Peru Earth-Oven Lunch Package

Duration: 6 Hours (approx.)
Location: Ollantaytambo

Your trip begins in Ollantaytambo. From there you will enjoy
a beautiful drive ascending nearly 1000 meters up the Patacancha Valley.
Following the Patacancha River, you will pass small farms, Incan agricultural
terraces, little-visited ruins, the oldest colonial church in the Sacred Valley, and
stunning mountain views. Upon arrival in one of the upper Andean villages of
Patacancha or Huilloc, Awamaki’s partner artisans will meet you and welcome you to their cooperative’s weaving center.

The artisans will lead you in a sharing of Quechua culture
and traditions, and a demonstration of the entire weaving process. They will
show you how alpaca or sheep wool is spun into yarn by hand on the pushka,
the traditional Andean drop spindle, and you can give it a try. They will
explain how different local plants and materials are used in the dyeing
process, and show you how they dye the yarn. They will demonstrate the warping
of the traditional backstrap loom and the weaving process, including a
discussion of the traditional pallay designs used in their villages.
Finally, the artisans will teach you to weave a small bracelet on the backstrap
loom in a one-on-one lesson.

An Awamaki representative will accompany you on the whole
tour to support and facilitate your visit, and translate any discussion or
questions you may have for your hosts.

Throughout the demonstration, you will be able to see the
process of making the earth oven lunch. Community members will dig a hole,
build a fire, and cover it with rocks. After the rocks are heated, they will
pack marinated, wrapped chicken pieces among the rocks, alongside sweet
potatoes, plantains, aba broad beans, and a variety of Andean potatoes and native
tubers. After the demonstration and weaving lesson, we will watch the
uncovering of the hot food and share the Pachamanca lunch, accompanied by a savory pepper sauce.