An Amazonian House in Lima

This half-day experience is co-hosted by Mila and a female artisan from the Shipibo-Konibo community. Originally from the Peruvian Amazon, these women now live minutes from Lima’s historic center in the Rímac district. On the half-hour drive over, Mila explains why, over the past 25 years, people from this ethnic group have migrated from the jungle in search of economic opportunities while preserving their traditions, art, and language. The artisan welcomes you into her private home, where you step into a living Amazonian culture in the city and chat with her about her culture and art while Mila translates. She introduces you to the meanings behind her intricate designs. These patterns, known as “kené,” are painted from natural pigments collected from tree bark and plants and are inspired by nature and the life of the Shipibo-Konibo people. She then shows you how she creates them, painting a small piece as you watch. If you’re feeling creative, you’ll be invited to paint with her.

You might be surprised to learn that you can encounter the Indigenous cultures of Amazonian Peru in Lima, in a neighborhood few visitors find. In the Amazon itself, meeting them usually means traveling deep into the jungle. Here, it’s a rare opportunity to meet a Shipibo-Konibo artisan at home and hear directly from someone whose hands continue a tradition passed down through generations. The distinctive “kené” designs she practices go beyond decoration — they are expressions of cosmology, healing knowledge, and the spiritual relationship between people and the rainforest. Kené is closely tied to song, and some artisans sing as they paint. The Shipibo-Konibo community reflects the broader story of migration, resilience, and cultural continuity in modern Peru: it’s one of the few that has kept living together since moving to the city, which is how it has held on to its songs, craft, and language. Your visit supports the livelihoods of families keeping these Indigenous traditions alive.

Milagro Campos Llontop, Mila, is a Lima-based cultural guide, artist, and educator with over ten years of experience in heritage interpretation and socially responsible tourism. She studied Drawing and Painting at the National School of Fine Arts of Lima and holds a specialization in Sustainable Tourism. She has worked at several museums and archaeological sites across Lima as a guide and educational program designer and is one of the few official tour guides in the city specializing in Indigenous Folk Art. In 2022, Mila founded an art experience project in collaboration with master women artisans from the Shipibo-Konibo Amazonian community based in Lima. Working directly with the president of the community, the project supports cultural revitalization and generates direct economic income for more than 200 master women artisans. Mila hosts this experience in conjunction with a Shipibo and Spanish-speaking artisan, providing seamless translation and cultural context.

Bottled water. Handicrafts are available for purchase; payments are accepted by credit/debit card and cash (Peruvian Soles). All purchases further support the Shipibo-Konibo women and their families. However, there is no obligation to purchase anything.