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The Guardians of the Potato Park & its Biodiversity

Man wearing a Peruvian traditional attire showing a fresh potato
Peter
 - 
July 15, 2023
 - 
14 min. read
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Cusco · Peru
#MindfulMatters
#FoodForThought
#LearnFromLocals
#ImpactfulTravel

In an era where large corporations are increasingly dominating the agricultural landscape, the future of small rural farms hangs in uncertainty. Industrial agriculture prioritizes profits and quantity, often neglecting the well-being of our environment and the quality of our produce. However, amidst these challenges, there are unsung heroes

The 5 small Andean communities which make up the ‘Potato Park’ are a perfect example of such heroes. Even though the name ‘potato park’ may sound like a touristic experience, it is far from it. Located in the Cusco region, the communities of the potato park aim to preserve their great diversity of potato varieties to safeguard them for future generations. I was looking for an authentic encounter away from the tourist crowds and my visit to the Potato Park was exactly what I needed.

Two ladies in traditional attire and one man of the community of Paru Paru, Potato Park Peru

The Communities

In Parque de la Papa, the five communities alone are sitting on a treasure of more than 700 natural species, which they are happy to share - just like the sustainable traditions in the Andes have always instructed. The communities are open to tourists and the inhabitants are happy about the interest and appreciation they receive for their work.

Our first stop

The starting point for our visit was the community of Pisac in the Sacred Valley. Here, our host and guide, Mariano was waiting for us in the morning. We then drove uphill for about 30 minutes to reach the Parque de la Papa. Our first stop was at a viewpoint of the Amaru community. Here a small delegation welcomed us with flowers and even two musicians. I'm not a fan of ceremonies, but you could tell it was genuine and an important act for the locals.

Tall man standing across the hosts of the Paru Paru community in the Potato Park - Peru
Welcoming ceremony in Amaru

The project

Here we also met Jhon, who is responsible for the tourism activities within the Parque de la Papa. Together with Mariano, he accompanied us for the rest of the day. During a short introduction, we learned about the history of the project - which was developed in cooperation with the NGO Andes, the participating communities, and the goals. The conservation of the potato species is only one aspect of a responsible and sustainable relationship with nature. For example, no wild animals are to be hunted, as they play an important role in the cycle of nature.

Three members of the Paru Paru community explaining the collaboration system in Potato Park
Hands holding fresh potatoes
Member of the community of Paru Paru explaining about the different sorts avaialble in the Potato Park, Cusco
Setours team listening to the explanations of the community in the Potato Park
Setours team listening to the explanatations of the community in the Potato Park

Learning about Peru's most important vegetable

Afterward, we continued by car a short distance to the potato laboratory and greenhouse, in Paru Paru. In beautiful sunshine, we gathered in the lush courtyard and listened to Jhon and Mariano, who shared some of their rich knowledge with us potato amateurs. We then went into the greenhouse to see how the different varieties are multiplied and cultivated.

Tourist with a member of Paru Paru community in the Potato Park explaining in a greenhouse climate conditions for potatos

Time to taste some potatoes!

But enough of theory, now finally we had an opportunity to taste some of these amazing varieties. A young lady surprised us with a "huatia", the traditional preparation of potatoes while working in the fields. The potatoes are cooked in a hot earth oven and then eaten together with an herbal sauce or cheese. What can I say? Incredibly delicious, I couldn't have dreamt of anything better. The colors were particularly intriguing; some potatoes had a dark purple color on the inside, which I had never seen before.

Tourist with members of the Paru Paru community tasting fresh cooked potatoes with a typical sauce in the Potato Park
Hands peeling a purple potato during a tasting in the Potato Park, Cusco

Exploring the lagoons of the Parque de la Papa

Freshly nourished, we began the active part of our tour with a hike around the lagoons located in the Parque de la Papa. We started at the Azul Qocha lagoon, which is a spectacular sight itself. Mariano told us about a small hidden lagoon called Puma Qocha further uphill. Feeling energized by our potato tasting, we decided to incorporate this detour into our hike and definitely didn't regret it. Amid the secluded landscape, this gorgeous dark blue lagoon sits enthroned above its bigger sister, Azul Qocha.

Three men hiking within the Potato Park in Cusco
Hiking in the pristine Potato Park
Tourist bending down to take close up pictures of alpacas in Azul Qocha Lagoon, Potato Park Cusco
Azul Qocha Lagoon
Puma Qocha lagoon

Heading back, we met a few shepherds who graze sheep, llamas, and alpacas here, sometimes on extremely steep terrain. A few hours of a stunning hike later, we reached the last lagoon of our trek, Kinsa Qocha. This double lagoon fascinated me particularly because of the different colors and their gradients. Luckily, we were able to take some spectacular photos of the lagoons, as putting their beauty into words is challenging.

The double lagoon of Kinsa Qocha

When we reached the final section of the lagoon, our well-deserved lunch was waiting for us. Of course, everything revolved around potatoes again. We even had a sweet potato crème for dessert and a "Papa Sour" (the potato version of the Pisco Sour) to go with it.

Main course served at the Potato Park consisting of steak, salad, 2 potatoes and quinoa side
Our main course in the community of Chahuaytire

Weaving demonstration in Pampallaqta

Refreshed, we then drove on to the community of Pampallaqta, the highest village in the potato park. The storehouse for the various potato bulbs is also located here, as the cold temperatures ensure optimal preservation. We were then met by some ladies who showed us the traditional processes of spinning, dyeing, and weaving. The techniques they use, follow the same techniques passed down from generation to generation.

A man and a woman laughing with a local lady of Pampallaqta community within Potato Park, while she explains about natural colors used in her textiles
wool balls shown during a textile workshop in the Potato Park, Cusco
Hands working on a handmade textile with local patterns in Pampallaqta, Potato Park Cusco
Female hands weaving with a waist loom in the Potato Park, Cusco

Medicinal herbs in Sacaca

Our last stop was in Sacaca, where a group of women is working on the cultivation and use of medicinal herbs. We learned about the different curative uses of the herbs, which have always played an essential role in traditional Andean medicine. Today, the ladies process the herbs into various teas and medicinal balms. We were able to buy these interesting products directly from them.

As we reached the end of an intensive yet fascinating day, we said farewell to Jhon and Mariano. Hopefully, this article will also spark the interest of a reader, who would like to see and support this project firsthand.

Lady and man wearing Andean traditional attires explaining about medicinal herbs in the Potato Park
Lady giving a bag containing medicinal herbs to a tourist in the Potato Park

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