Andean Cooking Classes

Cusco Cooking Class: Learn to Cook Like a Local in the Heart of the Andes

$112.00 / private service / 2 people

CategoryCultural

DurationFull day

RequirementsNo experience required

Type of servicePrivate

Novoandina cuisine is a Peruvian culinary style that combines ancestral Andean wisdom and customs with contemporary techniques to create healthy, beautifully presented dishes. It is based on the use of native produce such as potatoes, quinoa, purple corn, oca and tarwi — species inherited from our Inca ancestors which have been cultivated for generations using sustainable, respectful methods. The ancient inhabitants developed advanced agricultural systems, such as terraces, to ensure the production of healthy, nutritious food adapted to the high-altitude climate.

Visitors to Misminay and Moray can enjoy regional cuisine and learn about, and participate in, planting and harvesting activities depending on the season, just as the ancient inhabitants did using ancestral techniques. In Misminay, a living Andean community, visitors can learn to cook traditional dishes using local produce in clay ovens or pachamanca. We will also explore the ancient Inca agricultural centre of Moray — a very important archaeological site in the Sacred Valley of the Incas — known as an agricultural laboratory thanks to its system of circular terraces, each with its own microclimate. These terraces were used to experiment with different crops and microclimates, as well as to refine agricultural techniques.

This tour offers a profound, immersive experience of living Andean culture, connecting travellers with the land, authentic flavours and the Inca agricultural vision — a transformative experience that nourishes both body and spirit.

Overview

Itinerary

• The service

The service

1. Pick-up and departure to Moray
   Departure from Cusco to the Sacred Valley. First stop in Moray, an Inca agricultural center where microclimates and crops were experimented with. Guided tour.

2. Arrival at the community of Misminay
   Welcome by local families with traditional music. Explanation of their lifestyle, ancestral agriculture, and the use of agricultural terraces.

3. Agricultural activity (depending on the season)
   Participate in farm work such as planting, harvesting, potato selection, or grinding with mortars. Learn about the spiritual value that the Incas gave to the land and food.

4. Traditional cooking class
   Participate in the preparation of typical dishes using local products. Learn traditional techniques such as cooking in a clay oven or Pachamanca. Enjoy a community lunch.

5. Return to Cusco
   Return in the afternoon with spectacular views of the Sacred Valley.

Andean Cooking Classes map

Included & Excluded

You will find detailed information about the services included in our tours and hikes below. Please read the list of inclusions and exclusions carefully.