Description
The community of Huilloc is located 12 km from Ollantaytambo and approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the community members with traditional music, pututo, and flowers. A local host will give the welcome and introduce participants to the traditional agricultural work of the community. During the experience, the men of the group will have the opportunity to participate in the chores of the "chacra" (farmland), while the women will assume the traditional role of food preparation, learning how daily life is organized in the Andean countryside. This activity allows for an experiential understanding of the community and cultural dynamics of Huilloc. Before starting the activity, the community members will invite visitors to have muña tea to acclimatize. Subsequently, everyone will dress in traditional typical clothing, integrating as part of the family and the community.
Resume
- Reception: Welcome with traditional music, pututo, and flowers from the region.
- Identity: Use of Huilloc's typical clothing to integrate as a family member.
- Fieldwork: Active participation in traditional agriculture (for men).
- Culinary Knowledge: Learning food preparation over a wood fire (for women).
- Gastronomy: Traditional lunch shared with the hosts.
Itinerary
Welcome and Tradition Upon arrival in Huilloc, you will be welcomed by the community members with the sound of the pututo and local music. A local host will give you the official welcome, introducing you to the history of the community and the importance of collective work for subsistence in the mountains.
Connection and Preparation We will begin by sharing a hot muña tea, essential for acclimatization and energy. Subsequently, participants will be invited to wear the traditional garments of Huilloc. By wearing these ponchos and blankets, the visitor stops being a spectator and integrates visually and spiritually as part of the community family.
Immersion in Daily Labors We will divide the activities to experience the traditional Andean organization:
-
In the Chacra: The men of the group will head to the cultivation fields to learn the use of ancestral tools and participate in agricultural tasks according to the season (planting, cleaning, or harvesting).
-
At the Fogón (Stove): The women will assume the traditional role of preparing ingredients and food, learning wood-fired cooking techniques and the importance of local products in the community diet.
Traditional Lunch and Reflection To end the day, we will all gather to enjoy the typical lunch prepared during the activity. It is the moment to share what has been learned and talk with the hosts about their vision of work and life in the countryside before starting the return.
Include
- Local Host: Community leader in charge of the experience.
- Tools and Supplies: Everything necessary for field and kitchen work.
- Food: Traditional lunch and muña tea.
- Clothing: Use of typical clothing during the activity.
Not include
- Transportation (Cusco - Huilloc - Cusco).
- External professional guide.
- Tips and personal expenses.
Recommendations
- Footwear: Wear sturdy shoes that can get dirty, as you will be working directly in the soil.
- Protection: The sun in the open field is very strong. The use of sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses is essential.
- Hydration: Bring a personal water bottle to stay hydrated during agricultural labors.
The visual experience
Important
- Physical Effort: Fieldwork may require moderate physical effort at over 3,500 meters above sea level. It is recommended to perform the activities at your own pace.
- Respect for Roles: Although the tour shows the traditional division of tasks, this is presented as a way to understand the historical organization of the community; participants are free to explore both areas with respect.
