The Sacred Valley is well known and highly prized for its beautiful textiles, hand-woven with alpaca and sheep’s wool and using a variety of natural and mineral dyes. Many items come from expert weavers in small indigenous communities in the surrounding mountains and are brought down to Valley markets. Also of interest are fossil remains, gemstones, and popular handicrafts of wood and ceramics. In the 3 principal artesanía markets in the Valley you’ll find very similar items, but Chinchero is recognized for having some of the best and most authentic handmade products; very often the person selling the item is the very same craftsman (something you won’t find in Pisaq, Ollantaytambo or Cusco).

Pisaq
The most famous artisans’ and antiques market in the region and one of the liveliest in Peru. Goods for sale include ponchos, tapestries, and musical instruments. The market occurs every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; Sunday, when there’s a Mass in Quechua and an appearance by town elders in the square, is by far the most popular and important market day.

Chinchero
The market at this unassuming highlands town (where the altitude is even higher than Cusco, so take it easy) is superb for browsing and purchasing authentic Andean textiles. The market is open every day but the best day to go is Sunday, when artisans from nearby (and not-so-nearby) communities bring their products. Chinchero is en route from Cusco to Urubamba, Ollanta and other parts of the Sacred Valley.

Ollantaytambo
One of the most fascinating and storied towns in the Sacred Valley, with a fabulous Inca stronghold and a living Inca old town, Ollanta also features a well-attended market. The market, aimed largely at bus-tour groups, is open Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. To find more authentic and unique items, as well as have the experience of visiting a highligh community, Huilloc, which is just 25 minutes by taxi, or Patacancha, a bit farther out.

Awanacancha
This textile center is committed to keeping ancient traditional methods and techniques alive, using the wool of four varieties of South American camelids. Awanacancha is located along the route from Cusco to Pisaq, and it makes a rewarding (and free) detour.