incredible and interesting to be part of a start to finish experience of weaving. I got to feed the alpacas, learn about plants for dying the yarns, walked to pick plants and then boiled and dyed the yarn. Also, made yarn and attempted to weave… they set it up for me and after learning it and how technical the weaving part is alone - made me appreciate the process and experience even more. I also understand why the real and fake woven pieces are priced the way they are and have a new appreciation for the real thing:) I was able to take home the dyed yarn too; 3 big year bundles! Lastly, I was provided a lunch which included alpaca- so tasty! Thank you so much to this organization for what they do and opening this up to a tour/experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
33dallas
Mar 6, 2024
Great organization, Great workshop - We really enjoyed this hands-on workshop. It is off the main road and down a series of dirt roads. It was accurate on Google Maps. It started with a delicious lunch and a visit to the guinea pig kennel. Then they explained that this group is working to help single mothers become self-reliant through the textile industry. We walked a llama and an alpaca down the road a bit and picked a bunch of leaves. When we returned we used those leaves to create a dye. We created 2 other dyes as well and used them to dye some wool. We learned to clean and spin sheep's wool and then ultimately we opted to start weaving a belt. In the end, we toured the items they had for sale and took home 3 sets of dyed wool and a started belt for each of us. The staff were accommodating and did everything they could to make this a great experience. It will be one of the highlights of our trip and I recommend it to others.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicole
Feb 28, 2024
Great experience and a good cause - This was such a great experience! They let you feed and pet the alpacas/llamas and even hold a baby one. Then see the guinea pigs. The dying experience was very cool, and the shop had authentic goods for all price ranges. We had the cuy meal and it was very tasty. Even better than at the fancy restaurants. The staff are very kind and sweet, and even the bathroom was clean and well stocked. The best part is this place has a mission to help single mothers earn an income to support themselves and their children. Overall a great experience and I highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Franciscom4787
Feb 22, 2024
Unforgetable experience - This was a totally incredible experience. From feeding the Alpacas to how to create soap to clean cotton, clean it, create ink to dye it and then dye it. All with products that nature offers us. The staff was very friendly and kind at the same time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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May 2024
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