2 Days Andean Glamping with Locals in the Sacred Valley of Pisac

An unforgettable encounter with an Inca family in Viacha – absolute heartfelt recommendation Our stay with the Inca family in Viacha was without a doubt one of the most beautiful and authentic experiences of our entire Peru trip. Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the 18-year-old daughter Anelie as well as her parents Berta and Visitación. From the first moment on, we had the feeling of being welcome not as tourists, but as guests. We stayed overnight in a lovingly furnished glamping tent in the middle of the small village at an altitude of over 4,000 meters. The atmosphere was incredibly calm and pristine. There are no tourists here—to our knowledge, this family is the only one in the village that offers a glamping overnight stay. That is exactly what makes the stay so special. The family led us around their small property with its traditional adobe houses, the kitchen with a wood-burning stove, the guinea pigs, which are kept here as pets and as a traditional food source, as well as the stables. Everything seemed simple, but well-maintained and authentic. As a welcome, we were treated to freshly brewed chamomile tea from hand-picked flowers, home-grown potatoes, and homemade cheese. In general, almost all the food came from their own garden or the immediate surroundings. During dinner together, we got to know many traditional Andean specialties, including olluco, kiwicha, and various herbal teas like muña and sillunsillo. Every meal was prepared with much love and offered a wonderful insight into Andean cuisine. The warm village community was equally impressive. During our walk, we encountered only friendly people. Everyone greeted us with a handshake, asked with interest about where we were from, and wished us all the best. The encounter with two small children, whose radiant smiles I will not forget, was particularly moving. In the evening, we even tried our hand at the first words in Quechua. Our pronunciation certainly caused laughter, but at the same time, it created many heartfelt moments that will remain in our memories for a long time. Since temperatures drop sharply at night, the family provided us with hot water bottles as well as additional sleeping bags. I myself was still a bit too comfortable during the night to get the offered sleeping bag—that is why I can only recommend that everyone accept this offer. The next morning, I was warmed up again with a traditional ponche de habas. Additionally, they caringy placed a large Inca wool shawl over my shoulders until I was properly warm again. This loving attention touched me deeply. The second day was also full of special experiences. We learned a lot about the great variety of potatoes, beans, and grain types of the Andes, observed the feeding of the little guinea pigs, and learned about the traditional production of natural dyes from plants. Berta and Anelie then showed us how alpaca and sheep wool is dyed and processed into beautiful textiles. Of course, I could not resist the hand-woven souvenirs. A very special highlight for me was that Anelie even brought me a piglet that was only a week old to cuddle – a moment that I will certainly never forget. However, I was even more touched that Visitación went out of her way the next morning to get me a small Muña plant (Andean mint) after I had mentioned the evening before how much I would like to take it home with me. This warmth and thoughtfulness were anything but a matter of course. The emotional highlight was finally the joint potato-planting ceremony. Before the first potatoes were symbolically placed in the ground, we asked Pachamama and the surrounding Apus together for their blessing for a good harvest. Each of us placed three coca leaves into the ground. Being able to participate in this deeply rooted spiritual tradition was a great gift and one of the most moving moments of our trip. Anyone who wants to not only see sights, but truly get to know the lives of the people in the Peruvian Andes, should definitely spend at least one night with this wonderful family in Viacha. Here you do not experience a staged tourist attraction, but genuine hospitality, moving encounters, fascinating traditions, and deep insights into the culture of the Andes. For us, this stay was far more than an overnight stay – it was an encounter that touched us deep in our hearts and that we will never forget. Many thanks to Anelie, Berta, and Visitación for their extraordinary warmth and for letting us share in their lives and traditions.

(English below) We spent one night with the family of Mr. Visitación and were overwhelmed from the first moment by the incredible hospitality. You are not simply received here like a hotel guest, but welcomed as part of the family. The overall experience & the activities: Camping in the beautiful tent with a view of the Andean mountains is a dream. The family proudly showed us their everyday life – from traditional potato farming to their beautiful, handmade crafts (we could not resist and bought great souvenirs at very fair prices). Cute animals (guinea pigs, sheep, pigs) scurry around everywhere on the farm, which gives the whole thing a wonderfully honest, rural touch. Comfort & food: The home-cooked food was a solid 10 out of 10! We eat a vegetarian diet, which was absolutely no problem—they cooked something extra delicious just for us. Since you stay overnight at an altitude of around 4,000 meters (which you should keep in mind when preparing), it naturally gets cold at night. But the family thought of everything and provided us with hot water bottles, so we had a wonderfully warm and cozy night. Communication & Location: Although our Spanish is rather basic and the family doesn't speak English, communication was wonderfully easy thanks to their warmth and the use of hands and feet. The next day, we hiked back to Pisac directly from the accommodation on foot—a beautiful tour! A huge thank you also goes to Liz, who answered all our questions beforehand via WhatsApp super quickly, patiently, and helpfully. Many thanks to the entire family for this unforgettable experience. We would come back anytime! English: We spent one night with Mr. Visitación’s family, and from the moment we arrived, we were completely overwhelmed by their genuine hospitality. You aren't just treated as a guest here—you are welcomed like family. The Experience & Activities: Staying in the beautiful tent with panoramic views of the Andes is a true dream. The family proudly shared their way of life with us, showing us how they traditionally farm potatoes and presenting their gorgeous handmade crafts (we couldn't resist buying a few wonderful items at very fair prices). There are sweet farm animals all around (guinea pigs, sheep, pigs), which makes the whole setting feel wonderfully authentic and peaceful. Comfort & Food: The homemade meals were an absolute highlight! We eat vegetarian, which was no problem at all—they prepared incredibly delicious meals for us. Keep in mind that you are sleeping at around 4,000 meters in altitude, so nights do get chilly. However, the family took such thoughtful care of us and provided hot water bottles, ensuring we slept warm and cozy all night. Communication & Hike: Even though our Spanish is basic and the family doesn’t speak English, heart and gestures bridged any language barrier effortlessly. The next day, we hiked from the accommodation back down to Pisac—a stunningly beautiful trail! A special thank you to Liz, who was amazing on WhatsApp prior to our stay—super responsive, friendly, and helpful with every single question. Thank you so much to the whole family for everything. An absolute recommendation!

I’ve traveled a lot but few experiences have touched me as deeply as this experience. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed like family. The warmth, generosity, and authenticity of the hosts was beautiful. This is so much more than glamping—it’s an invitation into the heart of Andean culture. I learned about the deep connection the community holds with the land and the traditions passed down through generations. If you're looking for an unforgettable experience, this is it. Truly one of the highlights of my entire trip to Peru.

The infrastructure is spotless and, even if you are in a tent in a location far from the city, you feel like in a luxury hotel: An amazing view, super comfortable bed, blankets and warm, soft and clean counter comforters, luxury amenities... But the best part was the immersion with the locals. The kindness of Mr Visitation's family is amazing! Get ready to eat rich meals prepared on your stove, learn about the local culture and share beautiful experiences.