DAY 01: DISCOVERING UMASBAMBA: ANDEAN TRADITION AND GASTRONOMY
- We start the tour at 8:00 am with pickup from your hotel, heading towards Umasbamba, located 1 hour and 20 minutes from Cusco. Upon arrival, the locals welcome us with cheerful, colorful outfits and offer us muña tea in the presentation hall to help us acclimate.
- We explore the plantations, participate in agricultural activities according to the Andean calendar, and immerse ourselves in the community’s daily life, from collecting firewood to dyeing wool. Additionally, we are amazed by the beauty of the Piuray lagoon.
- During the visit, we enjoy a tasting of Andean products such as potatoes, oca, añu, broad beans, among others. The Andean lunch is a complete experience with an appetizer, main course, and drink, all prepared with local products. We attend demonstrations of various guinea pigs, weaving, and the preparation of chicha, the sacred drink of the Incas, among other enriching activities.
- At the end of this unforgettable day, we bid farewell with gratitude to our host family and begin the return journey to the city of Cusco in our private transport.
Andean Agricultural Calendar. -
The Andean calendar is a temporal system used by indigenous cultures of the Andes, such as the Incas. Unlike the Western calendar of 365 days, it is based on agricultural and lunar cycles. It is connected to nature, agriculture, and rituals. Each month is associated with agricultural events and celebrations. Additionally, it has a connection with astronomical observation, guiding daily activities, agricultural practices, and spiritual ceremonies. There are variations of the Andean calendar, adapted by various Andean communities.
- August:
- Preparation of the planting fields. Planting of native potatoes and others. Irrigation of native potatoes and others.
- September:
- First hilling of the potato before it begins to flower.
- October:
- Second hilling of the potato.
- December:
- Harvest of the first potato crop. Planting of grasses as fertilizer for the second potato planting.
- January:
- Planting of potatoes. Irrigation of potatoes.
- February:
- First hilling of the potato before it begins to flower.
- March:
- Second hilling of the potato.
- April:
- Harvest of the second potato crop.
- June:
- Production of chuño, moraya, and frozen potatoes, among other activities.
- July:
- Continuation of the production of chuño, moraya, and frozen potatoes, among other activities.
