The Pachamanca Experience Sacred Valley is where fire meets earth, and strangers become family. It’s not dinner — it’s an ancient Peruvian spell disguised as a meal, cooked underground, shared under open sky, and remembered for a lifetime.
Discover the Pachamanca Experience Sacred Valley — a soulful, earth-cooked meal shared in an intimate garden in Urubamba, Peru.
Rooted in ancestral tradition, this private culinary ritual brings fire, stones, native herbs and local warmth together in one unforgettable moment.
Guests help prepare the food, bury it in a sacred oven, and share stories while it cooks beneath the earth.
Hosted by Katherine and Isabela, this is no tourist show — it’s a slow, emotional journey into the heart of Andean food culture.
Ideal for travelers seeking authenticity near Machu Picchu or Ollantaytambo.
Reserve your Pachamanca Experience Sacred Valley and taste Peru like never before.
Cook with Fire and Earth-Bury your meal in an ancient underground oven with white-hot stones, fresh herbs, and patience. It’s more than cooking—it’s a ritual.
Dine in Nature’s Cathedral-Surrounded by flowers, alpacas, and the sacred silence of the Andes, you’ll share this meal in a private garden that feels like a hidden temple.
More Than Just a Meal- Weave bracelets with Doña Brígida, learn Quechua phrases, laugh with Katherine and Isabela, and break bread with wandering souls who feel like family.
Cook with the Living Spirit of the Andes– This Pachamanca Experience Sacred Valley is led by the direct descendants of the Inca—guardians of ancestral knowledge who keep the fire alive.
Join us for a soulful culinary ritual in the heart of the Andes—where fire, earth, and ancestral knowledge come together in a private garden surrounded by mountains and magic. The Pachamanca Experience Sacred Valley isn’t just a meal; it’s a slow, grounding journey into the flavors, stories, and spirit of Peru.
The experience begins with your pickup, which we coordinate according to your location:
🕦 From Cusco: Pickup is at 11:30 am from any hotel in the historic center.
🕧 From the Sacred Valley: Pickup is at 12:30 pm from any hotel in Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, or surrounding areas.
This will be arranged after booking, so don’t worry—we’ll take care of the logistics so you can simply show up and enjoy.
Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed into our home by Katherine, Isabela, and whoever else the day brings—a visiting artist, a healer, a curious traveler. You’ll help prepare the pachamanca by placing marinated chicken, native potatoes, corn, and herbs into a traditional earth oven. While it cooks beneath the ground, you’ll share stories, weave a bracelet with Doña Brígida, and sip a local drink in good company.
When the time is right, we unearth the feast and share it together under the open sky.
This is not a show. This is real food, real people, real Peru.
Once the Pachamanca oven is sealed, time slows down. You’ll feel it: the shift from traveler to guest, from observer to participant.
We’ll gather around a small garden altar or fire circle, depending on the energy of the day. There may be music, silence, or spontaneous conversation. We might share coca tea, or you’ll simply sit in the shade while the mountain watches. If the moment feels right, we’ll offer a small thank-you to Pachamama, as it’s tradition here when food comes from the earth.
Next, Doña Brígida will invite you into a simple but meaningful weaving session, where you’ll learn to create a handmade Andean bracelet. As your hands move, the stories flow—about the herbs we used, the childhood memories tied to pachamanca, and the Quechua words that hold whole worlds in a syllable.
As the scent of roasting huacatay and potatoes begins to rise, the earth will call us back to the pit. Uncovering the pachamanca is a communal moment—one that often brings laughter, awe, and hungry applause.
By 2:00 p.m., we feast.
You’ll sit at a long wooden table (or maybe on woven blankets beneath a tree, depending on the weather), and share a lunch prepared with intention, earth, and soul. There’s no rush. You’ll have time to savor every bite, to talk, to reflect, or just to listen to the birds and the breeze.
At 3:00 p.m., your driver will be ready to take you back, but something will feel different. You’ll feel rooted. Nourished. Lighter, somehow.
And that, more than anything, is what we want you to take home.
Book now to secure your place in this rare, soul-fed ritual. Bury your meal in the earth, laugh with locals under hummingbird-filled skies, and share a table with people who feel like old friends—though you met them hours ago.
Read our article about this experience
This isn’t just lunch.
It’s a return to fire, patience, and the magic of sharing.
🔥 Reserve now and let the Andes do the rest.
We recommend you book this tour at least 2 weeks in advance. If you have any extra questions about this tour please contact us or chat with us via +00 51 971 186 418
Use Code EARLY25: Book Your Exclusive Journey Now and Enjoy 5% Off. Secure Your Spot 2 Months in Advance for the Best Deal!
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When you join the Pachamanca Experience Sacred Valley, you’re doing more than sharing a meal—you’re helping preserve an ancient Andean culinary tradition that could easily fade in the rush of modern tourism.
Keepers like Doña Brígida, whose knowledge has been passed down through generations but rarely finds space in modern travel.
By contributing to fair compensation for traditional artisanship—like the bracelet you’ll make by hand.
Offering economic autonomy, creativity, and purpose to hosts like Katherine and Isabela.
One that slows down, respects the land, and values depth over speed.Your guides speak Quechua, Spanish, and English, ensuring an authentic experience where you connect with the land and its people — not just through translation, but through meaning.
Just Three Steps: Name, tour date, and email – quick and easy. Secure Payment: Through our trusted US platform. Simple Updates: Add your details effortlessly after booking.
Book with confidence – your adventure starts here!
Book with confidence.Enjoy free cancellation within 48 hours of making your reservation,giving you peace of mind as you plan your trip.For tours including Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, please check our booking and cancellation policies for specific terms.
Travel with confidence knowing that if your plans change, we’re here to make things right. With us, there’s nothing to lose – just incredible adventures to gain.
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Simply pay an initial deposit per person and pay the rest later.
Alvin C2024-04-26Verified ¡Un viaje absolutamente alucinante! ¡Qué viaje tan increíble! Brindan la mejor y especial experiencia a las personas interesadas en la comunidad Inka local. Nuestro guía turístico Rodrigo, ¡tenía años de experiencia en el área Inka! Tiene una gran red y conocimiento para describir y explicar todas las preguntas. Machu Picchu es el "lugar de visita obligada" en la vida. La vista es impresionante y absolutamente asombrosa. ¡Lo recomiendo encarecidamente! Emma P2024-03-25Verified Muy complaciente y conocedor. ¡Las experiencias PIE fueron increíbles! Nos encantó nuestro recorrido con Juan al Valle Sagrado. PIE también nos acomodó para recogernos y dejarnos en el aeropuerto. ¡Te los recomendamos ampliamente para tu viaje! martin c2023-11-28Verified Machu Picchu Machu Picchu es un lugar absolutamente fantástico, mi viaje no hubiera sido posible si no fuera por Katherine en Pie Expierences, ella organizó todo de principio a fin, incluso adelantó mi reserva un año debido a mi salud. Mi guía fue el mejor y, para colmo, el clima fue fantástico. No puedo calificar lo suficiente las experiencias de Katherine y el pastel. Brett B2023-11-24Verified ¡Reserva tu próxima aventura a través de PIE! Katherine fue increíblemente complaciente y comunicativa con respecto a mi viaje. Reservé mi viaje en diciembre de 2019 para realizarlo en abril de 2020, y luego llegó la pandemia. Ella respetó las tarifas cotizadas hace cuatro años para este viaje y me aconsejó bien sobre las mejores opciones. Habían surgido un par de problemas relacionados con que los guías no podían fijar fechas fijas y Katherine siempre tuvo opciones y soluciones sólidas. El viaje en sí fue único en la vida: la caminata de 4 días tuvo el nivel adecuado de desafío e interés, los 3 días en el Amazonas fueron alucinantes. ¡Recomiendo reservar tu próxima aventura peruana a través de Katherine y PIE! Rita G2023-09-23Verified ¡Compañía increíble! No te pierdas a jorge Pie Experiences fue increíble de principio a fin. Katherine y su equipo fueron los mejores. Reservamos en el último minuto y se aseguraron de llevarnos a Machu Picchu. Nos ayudaron con el proceso del boleto, conseguir el autobús y la guía. Nuestro guía Jorge fue inolvidable. Jorge estaba muy bien informado y organizado. Incluso nos recibió de antemano para coordinar la logística. En Machu Picchu Jorge no nos apuró y nos permitió tomar muchas fotos y respondió todas nuestras preguntas. Lo recomendaremos a nuestros amigos y familiares. alexmaknet2023-09-21Verified La mejor decisión que hemos tomado para conocer Perú — con Pie Experiences Con Pie Experiences reservamos nuestro viaje completo de 10 días a Perú, que incluía Lima, Arequipa, Cañón del Colca, Puno, Cusco y Machu Picchu. Permítanme decir esto: la decisión de elegir Pie Experiences fue la más importante y la mejor decisión que tomamos al planificar este viaje.Desde el principio, Katherine y su equipo fueron increíbles, ayudándonos y guiándonos a crear el mejor itinerario dentro del tiempo que le dedicamos a este viaje. Era nuestro primer viaje a Perú y queríamos ver las principales atracciones, sin saber qué esperar. El itinerario que Katherine diseñó para nosotros nos permitió visitar todo lo que queríamos y mantenernos dentro de nuestro presupuesto. Al mismo tiempo, el itinerario propuesto contaba con mejores hoteles y mejores arreglos que las propuestas de otra agencia. Los hoteles seleccionados por Katherine fueron simplemente increíbles, ¡y siempre cumplieron con creces las expectativas!El viaje estuvo muy planificado y todos los segmentos estuvieron muy bien unidos. De hecho, bromeábamos diciendo que el itinerario nos recordaba a la arquitectura inca donde todas las piedras encajan tan bien entre sí que ni siquiera se puede insertar una hoja de papel entre ellas. Eso fue exactamente eso con nuestras Pie Experiences: hoteles, aviones, tours y traslados fueron planificados al minuto, y siempre supimos lo que sucedería a continuación.Disfrutamos muchísimo de nuestro viaje a Perú: el país, la gente, la historia y la cultura son sorprendentes. Y no me hagas hablar de la comida, ¡es simplemente increíble! Pudimos disfrutar de todo eso y sumergirnos en una parte del Perú que hay en nosotros porque el equipo de Pie Experiences y Katherine pudieron organizar este viaje para nosotros. Ahora no podemos dejar de hablar de regresar y obtener más de eso, ¡y definitivamente lo haremos con la ayuda de Pie Experiences! admiller34042023-07-17Verified Excursión de un día a Machu Picchu Katherine pudo acomodarnos incluso en el último minuto, entre 5 y 7 días antes de nuestra llegada. Todo estuvo bien comunicado a través de correo electrónico y WhatsApp, y toda la logística de un viaje de un día a Machu Picchu con autobús y guía se desarrolló sin problemas. Jorge era muy agradable y fácil de tratar. Conocía mucho sobre los incas y Machu Picchu. ¡Estamos muy agradecidos de que hayan podido hacer que todo esto suceda para nosotros! Ceciliasanmartin2014-10-12Verified Inca Jungle Realizamos la semana pasada el Inca Jungle con un grupo de 10 amigos.Nuestro tour fue mas corto, por falta de tiempo. Frederick supo entender lo que buscabamos y armo el programa que exactamente queriamos hacer. Henry fue nuestro guia, por recomendacion del Eco Quechua, donde ya habiamos hecho reservas.Tuve un pequeño accidente en el descenso en bici, y tanto Henry como Walter siempre estuvieron dispuestos a ayudarme.El viaje fue increible, inexplicable con palabras. Nada fue el azar, nada se escapo de lo previsto, todo estaba perfectamente organizado y Henry se ocupaba de preveer que todo estuviera ok, adelantandose a cada paso. 100% recomendable, el mejor viaje de nuestras vidas. Marcela P2014-06-22Verified La mejor opción lejos!!!! PiePeru es la mejor opción lejos para hacer el Inka Jungle trail. Al principio pense que era un poco costoso pero valio la pena cada centavo invertido. Todo fue supremamente organizado. La acomodacion super limpia y con agua caliente, las actividades del dia a dia fueron increibles! (Lo mejor el zipline). Nuestro guia Henry sin dudas es el mejor, tiene la mejor onda y ademas sabe mucho de la cultura Inka. Lo que más me gusto es que se preocuparon en todo momento por conseguirme alimentos VEGANOS para mi dieta. Recomiendo esta agencia 200%. Gb A2014-02-24Verified ¡Genial! Todo preparado al milímetro. Grandes recuerdos del inka jungle. También felicitar a Frederick, un gran tipo, estuvo con nosotros en todo momento pendiente de hasta el último detalle.Ginés Bernal desde Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia, España
What is the Pachamanca Experience Sacred Valley?
It’s an intimate slow food ritual in the Sacred Valley, where you’ll help prepare and share a traditional Andean pachamanca cooked underground with hot stones, featuring chicken, cuy (guinea pig), native potatoes, and fresh herbs like huacatay.
Where does the experience take place?
At our private home garden in Urubamba, nestled between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. It’s not a venue—it’s where we actually live, cook, and share our culture with travelers like you.
How long does it last?
The entire experience lasts around 3 hours, from your arrival to the last bite and goodbye hug.
What time is pick-up?
From Cusco: 11:30 a.m.
From Sacred Valley hotels: 12:30 p.m.
Pickup coordination happens during the booking process.
Can I book the Pachamanca Experience Sacred Valley as a solo traveler?
Yes! Whether you’re traveling alone or in a group, we host 1 to 6 guests max per experience. You’ll feel like family from the first minute.
Is this suitable for kids or older adults?
Absolutely. The experience is calm, joyful, and engaging for all ages. Kids especially enjoy helping with the preparation and bracelet-making.
Is cuy included in the menu?
Yes. You’ll enjoy cuy (Andean guinea pig) and chicken, both marinated in local herbs and cooked the ancestral way. Vegetarian options are available with prior notice.
Is this an authentic Andean experience or something staged?
This is the real deal. We are a local family sharing our tradition, not actors. You’ll be cooking with descendants of the Inca, on sacred land, using techniques passed down for generations.
How does this support the local community?
By booking the Pachamanca Experience Sacred Valley, you’re doing more than enjoying a traditional meal—you’re directly supporting women-led tourism and cultural preservation in the Andes. Your visit helps sustain the education of the daughters of Doña Brígida—a proud Inca descendant—and other single mothers of the Sacred Valley who contribute their knowledge, stories, and strength to this experience.
This is slow food with real impact. Every bite you take helps protect ancestral wisdom and uplift the women who carry it forward.
Is the Pachamanca Experience Sacred Valley near Machu Picchu?
Yes. The experience takes place in Urubamba, a peaceful town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, located between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. Many travelers add this cultural food ritual to their Machu Picchu itinerary for a deeper connection with Andean traditions.
What makes this different from other food experiences in the Sacred Valley?
Unlike staged tourist shows, this is an authentic, private Pachamanca experience hosted by a local family in their home. You’ll cook and eat in the garden with descendants of the Inca, surrounded by mountain views and real Andean hospitality.
Can I include this in my Sacred Valley tour?
Absolutely. We coordinate with local tour operators and offer pick-up from any hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Many guests choose to include this as part of their Sacred Valley day trip or on their way to/from Machu Picchu.
What if I have dietary restrictions or food allergies?
Let us know during booking! We happily accommodate vegetarian diets, gluten-free requests, and other needs while maintaining the integrity of the traditional Pachamanca cooking ritual.
Is this a good alternative to a cooking class in Cusco?
Yes! If you’re looking for something more immersive and cultural than a standard Cusco cooking class, this is it. Here, you’re cooking in the ground, learning from locals, and participating in a spiritual Andean ritual—not just chopping vegetables indoors.
Do you offer Pachamanca cooking experiences in other parts of Peru?
Yes. While our most intimate and private experience takes place in Urubamba, we also offer a beautiful Pachamanca experience in Patabamba, a traditional Andean community located above Cusco. That version includes a gentle, scenic walk through the highlands, with breathtaking views and a deep cultural connection to the land.
Both are rooted in authenticity, ancestral cooking, and warm, real people—not tourist shows or restaurants.
Pie Experiences is a trusted South America tour operator offering local activities and authentic tailor-made holidays in Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador.
1 Review
We came as a family from the U.S. — my husband, our two kids and I — not really knowing what a Pachamanca was… and left completely in awe. Brígida is the kindest woman you’ll ever meet, and watching her guide the whole process — heating the stones, layering the ingredients, covering it all with herbs and earth — was something magical.
*The food? Incredible. Tender meats, native potatoes, fresh salad, and that smoky flavor only the earth can give. But what made it unforgettable was the view — eating on the mountainside, overlooking the Sacred Valley, at Katy’s beautiful home.
Thank you for such a warm, powerful, and delicious experience.”