Sacred Valley Textile Workshop – Dyeing & Weaving in Cusco
Description
You don't watch. You create. This isn't a demonstration — it's full immersion. Dye your own yarn using ancestral plant-based techniques. Weave your own textile on a traditional backstrap loom. Leave with something you made, not something you bought. Learn from the best. Ruth Pimentel is Peru's only Indigenous master weaver awarded by UNESCO. You'll work alongside her and her family — the real guardians of this living tradition. The only experience of its kind in Cusco. No other tour offers this level of hands-on access with an UNESCO-honored weaver. This is as authentic as it gets. Trusted at the highest level. We were honored to host Jean-Bernard Münch, President of the Swiss Commission for UNESCO, who experienced this workshop firsthand. Travel with purpose. Every visit directly supports local artisans and reinforces the value of their ancestral craft. Your participation helps keep this tradition alive.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up from all hotels in Cusco and sacred Valley, if you are at an AIRBNB please send us your exact location.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(98)
The immersion to the community is incredible. Edwin was a great translator for us to understand the artisans. We learnt so much and feel part of the family. The whole day was exceptional- above our expectations Enjoying picking up the leaves, dying our own thread- the lunch with artisans was delicious and we learnt how to made bracelet The day will be engraved in our heart and memories . Thanks to Christian our guide !
such an amazing experience!! Highly, HIGHLY recommend this one. We were picked up directly from our hotel and transported about 1.5 hours into the mountains where the workshop is. We began the workshop by learning about dying the yarn. We even got to go into the forest and collect the plants to dye the yarn. We learned about all the different materials we could use, and then dyed our own yarn. We learned how to spin yarn as well. We ate a delicious lunch and then began weaving! Each traveler in our group got a private teacher. Most of them only spoke Quechua, a native Peruvian/Incan language. Despite the language barrier, they were so patient and kind. The weaving was hard! This was such an amazing cultural experience that I would highly recommend to anyone. We learned so much and even my husband, who isn’t particularly crafty, really enjoyed it. Well worth the price.
Thank you very much for your wonderful review 😊 We are delighted to hear that you had such an amazing cultural experience and that you enjoyed every part of the workshop 👍✨ It’s great to know that you appreciated the journey into the mountains, the process of learning about natural dyeing, and the opportunity to collect plants and work directly with traditional materials 🌿🧶 We’re especially happy to hear that you enjoyed working with the local instructors and that, despite the language differences, you felt their patience and kindness throughout the weaving experience. These cultural exchanges are very special to us 💛 Thank you as well for highlighting the lunch and the overall experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again in Peru for another meaningful adventure 🌄😊
I highly recommend this workshop! Our guide Edwin, and artisans Bernardina and Sharmeli were so informative and welcoming. My friend and I had such a great experience learning about this textile tradition that has been passed down through generations. We spent the first part of the day listening and learning about the process and then were able to take part in each step of the process alongside the very skilled artisans. We loved this interactive way of learning and are so appreciative to have had the opportunity to spend the day and learn from them! Highly recommend to anyone visiting Cusco and the Sacred Valley region!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊 We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed the workshop and had such a meaningful experience learning about this beautiful textile tradition in the Sacred Valley. It’s great to know that Edwin, Bernardina, and Sharmeli made you feel welcome and were able to share their knowledge and skills in such an engaging, hands-on way. This type of cultural exchange is very special to us, and we’re glad you were able to be part of each step of the process and truly connect with the tradition. 🧶✨ We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another authentic experience in Cusco and the Sacred Valley!
This experience was 100% worth it. We learned so much about the history and culture of Peru and the practice of weaving textiles. The lunch was also fantastic! One of the best things we did when staying in Cusco. I even left my sunglasses and they were returned within a day! 10/10 for Peru Private Tours.
Thank you so much for your amazing review! 😊🇵🇪 We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed learning about Peru’s history, culture, and traditional textile weaving 📚🧵✨. It’s great to know you loved the lunch as well 🍽️ and that your experience in Cusco was one of the highlights of your trip! 🏔️💛 We’re also happy we could quickly return your sunglasses 😎—no worries, we’ve got you covered! 👍 Thank you for your trust in Peru Private Tours 🙌 10/10 means a lot to us! 🌟 We hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable adventure 🚐✨
GREAT! Absolutely great experience. As two 21 years old girls there love every kind of hand craft, this was just amazing, you get to try a bit in each process.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re really happy to hear that you had such a great experience, especially being able to enjoy and participate in each step of the handcraft process. It’s great to know it was such a meaningful activity for you both. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again soon with Peru Private Tours for another unique experience in Peru!
We had such an amazing day collecting materials to dye with, learning about natural dyeing and learning how to weave by wonderful experts! Our interpreter was also incredibly knowledgeable about the material himself and had a great respect for the work the women do and the history of the craft. Travel to and from was smooth, and lunch was delicious!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊 We’re truly happy to hear that you had such an amazing and enriching day learning about natural dyeing and weaving with the local experts. It’s great to know you enjoyed the experience of collecting materials, learning the traditional techniques, and gaining a deeper appreciation for this beautiful cultural craft ✨ We’re also very glad that our interpreter’s knowledge and respect for the artisans helped make the experience even more meaningful. We’re happy your transportation was smooth and that you enjoyed a delicious lunch as well 🙌 Thank you for sharing your experience, and we hope to welcome you again for another cultural adventure in Peru!
I took my 9-year old on this day long experience and it was wonderful---interactive and fun enough for her, intellectual enough for me. I love textiles and am a beginning weaver myself, and enjoyed learning about the backstrap loom and about the local sources for all the amazing natural dyes. Lucia and Ruth were so skilled, kind, and patient, and I loved listening to their Quechua chatter while we wove. Nayda was a fantastic translator, teacher, and guide! The lunch FAR exceeded our expectations, a huge spread that was delicious and authentic. It was a joy to exchange cultures with these beautiful women, in a way that felt so respectful, enriching, and supportive of the ongoing preservation of their rich tradition.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for such a touching and thoughtful review. We’re truly delighted that you and your daughter enjoyed this immersive textile experience — one that connects creativity, tradition, and culture across generations. 🧶✨ Lucia, Ruth, and Nayda will be overjoyed to hear your kind words; they share their ancestral art with immense love and pride. Knowing that you appreciated their warmth, skill, and the authenticity of the experience — from the weaving to the traditional lunch — means so much to us. We’re honored that this visit inspired you as both a mother and a weaver, and we hope the spirit of the Andes stays with you through every thread you create. Warm regards, Edwin Pimentel
We had a wonderful time learning first hand the tradition and beauty of the textiles of Peru. Our guide, Nayda had first hand knowledge of the craft so was able to answer every question we had. We loved harvesting local leaves and using them to dye our own alpaca wool. Ruth and Licia were patient teachers as they taught us how to weave our very own treasures! The snacks were straight from the jungle and the lunch was all local organic food. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in gaining an appreciation and understanding of these fine textiles!
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review. We are delighted to hear that Nayda, Ruth, and Licia made your textile experience so enriching, sharing their knowledge and patience every step of the way. It’s fantastic that you enjoyed harvesting local plants for natural dyeing, weaving your own creations, and tasting the organic local food. Your kind words truly highlight the essence of this cultural experience, and we are grateful for your recommendation. We look forward to welcoming you again for another unforgettable journey into the traditions and beauty of Peru. Warm regards, Edwin Pimentel
My son gave his experience as a birthday gift. The whole day was excellent. A super fun day learning and enjoying our time spent. Nadia was an excellent tour guide and translator, the women who shared their skills were lovely and patient while we wove our book marks. The cooks created a delicious meal. I’d highly recommend this experience to friends.
Thank you for sharing such a special experience with us! We are so happy to hear that your birthday gift turned into such a memorable and fun day. It’s wonderful that Nadia made the experience smooth and engaging as your guide and translator, and that the artisans’ patience and talent made the weaving activity so meaningful. We’re delighted you enjoyed the delicious meal and would recommend this experience to your friends. Moments like these are what make our work so rewarding, and we’d love to welcome you back for another unforgettable day in the future! Warm regards, Edwin Pimentel
Very nice experience. We were very well received, received a very detailed explanation, were allowed to sit down at a nicely stocked and delicious lunch table.
Hartelijk dank voor uw mooie woorden! We zijn blij te horen dat u zo goed ontvangen bent, genoten heeft van de uitgebreide uitleg en van de heerlijk bereide lunch. Het doet ons plezier dat deze ervaring zo fijn voor u was, en we hopen u in de toekomst opnieuw te mogen verwelkomen voor een onvergetelijk avontuur in Peru.
