Visit the potato fields of Manuel Choqque
Step into the Peruvian highlands to meet Manuel Choqque, the visionary agronomist behind 300+ rare potatoes. Explore his mountain farm, taste vivid heirloom varieties, Oxalis wine and fiery uchucuta—ingredients coveted by the world’s greatest chefs.
Area
Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Type
Community & Culture
Food & Drink
Born in Cusco, agricultural engineer Manuel Choqque is recognised by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants as one of the talents shaping the future of gastronomy. Working at the confluence of science, sustainability and culinary heritage, he has devoted his career to safeguarding Peru’s extraordinary agricultural biodiversity through the study, preservation and genetic improvement of native Andean potatoes.
Over the past decade, he has catalogued and revitalised more than 300 endangered varieties, many once on the brink of extinction. By blending ancestral farming wisdom with modern agronomy, he enhances resilience, yield and flavour, transforming his high-altitude fields into a living seed bank and research centre. These rare potatoes are now sought after by some of the world’s most celebrated chefs, including Virgilio Martínez of Central in Lima.
Beyond the laboratory and the field, Choqque works closely with farming communities across the Andes, helping to reintroduce forgotten crops, support sustainable livelihoods and strengthen local food systems, ensuring that traditional knowledge continues to flourish alongside innovation.
A visit to his family farm offers rare insight into this remarkable work, with tastings that reveal the remarkable diversity of Andean potatoes and their role in contemporary cuisine. Highlights include Oxalis, a wine crafted from native tubers, and uchucuta, the classic spicy sauce traditionally paired with potatoes.
Set against the vast, dramatic landscapes of the Peruvian highlands, this is an intimate and inspiring encounter with a man quietly redefining how ancient ingredients shape the modern table.
Tours Featuring This Experience
Be inspired by the itineraries below which include this experience and let our travel specialists craft a bespoke luxury holiday for you.
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View TourThe Flavour Trail: Peru
Explore Peru through its food, from Lima’s hidden huariques to Andean farm kitchens and a tasting menu at Mil. Discover Machu Picchu, cook with local chefs, and enjoy insider experiences woven seamlessly into an iconic journey.
Recommended Hotels Nearby
A selection of luxury hotel options in the area, handpicked and recommended by our travel specialists.
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View AccommodationJW Marriott El Convento Cusco
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco — a restored 16th-century convent beside the Plaza de Armas — blends colonial grandeur, 153 oxygen-enriched rooms, a spa, curated Inca-era artefacts and gateway access to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
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View AccommodationSkyLodge Adventure Suites
Suspended 400m above the Sacred Valley, Skylodge Adventure Suites offers one of the most adventurous sleeping abodes in Peru. Enjoy breathtaking views, watch condors swoop by and get your adrenaline pumping as you climb to your hanging capsule to sleep.
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View AccommodationCasa Clara
A quietly restored 18th-century colonial mansion on the Plaza Nazarenas in Cusco — Casa Clara offers a curated blend of heritage architecture, boutique intimacy, refined comfort and effortless access to the city’s historic heart.
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View Accommodation
Hotel Sol y Luna
Set amidst the Sacred Valley’s rolling hills, Hotel Sol y Luna blends Andean heritage with contemporary luxury, offering a serene retreat.
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View AccommodationInkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Inkaterra Machu Picchu is located in an enchanting five-hectare cloud forest garden alongside the Vilcanota River and on the edge of the village of Aguas Calientes. A great base from which to visit the awe-inspiring ruins and lost city of Machu Picchu.
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View AccommodationTambo Del Inka Resort & Spa
A luxury retreat in Peru’s Sacred Valley, Tambo del Inka offers elegant rooms, exceptional spa facilities and refined local cuisine, set beside the Urubamba River and perfectly placed for exploring Machu Picchu and the Andes.
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View AccommodationSanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel
Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel is the only hotel located adjacent to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu and therefore a very convenient base for visiting the awe-inspiring ruins and the beautiful surrounding area.
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View AccommodationInkaterra La Casona
A 16th-century colonial manor turned 11-suite Relais & Châteaux hideaway. In the heart of historic Cusco, Inkaterra La Casona delivers old-world grandeur, heated marble-bath suites, intimate dining and soothing spa rituals.
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View AccommodationExplora Valle Sagrado
Discover Explora Valle Sagrado, a luxury lodge set in Peru’s Sacred Valley, offering immersive excursions, contemporary comfort, and curated Andean experiences for discerning travellers seeking adventure and exclusivity.
More Experiences in This Area
Discover more things to do in the area and chat to our specialists about crafting these experiences into your tailor-made holiday.
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View ExperienceAndean Drinks: Traditional corn beer and microbreweries
Discover Cusco’s brewing heritage through traditional chicherías and modern microbreweries, sampling ancient chicha de jora alongside innovative craft beers made with local ingredients such as Sacred Valley quinoa.
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View ExperienceVia Ferrata & Zip-Line Adventure
An award-winning via ferrata and zip-line experience high in Peru’s Sacred Valley, featuring a ladder-and-bridge ascent and a thrilling seven-line descent, with spectacular Andean views throughout.
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View ExperiencePachamanca Lunch at Piuray Lagoon
A traditional Pachamanca at Piuray lagoon, where food is cooked underground with hot stones. Take part in the ritual before enjoying a generous Andean feast with local produce, meats, desserts and drinks.
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View ExperienceMil Immersion Experience
Explore Moray’s landscapes, history, and ingredients through ruins, farms, and local traditions, culminating in tastings of unique spirits and an exquisite eight-course menu at MIL.
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View ExperienceInti Raymi Festival
Join Cusco's most spectacular living tradition, a full day of Inca ceremony moving from the Koricancha temple to the Plaza de Armas and the hilltop fortress of Sacsayhuaman.
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View ExperienceMachu Picchu Guided Tour with Lunch
Experience a full-day tour of Machu Picchu, starting with a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes. Enjoy a guided two-hour tour of the ancient ruins, followed by lunch before returning. Discover the wonder of this iconic site with ease.
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View ExperienceMountain Lodges of Peru
A lodge-to-lodge trek through Peru’s Andes, combining remote mountain trails, authentic cultural encounters and comfortable high-altitude lodges, culminating in a rewarding arrival at Machu Picchu with depth, context and understated comfort.
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View ExperienceTraditional Andean Wedding Ceremony
Celebrate your union at Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel, with a private Andean ceremony led by a traditional paq’o. Set against the Sacred Valley’s dramatic peaks, this soulful ritual honours love, nature and ancient tradition in unforgettable style.
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View ExperienceGourmet Picnic Lunch in the Mountains
An outdoor gourmet dining experience in the Sacred Valley, combining refined Andean cuisine with spectacular natural surroundings of mountains, lakes and open landscapes for a relaxed yet exclusive experience.
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View ExperienceCooking Class with tour to San Pedro Market
Discover Peru’s flavours with a guided visit to San Pedro Market, followed by a hands-on cooking class at Rooftop Kitchen Peru. Prepare a three-course Peruvian fusion menu and pisco sour while enjoying panoramic views over Cusco.
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View ExperienceFarming experience in the community of Huayllafara
An immersive visit to Huayllafara in the Lamay Valley, where local farmers share ancestral agricultural knowledge, native crops and traditions, complemented by a seasonal lunch and insights into traditional textile artistry.
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View ExperienceTribute to Mother Earth
A traditional Andean Offering honouring Pachamama, Mother Earth. Led by a pacco, this ritual reflects ancient spiritual beliefs rooted in gratitude, reciprocity and a deep connection to the natural world.
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