Chinchero, Peru

Chinchero’s major draws are its colorful Sunday market and the Inca archeological site of the same name, which consists of ruins of houses and terracing. While the exact function of the site remains unknown, the ruins, due to stately double doors, are believed to have been houses of socially important Incas.

The steep terraces, where a different crop was grown on each level, open out to a mountainous backdrop. Similarly to many Inca ruins, there is a pretty white colonial church dating back to 1607 perched atop the foundations of an Incan temple. The church’s ceiling and inner walls are covered in striking floral and religious designs.

In the center of Chinchero lies Centro Textil Urpi, a delightful and photogenic textile shop and open workshop. The charming ladies who work there create hand-made textiles in traditional styles of the region. They invite guests to take a seat with a cup of mate de coca tea and watch a live demonstration of how they convert alpaca and sheep wool into high-quality textiles.

Guests will be interested to learn about the natural dyes that give the fabrics their distinctive colors, which are made from leaves, flowers, and even insects. The unique array of colors and designs used in the clothes, blankets, and decor are not only chosen for aesthetics, but also because of the significance they hold for the community.