Level 3 Certificate in Chocolate Tasting, 19 Jul 2026, Peru

Level 3 is designed as an intensive tasting and travel experience including learning about the culture, cacao and chocolate of the region with tasting on the move in real world situations.

The Cusco edition of Level 3 is tailored for those with a sense of adventure and a curiosity to explore the cutting edge of the center of the Chuncho cacao phenomenon. You will arrive in the highland city of Cusco, descend to the Sacred Valley for cultural scene-setting and then cross the Andes on the way to visit Upper Amazon cacao farms dotted around the Urubamba valley and world-leading craft chocolate makers in Quillabamba.

SIGN UP NOW WITH A $1000 DEPOSIT TO SECURE YOUR PLACE.

Level 3 Peru Chuncho is timed to include the Salon de Chocolate y Cacao in Lima, one of the most interesting chocolate shows in the craft chocolate world. The Salon is full of local chocolate makers and cacao farmers – many of them them making their own chocolate.

The Level 3 course is centered around a field trip into the Upper Amazon and will include short classroom sessions, visits to chocolate makers in Lima and Cusco, travel over the Andes from Cusco city to the Upper Urubamba valley and the Chuncho cacao regions around Quillabamba, including visits to cacao and chocolate production, indigenous farmers, field research stations and fermentation centers.

We will spend most of our time in the mountain valleys where there is always the possibility of delays and changes to our journeys and schedules. The best approach is to be flexible and go with the flow and to make the most of the local culture and genuine hospitality of the local community.

The course price includes hotel accommodation, all internal travel within Peru, lunches and travel snacks and most evening meals, with one or two nights reserved for a chance to explore the local cuisine individually, where it’s appropriate.

Flights and transport to Lima and transfer from the airport to central Lima are not included.

The course will take place directly following the Salon del Cacao y Chocolate in Lima, a public chocolate and cacao show that will also include the prize announcement of the Peruvian round of the International Chocolate Awards. Level 3 students can optionally arrive early to Lima and visit the Salon, which takes place 16-19 July 2026. Level 3 will include a visit to the Salon on 19 July.

Learning approach

Level 3 is structured as an immersive intense experience with a group project to help you focus on the culture and challenges in the region. Most tasting is deliberately experienced ‘on the go’ rather than in structured ‘sensory lab’ type situations, which IICCT considers the best way to extend your tasting skills at an advanced level.

The course will be taught in English and Spanish, depending on the mix of course attendees and will be led by Institute founding partners Martin Christy and Maricel Presilla in groups and collective joint sessions.

Included in the course

2026 Schedule

Please note, these days are provisional while the schedule is developed

Students will also have the option to stay in Cusco longer if they wish, and then receive a credit for the value of the flight if they don’t travel back on 25 July.

Other activities

Students can arrive in Lima early to attend the Lima Salon, where the prize announcement of Peruvian International Chocolate Awards will also be held.

Attendance at the Level 1 & 2 courses and accommodation, food and transport during the Level 1 & 2 courses, Salon in Lima and day trip to Machu Picchu are not included in the Level 3 fee.

Booking

Level 3 Peru costs $4,750 USD per person and includes hotel accommodation in Lima, lunches, two group evening meals in Lima and all food and hotel accommodation during the Cusco field trip. Travel to and from Lima is not included and is at the students own expense. Due to room rate policies in Lima and Cusco, there is no discount for shared rooms.

Please book using the button link below to register and pay your deposit.