This story dates back hundreds of years, when the last Inca, Atahualpa, was imprisoned and executed by the Spaniards, and despite the fact that the Spanish colonizers attempted to erase every trace of the Incas, to this day they have not been able to do so. The story continues just a few hours from Cusco, in the heart of the mountains, where communities still preserve the customs and traditions inherited from the Incas; they are the Huilloc Community. In Huilloc, its residents proudly wear textile garments that tell stories and maintain their social organization governed by the ayllu. Here we tell you more about Huilloc and how you can visit them.
Ollantaytambo: The Inca city that still lives
The Inca constructions and archaeological sites blend with modern Andean homes; each ray of sunlight that illuminates this area makes you feel a special energy and tells you a different story. Ollantaytambo also stands out for its agricultural terraces, water channels that continue to function, and its residents, who proudly share their customs and traditions.
Huilloc: the last living connection with the Inca Empire
The “good living” lifestyle characterizes the residents of Huilloc, who day by day work and strive to pass on the millenary Inca wisdom to future generations. In Huilloc, different families have found in experiential tourism the opportunity to share their culture and live in harmony with their environment at the same time. For this reason, they organize themselves communally to offer unique experiences characterized by ceremonies, gastronomy, working the land, and textile art. Throughout the day in Huilloc, you will be able to learn aspects related to:
- Gastronomy: Peruvian gastronomy is one of the best in the world, and in Huilloc you will understand why when you try traditional dishes such as Pachamanca; prepared in an artisanal way, for its cooking a small stone wall is built around the ingredients, due to the wide variety of ingredients used and the different types of meat. This dish is only prepared on special occasions or when welcoming special guests. Do not be surprised if the residents of Huilloc take several hours to prepare this dish, because in the end you will understand that every second of waiting was worth it!
- Textile art: the heirs of Huilloc continue making their garments using traditional hand-spinning techniques with instruments such as the pushka, which is capable of transforming alpaca fiber or sheep wool into fine thread better than machines! The textile techniques used for the embroidery of each garment are unique there is no machine capable of matching that technique!
- Working the land: today there are still tools that work the land with respect; one of them is the chaquitaclla, an ancestral tool used in agriculture. Despite its low environmental impact and historical importance, the chaquitaclla is currently used by few people due to the skill required to operate it. Do you dare to try using it?
Discover Huilloc on your next trip to the Cusco highlands
As you think about your next trip, in Huilloc the flowers bloom, the sun’s rays illuminate the path, and families share warm moments. Be part of this unique experience as well with our tours to Huilloc: