The Patacancha Valley is adjacent to the Sacred Valley and rises high above Ollantaytambo. These mountains are home to many remote Quechua communities. For centuries the Quechua communities of the Patacancha Valley have lived in relative isolation from the outside world. Many communities remain isolated, without road access, phone or electricity. Most have primary schools, as of the last 15 years, and there are two high schools in the region. Inhabitants speak Quechua; some men and children understand and speak Spanish. The economy is entirely agricultural, and until the past few decades, was based on a barter system. The Awamaki Weaving Project works in the communities of the Patacancha Valley, principally in the central community of Patacancha. The project is expanding to work in the other, more remote, more impoverished village of the region as well, such as Kelkanca. Our Sustainable Tourism Initiative works in the indigenous communities as well, operating a homestay program and a program of alternative cultural tours. Our health project is in the early stages of expanding work to serve the indigenous villagers of the region; we already serve breakfast to many Quechua villagers at the health post in Ollantaytambo, where people from distant villages come to seek treatment, but we are expanding to support the (much smaller) Patacancha health post as well.