vicente rayo a Hidden Gems of Cusco
1.- SOUNDS OF THE ANDE – VICENTE RAYO
This is one of the options of Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru that you can enjoy during your trip to the Sacred Valley, located on the road that leads all travelers to the archaeological center of Pisac, on the left side you can see a craft enterprise run by a master craftsman, Vicente Rayo is a villager belonging to the population of Cuyo Chico (Pisac). He is a professional artisan who makes his works in clay mainly recreating unique pieces as the Inca ancestors did.
His teacher Egidio Becerra was one of the best artisans of Pisac who stood out at first sight for his innovation, which provoked in Vicente a curiosity for the origin of the particular sounds he heard and pushed him to create a more dynamic workshop, where visitors can approach and live the experience of the elaboration of handmade pottery as well as having a “private concert” where Vicente will play some of the most important Andean musical instruments. Being one of the Hidden Gems of Cusco Peru seeks a different experience for each of its travelers for this reason has alternative activities from which you can choose, some of these are:
- Llama trekking: This is one of the Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru for trekking and nature lovers. It is one of the paths part of the Qhapac Ñam (Inca Trails) where you can enjoy a unique moment in the company of community pilgrims wearing costumes with domesticated llamas on their way to the top of a sacred mountain called Apu Pucara Panti Lliclla, during the walk you will enjoy not only the natural environment but also sweet melodies made by Inca instruments that lead all participants to meditation and relaxation. When choosing one of the Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru consider that this activity is ideal for families with children, they will be the ones who most delight the activity, it will last approximately 6 hours so you should bring water and snacks.
llama trekking
- Creative Space: One of the activities offered by this place that belongs to the Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru, designed for those passionate about art and sculpture. An interactive workshop of 8 hours in which participants can follow the process of how the clay is recognized, prepared, molded and painted, a work made 100% by hand, this activity is considered as a therapeutic option as many travelers find tranquility when molding ceramics, the whole process is done with the master craftsman Vicente Rayo who will guide you every step of the way.
creative space a Hidden Gems of Cusco
- Interpretation Space: By choosing this place within the list of Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru you can perform this unique activity that lasts 2 hours in which visitors learn more about the Inca pottery of 7 colors, learning the origin of these, the colors that can be seen with the naked eye are: white, yellow, lead, black, red, orange and Indian red.
interpretation space a Hidden Gems of Cusco
- Sound Interpretation: Among the Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru this place stands out for its activity of Sound Interpretation, an activity that takes place in the main workshop of Vicente, where travelers can learn about the different instruments of Inca sounds such as whistles, quenas and others that were used in ceremonies and rituals, it is a meditation experience also because the sound is used for mental relaxation, this activity is shorter because it lasts only 1 hour.
sound interpretation a Hidden Gems of Cusco
- Clay Healing: If you are a lover of spirituality then choosing this destination among all the Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru will be the best choice. Vicente has prepared for you an ancestral activity that involves contact with mother earth in order to fill the body with energy from the world. It is a more spiritual experience where clay is used and combined with ancestral sounds to cleanse the soul, pututus and ceramic flutes are used for this, the activity has a duration of 2 hours for visitors.
clay healing
2.- COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE ADVENTURE
There are more than just activities to visit in our list, there are also other Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru where you can interact with nature, this is the case of the experience of the Coffee and Chocolate Tour, an incredible adventure that takes you to the Huayopata sector. It is a road by car from Cusco that lasts approximately 3 hours enjoying beautiful views of landscapes. Upon arrival you will settle in one of the family houses that also has a specific cultivation area for coffee and chocolate where you will learn about the types of coffee that exist and the process of how to grow and process it so that you can finally consume it. Usually if you choose one of these Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru with us, we already include transportation and food so you don’t have to worry about anything.
chocolate tour a Hidden Gems of Cusco
3.- NEW EXPERIENCES DURING YOUR TRIP
“There is more than just coffee and chocolate during your visit, the whole valley near Machu Picchu where the coffee and chocolate plantations are located also contains other productions such as tea crops (with its varieties such as black, green and white tea), coca and fruit trees with many varieties such as Mango, Granadilla, Lucuma, Orange, Custard Apple, Avocado and much more.”
4.- POTATO PARK IS AN OTHER OF HIDDEN GEMS OF CUSCO
This is one of the Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru that we know you will really enjoy. This production center is dedicated to the adaptation and research of most of the potato varieties that exist in the region. The potato park is a unique place where we can immerse ourselves and learn the traditional agricultural techniques with which the Incas managed to preserve an important food heritage. This is also one of the Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru that are within the Sacred Valley, you take the same road to the archaeological center of Pisac, but by a different detour will allow you to reach this incredible place.
potato park a Hidden Gems of Cusco
Upon arrival there are incredible activities that make this place stand out from the rest of Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru, some of these are:
- Participate in the cultivation of potatoes, as there are 2 ways to plant potatoes, the first is known as new potato and is planted between June and August to be harvested in January (also known as Papa Mayan), the second is planted between October and November in the high areas of the Andes because they are watered by rain (known as Papa Puna).
- You can also appreciate pottery workshops, crafts, textiles and others that are part of their traditions, even if you wish to participate in them. The most popular of all is the dyeing of wool with natural inputs such as flowers or insects for the resulting colors.
- Visit the interpretation center on the responsibility and sustainability of medicinal plants, this also allows us to appreciate incredible views of landscapes and lagoons such as Puma Qocha, Azul Qocha and Kinsa Qocha.
The potato park is one of the Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru that has tradition in every space, it is a complete experience for all its visitors and is available for you every day of the week. If you would like help with an activity here, Auri Peru can help you with pleasure.
| “The adventure of a trip is worth it, always.” |
5.- AN ADVENTURE OUT OF THIS WORLD – CUSCO PLANETARIUM
Part of the Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru is the Planetarium experience, an adventure that without a doubt you can say is out of this planet. This is an experience that begins within the city but with a transport that will take you to the upper part of the city where you find a space set and prepared to live this experience intellectually as it has projection rooms where there is a detailed explanation of all current and Inca astronomy, then a dome room where you can see the sky and finally the courtyard where you make use of professional telescopes to see the stars in the company of professional astronomers who explain the meaning of everything you appreciate. It is important to book this experience in advance since daily spaces are limited.
planetarium cusco a Hidden Gems of Cusco
6.- HIKES INSIDE THE SACRED VALLEY
For those who love hiking and adventure come the new Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru that are not as popular as the Inca Trail or Salkantay but still provide a unique experience. Among these we have:
- Patacancha Trek: It is one of the Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru that is not very well known but that provides a really incredible experience, it starts from the traditional village of Ollantaytambo, for the high zone arriving first to Willoq and then to Patacancha, you will follow the path of the Patacancha River along the way. The hike takes about 2 hours and covers about 4.5 km and is available throughout the year. It is always best to hire the experience with a formal travel agency such as Auri Peru that strives to have responsible and sustainable travel.
patacancha
- Pumamarca Trek: This is another option of Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru which starts in Ollantaytambo, the archaeological center of Pumamarca was one of the places where we can see the fusion between the Inca and Wari culture (Per-Inca culture), the trail that leads you to Pumamarca is a beautiful forest shaded by trees and small waterfalls very close to the valley of Patacancha. The hike takes about 3 hours and if it is demanding it is recommended to have a previous preparation for this.
pumamarca
7.- THE POTATO TRANSFORMER
In the company of Manuel Choqque you will enjoy an incomparable experience, transforming the Andean tubers in unique elements of the kitchen. This agricultural engineer knew how to extract the properties of such an appreciated element as the potato and its varieties and turn them into a delight, during the research process he managed to make a mixture of 8 types of potatoes in new varieties with completely purple, blue and gold tones. On the other hand, he managed to isolate the flavors of the Oca (potato variety) to transform it into a wine that required 3 ingredients: Water, Oca and Wine Yeast and thus created a delight that is now possible to try, this experience can be lived in the town of Chinchero but if you require prior coordination to do so.
manuel choqque
Now you know that your 2024 visit should not be only traditional, there are many options of Hidden Gems Destinations in Cusco Peru and we are ready to give you a unique experience. Contact Auri Peru, our trips are not just planning days, they are unique experiences and emotions, discover it now.
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