Day 1: Arrival in Lima + Welcome Cocktail/Mocktail

• Arrive at Lima International Airport and transfer to the hotel

• A welcome cocktail/mocktail will be hosted at the hotel by KINUA.
This gathering will include a curated welcome kit featuring iconic Peruvian elements
KINUA will officially launch the signature pattern of the Peruvian Textile Program as part of this experience!

Day 2: Cotton Field Visit in Pachacamac

• Guided visit to organic cotton fields, including:
– Introduction to organic farming practices in Peru
– The importance of organic agriculture for farmers and the textile industry
– Exploration of native cotton varieties in naturally occurring colors
– Fiber analysis (staple length, thickness, and strength)
– Demonstration of the ginning process (separating seeds from fiber)

• Lunch in Pachacamac featuring local cuisine

• Free afternoon to explore Larcomar, a seaside shopping mall

Day 3: KINUA Natural Dye & Fiber Workshop

• Visit to KINUA's dyeing workshop and studio for two sessions, one focused on fiber and the other on natural dyeing

Fiber session:
– Introduction to iconic Peruvian fibers including alpaca and Merino
– Overview of fiber development and preparation processes

Natural dye session:
– Introduction to ancestral Peruvian dyeing traditions
– Exploration of natural dye sources such as cochineal, q’olle flowers, walnut, indigo, molle, tara, and ch’illca

• Live dyeing demonstration:
Participants will observe the cochineal dyeing process carried out by the KINUA team, showcasing two distinct color variations.

Day 4: Amano Textile Museum Visit

• Guided visit to the Amano Textile Museum, including:
– Overview of ancient Peruvian textile traditions
– Techniques such as gauze (gasa Chancay), tapestry, and natural dyeing methods
• Lunch at Primos, a great local restaurant known forpollo a la brasa (one of Peru’s most iconic dishes)

• Free afternoon to explore Museo Larco, one of the most important museums in Peru, founded in 1926, with over 5,000 years of pre-Columbian history

Day 5: Travel to Cusco

• Morning flight to Cusco

• Upon arrival, enjoy a light lunch (soup and tea recommended)
– Rest and gradual acclimatization

• Guided city tour of Cusco in the afternoon

Day 6: Machu Picchu Excursion

• Early morning train to Aguas Calientes

• Full day guided tour of Machu Picchu, including lunch

• Return to Cusco in the evening

Day 7: Chinchero + Pisac

Visit to a traditional textile community in Chinchero, part of the extended KINUA artisan network

• Textile experience includes:
– Natural dyeing demonstrations
– Hand-spinning using the traditional drop spindle (“pushka”)
– Andean weaving techniques
– Development of individual spinning samples

• Cultural immersion including:
– Interaction with alpacas
– Visit to traditional guinea pig (“cuy”) homes
– Direct connection with artisan families

• Continue on to Pisac, which offers breathtaking views and has the largest local market in Cusco, especially known for textiles

Day 8: Return to Lima + Departure

• Free morning in Lima to explore Plaza de Armas and surrounding area

• Afternoon flight to Lima
• International departure

Costs for double and single occupancy to be announced

Pricing includes:

- Workshops with KINUA at their Lima dye workshop and studio, as well as workshops with KINUA's partner artisans in Chinchero

- Full-day excursion to Machu Picchu

- All of your accommodations

- Transportation during the trip

- More than half of meals

- Bilingual tour guides

- Special tote bag of KINUA goods, including signature KINUA textile pattern, yarn, fine Peruvian chocolates, and additional locally inspired surprises

Pricing does not include:

- Travel to and from Lima, Peru

- Tips and gratuities

We keep our group size small - with a maximum of 20 participants - to ensure quality and individual attention.

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We will open a waitlist once/if the trip has all spots filled. In the event of a cancellation, we will contact the next person on the wait list and they will have 48 hours to decide to join.

1. Can I bring a non-knitting friend/partner/spouse?

All non-knitting partners/friends/etc. are welcomed. While this is a textile-focused tour, they will travel and be included in all of the activities and meals.

Though non-textile partners may not have the same experience with yarn and fiber that a maker might, we hope that the cultural experience will be inspirational.

2. What are the mobility expectations?

There will be some walking, mostly flat, as we explore parts of Lima, including the KINUA studio and various museums.

We will be taking a private bus between stops, so you must be able to ascend and descend the bus stairs.

Please note that Cusco's elevation is around 11,000 ft above sea level. The hotel will have supplemental oxygen to help acclimatize, but please plan accordingly.

Unfortunately, we can't accommodate wheelchairs or scooters on this trip.

3. How do I get to Lima, Peru?

While it depends on where you are coming from, it will take us 2 flights to get from Philadelphia to Lima. Once you arrive at the airport, your pre-arranged transport will take you to our hotel.

You can opt into arriving a day early to settle in. Just let us know and we can work with you to arrange it with the hotel!

4. Do I need to know Spanish?

We will have a bilingual guide with us as we travel.

5. Do I have to be an expert knitter?

We welcome makers at all skill levels. Our Peruvian Textile Tour is crafted to share the Andean textile experience through hands-on demonstrations, teachings from artisan-teachers, and visits to Peruvian cultural sites of historical significance.

6. What's the weather like?

It is the beginning of Fall in Lima, so the days are warm in the mid-70s F, with a touch of crisp cool in the evenings in the mid-60s F. In Cusco, expect the daytime high to be in the mid-60s F, with the nights on the chillier side in the mid-40s F.

7. I'm ready! How do I sign up?

Register for your spot here!

You will make a non-refundable $500 deposit per person at checkout. This deposit goes towards your trip cost.