His specialty is the glazed ceramic technique that became famous with the arrival of the Spanish colonists in the 15th century. He began researching this ancient technique in the early 90’s and has made it his lifes’ work to rescue this art from extinction.

Trained at the School of Fine Arts in Cusco his work has evolved using the glazed ceramic technique but with a more modern touch – bright colours and new symbols. His most recent work includes the ‘shipibo’ collection which melds Shipibo cultural elements from the Amazon jungle with his trademark pieces.

Famous for his Cusco bulls and hen series, pieces range from smaller figurines and decorative plates and bowls to larger pieces including urns and complete nativity scenes.

The new store in Urubamba displays similar pieces to what’s on display in the Cusco store so is a good place to visit if you have limited time in Cusco and want to pick up a unique, hand-crafted souvenir to take home.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• They offer worldwide shipping on their pieces so you don’t have to carry heavy items with you.

• If you have more time and are a ceramic aficionado book a visit to Tater’s workshop in the San Sebastian district of Cusco.  Book a visit by calling (+51) 84 506 228 to make an appointment.

See more of our top things to do in Urubamba

How to get to Urubamba & the Sacred Valley

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Andean Brews Exploration

This experience combines gently pedaling on e-bikes while you discover the epic brewing history of Peru. A must for all beer lovers this is a great way to spend a morning if you want to slow down and see some of the local countryside on two wheels. You will stop to have an Andean chicha brewing experience where you will learn about this traditional drink made from fermented corn and you will also visit one of Peru’s finest craft beer breweries.

Difficulty: Low

Duration: 4 hours (Departs at 10.30am)

Price: US$115 per person

Learn more and book here

Native Potatoes Exploration

This experience takes a step back in time to explore the fascinating agricultural heritage of the Andes. Learn how the picturesque Andean terraces allowed farmers to cultivate at such high altitude. You will also gently explore the local countryside by e-bike passing by fields of corn and quinoa and you will have a taste of the many potato varieties in this area.

Difficulty: Low

Duration: 4 hours (Departs 9am)

Price: US$115

Learn more and book here

Difficulty: Low

Duration: 2 -3 hours

Price: US$85 per person

Learn more and book here

More of our favourite things to do in the Sacred Valley

How to get to the Sacred Valley

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The Museo Inkariy, located on the main road half-way between Pisac and Urubamba is without a doubt currently one of the best cultural activities in the Sacred Valley.

Museo Inkariy is a giant of a project that has taken thirteen years from first planning its creation to finally opening its doors in 2015. It’s unique in that it is a) the first private-run Peruvian museum in the Cusco region and b) is more like a cinematic experience than a traditional museum visit. The museum is divided into eight different pavilions each showcasing one of the most important pre-Hispanic Peruvian cultures including Caral, Chavín, Paracas, Moche, Nasca, Wari, Lambayeque and Chimu and Inca.

Each culture is showcased in two parts. First, elements of each culture including dress, customs, beliefs and art are explained in an ‘ante-room’. You then move to the second part of each pavilion, where an iconic scene is recreated from each culture. The Paracas room recreates a typical burial scene, while the Wari cultural recreation showcases warrior making their weapons.  Statues and sculptures are very realistic with extreme attention to detail including wrinkles, tattoos and perfectly styled hair!  Even the body types of each character were meticulously researched to represent for example the body type and facial structure of a Wari warrior or an Incan ruler.

The museum was entirely conceived and designed and is now run by the Merida family of artists. Their vision is impressive. Each family member is an artist in their own right, trained in videography, film, sculpture architecture and publicity. The family’s CV is an extraordinary treasure trove of cultural contribution to Peru’s artistic and cultural heritage. Each member of the family has made this project a reality with Edgar Merida and Nelly Pilares and their four children Edilberto, William, Miguel and Paloma involved every step of the way from creating sculptures, painting the scenes, guiding visitors around the museum and the other thousands of tasks necessary to get a project like this off the ground!

Their vision is to show the world the most important pre-Hispanic Peruvian cultures in an entertaining, modern manner.  A visit to Museo Inkariy takes the form of a visual, sensorial journey. No lengthy historical explanations or boring guided tours to be found here. The whole visit of the museum takes between one – 1.5 hours and is unlike any other museum we have visited in Peru. You leave with a deeper knowledge of the huge depth of culture and history in Peru that goes well beyond the fascinating Inca culture most people come to the Sacred Valley to visit.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• This is an ideal place to take the kids for an afternoon. Exhibits are full of music, lighting and effects that will leave the kids open-mouthed!

• The Museum is also offering a rustic country-style lunch which includes a three course lunch and museum entry for S/.50 (Approx. US$14). There is also a café on-site serving drinks and light snacks.

• You can opt to have a guided tour or to visit the museum yourself. If you are a history buff and like to take your time reading all the exhibits, visiting by yourself might be the better option.

Click here for more things to see in Pisac

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The treatments themselves are developed using local ingredients such as quinoa, passion fruit, coca and gold and are guaranteed to leave you feeling relaxed, hydrated and soothed. They have developed a series of treatments to target specific complaints common after a trip to this region. The Inca Trail massage (as the name implies) is designed to ease out aches and pains in tired legs after hiking the Inca Trail while the passion-fruit facial aims to re-hydrate skin from the drying atmosphere found in the Sacred Valley. A full treatment menu with everything from manicures and hairdressing services to wraps and waxing is available.

We loved their excellent hydro-therapy circuit which soothed our aches and pains and left us feeling like jelly (in a good way!). The circuit takes an hour and starts with a steam and sauna in your own private steam room and sauna. Then you move into the hydro-therapy pool where a series of jets apply water pressure to different parts of your body before you take a dip in the hot and cold pools. To end the treatment you pass through a series of showers, again with jets aimed at different parts of the body and soothing chromotherapy light sequences before blissing out in the relaxation area.

Once were were suitable relaxed we headed to the pool area where a 20 metre heated bromine pool runs from inside the spa complex to an outdoor terrace with spectacular views of the gardens, surrounding mountains and the Vilcanota River. There is a ladies only area complete with Jacuzzi, sauna and again a spectacular view of the gardens while men have their own changing area with sauna.

For the romantics among you, try their wellness rituals for couples in their specially designed couple treatment room complete with sauna and jacuzzi and for those looking for something a bit more physical you can organize private pilates or yoga classes in the yoga studio or use the well-equipped gym – one of the only gym’s in the Sacred Valley!

The colours throughout the spa are soothing and luxurious, music is relaxing and the staff is friendly and attentive so if you are looking for a pampering, relaxing experience while in Urubamba don’t miss out on this fabulous spa.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• Book treatments three to four days in advance as this is a popular and busy spa. It’s also the perfect place to relax and unwind after a visit to Machu Picchu which can leave your muscles aching from all that climbing!

• Try the excellent hydro-therapy circuit to soothe muscles as you ponder the gardens and river below.

Click here to see nearby attractions and things to do in Urubamba

Information on how to get to Urubamba

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Colourful fruit and vegetables line up alongside large sacks of flour and gran which teeter beside rows of slaughtered guinea pig, chicken and beef ready for cooking. Household goods also make an appearance in the forms of lengths of rope, plastic buckets, sweeping brushes and various paraphernalia.

It’s a more authentic market experience than other more tourist-driven markets in the Sacred Valley like the Pisac or San Pedro markets and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re passing through Urubamba.

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Today, he has built up a beautiful ceramic business, which he says is more art than business using ancient motifs and techniques on modern decorative and utilitarian objects which are sold across the world. Buzz the doorbell to gain access to this unexpected piece of paradise where you are greeted by one of his smiling staff members who will give you a tour and show you how the ceramics are created. You can watch a video about the creative process behind Pablo´s work and of course you can browse the shop filled with exquisite ceramic dinnerware as well as more decorative ceramic sculptures and murals some even encrusted with silver. Parrots and a monkey live in the patio where a colourful ceramic pond and fountain soothe the senses after a bout of shopping.

These days Pablo focuses on creating his unique pieces of art and sculpture which are currently on display in the Chicago Field Museum and have been displayed in the past at the Smithsonian Institute and at the United Nations headquarters in New York as part of a Peruvian Art exhibition.

If you can´t make it to Urubamba, don´t worry because Pablo Seminario also have a small shop with a good selection of their products in Cusco at 244 Portal de Carnes on the Plaza de Armas or main square.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• This is the perfect place to buy some high quality, truly local souvenirs (all the objects are made with local Sacred Valley red clay) to take back home. The smaller items like hand painted oil burners and decorative wall tiles with typical pre-colombian motifs are ideal, portable gifts. However, should you fall for one of the bigger pieces in the shop they can also organize to have it packaged and shipped home for you. Easy!

Click here to see more great things to do in Urubamba

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Guides Americo, Marco and Cesar collected us from our hotel and took us to the launch point somewhere next to the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley. We all put on harnesses and helmets and after a brief safety demonstration we head off not entirely sure what the next few hours will involve. The nerves can be felt and the group is silent as we begin. 5 hours later e-mail addresses have been exchanged and we are all chatting and full of cheer after having climbed 300 metres up a vertical rock face before zip lining down a series of hair-raising cables attached only by a harness which you then slide across at high speed over distances between 100 and 500 metres long.

Our guides were extremely professional (and fun!) and follow strict safety procedures ensuring you are safe and enjoying your experience throughout the day. Via Ferrata and zipline is a great activity if you have a few days in the Sacred Valley, love adrenaline sports and appreciate a great view of the surrounding mountains. We particularly enjoyed the ‘Sheraton’ resting station which had an incredible view of the valley (cocktails not included!) and the ‘Hanging Bridge’, a metal cable which you gingerly step across while holding on to a second cable while suspended 200 metres above the ground.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• For hard-core adrenaline lovers and thrill-seekers opt for the zipline plus climbing option. This lasts for between 5-6 hours and includes a 300 metre vertical climb up a sheer rock face with the help of harnesses and metal steps followed by four zip lines and a rappel down a rock face before returning to solid ground.

• Alternatively, you can choose the zipline option which includes a 40 – 50 minute hike up to the starting point and a descent down 6 ziplines.

• This activity is NOT for the faint of heart and while it does say no experience required we highly recommend you have NO fear of heights and are in reasonably good physical shape particularly for the Via Ferrata option.

• For the truly adventurous book a night at their ‘Skylodge‘ a transparent accommodation cube suspended 300 metres off the cliff face!

Click here to see other activities and things to do in Urubamba

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