Sacred Valley Textile Workshop – Dyeing & Weaving in Cusco
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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
What To Expect
A Private Weaving Experience with Ruth Pimentel Peru's Only UNESCO-Awarded Indigenous Master Weaver Begin at our private atelier nestled in the hills near Cusco, where Ruth Pimentel — celebrated guardian of Peru's living textile heritage — welcomes you personally. Over a warm introduction, your host will share Ruth's remarkable lineage, her UNESCO recognition, and the centuries-old Andean traditions her work preserves through our social-impact initiative. Then, the loom is yours. Guided by Ruth and other master weavers from Parobamba, you'll select seasonal botanicals, hand-dye premium baby-alpaca yarn using ancestral techniques, and learn the meditative art of backstrap weaving — the same method passed down through generations of Andean women. Your bespoke creation is finished on-site, presented in elegant packaging with a signed provenance card — a one-of-a-kind piece to carry home.
Options
Sacred Valley Textile Workshop – Dyeing & Weaving in Cusco
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Private transportation
All Fees and Taxes
All the materials to do the worshop are included, once we finish our activity you will be able to take home what ever you made
herb teas are included
Lunch will be served in a family style and we will share it with the artisans in the workshop
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
97 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing
Kaitlyn W,May 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00such 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.
Amazing, highly recommend!
I7440PZkatef,May 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I 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!
Highly recommend for history, culture, and a quality experience
M4692CQjillb,May 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This 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.
Amazing
mariah gsbr00,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00GREAT! 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.
Wonderful and Unique Experience!
Francesca H,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We 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!
A one-of-a-kind surgeon authentic learning experience
meredithn810,Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I 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.
Learn to weave!
mistia2024,Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We 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!
Terrific Day learning about dying yarn and weaving textiles
733lorid,Sep 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My 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.
What an experience!
Riet B,Aug 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very 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.
Amazing, educational and fun!
Anne B,Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was one of the most fun and educational things we did in Cusco. It was so great to learn how generations before us have dyed wool, woven and told stories through the cloth and how this knowledge has been passed down. I don't know where to start, I am ecstatic after the course! It was so great to meet women at the center and watch them weave, learn about the craft and to buy handmade products directly from the women who made it. We got to make bookmarks (with good help), and now when I take out the book I always have to admire the bookmark before I can start reading. If I go back to Peru, this is something I will do again - without a doubt!
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Operated by Peru Private Tours