Sra. Esther Community Homestay

Experience the warmth of Andean hospitality at Sra. Esther Community Homestay, a welcoming family-run accommodation in the traditional community of Raqchi, near the impressive Temple of Wiracocha. With more than 20 years of experience in Community-Based Rural Tourism, Sra. Esther and her family invite travelers to discover the living traditions, culture, nature, and everyday life of the Andean highlands.

Your stay offers an authentic opportunity to connect with the local community while exploring ancient Inca heritage, learning traditional pottery techniques, walking along the historic Qhapaq Ñan, and enjoying the spectacular landscapes surrounding Raqchi. Depending on the season and length of stay, guests may also participate in traditional agricultural activities, experience an Andean Ch'alla ceremony, or enjoy an evening around a bonfire accompanied by local music and traditional dances.

This is more than a place to stay. It is an opportunity to meet local people, share their traditions, and experience the authentic spirit of rural Andean life.

Sra. Esther Community Homestay

Located in the traditional community of Raqchi, in the district of San Pedro, Canchis Province, Sra. Esther Community Homestay offers an authentic and meaningful experience of Andean rural life. Sra. Esther has more than 20 years of experience in Community-Based Rural Tourism and, together with her family, continues a long-standing tradition of welcoming travelers and sharing the cultural heritage of their community.

Raqchi is a historic Andean community located at the foot of the sacred Kinsa Ch'ata volcano and is renowned for its ancestral pottery traditions. The community is home to the impressive Temple of Wiracocha, one of the most remarkable Inca constructions in the region, as well as landscapes, archaeological remains, and spectacular viewpoints.

During their stay, guests can enjoy a variety of cultural and outdoor activities, including a visit to the Temple of Wiracocha, where they can learn about the history and significance of this important Inca sanctuary.

Guests can also participate in a traditional pottery demonstration, discovering the ancient techniques used by the people of Raqchi to transform local clay and volcanic sand into utilitarian and ceremonial pieces. Visitors may have the opportunity to try making their own pottery and learn about traditional objects such as aríbalos and keros. Raqchi's pottery tradition has been recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation.

Another highlight is a walk along the Qhapaq Ñan, the historic Inca Road, following sections of the ancient route that once connected the vast Inca Empire. The walk offers an opportunity to appreciate the original stonework, local flora and fauna, and the surrounding Andean landscape while learning about the community's history and traditions.

Guests can also take a two-hour round-trip hike to the Kinsa Ch'ata extinct volcano, passing Inca walls, impressive volcanic rock formations, and areas of native flora and wildlife. The experience provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature while sharing stories and ancestral knowledge with members of the local community.

For a shorter outing, a 15-minute walk to the Apu Tukaliana viewpoint offers panoramic views of the Raqchi archaeological park, the community, the Qhapaq Ñan, the Vilcanota River, and the neighboring Andean communities.

Depending on the program and local conditions, guests may also experience a traditional Andean Ch'alla ceremony, a ritual offering to the sacred mountains, or Apus, and Pachamama, Mother Earth. The ceremony reflects the deep spiritual connection between the community, the land, and the natural world.

In the evening, guests may enjoy a traditional bonfire gathering with music and dance. Visitors are invited to wear traditional Andean clothing and participate in local dances such as the carnaval or qashwa, accompanied by traditional instruments including the bandurria and quena. It is a warm and joyful way to share time with the local community and experience its living traditions.

Guests may also participate in seasonal agricultural activities, depending on the time of year. They can learn about local crops such as corn, potatoes, quinoa, tarwi, beans, and native tubers, as well as traditional farming tools and the Andean principles of Minka and Ayni, which represent collective and reciprocal work within the community.

Meals included: Depending on the selected program, the experience may include a traditional breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring the flavors and ingredients of the Andean region.

The full overnight experience includes: accommodation, meals, and a selection of cultural and outdoor activities. Guests can choose from experiences such as the pottery demonstration, Qhapaq Ñan walk, Kinsa Ch'ata hike, Apu Tukaliana viewpoint, traditional Ch'alla ceremony, bonfire and cultural evening, and seasonal agricultural activities.

Sra. Esther Community Homestay is ideal for travelers looking to go beyond conventional sightseeing and experience the authentic culture, traditions, landscapes, and hospitality of the Peruvian Andes through a genuine connection with a local community.