We believe and it has been proved that indigenous wisdom and ancestral native practices have proved to be successful in the conservation of seeds, soil, microclimates, biodiversity, etc. Where most modern solutions have not succeeded, applying indigenous and ancient techniques in a modern narrative can be helpful on many levels. 

Set out on this journey to immerse yourself in the ways of the Incas in the Andes where local communities still adopt the ancient ways to live and move forward. Leading the pack is Manuel Choqque, saviour of the Peruvian potato. Considered one of the 50 most impactful people, shaping the future of gastronomy in the world, Manuel is a fourth-generation farmer from Huatata near Cusco. He focuses on the natural genetic improvement of native potatoes thereby creating red, rosé, white and sparkling wines that grace the tables of Virgilio Martinez’s award winning restaurants, Mil and Central, facial creams and natural pigments. 

The potato itself is more than 10,000 years old. From measuring time, to milestone rituals, and health and beauty these hardy plants were even the first “vegetable” to be grown successfully off the planet in 1995 and NASA intends on using potatoes for food on Mars one day! 

How does this plant that we all take for granted have such an incredible impact on the world and shaping the course of history?

How does such an important concept as the Quechuan ‘sumaq kausay’, ‘great living’,or ‘life in harmony’ be perfectly embodied in something as unassuming as the humble potato?

On this journey with Ubuntu, you will meet Manuel Choqque and participate in potato ‘saving’, wine making, cooking, making creams and dying with potato pigments too. You will meet the local Andean communities, hear their stories and learn how they still use ancient techniques and knowledge to farm, weave and live their lives in harmony with Pachamama. 

And bringing it all together is a very special culinary immersion at the award-winning chef Virgilio Martinez restaurant, Mil Centro where they strictly source from the ecosystem surrounding the restaurant and support the local rural communities. Interestingly, it is located on the edge of the Moray Archaeological complex – a place where the Incas carried out all their agricultural research!