Textile Traditions and Cultures of Peru
Peru has the longest continuous history of textile production in the world, going back almost 10,000 years. Invented long before pottery and just as humans started agriculture, Peruvian fibre manipulation began with simple spun fibres, but by 500AD this rudimentary craft had developed into complex techniques. On our travels we’ll explore the processes involved in the production of textiles and meet artisans whose traditions have been passed down through the centuries. Tour expert, Karin Hellaby: Peru has been on my bucket list for a long time. On this tour we will not only see thousands of years of textile history, but also mysterious ruins, vast natural wonders, colonial architecture, ancient Inca culture and beautiful scenery. I will be providing you with a plain paper journal to record some of what you see. The project will be sewing a journal cover which can be decorated with stitchery, wool felt appliqué or painted with fabric pens. I hope you will join me on this wonderful magical tour in 2023.
Your Tour Includes
- International flights from London to Lima (with 1 stop) with 1 piece of check-in luggage
- Internal flights from Lima to Arequipa and Cusco to Lima
- Titicaca train from Puno to Cusco
- 13 nights bed and breakfast accommodation
- 2 lunches and 2 dinners
- 3 half-day hand sewing workshops with our accompanying expert
Karin Hellaby
Karin Hellaby is an internationally known quilt teacher and author of 11 quilting books and numerous patterns. She is a regular teacher at the Houston International Quilt Show and has also been invited to teach at quilting symposiums in New Zealand, Dubai, Paducah and the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show in Oregon.
Her teaching travels have taken her all over North America, the Middle East and several European countries. Her style is very much multi technique always finding ways to make patchwork simple, quick and fun to learn. Karin started Quilters Haven in 1993. It became one of the largest quilt shops in the UK and she sold it in 2016. This has given her more time to teach and travel, especially in SE Asia where two of her sons are based.
Itinerary
To use our NEW itinerary, simply click a day below and a detailed overview will appear.
Overview
Meet our expert and Arena Travel Tour Manager at London Heathrow airport for our flight to Lima. We will be met by our driver and local guide and transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Includes Dinner
Overview
This morning’s guided tour of Lima starts at the ancient ceremonial centre of Huaca Pucllana, built centuries before the arrival of the Spanish. In the historic centre of Lima, we’ll stroll around the main square, Plaza de Armas, where we’ll admire what is certainly the best architecture in the city and perhaps in all of Peru. We’ll also visit Lima Cathedral and Santo Domingo convent and its extensive monastery. Our final visit of the morning will be to Amano Pre-Colombian Textile Museum. The museum is internationally renowned for its great collection of archaeological material from pre-Columbian Peruvian cultures. This afternoon we’ll enjoy our first workshop with our expert.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Overview
This morning we fly to Arequipa. Our time here begins with a walk through Santa Catalina Monastery where we’ll explore the three centuries of history hidden behind its walls. Our tour continues to Compañia Church, famous for its intricately carved churrigueresque style façade and colourful altar of Saint Ignacio. At the main square we’ll visit the neo-Rennaissance style cathedral. We continue by road to Yanahuara giving views of the city and the Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes. The highlight of the day, however, may well be our visit to one of the alpaca centres in the city. Here we’ll learn about the animals and their fleece, meet the people who work with the fibre and see some of the finished products.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Overview
We make an early start this morning to travel to Yanque. On route we’ll pass through Pata Wasi (high home), an Andean community, where we’ll see some interesting stone formations and the slopes of Chachani and Misti volcanoes. To prevent altitude sickness, we’ll stop to enjoy a coco tea. As we approach the village of Chivay we’ll be dazzled by the sight of the brightly coloured valley terraces. Here we’ll have breakfast before continuing to Yanque town where we’ll visit a community textile centre where the inhabitants decorate their textiles in the traditional way. After the visit we’ll return to Chivay, stopping at viewpoints on route to see the 1,500-year-old terraces built by the Collaguas, a culture before Inca times.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Overview
Another early start this morning to visit the condor viewpoint, located on the edge of the canyon. From the viewpoint the glory of the Colca Canyon will be spread out before you. The condors will make their regular morning flight out of the canyon and you will have an excellent view of them as the sun rises over the jagged Peruvian peaks.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Overview
We travel by road to Puno today. On route we’ll view pre-Incan tombs located on nearby cliffs and pass through the colourful towns of Pinchollo and Maca. This afternoon we’ll enjoy our second workshop with our expert.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Overview
Our excursion today, by motorboat, takes us to two of Lake Titicaca’s islands. Our first stop is the Uros Islands, a collection of 65 small islands. During the visit our guide will explain about the history and lifestyle of the people that have lived on these islands for many years. Our second stop, Taquile Island, is a traditional Quechua-speaking community full of ancient agricultural terraces and ruins dating back to pre-Inca times. The population here was relatively isolated from the mainland until the 1950s and the notions of community and family remain strong. The weaving tradition on the island goes back to early civilisations and preserves elements from pre-Incan Andean cultures. The most characteristic garments are the chullo, a knitted hat with an earflap, and a calendar waistband, depicting the annual cycles of ritual and agricultural life. From the island we’ll enjoy impressive views of Lake Titicaca and the little houses inhabited by the direct descendants of the Incas.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Overview
Today we travel by train to Cusco. The route covered by the Titicaca train is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Before departure we’ll be welcomed at Puno station by local musicians as we board the train. Facilities onboard include two dining cars, serving the finest gourmet food, decorated in the style of the Pullman cars of the 1920s.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
Today we’ll discover the beauty and magic of Cusco, the imperial city of the Incas. Our tour starts at the Koricancha, the most important temple in the Inca empire. Next, we’ll explore Cusco Cathedral where we can view the works of the Cusco School of Painters and the gold and silver relief work on the main altar and pulpit. At the imposing fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a very impressive Incan construction, we’ll see the stones the size of a truck that form the walls and have been carefully cut and fitted together. Then we will visit the Tambomachay Archaeological Complex, an important ceremonial centre during Inca times. Our final visit of the morning will be to the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco (CTTC), a non-profit organisation established in 1996 by Andean weavers and their supporters. The mission of the centre is to aid in the survival of Cusqueñan textile traditions and to provide support to the indigenous people who create them. The centre works with ten weaving communities in the Cusco region of Peru on a fair-trade basis to help rescue traditions and promote the weavers and their work. Through community organization, workshops, educational opportunities and more the CTTC ensures that there is a future for Cusqueñan textile traditions. This afternoon we’ll enjoy our third workshop with our expert.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Included Highlights
Overview
Our excursion today will take us to the beautiful Sacred Valley. On route we’ll stop in Ccaccaccollo, a small and scenic town hidden in the Peruvian Andes. Here, some 50 families live off agriculture and textiles; the women do the weaving while the men farm. The weaving traditions have been passed down the generations, and we’ll attend a talk and demonstration to learn how the textiles are made, taking the opportunity to make our own interpretation of the different styles and shapes on the textiles they have made for hundreds of years. One of the family members will explain the best techniques to recreate this traditional iconography. Whilst here we’ll observe all the processes from the shearing of the wool, spinning, washing with natural soap, collection of plants and flowers used for natural dyeing and finally the weaving of clothes including blankets, ponchos and chullos. Our excursion continues to the colourful Indian market in Pisac where we can browse and buy some local souvenirs. We’ll continue to the ruins of Pisac where we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the citadel, visiting ruins of temples, homes, altars, carvings, tunnels and caves. Then, the sacred Intihuatana stone, a religious construction used like a clock to determine when it was time to celebrate the winter solstice, one of the most important celebrations and rituals of the ancient Inca empire. Our final stop is Ollantaytambo where we’ll further explore Inca constructions including the amazing temple of the sun, enormous blocks of rock perfectly carved and polished with water fountains, stairs and terraces.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Included Highlights
Overview
Today’s excursion takes us through lush fields of wheat and the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to Moray, ‘the Inca agricultural greenhouse’. Here we can see 3 amphitheatre-style terraces built by the Incas. The terraces, carved deep into the earth in a bowl shape, are thought to have been used to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops. We continue to the village of Maras, a former salt producing centre that is thought to date back to pre-Inca times. There are 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountainside; the highly salty water emerges as a spring. The flow is directed into an intricate system of tiny channels constructed so that the water runs down several hundred ancient, terraced ponds. The water, exposed to the sun, leaves salt on the land. Afterwards we’ll enjoy a weaving demonstration where we’ll learn first-hand how weavers turn alpaca and sheep wool into fine textiles. Beginning with spinning and moving through each step of the weaving process we’ll watch as the women of the Away Weaving Association work their magic. Discover the rainbow of colours that natural dyes produce and gain a greater appreciate of the long hours that go into each textile as the weavers show how to warp, weave and finally finish with the unique ñawi awapa border technique.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Overview
This morning we travel by train through majestic views to Aguas Calientes. From here we take the bus to Machu Picchu archaeological site, where we’ll take a walking tour with a local guide and have some free time to visit the mysterious city by ourselves. Machu Picchu is a 15th century Inca settlement sometimes referred to as “the Lost City of the Incas” and is one of the new seven wonders of the world.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Overview
Another opportunity to visit Machu Picchu. Enjoy sunrise over the ruins and watch the mist rise over the mountaintop citadel. This afternoon we’ll return by train to Poroy and on to Cusco by road.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Overview
Day at leisure before our internal flight to Lima and our overnight flight onwards to London.
Includes Breakfast
Overview
Say farewell to your fellow travellers as we go our separate ways with wonderful memories of our time in Peru.
Single Room Supplement from £769.00 (15 days).
Perfect for Textile Lovers
Uniquely created for textile lovers, this Stitchtopia textile holiday is the perfect way to discover fascinating fabrics and cultures, whilst travelling to some of the world’s most inspiring places. Our talented stitching expert will be on hand throughout the holiday and host creative workshops with beautifully designed projects inspired by your travels.
Accommodation
You will stay for two nights at the Jose Antonio Hotel, Lima, one night at the Hotel El Conquistador, Arequipa, two nights at the Colca Lodge, Colca, two nights at the Jose Antonio Hotel, Puno, two nights at the Jose Antonio Hotel, Cusco, two nights at the San Agustin Monasterio de la Recoleta, Chincheros, one night at the Hatun Inti Boutique Hotel, Machu Picchu and one night at the Jose Anotnio Hotel, Cusco.
Jose Antonio Hotel
This 4-star hotel is located in Miraflores, very close to the main shopping streets and tourist centre of the city. Facilities include a restaurant and cafeteria serving both local and international cuisine, alongside a bar. Laundry services are available with free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 4 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Fridge
- Telephone
- Shower or Bath
- Free Wifi
Service
- Bureau de Change
- Laundry Service
Hotel
- Bureau de Change
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Hotel Conquistador
Located in the historic centre of Arequipa this 3-star hotel is built using a unique material: sillar, a stone made of porous volcanic lava. This colonial-style house, built in the early 18th century, retains its ornate façade and magnificent interior arches. Facilities include a spa and outdoor pool, as well as a games room. The hotel also boasts a library, alongside a bar and restaurant. Laundry services and free Wi-Fi are also available throughout the hotel.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 3 Star
Room
- TV
- Hairdryer on Request
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
Service
- Safe Box in Reception
- Laundry Service
Hotel
- WiFi Available
Colca Lodge
Colca Lodge is nestled on the banks of the Colca River surrounded by hundreds of pre-Inca platforms declared "Cultural Heritage of the Nation". Facilities include a relaxing spa alongside thermal pools. As well as a restaurant and bar, with laundry services also available.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
Room
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Shower
- Free Wifi
General
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Outdoor Swimming Pool (Seasonal)
Service
- Laundry Service
Hotel
- Bar
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
Jose Antonio Hotel Puno
An oasis of peace and relaxation, this 4-star hotel is located on the banks of Lake Titicaca but just 8 minutes from the city.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 4 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Fridge
- Telephone
- Shower or Bath
- Free Wifi
Service
- Room Service Available
- Laundry Service
Hotel
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Jose Antonio Hotel Cusco
This modern 4-star hotel is ideally located to access all the treasures awaiting you in the city.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 4 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Fridge
- Telephone
- Shower or Bath
- Free Wifi
Service
- Laundry Service
Hotel
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
San Agustin Monasterio De La Recoleta
This former Catholic monastery, built in the 17th century, is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Facilities include a restaurant and bar with regional and international delicacies, as well as a large terrace. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 4 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Fridge
- Shower and Bath
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
- Iron or Trouser Press
Hotel
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Hatun Inti Boutique Hotel
Hatun Inti Boutique Machu Picchu offers a very relaxing environment, where tranquillity, beauty and wonder are all part of the experience. A buffet breakfast is served daily. Toto House Restaurant offers a wide variety of Peruvian and international dishes. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Fridge
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
General
- Lift
Service
- Iron at Reception
Hotel
- Lift
- WiFi Available
