Museum of living culture of Yucay
The Museum of Living Culture of Yucay is a great opportunity to learn about the customs of the peoples of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is located in the town of Yucay, one of the most charming and with the best climate in Cusco. The entrance to this place is free. Once inside, visitors will be able to learn how to read the coca leaf, the ceremony of payment to the earth, the salt of Maras as well as the typical dishes and drinks of Cuzco. It is a great option to learn about the culture of the Andean peoples.
All about the Museum of living culture of Yucay
Description
The living culture museum of Yucay is a cultural site that revalues the culture and traditions of the peoples of the Sacred Valley of the Incas such as: gastronomy, textiles, ceramics and more. Thus, visitors will be able to learn about some of the oldest practices of the local inhabitants, such as: readings of coca leaves, offerings to the land, tasting of ‘chicha’ (a drink made from fermented corn) and more.
The place is spacious and decorated with Andean themes. Like many houses in the towns of the Sacred Valley, this one has a breeding of guinea pigs and alpacas. The settlers weave their garments with fibers of this animal just as their ancestors did, by hand and having them naturally with vegetable inputs. It is a cultural immersion in the traditional towns of the Andes Mountains.
Location
The museum is located in the town of Yucay (almost 62 kilometers from the city of Cusco) in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
How to go?
First, you must take public transport from the city of Cusco to the town of Urubamba (the transport departs from Pavitos street in the historic center). Then you must take another public transport (or taxi) to the town of Yucay, located just 4 kilometers away. Once in town, you only have to walk to get to the living culture museum.
Most museums in the city of Cusco (Machu Picchu, Casa Concha museum, Inca museum, pre-Columbian art museum and more). The Sacred Valley of the Incas, in addition to the museum of living culture of Yucay, offers a few museums such as: the Inkari museum, the Catcco museum in Ollantaytambo, the museum and the botanical garden of Pisac and the site museum of Machu Picchu.
Map
The museum
- Interpretation Center – In this area the visitor will learn the secrets about the interpretation of the coca leaf as well as ceremonies of payment to the land, both practices that date from the time of the Incas.
- Spa and salt shop – The Sacred Valley of the Incas offers the salt of Maras or pink salt, one of the few existing in the world. This section of the museum includes a sales area – demonstration of the properties of this salt. It also includes a relaxation session.
- Demonstrative chicheria – This section of the museum exposes the preparation and properties of chicha, one of the most famous drinks in the Andes Mountains, which was also used in Inca times. Tourists will also enjoy this drink, made from fermented corn.
- Traditional oven – In this area, tourists will learn how most Andean towns prepare bread in the huge clay and stone ovens. Cusco is famous for producing the ‘chuta breads’, which have a sweet taste and a dimension of 30 cm. x 30 cm. approximately.
- Traditional ice cream parlor – Cusco is famous for its delicious ice creams made from different fruits such as strawberry, peach, soursop, banana and more. In this section of the museum, visitors will taste some of the ice creams made with these fruits. In the province of La Convección (jungle of Cuzco) one of the best cocoas in Peru is produced.
- Theme Bar – The theme bar offers a break for tourists. It exposes in a didactic way some of the most representative drinks and cocktails of Peru such as ‘Cusqueña’ beer, ‘Pisco sour’, ‘Chilcano’ and more.
- Specialized restaurant – In this section tourists can learn about some of the most representative dishes and ingredients of Cusco and Peru such as: potato, quinoa, olluco as well as fried trout, kapchi of beans, stew and more.
- Commercial zone – In the commercial zone tourists will be able to purchase some of the alpaca garments, ceramics with Andean motifs, typical dishes or drinks from Cusco.
How much does the visit cost?
The visit to the museum is free. Optionally, tourists can purchase some of the clothing or products for sale within the place.
Hours of Operation
From Sunday to Saturday from 8 in the morning to 7 at night.
Photos of the museum of living culture of Yucay
More information
The Sacred Valley of the Incas was a geographic area of vital importance for the Incas. There are several Andean towns of great tradition such as Yucay, Urubamba, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, Pisac and more. Each town has hotels, restaurants, museums and other tourist attractions.
The town of Yucay is not included in the classic tours to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Therefore, you can visit the Yucay living culture museum on your own or by hiring a tour guide and suggest going to the place.
Tips
The town of Chinchero has dozens of textile centers where, as well as in the museum of living culture of Yucay, visitors will be able to learn about some of the traditions of the Andean peoples such as: the traditional spinning of alpaca clothing, Inca ceramics, raising guinea pigs, alpacas and more.
In Inca times, the town of Yucay was highly valued for its fertile lands and pleasant climate. There the Inca Huayna Cápac built his palace as well as the Inca Sayri Túpac. Take advantage of your visit to the museum of living culture, to know some of the Inca constructions of the place.