The Weavers’ Route in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Weavers’ Route near Cusco is a collection of towns in the Sacred Valley of the Incas where traditional weaving methods are still present in large force. Visitors can learn how local weavers spin yarn from sheep and from South American camelids such as the alpaca and the vicuña, how natural plants and insects from the area are used to produce different colors, and how the intricate designs of blankets and tapestries are produced on looms small and large. Participants are encouraged to try their hand at using the weaver’s tools, and also learn about the Andean iconography which has been used since pre-Columbian times to represent different myths, beliefs, and customs.

A popular town for this sort of tour is Huilloc (somestimes spelled Willoc). It’s well-known for its handmade textiles, and can be reached by a three hour drive from Cusco. Like other towns along the Weaver’s Route, Huilloc is home to a collective, or guild, which allows artisans to participate in demonstrations held in local centers, and to cooperate to sell their goods in Cusco and other, larger cities. It also encourages sustainable, traditional techniques which allow them to bypass the use of the increasingly popular, very bright synthetic dyes imported from China.

Chinchero is another such town, and can be reached from Cusco by bus in around half an hour. A visit to either can be a nice daytrip which takes only half a day, and when arranged as a tour through an agency generally includes a meal.

Since the Andean region is well-known for its textile arts, not just weaving but also vibrant embroidery, many travelers plan on purchasing something during their trip. Doing so in a town like Huilloc rather than nearby Cusco lets one purchase goods like ponchos, chullo hats, and blankets directly.

While the region as a whole is in the midst of a modernization quickened by the internet, weaving acts as a link with some of the oldest Incan and pre-Incan traditions. Many families relying primarily on subsistence farming, livestock, and the barter of their excess produce find that they can supplement their income by weaving blankets amidst other chores.

Meanwhile, the stunning landscape of the valley, and the picturesque adoble-mudbrick towns with cobblestone streets, add another level of enjoyment for travelers looking to take that perfect souvenir photo.