Travel to Peru: Discovering the Food and Crafts of the Central Sierra

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Many visitors to Peru fly into Lima, then quickly depart for other destinations, in particular Cusco to start their Machu Picchu trips.

But why rush your holidays? If you have the time, a more culturally enlightening way to get to the ancient Inca citadel is to travel first indirectly to the Andean cities of Huancayo, then Ayacucho, before reaching Cusco. Peru's central Andes harbor some of the most traditional lifestyles and cultural aspects unfound anywhere else in the country, particularly with the continually rapidly spreading influence of the modern world. Huancayo and Ayacucho are two of the most authentically Peruvian destinations in the country, where the people still speak the native Quechua language and the old ways are still preserved. This is all predominantly exemplified in the region's main foods and crafts.

If you want to eat like a real Peruvian, then indulge in a hot bowl of soup for lunch and dinner. Because the central Sierra is also one of the poorest areas of the country, many cannot always afford to buy clean bottled water for safe drinking, so they must boil their water. In the meantime, the people have learned to make the best out of the situation and create soup to accompany their meals. As well, the area can get dismally chilly in the winter and evenings due to its high altitude, so the soup warms people right up. Papas a la huancaina is another characteristic appetizer that supposedly originated in Huancayo, made of slices of boiled potatoes slathered in a mild cheese sauce. Cuy, otherwise known as guinea pig, is a local delicacy grilled and served on a bed of rice. Finally, there is trout. While the coast of Peru in locations such as the capital city of Lima seemingly subsist on ceviche, the national dish of raw seafood cooked in a marinade of lime juice, the Sierra regions enjoy trout from their Andean mountain streams.

Huancayo's Mantaro Valley as well as the Ayacucho region are also renowned for their precious handicrafts industry. If you travel to Peru and want to get the most unique gifts for friends and family back home, then the shops here should be visited. Little villages in the rural countryside is still home to artisans who have learned of their ancestors' skills as passed on for generations upon generations. Outside of Huancayo, for example, the town of Cochas Chicos is famous for its intricately carved gourds featuring designs of the tiniest detail. Other villages are known for their silver work, textile weavings, and more.

This article about Peru's central Andean region was written by a travel expert at Peru For Less who specializes in helping you organize best value Machu Picchu trips for your fully customizable travel to Peru.

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