Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

The Misminay Community in Cusco

The Misminay Community in Cusco

4MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Published: 2022-12-20

Situated in the Sacred Valley of The Incas and just over an hour from the imperial city of Cusco and 20 minutes from the archaeological complex of Moray is the rural community of Misminay. One hundred twenty families live in the community preserving their ancestral traditions and customs.

 

The Misminay community can be found near Maras, in the Sacred Valley. You can visit on Sacred Valley tours from Cusco. The community is a refuge of ancestral customs and families that maintain their symbiotic relationship with nature. The Misinay community is a farming community that is also a weaving community, with high grade local textiles. They also make adobe bricks and has spectacular views over the Moray terraces.

Weaving  Demonstration

 

Thanks to the effort and teamwork of the community, tourism has become an additional income to agriculture which has positively impacted their quality of life. Including a visit to the Misminay Community in your itinerary will give you an insight into the everyday life of the local Andean community and enable you to make a difference to others.

 

Misminay is a stunning Andean village dedicated to agriculture and livestock. Many travelers visit on day tours from Cusco to connect with its impressive ancient traditions. From traditional dances and typical clothing and ancient ancestral ceremonies, The community offers a glimpse into rural life in The Andes of Peru. Sample Pachamanca for lunch and then learn about how they produce their handmade textiles dyed with natural dyes. An authentic Peru culture tour!

Misminay Community

 

Community Greenhouse

The Misminay community greenhouse has been an invaluable asset to the community. It allows them to cultivate vegetables that otherwise would be impossible to grow at these high altitudes in The Sacred Valley. These crops are a vital part of their livelihood as a source of income and are used for medicinal purposes. Education about sustainable cultivation is also provided to the Misminay community, empowering them to make sustainable choices and create healthy and nutritious meals for their families.

 

Misminay is a picturesque high Andean Community that connects travelers with the Andean cosmovision and way of life. They do this in a number of ways such as chants, traditional agricultural activities, making adobe bricks, short walks, and producing colorful textile crafts. A moment of grace in the middle of nowhere with humble people who seek to share with you their daily food and way of life. A philosophy of life that makes you reflect on yours during your Peru tour package.

Ingredients for Huacatay


Textile Manufacturing Demonstration

Learn about the ancestral process of manufacturing Andean textiles made from sheep's wool dyed with plants and natural minerals and using homemade tools such as small wooden boards and animal bones that the villagers use with the yarns.

 

Tourism has the potential to impact the places and people it touches. Responsible tourism must go hand-in-hand with social respect and sustainability. As a weaving community, it is important to help preserve traditional textile production and promote the value of local culture through tourist activities. Contribute and learn about ancient communities by visiting the Misnminay community on your Cusco tours.

Weaving Demonstration

 

Agriculture Demonstration

This activity allows us to see the community farming activities firsthand. According to the season and the agricultural calendar, the community will be able to work the fields using ancestral techniques and traditional Andean tools such as the "Chaquitaclla" and the "yunta" with oxen to pull it.

 

The soil microbiome is a crucial component of agricultural ecosystems. It plays a pivotal role in crop production and ecosystem functioning. The traditional tillage systems in potato cultivation in the Peruvian Highland communities like Misminay. This technique remains a common practice in Peru´s highlands, particularly for cultivation on mountain slopes. This method serves to mitigate the effects of nocturnal frosts in the highlands affecting the potato crop. Learn more on local trips Peru!

Yunta and Oxen

 

"Pachamanca" Lunch

The Pachamanca is a typical way of cooking. The dish is based on beef and chicken spiced with "huacatay" a traditional Andean herb, chili, cumin, and pepper as additional original Andean products such as potatoes and corn. This conventional method uses a base of preheated stones that make the food taste natural and earthy, very different from the typical food of the city. To accompany the delicious Pachamanca, you will learn how to produce 'Uchucuta' – a typical sauce made with a 'batan' (a large stone for grinding and milling commonly used in southern South America). 

 

Pachamanca is much more than just a Peruvian culinary experience. This ancient cooking method is a ritual that allows us to say thank you to the Mother Earth and connect to important Inca practices, from years gone by. They remain a fundamental part of modern-day Peruvian culture in the Andes in communities such as Misminay. Visit on a Sacred Valley tour from Cusco!

Pachamanca


Spectacular Views

Enjoy the exceptional experience of spectacular views over the Andean Mountains range in front of you, and beneath are the terraces of Moray without a visitor, as well as the Chicon snow-capped peak remaining covered by the clouds. 

 

When you visit The Misminay community, you will have remarkable views of the Inca ruins of Moray. Having no written language, the purpose of this stunning place is shrouded in mystery. What we do know is that this was an ancient agricultural laboratory of the Incas. They experimented with growing crops on the different circular terraces, characteristic of this impressive archaeological site. Visit on your Cusco day trips!

Moray Archaeological Site

 

If you are interested in a visit to the Misminay Community for the complete Andean Immersion experience, as well as directly helping a traditional living Andean Community, contact us here.
 

SHARE THIS POST