Discover Shipibo Women´s Art in Lima

This was a fantastic tour. Mila is an artist and connected with the Shipibo women in the eastern edge of Lima. These women and their families moved here in response to the destruction occurring in the amazon-poisoning the rivers from industrial waste etc. This is an opportunity to actually see a community (homes, elementary school, women's textile cooperatives etc) and learn about their textile arts. We went as a family of 6. The women in the cooperative coach you in creating a small piece of painted textile (similar designs to in the picture) where the ink (from boiled mahogany bark and bark from other fruit trees) is painted on the fabric and then set with clay from the amazon. We also learned about some of the amazonian historical culture and symbols in their textiles. Amazing how these women are creating a community in a poor neighborhood while working to get their land protected in Amazonia. Ample opportunity to purchase beautiful works.

This tour was one of the most enlightening experiences I’ve ever had. I learned all about the Shipibo culture and my tour guide was so knowledgeable and passionate. I got to see firsthand their community in Lima and hear the touching story of one of their artesans, who is extremely talented in what she does. I got to create my own fabric piece with her guidance using the indigenous dyes and tools. The fabric artwork I saw by the artists there was some of the most beautiful I’ve seen in Peru so far! This was an important experience I’ll never forget and I’m glad I did it.

We had a fantastic time on this tour! The women teaching their cultural art are so warm and welcoming. We learned so much and really enjoyed working with them to create our own pieces. Our your guide Mila was fantastic too! We enjoyed her and this tour so much we booked 2 additional tours with her. I highly recommend this tour and this tour company for any guide services you need!

The experience is at the Shipibo neighborhood. It's not Miraflores. However, you are graciously greeted and they share their heritage of textile making. Then they sit with you to work on your piece helping you along the way. You used ink that they have made themselves from tree bark. You also seal the piece with Morgantown from the lagoon in their native territory. You finish with a wonderful piece of handpainted cloth worthy of framing. They share their story and even sing a song for you. The guide Mila is a treasure trove of information, fully prepared and providing you with background of what you are going to experience and even teaches you a few Shipibo words. We are very happy we participated in this experience.

Wow, what a meaningful experience. We wish we had done it earlier in our trip! It was so nice to be able to spend an afternoon learning about art, making art, and learning so much from Kiara and Karen about Shipibo/Konibo culture. This was a great chance to leave Miraflores and interact with some locals. Mila is such a lovely host and so incredibly warm (and Roddy amazing food recs!). We would love to come back and explore more of the city with them in the future.

This was really a fantastic and unique experience. It was lovely to meet the artists and be welcomed into their home. We learnt so much about the Shipibo and their culture, Mila gave a very thorough background and was very friendly and easy to talk to, not just on this but on many aspects of Peruvian life and culture. Highly recommended. 5 stars.

Visiting the shipibo community with Mila was the highlight of my time in Lima! Mila is clearly very passionate about what she does and truly cares about the communities and people that she works with. I spent a lovely morning with her learning about the history of the shipibo community, how they have adapted to living in the city now, and the deep meaning behind their traditional art, kene. Being invited into the home of one of the artisans, and learning directly from her was amazing, as well as hearing about her life and experiences! I also got to come home with a lovely piece of art to treasure, definitely recommend!

This was an absolutely wonderful experience from beginning to end. Mila is a great tour guide, she was generous with the information, friendly, punctual - great choice for us. She brought us to the community, which clearly knew her and had great dynamics, showed us around and then we went to one of the families for the workshop. What an absolute pleasure, to be welcome into their homes and witness their art, with explanations and with Shipibo stories and songs. It was a very, very moving experience. At the end, we could browse their art and purchase some, good way to also help the family directly and take souvenirs from a beautiful day. I can only recommend this, it will be both time and money well spent, and you won’t be unchanged at the end.

This visit to the community was an amazing experience! Mila taught all about the culture and history of the community, as well as the different plants used to make their art. Silvia welcomed is into her ho.e where she taught me how to paint their traditional designs. She is also a highly skilled embroiderer and bead worker. I loved her singing. The community was welcoming too!

It was so interesting to hear about the Amazon communities of the past. So sad that many people like Sylvia have had to leave. The artwork she showed me uses techniques she learned from her mother and grandmother when they all lived together in the Amazon. Techniques using natural materials found in the Amazon. Sylvia's artwork was skillful and beautiful. We worked together on a new piece. I really enjoyed drawing the lines and filling the spaces with symbols representing roads, trees, plants, animals etc.Very relaxing and therapeutic but fun too. A fantastic day that I will always cherish. Thank you so much Sylvia and Mila.