Amid the mountains, there are communities that still preserve the customs and traditions inherited from the Incas to this day: the Huilloc Community in Ollantaytambo. Most tourists visit the Sacred Valley in a single day and do not fully experience its greatness or culture; however, if you wish to embark on a journey to discover the true essence of the Sacred Valley, you can explore at your own pace and learn, for example, the traditional preparation of pachamanca, the natural dyeing of garments, the use of tools such as the pushka, and more.
Ollantaytambo: The Fortress That Withstands the Test of Time
The sun’s rays illuminate the last Living Inca City, Ollantaytambo. In this citadel, Inca constructions and archaeological sites blend with modern Andean homes. Ollantaytambo stands out for its agricultural terraces, ancestral water channels that continue to function, and its residents, who proudly wear traditional clothing filled with history and symbolism.
Within the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex, you can also find the Royal House of the Sun and the Temple of the Sun with its monoliths. Each site challenges human capability and showcases the great intelligence of the architects during the Inca Empire.
Huilloc: The True Connection to the Inca Empire
Less than 1 hour from the Ollantaytambo citadel lies Huilloc (or Willoc), a community that preserves millennia-old Inca wisdom. In Huilloc, different families organize communally to offer a community-based tourism experience characterized by ceremonies, gastronomy, work with the land, and textile art.
Upon your arrival, the residents of Huilloc will welcome you with great joy, music, flowers, dances, and above all, radiant smiles. Throughout the day, you will be able to learn aspects related to:
- Gastronomy: some residents of Huilloc have been porters and chefs on routes such as the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, allowing them to refine their culinary techniques by blending them with local cuisine. Combining both techniques ensures your palate will be delighted with unique dishes.
- Pachamanca is a traditional meal prepared in the earth. For its cooking process, a small stone oven is built around the ingredients, due to the wide variety of ingredients and different meats used. This dish is only prepared on special occasions or when welcoming special guests.
- Textile art: the heirs of Huilloc continue to create their garments using traditional hand-spinning techniques with tools such as the pushka, which is capable of transforming alpaca fiber into fine thread—better than machines! They also use natural ingredients such as cochineal to dye the spun wool. Many of these garments take as many hours to create as haute couture dresses.
- Working with the land: today, there are still tools used to cultivate the land with respect, one of them being the chaquitaclla, an ancestral agricultural tool.
Discover the Sacred Valley on Your Next Trip to the Cusco Highlands
If you made it this far, it is because you know that the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and Huilloc are must-visit destinations on your next trip. Want to experience them all but don’t know how? Don’t worry! At Peru Jungle Trips we offer:
- Classic Sacred Valley
- Sacred Valley CIP
- Visit to the Huilloc Community