Chokechaka Artist Residency

Welcome Guide – Sacred Valley, Cusco, Peru

Welcome

Welcome to Chokechaka Artist Residency in the Sacred Valley of Cusco, Peru. We are delighted to host you for a time of creativity, reflection, and cultural exchange.

Chokechaka is a space where artists from around the world come together to focus deeply on their work, while being supported by the beauty of the Andes and the warmth of our Peruvian community. Whether you are here for one week or one month, we want your stay to be comfortable, creative, and transformative. This guide has been prepared to make your journey smooth, your stay comfortable, and your residency inspiring.

Here you’ll find practical information — from transportation to daily life — as well as tips for working in the community and caring for yourself at high altitude. Please read carefully before you travel, and feel free to reach out with any questions.

BOOKING YOUR FLIGHT

Most international flights arrive in Lima, the capital of Peru. From there, you’ll need to catch a domestic flight to Cusco (about 1 hour 15 minutes). LATAM Airlines is the largest airline company that flies to Cusco. With the most frequent flights in/out of Lima and Cusco.

You can also take a bus journey through the Andes on Peru Hop, a hop-on/hope-off service from Lima to Cusco

  • We recommend booking flights that arrive in Cusco before 2pm. This allows time to meet German, our friend and trusted driver, and begin the 90-minute drive to the residency in daylight.

  • Please avoid arrivals after 2:00pm. If you arrive later, stay overnight in Cusco and travel to the residency the next day.

  • Cusco sits at 11,000 feet (3,400 m). It’s normal to feel the altitude, especially on your second day. Arriving earlier gives you time to rest and adjust gently.

Weather, Packing & Protection

Weather

Dry season (May–Sept): Sunny days, cold nights.
Wet season (Nov–Mar): Warm, with frequent rain.

Weather in Cusco changes dramatically during the day:

  • Early mornings (4–6 a.m.): coldest - 40sF/4C .

  • Mid-afternoon: warm - 60 to 70 F / 15-21 C
    - t-shirt weather (it’s HOT in the sun)

  • Evenings: cold again - 50s F / 15C

  • Bring layers and a backpack for full-day outings.

Sun & bugs

  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat or carry an umbrella for sun protection.

  • Bring high-quality sunglasses with UV protection.

  • Use sunscreen daily, even when cloudy.

  • At Machu Picchu, bring bug spray — the insects love ankles. Wear long pants and socks.

Packing checklist

  • Layers: t-shirts, sweaters, jacket

  • Wide-brimmed hat or umbrella

  • Sunglasses, sunscreen

  • Bug spray (especially for Machu Picchu)

  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • Backpack for day trips

  • Warm pajamas for cold nights

  • Refillable water bottle

  • Any special art supplies (though local stores exist)

  • Rain Jacket

  • A warm winter jacket that you can easily carry in a backpack such as a down lightweight jacket that fits in small bag

Location

 

Arrival & Airport Pickup

On arrival day, German will pick you up at the Cusco airport
(or your hotel if you’re already in Cusco). The drive is about 90 minutes through stunning mountain landscapes into the Sacred Valley.

Please plan to leave Cusco by 2:00 p.m. so German can drive during daylight hours.

Arrival Day Errands

On your way from Cusco to the residency, German can make stops so you’re comfortable and stocked up for your first days. Please let us know in advance if you’d like to include any of these stops:

Supermarket stop: A large supermarket in Cusco for a wide selection (including international brands). Or a smaller local market in Arin (near the residency) for the basics.

Currency exchange / ATM: Convenient stops can be arranged along the route.

Art supply store: For picking up materials in Cusco before arriving.

💡 Tip: Doing a supermarket stop in Cusco is often helpful, as local shops near the residency have limited variety and higher prices compared to the big stores.

Warm Welcome To Huaran

On arrival to the residency, you’ll be greeted by Enrique our residency manager, his wife Elena, their daughters Alexandria and Chaska, and their puppy Inti. You will also meet Enrique’s brother Armando who works at Chokechaka. They’ll be your Peruvian family during your stay.

Once you settle in you’ll be served a warm bowl of Andean Caldo de Gallino (chicken soup) and provided with a welcome basket filled with fresh fruit and local snacks. Every morning, Enrique will bring you fresh bread, and on your first day you’ll also enjoy a specialty loaf from Migas Café in Urubamba, one of the Valley’s favorite artisanal bakeries.

  • PLEASE LET US KNOW If you are a vegeterian and Elena will prepare a vegeterian soup for you.

Acclimatization to Altitude

The residency is located at 10,000 feet (3,050 m).

  • Take it easy during your first couple of days. Walk around and settle in but avoid strenuous activities until your body adjusts.

  • Coca tea is available and highly recommended for the first 48 hours — it helps the body adapt to the altitude.

  • Many visitors notice altitude effects more on the second day, so be extra mindful.

💡 Your best arrival plan: Rest, hydrate, drink coca tea, and allow yourself time to settle into the rhythm of the Valley.

Transportation

From Cusco to Chokechaka

  • Private Taxi / Driver

    • Cost: 250–300 soles (USD $65–80).

    • Travel time: 1.5 hours.

    • We recommend arranging with our trusted driver (German).

  • Colectivo (Shared Van)

    • Cost: 15–20 soles ($4–6).

    • Leaves from Cusco (Calle Puputi) → ROUTE: Calca/Urubamba.

    • Tell the driver to drop you at Huaran (km 56.8 on the Pisac–Urubamba road).

    • Affordable but rustic.

Getting Around the Sacred Valley

  • Mototaxis (3-wheeled tuk-tuks): 3–5 soles for short rides.

  • Colectivos between towns: 3–7 soles; safe and frequent.

  • Private taxis (in-valley): 30–50 soles between towns, or 200–250 soles to hire a driver for the day.

    Safety tips

  • Use licensed taxis or rides recommended by locals.

  • Avoid traveling alone at night. We can recommend trusted drivers to use in/around the valley

  • Keep valuables out of sight and carry small bills/coins.

Most drivers do not speak English. Learn basic Spanish phrases or use a translator app

Most Peruvians speak Spanish, and in the Sacred Valley, many also speak Quechua, the ancestral language of the Andes. English is not commonly spoken except in tourist services, hotels, and by some foreigners living in the Valley.

If you are planning research, interviews, or collaborations with local artists and community members, we recommend working with a translator.

  • We can connect you with trusted Spanish ↔ English translators available for hire.

  • If your project involves working in Quechua, we can also help arrange Quechua ↔ Spanish or Quechua ↔ English translators.

  • Rates vary depending on the project length and level of involvement — please let us know your needs in advance.

💡 Tip: Even a little Spanish goes a long way — locals appreciate when visitors try basic greetings and courtesies.

Language & Translation Support

Food & Shopping

You’ll find a range of options for groceries and daily essentials, from small neighborhood shops to larger city markets.

Local Shops (Walking Distance)

  • Huaran Main Road Markets (8–10 min walk)
    Several small shops where you can buy almost everything you need.

    • One shop caters to the foreign community in the area, offering organic products and specialty items.

    • Others are more typical Peruvian markets, with staples like rice, beans, flour, cooking oil, canned goods, vegetables, fruit, and snacks.

    • Prices are a little higher than in Urubamba, but convenient for day-to-day needs.

    • Further down the road in the direction of Urubamba there is a butcher and fruit market.

  • Small Corner Store (5 min walk uphill)
    A neighborhood shop for locals where you can pick up bread, snacks, drinks, and convenience items. Enrique will show you the way.

Bigger Markets

  • Urubamba (20 min by taxi or colectivo)

    • The largest town in the Valley, bigger than Calca.

    • Offers a wide variety of fresh produce, meats, grains, spices, clothing, hardware stores and household items.

    • A supermarket (near Banco De Credito) and many restaurants.

    • Best prices and selection for weekly grocery trips.

  • Calca & Pisac

    • Medium-sized towns with good markets and some specialty items.

    • Pisac is also known for its artisan market and handicrafts.

Food Costs (Approx.)

  • Fruit/veg at local shops: 2–6 soles/kg ($0.50–1.70).

  • 6 pane huaro (traditional bread): 3.5 soles ($1).

  • Local “menu del día” (set lunch): 10–15 soles ($3–4). (There is a local restaurant we recommend in Arin with a basic menu across the street from Alto Café. They will prepare vegetarian food as well)

  • Weekly groceries from the traditional market in Urubamba: 150–250 soles ($40–70), depending on diet.

Tip: For fresh produce, it’s often cheaper and better quality at the larger traditional markets like in Urubamba or Calca.

Life at the Residency

·Rooms: We have four Private bedrooms that sleep one or two people with en-suite bathrooms, hot showers, linens, and towels. Weekly cleaning, change of linens and towels included.  

We host between one to eight artists at a time. If you’d like to attend Chokechaka with other artists, please email us with this request. We are happy to change residency dates if your current dates do not have artists registered.

Internet: Wi-Fi available

Meals

Breakfast included daily (eggs, bread, oatmeal, coffee/teas).

Lunch can be enjoyed at nearby cafés like Viva Peru and Alto Café.  Elena cooks lunch daily for her family. You are welcome to ask her to cook for you for 20 soles. Meals are traditional Andean (meat, potatoes, rice, well-cooked vegetables). This may not suit vegetarians. Prepare you own meal, or we can also arrange a special Peruvian meal with a local chef upon request.

Dinner Cook in the communal kitchen, order delivery, or treat yourself to a dinner out at a restaurant.

Traditionally the main meal in the Andes is in the afternoon. Dinner is usually light, since digestion is harder at high altitude.

Kitchen & Cooking

The kitchen is fully equipped. If you need something not provided, please ask Enrique.

Washing dishes is everyone’s responsibility: please wash, dry, and put away your items.

Store fruit and food carefully to avoid bugs.

High-altitude cooking is different — boiling and baking times change. Check online resources if needed.

Water

FILTERED WATER IS A MUST!

The house has a Berkey filter for safe drinking and cooking water.

Please use only filtered water.

Please be Aware the filter needs to be Refilled often.

Please refill the filter carefully, and don’t let it overflow.

Laundry

A washing machine is available for your use, with soap provided.

Ask Enrique to show you how to use it the first time.

No dryer — we use outdoor lines. Morning laundry dries the same day; afternoon laundry dries by the next day.

Please be mindful if others are using the drying lines do not start a load of wash until the drying lines are available.

Bathrooms

Each shower has a gas tank for hot water. If the hot water stops, the tank may need replacing. Ask Enrique for help.

  • ⚠️ Very important: Do not flush toilet paper or anything else in toilet. Place it in the trash bin. The septic system is sensitive. This is common throughout Peru.

  • Toilet paper for guests is kept in the blue dresser, top right drawer in the dining area.

Comfort & Heating

Nights are cold at 10,000 feet.

  • Each bed has a down comforter, and extra heavy wool blankets are available.

  • We provide hot water bottles for warmth at night.

  • The living room has a wood-burning stove, and each bedroom has a small electric heater. Please ask Enrique to start the fire for you.

Workspaces

Each room has a work table and an area of sheet rock walls for pinning notes or drawings.

We have a 10×11 ft private studio for painters and messy work. It must be reserved in advance when you register. At this time, we have only one private studio, we are planning to build more studio space.

Shared work areas include:

    • Great room tables

    • Outdoor Gazebo

    • Garden spaces with movable tables

Art Supply Store

The best Art Store in the center of Cusco -
ARDILLA ART - Meson De La Estrella 156, Cusco 08000, Peru.
You will find other Art Stores on Meson De La Estrella as it is around the corner from the Cusco’s Art School/College on Calle Marquez.
All next to Plaza San Francisco in the center of Cusco City.

Community Connections

We are happy to help with introduction with local artists, scholars, or weavers before you arrive.

  • For specific collaborations, contact people in advance to ensure your project’s success.

  • Our neighborhood has a large international community. Good meeting spots:

    • Alto Café in Arin

    • Viva Peru in Huaran

    • Ipakura, a movement and sound studio which hosts fun local events

House Guidelines

Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m.

  • Be respectful of others’ space.

  • Always clean up after yourself in shared areas, kitchen, and workspaces.

  • Sheets and linens are changed weekly.

  • Armando collects garbage twice a week.

  • If something in the house needs attention, ask Enrique.

Health & Safety

Altitude: Rest, hydrate, drink coca tea.

Water: Drink bottled/filtered water only.

·Healthcare: Pharmacies in Calca/Urubamba; clinics in Urubamba; hospitals in Cusco.

·Safety: The Sacred Valley is generally safe, but use standard precautions.

Scorpions: The Sacred Valley has Scorpions. They like to hide in the wood pile. Please check your shoes before you put them on. Use caution if you are walking bare foot. The Scorpions in the Sacred Valley are not venomous, it will sting if they sting similar to a bee sting.

Exploring the Sacred Valley & Cusco

Near Cusco: Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay. Qorikancha and Tipon

In the Valley: Pisac, Maras, Moray, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, and of course, Machu Picchu

Archaeological Highlights

Hidden Gems & Natural Sites

Two remarkable yet less-visited archaeological sites await your exploration.

Urco, nestled at the foot of Pitusiray mountain, offers a glimpse into ancient Inca life.

Huchuy Qosqo, perched at 3,600 meters above the town of Lamay in Calca province, provides spectacular views and historical insights away from the usual tourist crowds.

Natural Water Sites

Take a peaceful walk to the waterfall in Arin

Venture to Laras Natural Hot Springs for a relaxing soak. For an unforgettable journey, consider the scenic four-hour drive from Calca, climbing through the mountains and descending into the lush jungle landscape.

Immerse yourself in local culture and history at these distinctive venues:

  • Museo Inkariy (Cusco-Calca Highway km 53) showcases Peru's ancient civilizations through life-sized dioramas.
    https://museoinkariy.com/

  • ALQA – Museo de Arte Popular Andino in Ollantaytambo celebrates Andean folk art. https://alqagaleria.com/

  • Museo de Sonido Hebe Almonacid in Urubamba explores traditional music and sound healing.

  • IPAKURA - Movement and Cultural Center, Arin
    https://www.instagram.com/ipakura.centrodeartes/

  • APULAYA Andean culture educational center in Calca. https://www.apulaya.com/blog/

  • CERAMICA RAMOS KINTU ceramic workshops close by. https://lhenriquesandrade.wixsite.com/ramoskintu

    • CERAMICIST If you are looking for a Ceramic studio to work in. We have a neighbor who has a ceramic studio and might be able to host you.
      - Please email us and we will inquire for you.

Museums, Cultural Centers,
Dance & Ceramic Studio

Machu Picchu Guide

A visit to Machu Picchu is often the highlight of a stay in Peru. Planning ahead is essential, as tickets and trains sell out quickly. Here’s everything you need to know:

Step 1: Booking Entrance Tickets

  • Tickets must be purchased in advance through the official Peruvian government website or authorized travel agencies.

  • Reserve 2–4 months ahead (or longer in peak season: June–August).

  • Tickets are time-specific: you must enter at your designated time. Once you exit, re-entry is not allowed.

  • Add-on hikes:

    • Huayna Picchu (2 hours, steep climb, limited availability).

    • Machu Picchu Mountain (3 hours, longer but less crowded).

Passport is required both to buy tickets and to enter Machu Picchu.

Step 2: Getting to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town)

The only way to reach Machu Picchu is through Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo).

Option 1: Train (most popular)

  • Taxi/collectivo from CHOKECHAKA to Ollantaytambo
     (45 min – 1 hr).

  • Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (PeruRail or IncaRail).

    • Travel time: 1 hr 45 min.

    • Prices: budget “Expedition” class $65–70 one way; luxury options $100–300.

  • Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes recommended to avoid rushing.

Option 2: Multi-day Trekking Routes

  • Inca Trail (4 days, 3 nights) – must be booked months in advance with a licensed operator.

  • Short Inca Trail (2 days, 1 night) – still requires advance booking.

  • Alternative Treks: Salkantay (5 days), Lares (4 days), Choquequirao (challenging).

Step 3: From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Entrance

  • Shuttle bus: runs continuously (30 min ride).

  • First buses leave around 5:30 a.m.; lines can be long.

  • Tickets: $12 each way.

  • Hiking option: 1.5–2 hrs up hill (steep, physically demanding).

Sample Costs (per person)

Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket $45–65 <> S/170–245

Huayna Picchu / Machu Picchu Mountain Add-on
$20 <> S/75

Train (Ollantaytambo ↔ Aguas Calientes, round trip)
$120–160 <> S/455–610

Bus (Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu, round trip)
$24 <> S/92

Taxi (CHOKECHAKA ↔ Ollantaytambo, round trip, private)
$80 <> S/300

Collectivo (CHOKECHAKA ↔ Ollantaytambo, shared van)
$3–4 each way <> S/10–15

Hotel in Aguas Calientes (1 night, mid-range)
$50–80 <> S/190–305

💡 Estimated total (day trip with train & bus): 
$270–330 USD (S/1,030–1,250) per person.
💡 Overnight trip: add $50–80 USD (S/190–305) for hotel.

🗓️ Suggested Itineraries

Day Trip (possible but long):

  • 5 a.m. taxi to Ollantaytambo

  • Morning train → Aguas Calientes

  • Shuttle bus → Machu Picchu

  • Afternoon train back → late return to CHOKECHAKA

Overnight Trip (recommended):

  • Day 1: Travel to Aguas Calientes, relax, stay overnight.

  • Day 2: Early bus → explore Machu Picchu, optional hike, return by afternoon train.

F.A.Q

Do I need Spanish?
Not essential. It is handy to know common phrases. Google translate is super helpful. We can connect you with translators.

Is internet reliable?
Yes. Wi-Fi at the house

What’s the weather like? Bring layers year-round.

·       Dry season (May–Sept): Sunny days, cold nights.

·       Wet season (Nov–Mar): Warm, with frequent rain.

Weather in Cusco changes dramatically during the day:

  • Early mornings (4–6 a.m.): coldest.

  • Mid-afternoon: warm (70s, t-shirt weather).

  • Evenings: cold again.

  • Bring layers and a backpack for full-day outings.

Can I extend my stay?
Yes, depending on availability. Please check with us.

Ongoing Support

If the directors Adolfo and Jennifer are not at the residency during your stay, please know that they are always available to support you. You can reach them easily through WhatsApp for text messages or video calls, and they’ll be happy to help with anything you need — from practical questions to guidance on your projects.

You’ll also have Enrique and his family nearby, who will gladly assist with daily needs and local support.

Closing Note

We are honored to welcome you into the Chokechaka community.

Here in the Sacred Valley — surrounded by mountains, traditions, and inspiration — you will find space to create, connect, and recharge. Whether you’re quietly focused on your work, exploring the land, or sharing with the community, this residency is designed to support you.

We look forward to sharing this special place with you.

Bienvenidos — Welcome!