Trekking the trails of the Urubamba Range is a walk back in time. The region is populated with scattered Quechua communities, enclaves of traditional culture that have, thus far, escaped the encroachment of modern society. Like the rugged peaks, in whose shadows they live, these kind, hard working people form the backbone of the country. Extended families live together in tiny, one-room adobe homes raising guinea pigs, llamas and sheep. Fathers work as porters for hikers during the dry season and tend crops of potatoes, oca and quinoa during the wet months, while mothers watch the herds, take care of the household and raise their children. Women also weave, producing the family’s colorful ponchos, chullos, skirts, shawls and other items, on their backstrap looms. Winding naturally dyed wool into intricate designs, whose patterns and symbols date back to Inca times, these skilled master weavers are renowned throughout the Cusco area. By graciously welcoming us into their pueblos, they allow us to watch this traditional craft and glimpse a simpler life, a world apart from our own!

After a night in Lima, we fly into Cusco (11,150'), the former Inca capital in the highlands of southern Peru. Our first few days are spent acclimating to the altitude with easy walking tours of impressive, ancient ruins and visits to some of the larger Indian communities. Water levels permitting, we may enjoy three hours of whitewater rafting on the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley. We then drive past Patacancha, a traditional Quechua settlement, to Palca the starting point of our three day trek. Throughout this culturally oriented journey, our camps are established in or near Quechua communities, allowing us to visit with the villagers and learn about the weaving that ties these hamlets together. Upon returning to the Sacred Valley, we travel by train to Machu Picchu and spend two days exploring this fascinating archaeological site before returning to Cusco and Lima.