Mochila Workshop Bogotá: Weave a Traditional Colombian Bag

Weave a miniature mochila using the technique of four native tribes

A three- to four-hour class in Bogotá where you learn to hand-weave a traditional Colombian mochila from an indigenous artisan descended from Kankuama and Wayú peoples. You walk through the colonial historic center, then work step-by-step with wool and traditional patterns in the workshop, leaving with both the miniature bag you made and a full-sized mochila woven by women from the tribe.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cultural walk and bag workshop

• Meet guide at hostel
• Walk through historic center
• Visit indigenous artisan workshop
• Learn traditional weaving techniques
• Design miniature mochila
• Receive large mochila to take home

The experience

The workshop starts with a walk through Bogotá's historic center, passing through the sacred lands where the Muisca peoples lived. Your guide meets you at the hostel and leads you through the colonial streets before heading to the artisan's workshop in the Sierra Nevada region. This opening grounds the mochila itself in the indigenous cultures of northern Colombia (the Kankuama from the mountains and the Wayú from La Guajira desert), so the weaving you're about to do carries the weight of ancestral technique.

In the workshop, the artisan teaches you the traditional patterns and the hand-weaving method that unites four of the main native tribes. You work with sheep wool to design and create your own miniature mochila, learning the step-by-step process as you go. The technique is old. The instruction is live and direct, so you move at your own pace and ask as you work. By the end, you hold something you made with your own hands using a method that has survived centuries.

You leave with two bags: the miniature mochila you wove in the workshop, and a full-sized traditional mochila handmade by women from the tribe. That larger bag is not a souvenir. It's a direct purchase that supports indigenous families in the region, so the money you spend goes to the women who made it. An indigenous drink is included during the workshop.

What’s included

• Professional tour guide in English or Spanish.
• indigenous drink during the workshop.
• miniature mochila you weave yourself.
• full-sized traditional mochila handmade by women from the tribe.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Walking tour bogota by (The True Colombian Experience)

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose the language that fits your comfort level. The workshop moves at a steady pace over three to four hours, making it manageable for most fitness levels, though the historic center walk is part of the day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What is a mochila and why is it important to Colombian indigenous peoples?

A mochila is a traditional woven bag made by indigenous communities in northern Colombia, particularly the Kankuama, Wayú, and other native tribes. The weaving technique and patterns carry ancestral knowledge passed down through generations, and each design reflects the cultural identity and history of the people who make them.

Will I actually weave the full-sized bag I take home, or is that made separately?

The full-sized mochila you take home is made by women from the tribe and is included as part of the workshop. You weave a miniature version yourself during the class to learn the technique and patterns. The larger bag is a finished piece created by artisans in the community.

How long does it take to weave the miniature mochila?

The entire workshop runs three to four hours, which includes the walk through Bogotá's historic center and the hands-on weaving instruction. The weaving itself is paced so you can follow along and ask questions as you work through each step.

What happens if I have no weaving experience?

The workshop is designed for beginners. The artisan teaches you the traditional patterns and techniques step-by-step, starting from the basics of working with sheep wool. No prior experience is needed. The guide and artisan walk you through the entire process.

Is this workshop accessible if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

Yes. The workshop is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces are accessible. The historic center walk is part of the experience, so discuss any mobility questions with the guide when you book so they can plan the route accordingly.