Umasbamba, Peru - A Travel Guide
Last Updated: October 24, 2021
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ABOUT UMASBAMBA | SHOULD I GO? | WHAT TO DO | WHERE TO STAY | WHERE TO EAT | WHERE TO PARTY
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Tradition At Its Best
This tiny little traditional village high up in the Andes will take you back to the days before you or I were born. The mud huts, muddy roads, traditional clothing, and hardworking people should be admired for what is achieved here.
The men all head out as the sun rises to farm the land, whilst the ladies (none of which are over 5 foot 4) work possibly even harder. It is their job to look after the children, prepare and cook all the meals, deal with the household chores and deal with all the visitors, as well as weave/knit all the clothing, table clothes, bags, hats and so on for the locals and visitors alike. It's a masterclass in every sense of the word; these ancestral traditions get passed down from generation to generation.
The men head to markets to make deals with men from other villages, which have been known to end in fights. Agriculture is the men’s way of life and is their source of income, whilst the women’s income is from the textiles that they sell to the tourists.
A Few Hours of Brilliance
We arrived in the village at 11 A.M from Cusco as a stop on the way to the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, we were met by the most incredible group of women, all who were around 5 foot tall dressed head to toe in their village’s traditional clothing. We didn’t get to meet the men as they were out in the fields working the land.
We were all given the traditional clothing to wear prior to any real chat, which was immediately a crowd-pleaser. Once we were appropriately dressed we were properly introduced to the ladies who gave us information such as their name, how many children they had and their marital status. We had to give the same back, (anyone in their mid-20’s or older, if you are single, be prepared for some strange looks).
We then had a tour around the village which didn’t take long at all; I think we walked all in all for under half an hour. We managed to see the church, a few fields, the school and a couple of their houses. It was amazing. I felt honoured to have been shown around such a place. The ladies were so friendly and kind and even invited us in for a traditional lunch. We sat in their main meeting halls for lunch, eating the local cuisine of guinea pig, which was something we had never thought we would eat. 'When in Rome... ' came to mind so many times whilst trying to eat, but it would have been rude to leave it. They had worked so hard and seemed pleased to have fed us.
Once we had finished our lunch we were shown some of the traditional ways of life, including how they make all the clothing, tablecloths, bags and so on. It was a great experience and one of the highlights of the tour for us. We did end up sending a lot of money on a traditional hat that the men would wear to market, but there was no way we were leaving empty-handed.
We got paraded out of town by the amazing women who all waved us off at 2:15 P.M. We had only spent about 3 hours 15 minutes in the village, but it is something that will stay with us for a long time.
So Should I go there?
You really should.
Places like this are the reasons why most of us travel: everything you see, do or feel in this village will be a new experience. You will try things you never thought you would, and you will see the true meaning of hard work. The people show you how to be happy, enjoy life and how to love without having anything to their name. They have all they need, and that was each other and the ability to work hard. The people are really inspiring, and even if you cannot learn from them, you will at least leave respecting them and their way of life.
As shown in the previous section you will only need a few hours in the village, so we urge you to make time to see this wonderful place.
Be prepared to get a bit muddy and dirty: there are no paths, real roads or clean areas, there are a lot of muddy tracks and fields, so if you are interested in this once in a lifetime experience we advise you wear something old.
What to do when Backpacking Umasbamba
When it comes to things to see or do, it is a bit tricky. The experience we had is something every tour gets I should think.
When it comes to things to see or do, it is a bit tricky. The experience we had in the village seemed to be a well-oiled procedure. I, therefore, assume that this is what would happen should you go there. The village is not somewhere you would go on your own, it almost seemed like the village accepted bookings from tours via an agent, giving the ladies time to prepare for the guest. Our visit was part of a pre-booked tour around Peru.
There really isn’t anything to do, other than experiencing the village, seeing it for yourself and enjoying learning the history of the people and their culture. They will guide you around and show you the main sites.
Where to Stay Whilst Backpacking Umasbamba
As far as we could see there are no places to stay, it is a case of a short day visit at most. The huts are the local's houses, so unless you are lucky enough to live with a local for a night or two, this is not somewhere you can stay.
Where to Eat When Backpacking Umasbamba
Much as above, there are no restaurants, pubs or anywhere to consider eating. You will be invited for lunch within the main meeting area. The ladies will cook for you, most likely it will be a guinea pig as a main meal, which we think you should try, especially after the effort the ladies have gone to.
Don't worry, the below is a pet.
Where to Drink and Party when Backpacking Umasbamba
I think you've guessed by now.
Same as above, there is nowhere to party or drink, although the locals have their own local alcohol, and they really do love to dance, sing and clap.
What You'll Need to Blend In
Traditional Clothing
The Ability to Work Hard
Have a Strong Stomach
