Hi dden between the Andes and the Amazon rainforest, the small village of Huyro, near Quillabamba, is one of Peru’s best-kept secrets. Here, the lush landscape, warm climate, and rich soil create the perfect environment for growing some of the world’s finest cacao. But beyond its tropical beauty, Huyro is home to families who keep alive the traditional ways of farming, cooking, and living in harmony with nature.
With Kallpa Travel, travelers are invited to experience this unique corner of Peru through a cacao tour and homestay in Huyro; a journey that connects you directly with local farmers, the land, and the delicious process of transforming cacao beans into chocolate. It’s a meaningful adventure rooted in responsible travel and sustainable tourism, where every moment tells a story of people, nature, and tradition.
A Journey from the Sacred Valley to the High Forest
The adventure begins after breakfast, where your guide will pick you up in private transport. The route heads north toward the tropical valleys of Cusco, offering changing landscapes, from high Andean peaks to lush green slopes filled with coffee and fruit plantations.
After approximately four hours, you’ll arrive in Huyro, where the air feels warmer and the scenery bursts with life. This transition from the mountains to the high forest, known locally as the ceja de selva (eyebrow of the jungle), is one of the most fascinating geographical and cultural crossings in Peru.
Upon arrival, your host family will welcome you with genuine hospitality. You’ll feel immediately at home, surrounded by the laughter of children, the aroma of wood fire, and the vibrant colors of tropical flowers.
Living the Homestay Experience
A homestay in Huyro is more than accommodation — it’s a true cultural immersion. At Kallpa Travel, we believe that meaningful travel happens when visitors share daily life with local families, learning directly from their traditions and wisdom.
Your hosts will prepare a delicious lunch cooked over an open fire, using ingredients harvested from their garden and nearby farms. Expect dishes full of color and flavor — fresh vegetables, tropical fruits, and organic grains that reflect the biodiversity of the region. This shared meal is the first taste of what responsible tourism is all about: connection, authenticity, and respect.
Spending a day and night with your host family gives you the opportunity to see the rhythm of rural life up close. You’ll learn how families work together to care for their land, manage small-scale cacao production, and preserve ancestral techniques that have been passed down for generations.
For travelers seeking sustainable tourism experiences in Cusco, staying in Huyro offers an opportunity to give back directly to the community. The income from homestays supports education, sustainable farming practices, and local empowerment — ensuring that tourism benefits everyone involved.
From Bean to Chocolate: The Cacao Experience
The highlight of your stay is, without a doubt, the cacao experience. In the afternoon, your hosts will take you on a guided visit through their plantation. You’ll walk among the cacao trees, whose large colorful pods grow straight from the trunks, a symbol of life and abundance.
You’ll taste the fresh pulp that surrounds the cacao beans, sweet and tangy at the same time, a far cry from the chocolate we know. Then comes the transformation: fermentation, drying, roasting, grinding, and finally, tasting the rich, aromatic chocolate made by hand.
This bean-to-bar process is a sensory journey. The smell of roasted cacao fills the air, the sound of grinding beans echoes through the farm, and the first taste of freshly made chocolate feels like pure magic. It’s a moment that connects travelers not just to a product, but to the people and effort behind it.
This cacao tour is a reminder of how sustainable practices and traditional knowledge can create something truly extraordinary: a balance between nature, culture, and flavor.
A Restful Evening Surrounded by Nature
After an inspiring afternoon, you’ll return to your host family’s home for an organic dinner prepared with local ingredients. The conversation flows easily, and laughter fills the room as you exchange stories about daily life, traditions, and dreams for the future.
Later, you’ll settle into your cozy bedroom for a peaceful night’s sleep. The sounds of the high forest -crickets, gentle wind, distant water streams- create a soothing symphony. It’s a simple yet deeply enriching experience that stays with you long after you leave.
Why Choose Kallpa Travel for Your Responsible Journey
Founded by Domingo Atao, a Cusco native who grew up in an Andean community, Kallpa Travel is a local travel agency dedicated to creating meaningful, responsible experiences across Peru. The word Kallpa means “strength” in Quechua — a perfect reflection of the agency’s mission to empower local communities through tourism.
By joining this cacao tour and homestay in Huyro, you are not just visiting a beautiful place, you are actively contributing to sustainable tourism in Peru. Every visit supports the families who cultivate cacao, promotes environmental preservation, and helps sustain rural livelihoods in harmony with nature.
For travelers who want more than sightseeing, this experience offers a chance to connect deeply with people, flavors, and landscapes that define the soul of the Andes.
Plan Your Cacao Tour in Cusco
Whether you’re a chocolate lover, a nature enthusiast, or simply a traveler seeking authentic human connection, this Cacao Tour and Homestay is a journey that will touch your heart and taste buds alike.
Travel responsibly, support local families, and discover the beauty of simplicity.