Peguche is a weaving village a few minutes from Otavalo, in Imbabura, and it is where Alpaca's ponchos are made. Here we work with artisan families who warp the threads by hand and weave on a loom. This article is written by Alpaca: we show you real photos of the workshops and what others have documented, and we flag what we do not know.
Where Peguche is
Peguche is next to Otavalo, in Imbabura province, in the north of the Ecuadorian highlands. A travel guide places it about 15 minutes from Otavalo by bus or taxi (Soleq Travel). It is famous for two things: its weaving workshops and the Peguche waterfall, a drop of about 18 meters considered sacred, according to Wanderlust magazine.
That same magazine says that before Inti Raymi, in June, men from Otavalo come to the waterfall at night for purification rituals, and makes clear they are not for tourists. If you visit, go with that respect.
What is known about the history of weaving in the area
What follows comes from journalistic and travel sources, not from a historical study of our own. Take it as context, not as the last word.
- According to Vistazo's report "Otavalo, between stories and crafts", the cloth and blanket workshops (obrajes) were established with the Spanish in 1582 and their output was sold to the Royal Audience of Quito and to cities such as Popayán, Lima and Potosí.
- Wanderlust says that wool weaving in the area predates the Inca conquest, and that later the local people were forced to work long days in obrajes during the Colonial period.
- Vistazo describes an Otavalo weaver who works on a backstrap loom and makes scarves, sashes and ponchos with sheep wool and camelids such as alpaca.
A useful clarification: today many workshops in the area use electric machines. An El Comercio report on Peguche says so, and so does Wanderlust. Not everything sold as "handcrafted" in the region is woven the same way. Asking how a piece was made is normal.
What the work in the workshop is like: warping and the loom
A poncho begins with two steps that are rarely seen in a store.
1. Warping
The warping frame is a wooden frame where the threads that will later go to the loom are arranged and tied, one by one. It is the foundation: the threads that run the length of the cloth. In our workshops this step is done by hand.
Real workshop photo. Here an artisan ties the threads on the warping frame.
Real workshop photo. Copper and light gray threads wound on the warping frame.
2. The loom
With the warp ready, it moves to the loom. Alpaca ponchos are woven on a loom. We do not tell you "all made by hand": the warping is done by hand, the weaving is done on a loom, and that is the exact description.
Real workshop photo. A loom weaving a purple and aqua green cloth.
The workshops we work with
The workshops of Sisa, Martha, Fabián and María Belén appear in the store. They are the artisan families we make the garments with. We do not invent stories about them, and that is why we do not tell you anything we cannot back up. More about us in our story.
What is made with those fabrics
| Garment | Size | Fiber | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ponchos | 96 × 126 cm (Spirit and Andean Shadow, 86 × 115 cm) | Most 70% alpaca and 30% acrylic; three, 80% cotton and 20% polyester | US$30 |
| Shawls | 180 × 60 cm | 70% alpaca and 30% acrylic | US$22.50 |
| Blankets | 2.30 × 1.55 m | 70% alpaca and 30% acrylic | US$29.25 |
They are not unblended alpaca. We say so because we believe buyers should know what they are getting. If the blend interests you, see pure alpaca vs acrylic blend. Prices change: the current one is in the store.
If you want to go to Peguche
- The waterfall: according to Soleq Travel, when you enter you register at the welcome center and an optional donation is requested. The place is cold and often rains; bring warm, waterproof clothing.
- The Friday fair: in 2020, El Comercio reported that about 80 weavers organized a fair on Peguche's Calle Central on Fridays, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the street closed to cars (report). We have not verified that it is still the same; confirm before you go.
- Other options: the Plaza de Ponchos market in Otavalo is bigger. Vistazo (2015) cited about 3,500 vendors on Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. To compare them: where to buy ponchos in Quito and Otavalo.
If you cannot go, we make the trip for you: what you order ships the next day and arrives a day later. See shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Peguche?
Next to Otavalo, in Imbabura province, in the north of the Ecuadorian highlands. A travel guide places it about 15 minutes from Otavalo.
Are Alpaca ponchos woven in Peguche?
Yes. We make them with artisan families in Peguche: the warping is done by hand in the workshop and the weaving on a loom.
Can I visit a workshop in Peguche?
The workshops we work with do not have visiting hours we can promise you. If you want to buy in person, the Friday fair that El Comercio reported and the Otavalo market are options; confirm days and hours before you go.
Are Alpaca ponchos unblended alpaca?
No. Most are 70% alpaca and 30% acrylic, and three are 80% cotton and 20% polyester.
How do I choose a poncho?
Read our guide how to choose a poncho: hood, open or closed, and sizes.