Published by Team Tunupa / November 3, 2026
Smoke rises between the hot stones, the scent of huacatay fills the air and, when the earth is finally uncovered, out come juicy meats, potatoes, fava beans and humitas slowly cooked underground. Pachamanca is not just a meal: it is a shared celebration.
Here is its origin, how it is made and why it is one of the most special experiences in the Andes.
What pachamanca means
The word comes from Quechua: pacha means earth and manka means pot. It is, literally, an earth pot. It is one of the oldest cooking techniques in the Andes, in which food is cooked underground with the heat of stones previously heated in a fire.
It is prepared for festivals, communal work days and family celebrations, and is usually accompanied by a thanksgiving to the Pachamama.
How it is made
- Stones are heated in a bonfire until they are very hot.
- A pit is dug in the ground and layered with stones.
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes go in first, then the marinated meats, then fava beans, corn and humitas.
- Everything is covered with herbs, leaves, blankets and earth to keep in the heat.
- After an hour or more, it is carefully uncovered and served in the middle, to share.
The ingredients
- Meats: pork, lamb, chicken and, in some versions, guinea pig, marinated with herbs and chilies.
- Tubers: native potatoes and sweet potatoes.
- Fava beans and corn from the valley.
- Humitas, sweet or savory.
- Aromatic herbs: huacatay, chincho and muña, which give it its distinctive flavor.
Pachamanca and the earth offering
In many communities, a small ritual of gratitude to the earth is held before the pachamanca is opened. Coca leaves, chicha and flowers are offered as a way of giving back to the Pachamama part of what she gives. It is a moment that turns the meal into something sacred.
Pachamanca at Tunupa Sacred Valley
In the gardens of Tunupa Sacred Valley we prepare traditional pachamanca for groups and events. We also offer a combined earth offering and pachamanca experience, led by an Andean priest, so you can live the full ritual surrounded by mountains.
An ideal experience for families, travel groups and corporate events.
Conclusion: the earth that feeds us
Pachamanca sums up the relationship between Andean peoples and the earth: food is cooked in it, the earth is thanked, and what it gives is shared. Experiencing it means understanding Andean culture with all your senses.
A meal that is awaited, celebrated and remembered.
