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 recognized 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 flavor, transforming his high-altitude fields into a living seed bank and research center. 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 Flavor 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 travelers seeking adventure and exclusivity.
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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 AccommodationInkaterra Hacienda Urubamba
Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba — a refined 5-star hacienda in Peru’s Sacred Valley — offers 36 stylish rooms and casitas, an organic estate kitchen, spa sanctuary, and sweeping mountain views for a serene, soul-soothing Andean escape.
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View AccommodationMonasterio, A Belmond Hotel
Belmond Monasterio — former 16th-century monastery turned refined hotel at the heart of Cusco — offers 117 historic rooms, a cloistered courtyard under a 300-year-old cedar, colonial-chapel splendour and effortless access to the city’s soul.
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 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 ExperienceSacred Valley Horse Riding
Spend half a day riding through the beautiful Sacred Valley on some of the best horses in the area. This is a lovely relaxing way to explore the local tracks of this traditional rural area, away from the crowds of the main sites.
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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 ExperienceUrubamba White-Water Rafting
An exhilarating and unique way to soak up the breath-taking landscapes and bountiful river of the Sacred Valley, with a dose of adrenaline to get things going.
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View ExperienceMountain Biking at Sol y Luna
Half-day e-biking in the Sacred Valley, exploring rural villages, farmland and mountain scenery. Choose gentle village routes, a scenic downhill from Misminay, or a cycle paired with a local brewery visit.
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View ExperienceChinchero, Maras & Moray (optional hike)
Lose yourself in a fascinating private guided tour to the local village of Chinchero renowned for its archaeological site and colorful market (best on Sunday), the Inca terraces of Moray and the astounding salt pans of Maras.
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View ExperienceMagical & Hidden Cusco
Uncover Cusco beyond its monuments, exploring legends, hidden streets and Inca-era stories before ending with traditional dishes and chicha at a classic picantería—an intimate look at the city’s living history.
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View ExperienceKm 104 trek to Machu Picchu
Plunge into an unforgettable 2 day journey to reach the iconic ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, combining the best of train travel with the KM104 hike taking in the fascinating archaeological site of Wiñaywayna to get a glimpse of the famous Machu Picchu.
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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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