Beyond the Hike: Alpaca Expeditions Meets Surging Demand for Culinary Adventure in the Andes

VANCOUVER, B.C., March 11, 2026 – As the spring trekking season begins, Alpaca Expeditions, the award-winning Indigenous-owned Peruvian travel specialist, is seeing a significant shift in how travelers want to experience the Andes. While the trek to Machu Picchu remains a bucket-list staple, the operator reports that immersive gastronomy and cultural participation are now the primary drivers for their 2026 expeditions.

This shift is backed by the latest annual research from the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), which reveals that for the first time, culinary activities have overtaken traditional hiking as the top "wish list" item for adventure travelers. Alpaca Expeditions is meeting this demand by integrating interactive culinary experience such as, ancestral foraging, wine tastings, and guide and chef-led cooking demonstrations, into its rugged camp-based itineraries, proving that high-altitude adventure and traditional high-end gastronomy are no longer mutually exclusive.

Alpaca Expeditions’ Founder and Managing Director, Raul Ccolque, says, “We’ve always known that sharing bread with our guests and showcasing our culinary traditions was deeply impactful for our guides and travellers. It gives more purpose to the travel experience and creates deeper connections with our culture, something we value above all

Highlights include interactive cooking lessons and on select tours, guided foraging for native botanicals where guests can discover Lemon Beebrush, often used in teas and traditional fish dishes, or Andes Silver-Leaf Sage, a flavourful addition to stews celebrated for its medicinal and spiritual properties. Alongside various other naturopathic herbs, these botanical discoveries ensure each journey nourishes both the body and the soul.

Why Alpaca Expeditions Leads in Culinary & Adventure Travel

·       Immersive Culinary Experiences: The company has long integrated local food, interactive cooking demonstrations, and wine tastings on it select expeditions.

·       Local Indigenous Expertise: Guided by native knowledge, dishes are prepared using traditional methods to nourish trekkers in high-mountain terrain.

·       Farm-to-Table Meals: Guests savour dishes crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

·       In-depth Cultural Experiences: Visit small communities, meet local farmers, and explore ancestral culinary techniques.

·       Breathtaking Scenery and History: Trek with Indigenous guides through spectacular landscapes to discover sacred Inca ruins and picturesque villages.

To meet evolving travel trends, Alpaca Expeditions has expanded its Women-Led programming. This includes a new, 4-day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu featuring interactive lessons with a native Cusco chef, hotel stays, and Inca-inspired spa treatments, ideal for those seeking moderate trekking with curated comforts. Also popular is the Women-Only 7-day/6-night Salkantay Trek.  Led entirely by an all-female crew, this adventure features exclusive Hobbit House and glass cabana lodging, paired with high-altitude cooking lessons and Peruvian wine tastings. These journeys foster a unique empowering bond between female travelers and Alpaca’s all-women guides and crew.

Click here for more information on Alpaca Expeditions and various guided treks. For bookings or inquiries regarding permits contact Alpaca Expedition's local team via email at info@alpacaexpeditions.com