Patabamba Community Full Day
General description
The community of Patabamba is tucked high up in the mountains overlooking the Sacred Valley and the town of Pisac. With stunning views of the valley floor and the mountains that shoot up sheer on their side, Patabamba could be the perch of condors. Multiple ruins are scattered around this small community, and even higher above are glistening mountain lakes where locals pasture their flocks of sheep, alpacas, and llamas and occasionally fish for trout. The weaving tradition of Patabamba almost disappeared as just a handful of elders knew how to weave. Since partnering with the CTTC in 2001, the women of Patabamba have embraced their weaving tradition and are learning from their elders the designs, techniques, and styles that were almost lost. Today, approximately 40 to 50 adult weavers and 20 children are members of the Patabamba weaving association.
We take small groups – why?
The principal reason to take small groups to Patabamba is to provide personalized service. In a small group, it is easy to keep walking together and enjoy the nature of the hike. There is a possibility to make friends and share experiences, interacting more closely with each other. Whereas, in larger groups (from 10–16 people), it tends to split into factions. Moreover, in larger groups there tends to be a sizeable difference—often over one hour in a section of the trail—between the fastest and slowest member, which makes it more difficult for the guides, cooks, and porters to perform their effective labors. In small groups, people are more likely to arrive at roughly the same time to hear the guide’s explanations. Also, our porters are given the same food as the tourists. In larger groups, agencies often provide inferior food for the porters. Small groups require less space in campsites, and this enables the guide to select better locations. In small groups, the guide, cook, and porters have a more intimate relationship with the tourists and are better able to meet individual needs and attend to environmental issues such as waste disposal and contamination, as the group will be together more of the time. Because of these reasons, in our standard service we take small groups. Only in a group of friends or delegations do we manage larger groups. So choose a small group.
What are the benefits of doing a private tour?
One of the main reasons why the private option is sought after is because you do not need to worry about which dates we have departures set for, or if our departures have enough space. Your only concern is whether. In addition to the convenience and flexibility in booking, the private option provides a more personal trip experience for your group. We will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. The guide will focus all of his energy and attention on your group. You can also be more specific about the foods that you would like to be served during the trek. It is a truly wonderful experience to go on such an amazing journey with only your friends and loved ones. Ask at South Adventure Peru Tours how you can arrange your own private tour.
Departure: Any day during the year
Departure time: 8:30 am
Duration: 9 Hours
Recommended for: Families, Adults, Young people
Minimum number: 2 Passengers
Languages: English, Spanish, and local language (Quechua)
Difficulty: Easy (soft walking distance)
Season to travel: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, December
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Full day tour to Patabamba
After your delicious breakfast at your Hotel in Cusco, our guide will pick you up in our private vehicle through the crops growing in the fields, such as potatoes, Andean corn, cereals like kiwicha, Quinoa, as soon as we get to Patabamba we will receive a friendly Andean welcome. This community is know for their dedication to the preservation of the iconographies of Andean textiles. To travel to the community of Patabamba and participate in two immersive workshops that will teach you about the daily life and customs of this region. Begin your adventure with a textile actitivity in which women will welcome you and introduce you to the art of weaving, unlock the tricks to wool shearing, spinning, washing, dyeing, and weaving from local experts. After the welcome meeting with the settlers, they will take us to the edge of cliff of 800m, where we will have the best view of the sacred valley. On our way back we´ll pick up different flowers and plants to dye our cloths and then we will see how they make the Pachamanca with potatoes, lima bean, plantain, cheese, chicken and lamb with an ancient technics. Pachamanca means in Quechua (Pacha – earth / manka – pot) is a traditional Peruvian dish based on the baking, with the aid of hot stones the earthen oven is known as a huatia of lamb, mutton, pork, chicken or guinea pig, marinated in spices. Also other Andean products are used for the preparation, such as potatoe, green lima beans of habas, sweet potatoes, occasionally cassava or yucca, and humitas (sweet treat) as well as ears of corn, tamale and chili. However, before leaving the Patabamba community, you will have the great opportunity to purchase textiles hand-woven by the women of Patabamba to bring home. Browse their one of a kind blankets, ponchos, chullos, and more and learn the different meanings behind the traditional iconography they feature and then return to Cusco. Afternoon and after enjoyed the delicious Andean food, we will return to Cusco and dropped off at your Hotel.
Included
- Pre-departure briefing the night before the tour
- English-speaking guide (two guides for groups over 8 people)
- Visit to the Andean community of Patabamba
- Demonstration of traditional dyeing and weaving techniques
- Pachamanca: traditional community-cooked meal
- Private transportation Cusco – Patabamba – Cusco
- First Aid Kit and oxygen bottle
- Personalized service
Not Included
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Additional tours or optional activities
- Tips for guides and support staff
- Phone calls and internet access
- Extra beverages such as soda or bottled water
Recommendations
- Original passport
- Waterproof hiking boots (sneakers are allowed, but not ideal during rainy season)
- Long pants
- Long-sleeved shirts (to prevent sunburn)
- Warm clothes: sweaters and a jacket
- Rainwear or poncho (especially for rainy season: December–April, but rain can occur year-round)
- Daypack (to carry essentials like water, rain jacket, camera)
- Camera with extra batteries
- Flashlight or head torch with extra batteries
- Bottle of water
- Snacks (dried fruits, chocolates, energy bars, etc.)
- Insect repellent
- Hat and sunscreen (to protect from strong sun)
- Personal toiletries and hygiene items
- Personal medical kit (medication, altitude sickness pills, stomach tablets, aspirin, alcohol, etc.)
- Extra money in soles (for drinks, tips, souvenirs)
Prices
Price :
2 persons 150 USD per person
3 – 4 persons 130 USD per person
5 – 6 persons 115 USD per person
Starting from
Duration
1 Day
Destination
Cusco
Type of activity
Community Experience
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