Highlights of this fabulous 18-night Textile Tour of Peru and Bolivia are the Inca site of Machu Picchu and Bolivia’s exciting Carnival celebration.
In between these important highlights, we’ll visit traditional villages with weavers, knitters and dyers where we have old friends ready to demonstrate their textile skills. We also have friends among the Carnival mask-makers and costume embroiderers. You can meet them and see how they construct the intricately decorated and flamboyant outfits worn by both men and women.
In Lima and LaPaz we will visit excellent museums of ethnographic art with fabulous textile examples and contextual displays.
We also believe that an important part of travel is FOOD! So we’ll eat in amazing places with traditional and modern fusion dishes to try! Lima and Cuzco have hopping restaurant scenes and we’ll partake of some of the best authentic food. La Paz also has several amazing places to eat and we’ll try them out too.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Exciting Carnival parade with brilliant costumes and masks
- Visit Machu Picchu -stunning Inca site with exacting stonework, UNESCO
- Visit weaving villages near Cuzco and Sucre to see techniques and examples
- Savor typical dishes at famous restaurants and local cafes
- Explore beautiful Cuzco, ancient Inca capital with shops and markets
- Meet Carnival mask-makers and costume embroiderers
- Purchase textiles directly from artisan friends in their picturesque villages
What’s Included in The Trip?
An Overview of Your Journey
Arrive in Beautiful Lima…
on January 30, 2026.
We’ll check into our charming little hotel, and relax a bit before going out to explore and find a great dinner!
Lima is a cosmopolitan city with world-class restaurants and museums. We’ll visit the most important textile museums in Lima. They contain some of the most amazing examples of various pre-Hispanic textile techniques, such as the finest weaving in the world.
One fascinating site right in central Lima is Huaca Pucllana, a great adobe pyramid located in the Miraflores district. It was built from seven huge staggered platforms of mud bricks. It served as an important ceremonial and administrative center for a coastal culture between the years of 200 AD and 700 AD.
We’ll tour the site and dine at the excellent restaurant with a view of the ancient pyramid. Lima’s restaurant choices are amazing and we will visit several favorites.
Machu Picchu, looking down to the river.
Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Next we’ll fly to the ancient and charming city of Cuzco. It’s full of Spanish colonial buildings and Inca walls.
To make altitude adjustment faster, when we land at Cuzco airport from Lima, we will immediately drive down to lower altitude. Our van will pick us up at the airport and take us down about 35 km. to lower altitude in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. A common misconception is that Machu Picchu is at a higher altitude but in reality, it is almost 2500 feet lower than Cuzco! Machu Picchu is in a lush tropical environment with orchids, bromeliads and ferns galore.
We’ll have a specialized professional Machu Picchu site guide for the first day’s exploration. You will have a ticket for two days; the second entrance is optional and it allows you to further explore the site and the little town of Aguas Calientes on your own.
Beautiful Cuzco City
When we return from Machu Picchu, we’ll take time to see the historical UNESCO city of Cuzco. It’s a delightful place to wander – you won’t get lost in this lovely city with all the cobblestone streets and stone pathways.
We’ll visit the Center for Traditional Textiles to see the small museum and to check out the woven and knitted pieces for buy. Another day will be spent in a nearby highland village meeting talented weavers and knitters. We will dye wool or alpaca yarn with them and learn how they use natural plants and other substances to color the fiber used in their masterpieces.
Next we’ll fly from Cuzco to the Bolivian capital of LaPaz, and continue to the second Bolivian capital of Sucre.
On to Sucre
In Sucre, we’ll stay in a lovely colonial hotel. This pretty town is great for walking and exploring. We’ll visit the University’s Anthropology Museum, with good folklore and ethnography exhibits. Then we’ll check out the local market with crafts and produce. We’ll also see the superb textiles at the ASUR Textile Museum, in a 17th C colonial home. This excellent little museum shows traditional pieces from the towns surrounding Sucre: Ravelo, Potolo, and Tarabuco You can watch weavers at work in the courtyard, using different techniques and oblique looms. Later, relax on our hotel’s rooftop terrace or walk around Sucre’s pretty central plaza, only three blocks from our Hotel.
Excellent Weaving
If possible, we’ll drive out to accessible weaving villages (last year the road was too muddy so we found weavers in town).
In this rural area, local women weave the well-known red and black textiles (right) and men weave brilliant tapestries full of animals and birds. These indigenous communities that belong to the Jalq’a ethnic group maintain their traditional culture in the architecture of the houses, the agricultural techniques and especially in the unique handmade textile production.
On to Oruro and Carnival
From Sucre, we’ll drive north to Oruro, arriving in time to see my favorite part, the indigenous people’s carnival called Anata. Invited groups of villagers from far and wide converge in Oruro. Some groups of dancers come from as far as Potosi. The villagers wear their very best newly hand-woven clothing and hand-knit caps.
At Anata we’ll see examples of the fine knitting from villages around central Bolivia. We’ll point out their intricate hand-knitted caps (chullos) and hand-woven textiles. Many dancers adorn their brilliant outfits with bundles of greens or strings of fruits and vegetables, as symbols of fertility. The musicians play wooden flutes and handmade drums. Decorated llamas or sheep sometimes accompany the groups
Finally – ¡¡CARNAVAL!!
Carnival (Carnaval) in Oruro is a UNESCO-recognized event, and Bolivia’s most flamboyant and vibrant celebration. Dancers observe Catholic beliefs alongside ancient indigenous traditions such as rituals for Pachamama (the Earth Mother), associated with the Virgin Mary.
We’ll watch Carnival preparations around town and we’ll visit the street of costume makers. Embroiderers and mask-makers will be putting the finishing touches on the costumes, and dancers are picking up their outfits.
Then, the big event is the Entrada, or grand opening of Carnival, always on Saturday. There are approximately 50 groups with hundreds of dancers each, so it is a huge event. The goal is to dance the whole three kilometer route, right up to the Cathedral on the hill.
Saturday performers are apt to be university students, programmers or teachers, taxi drivers, or doctors and lawyers. They dress in masks and costumes that are intricate, expensive and often heavy and uncomfortable. For instance, Morenada dancers perform the entire 3 km. parade route in heavy outfits and masks that are difficult to see out of. The accompanying female dancers wear glittery, sequined outfits with full mini-skirts and tall boots with platform heels. The Saturday Entrada of Carnival, is an all-day event, often ending at 2-3 am. We will have bleacher seats and simple box lunches.
Dancing with the Devils
You may watch as much or as little as you like, of course – and go back to rest at the hotel which is close to the parade route. All the dancers start in the lower part of town and perform all the way up to the Cathedral, below.
There is a huge variety of dance groups with different costumes, including Devil dancers in their fabulous, huge masks. There are five devil groups called Diabladas with both men and women performing various roles in the dance. Morenadas in huge embroidered cardboard outfits, Caporales with bells on their boots, and so forth. Cynthia will explain the groups so you will know a bit more about what you are seeing! The whole event is really spectacular. You might want to watch from the bleachers for a few hours, then relax at the hotel for a while, then go back out to watch the night-time displays.
One Devil group that performs late has light-up masks and pipes that shoot out propane flames!
Finally, drive back to La Paz. Check into our hotel, then walk down Sacarnaga, the street of textiles – and spend the rest of the day exploring La Paz on your own. We’ll also visit the Museum of Ethnography and Folklore, with its drawers full of very accessible textiles to admire. We’ll have our Farewell Dinner, saying goodbye to fellow travelers. Get a good night’s sleep for departure the next morning, February 17.
Where You Will Be Staying
Cuzco Hotel
Sucre Hotel
Photos From Previous Adventures
Your Trip Leaders
Cynthia LeCount Samaké
Cynthia began “Behind the Scenes Adventures” to share with others the traditional textiles and festivals of far-flung countries. She accompanies many of the tours for her “woman-owned” business, and delights in showing you the best foods, historical sites, textile markets and charming hotels. Knowledgeable, trusted and experienced guides, tour leaders and assistants accompany your trip if Cynthia herself is not present.
Check Trip Availability
Trip signups are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Please provide your details below and we’ll be in touch to confirm whether spaces are still available for this trip. If you have questions and need to get in contact, please email: info@btsadventures.com.
Registration Information
- Dates: January 30 – February 16, 2026
- Fly Home Date: February 17, 2026
- Deposit: $500
- Tour Cost: 18 Nights From $5,695
- Single Supplement: $700
For more information:
Phone: 707-939-8874
E-mail: info@btsadventures.com
Read: Frequently Asked Questions
Travel Plans
You will fly into Lima Peru, arriving on January 30 – then your departure at the end of the trip will be out of La Paz, Bolivia, on February 17.
Many airlines go to Lima and fewer return from La Paz. It may be less expensive to buy two ONE-WAY flights, even on different airlines. Check with a travel agent or on Expedia.com, by clicking on the Multi-City choice.
Visas
You do not need a visa for Bolivia (this is new and very welcome!) and depending on your home country you may need a Peru VISA. Look online for the latest rules; Americans and Canadians don’t need a visa if they plan to stay less than 30 days.
What’s Included
- 18 nights accommodation double/twin rooms with private bath, in boutique hotels where available or modern versions.
- Carnival Package per person: Reserved bleacher seats, box lunches, hotel services.
- Meals, soft drinks and water with meals.
- THREE domestic flights to save time on winding roads: Lima to Cuzco, Cuzco to La Paz, La Paz to Sucre
- Bleacher seats and box lunch during two Carnival days
- All entrance fees to the museums, archaeological sites and group events on itinerary
- Visits by private van to textile-producing villages near Sucre
- Spanish- and English-speaking tour leader/local textile/festival experts to accompany the tour
- Airport departure chaarge included
What’s Not Included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips to local guides and drivers, TBD
- Extra food and snacks
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What information will I receive after registering?
Once you sign up for a trip, we will e-mail a general itinerary, lists of Suggested Reading, what to take, cultural considerations, weather charts, etc.
How can I get a detailed itinerary for a tour?
A day-to-day itinerary will be sent once you sign up for a trip. If you need specific information about the flow of the trip and the pace of the specific activities, before committing to the trip, get in touch with your questions and we will be happy to fill you in.
What sort of clothing should I bring?
When you sign up for a tour, you’ll receive detailed lists of what to bring to your destination, as well as weather info, to more easily coordinate your wardrobe with the heat or cold.
Are laundry services available?
Most hotels have a laundry service and prefer that you don’t wash clothes in the bathroom sinks. If there is no laundry service, and you don’t want to wash your jeans and wait a day or two for them to dry, asking at the hotel desk is a good place to start.
Please note that it is considered demeaning to wash someone else’s underpants, so we ask that you wash your own undies. Hang them to dry discreetly in the bathroom.
Do I need any vaccinations or immunizations?
This varies with each country. Make an appointment with your travel doctor/clinic and take your tour itinerary with you. Some areas of certain countries require malaria pills and others do not; same with Yellow Fever and others, such as Cholera and Typhoid. The travel nurse or physician will have all the latest requirements at hand.
OR You can consult the CDC.gov (Center for Disease Control) website information pages for your specific destination so that you have the latest official information.
For all travel, you should be current on your typical childhood and international travel shots such as Polio and Tetanus. Some countries require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for entry, if you are coming from a country that has yellow fever.
Behind the Scenes Adventures requires you to have had at least two COVID vaccinations. We won’t ask for proof; this requirement is on the Honor System. We recommend you have all available boosters as well.
How much physical activity is involved during the trip?
Each trip has different activity levels that will be fully explained in the specific tour material. But no activities or events are mandatory, and you are always welcome to sit at the bottom of the stairs to a temple or wait in the van while others ascend or visit a particular place. Walking sticks are fine to bring if they help you. We cannot accept wheelchairs or walkers.
For most tours, you’ll need to be able to walk the distance of 4-5 city blocks on your own, with sturdy shoes. Please note that sidewalks in many countries are full of big holes and broken cement chunks, with bits of re-bar sticking out, and you must constantly be alert to these dangers. In urban areas where distances are greater, the group will take taxis and/or get help from local assistants. If you need a personal taxi or additional special aid, that will be at your expense.
Meals & Accommodations
What sort of food will we be eating?
Moroccan cooking abounds with subtle spices and intriguing flavor combinations. Think tart green olives paired with preserved lemon rind in a tagine of tender chicken or the surprise of rich chicken pie dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar (called b’stilla), soups, or many different chopped, vegetables – raw or cooked – made into delicious salads. Fresh bread is always plentiful too.
We will send out lists and information about traditional Moroccan cuisine. And we will have at least one cooking class where you can choose to prepare exactly what you prefer to eat!
The guide will sometimes choose a variety of typical dishes to share around the table, so we can taste many different combinations and find our favorites. Then other times, you can order what you like from the menu. The portions are huge, and we have never had anyone leave the restaurant table hungry! Some restaurants don’t have menus but have a specialty that everyone receives.
Will I be able to accommodate my dietary needs?
If you have any special dietary, health, or nutrition issues, restrictions, etc, there is no guarantee that
Behind the Scenes Adventures will be able to accommodate your special diets in foreign countries.
Please contact us before departure, and bring sufficient alternative foods. Travelers with severe peanut allergies or other life-threatening allergies cannot be accepted. Vegan diets are possible but with much less variety than at home. Vegetarian or gluten-free diets are often fairly easy to accommodate, but also with less variety than what is available at home. Note that the guide and tour leader cannot cater to your special diet in a group; you’ll be responsible for choosing foods you can eat.
Flights & Travel
Will I need a visa for connecting countries?
It is very rare to need a visa for a connection if you stay in the Transit area. This will be regulated by the connecting country and the airline will send information as to this requirement.
What are the requirements for my passport to be valid?
Your passport needs to have one blank page for your visa, although, with an E-Visa, you will have just a piece of paper to show, and don’t need room for anything except Immigration stamps in your passport.
Your passport must remain valid (not expired) for 6 months after you enter each country.
Will I be met at the airport?
Yes! A driver (and the guide if possible) will meet you with a sign – beariing your name and/or Behind the Scenes Adventures. The driver will have your flight schedule and he will know that you need time to pick up your luggage. Wait for him in the terminal, right outside the Arrivals area, and don’t go with any other drivers that don’t have your name on a placard.
For each trip, we’ll send more specific info about the exact pick-up spot. The driver will help with your luggage and a small tip of $5 USD would be appreciated anywhere..
What is the best airline to fly to the country?
Check out Royal Air Maroc, (RAM) the national Moroccan carrier, on their website:
https://www.royalairmaroc.com/int-en
You’ll need a round-trip ticket to and back from Casablanca. Check the 2025 Morocco tour arrival and departure dates carefully before purchasing: you need to arrive sometime on October 5, and depart for home sometime on October 21. (Last included night of hotel is October 20.)
RAM is a very good airline that flies direct to Casablanca from some US cities such as JFK in New York. If you depart from San Francisco (SFO) for example, you’ll ccnnect at JFK and continue straight to CMN – Casablanca. You can search for a plane ticket on the actual website of RAM, or on Orbitz.com or Expedia.com or you can contact a travel agent for a ticket.
Other airlines also fly into Casablanca. Lufthansa is a partner and some flights connect in Frankfurt. Plug in your home city on the RAM website: Prices right now (May 1, 2025) are excellent, between $700 and 1000 RT from San Francisco!
What will we use for transportation?
We use a new Mercedes Sprinter for most interior transportation. It is high-topped and spacious, and our luggage is stored in the back, or on top if we amass extra bags along the way. (This is another reason we must start with a luggage limit; see list of What to Take for luggage limits.)