Oct 18 – Travel Notes
Some people come to the Sacred Valley for Machu Picchu…
And end up falling in love with the flavors.
Because here, in between clouds and mountains, you don’t just eat.
You live stories. You feel traditions. You connect with the land.
The gastronomy of the Sacred Valley isn’t just a luxury add-on.
It’s a sensory, emotional, and cultural experience — for those who crave something deeper, more intimate, and unforgettable.
Your fork is just the beginning.
🍽️✨ Let’s dive in:
1. Mil Centro – A menu born from altitude
📍Moray, 11,800 ft
I didn’t know what to expect from Mil before arriving.
But nothing could’ve prepared me for what it was.
This isn’t a restaurant. It’s a sanctuary.
Overlooking the ancient circular terraces of Moray, chef Virgilio Martínez (yes, the same visionary behind the world’s #1 restaurant in 2023) leads an immersive culinary journey that explores eight ecosystems of the Andes — from the jungle at 950 ft to the high puna at 13,800 ft.
Each dish is deeply rooted in the land, in the people, in ancient wisdom.
But what truly blew me away was the MIL Immersion experience:
You begin by walking through farming fields with a guide who explains how the landscape “talks” to local communities. You visit their fermentation labs, taste native ingredients, and witness how ancient knowledge transforms into avant-garde cuisine.
🧠 It’s a biology lesson, cultural insight, and fine dining experience all in one.
📅 Advanced reservations only. Worth every moment.
2. Hawa – From garden to table (and your hands too)
📍Tambo del Inka, Urubamba
I woke up in a luxury resort along the Vilcanota River, but what truly stole the show was this: harvesting ingredients from the hotel’s garden and cooking them with the chef.
At Hawa, you don’t just dine — you participate.
You learn, smell, taste. You feel the earth in your hands before tasting it on your plate. Dishes feature native ingredients like tumbo fruit, quinoa, and local chili peppers — all plated like works of art.
🍷 Pro tip: Try the tasting menu with wines from Peru’s Ica Valley. Unexpectedly delightful.
3. El Huerto – Natural luxury by the river
📍Belmond Rio Sagrado, Urubamba
Picture this: lunch in a lush garden with alpacas grazing nearby, overlooking the river, surrounded by wildflowers — while the chef prepares a traditional pachamanca in a clay oven right in front of you.
That was El Huerto. And it was pure magic.
Located within the Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado, this restaurant bridges fine dining with raw nature. You can handpick herbs from their garden, watch meats slow-roast over stones, and enjoy freshly baked Andean bread.
🌞 Perfect for a slow, indulgent lunch where time just stops.
4. Wayra – When dinner comes with rhythm
📍Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa, Urubamba
Wayra wasn’t just dinner — it was a full-blown performance.
The late afternoon began with a glass of wine and a crispy guinea pig starter. Then suddenly, Peruvian Paso horses began dancing to traditional music. The atmosphere shifted into something unforgettable.
Each night, Wayra celebrates the Andes: with music, art, fire, and incredible dishes that fuse tradition with innovation.
🎭 It’s a celebration of the senses, best paired with candlelight and good company.
And yes, staying at the Sol y Luna Lodge makes it even more special.
5. Hacienda Huayoccari – A lunch steeped in history
📍Between Urubamba & Pisac
This one feels like a secret.
You can’t just show up — it’s reservation-only, and when you arrive, you’re greeted by a member of the family who owns the estate.
You walk past flower-covered corridors into a colonial dining room filled with art, then out to a balcony overlooking the valley. It’s like stepping into another time.
Lunch is homestyle and heartful: stuffed rocoto peppers, ají de gallina, corn pie — served on vintage china, like a noble grandmother’s home.
🎨 Bonus: You can tour the private art collection before or after your meal.
Quiet. Exclusive. Unforgettable.
6. Hacienda Sarapampa – The soul of giant corn
📍Pisac
If there’s one place that made me understand just how sacred corn is in Andean culture, it was here.
At Sarapampa, everything revolves around the giant white corn unique to this region — from farming and storage to storytelling and cuisine.
You start by walking through cornfields and ancient silos. Then, on a beautiful open-air terrace, they serve a multi-course lunch that honors the crop: tamales, humitas, pastel de choclo, house-made chicha.
🌽 With advanced notice, they can also arrange Paso horse shows or private folk music performances.
A must-do for those craving slow, meaningful, culture-rich travel.
7. Alqa – Eat surrounded by living art
📍Center of Ollantaytambo
Alqa was an unexpected gem.
Right in the heart of Ollantaytambo, this small place is half art gallery, half restaurant.
You walk in and are greeted by vivid paintings, textiles, and sculptures — all created by local artists. Then comes the aroma of smoky spices and wood-fired cooking.
Each dish is inspired by a piece of art exhibited in the space. I had a quinoa risotto with local mushrooms and Andean cheese while a guide explained the symbolism of the weaving patterns hanging above me.
🎨 What I loved: After eating, you can browse the gallery or sip coffee in the garden.
A perfect cultural stop before catching the train to Machu Picchu.
Which restaurant is right for you?
Every place we tried in the Sacred Valley wasn’t just a meal.
It was a story. A feeling. A surprise.
It’s not about finding the best restaurant.
It’s about finding the experience that resonates with you.
Do you want to learn? To connect? To celebrate? To be surprised?
There’s a perfect place for every intention.
And if you need help choosing, well — that’s where we come in.
So…
let’s go taste the world, the right way.
With love,
Your Kada Travel Team ✨
