Summary
- Day 1 : Arrive Lima
- Day 2 : Explore Lima
- Day 3 : Cusco
- Day 4 : Sacred Valley
- Day 5 : Train to Machu Picchu
- Day 6 : Free Day at Machu Picchu
- Day 7 : Cusco Free Day
- Day 8 : Fly Lima and Return Home
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
- Peruvian Traditional and Novoandina Cuisine
- Lima
- Cusco
- Sacred Valley
- Machu Picchu
Cultural ActivitiesIncludes cultural activities such as a visit to a traditional village or a local market to give a unique perspective.
HistoryVisit ancient ruins and historical sites.
GourmetIncludes components to suit fine tastes, such as luxury options or a specific gourmet culinary focus.
Details
Day 2 Explore Lima 
(B)
Start the day with your guide to explore the colonial section of Lima, the City of Kings. Visit Lima's principal attractions such as the colonial area's Plaza de Armas with the Government Plaza, the Cathedral of Santa Domingo, San Francisco Convent, and the Archbishop's Palace. We will then transfer to the Pueblo Libre neighborhood and the Queirolo Tavern for a chance to taste pisco, the national drink of Peru derived from grapes and frequently mixed with fruits and juices. Learn about the different cocktails and how this esteemed brandy is prepared and produced in one of Lima's historical taverns.
A short distance away by car is the Museo Larco Herrera, a private museum situated in an 18th century mansion that was built on an archeological site. The most extensive private collection of pre-Columbian art in Peru is on display. See more than 45,000 ceramic pieces, making it one of the largest ceramic collections in the world, and enjoy a superb variety of fine weavings and textiles. After spending time at the museum, enjoy your first tastes of Peruvian cuisine in this historical and cultural setting at the museum's Cafe de Museo. Enjoy the ceviche!
After lunch, the city tour continues to the bohemian district of Barranco, known as an artists' and poets' colony and for its cliff-lined beaches. Return to the hotel for a rest before an evening excursion and dinner.
Huaca Pucllana is an adobe pyramid built in 400 AD as an important ceremonial and administrative center due to its location near fresh water resources. The area was a fusion of fertile agricultural land and the bounty of the ocean, a great combination that maintains a place in modern Peruvian cuisine. Relax at dinner on the terrace at the Restaurante Huaca Pucllana, one of the city's dining surprises that overlooks the archeological site.
Day 3 Cusco
(B,D)
Andean history comes alive in Cusco. Quechua speaking descendants of the Incas fill the streets and markets, colonial churches sit atop bases of smooth stonework laid centuries before the Conquistadors, and campesinos (Peru's rural farmers) in colorful dress move busily back and forth across the plazas. Explore Cusco with your guide this morning.
In the afternoon tour Cusco's largest open market with your guide as you peruse the stalls and discuss the ingredients that have comprised the traditional Peruvian cuisine as well as the local produce that remains a staple of Novoandina cuisine. Fill up the shopping bag and make our way to A Mi Manera Restaurant that specializes in platos tipicos from the Andean highlands as well as creative dishes. Here you will actually go into the kitchen for a cooking demonstration and help prepare your own dinner. Sit back and enjoy your creation! To learn more about traditional dishes and view Peruvian recipes before your trip click here.
Day 4 Sacred Valley
(B,L)
The day begins with a visit to Chinchero, a typical Andean village known to the Incas as the birthplace of the rainbow. There is a beautiful combination of Inca ruins, a colonial church, traditional market (main market day is Sunday), and mountain landscapes. Visit the education facility in Chinchero for the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, a local organization committed to preserving the region's weaving traditions. Watch weavers demonstrate their craft and learn about the history and processes of Peru's most well-known art form. We will then walk through the countryside to the seldom-visited town of Moras and the pre-columbian salt mines of Moray.
This afternoon, we will visit a traditional campesino kitchen to witness rural cooking methods and ingredients that have contributed to the rise of Peruvian's cuisine. This experience will provide insight on how the Incas prepared food and the stories behind the traditional dishes. You will learn about the sustainable agricultural practices that has transcended generations, and the combination of flavorful, natural, and healthy ingredients that are found in the Andean highlands. Lunch is included at a rural restaurant, and we also have the chance to taste chicha and see how this ancient drink is made. Chicha is a fermented beverage similar to beer made from barley and berries of the pepper tree, Schinus molle. Chicha was an important part of many rituals feasts and daily consumption. The drink is still an influential part of today's local traditions and customs. Corn is the main ingredient in modern chicha.
Eventually, you will make your way to the living Inca city of Ollantaytambo where you can relax for the night.
Day 5 Train to Machu Picchu
(B) Follow the Urubamba River as it tumbles its way towards the Amazon and the sacred city of Machu Picchu. Ancient canals still bring water from the high mountains to the baths used by Inca priests. As visitors, you're welcomed to respectfully dip your hands in the cool water. After your tour of the Machu Picchu, you'll return to Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly called Aguas Calientes) to soak in the hot springs and dine on local trout fillets.
Day 6 Free Day at Machu Picchu
(B)
Today is your chance to watch the sunrise at Machu Picchu and to listen to the spirits of the city's past inhabitants before the hikers from the Inca Trail arrive. Later you can climb the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu or take a walk through the lush cloudforest to the Temple of the Moon. In the late afternoon you'll return to Cusco.
Day 7 Cusco Free Day
(B)
Today is free to relax and explore with your guide or on your own. Travelers can go on a city tour of the churches and surrounding ruins, such as the enormous Sacsayhuamán ruins that overlook Cusco (these ruins showcase building blocks the size of SUVs). You can also wander through the bustling Plaza de Armas in the heart of Cusco, shop for love potions in the local markets, or people watch from the cafes and restaurants that line these lovely streets. For those bursting with energy, horseback riding, mountain biking, or even whitewater rafting (Class III-IV) can be arranged.
There will be a farewell dinner with your guide, and the MAP Cafe at the Museo de Arte Precolombino (Do not expect a museum cafeteria as this is one of Cusco's most stylish restaurants) or the Cicciolina Restaurant are both great options. Toast to a great trip and the many tastes of Peru!
Day 8 Fly Lima and Return Home
(B)
Fly to Lima and connect with evening return flight. With more time, extend your trip to Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Nazca, Pisco, or the Amazon!
Tour Note - We thought long and hard about including meals for the culinary tour but decided that we wanted to promote flexibility for our travelers to choose their restaurants and menu items. For that reason, most lunches and dinners are not included. The establishments listed in the itinerary are great recommendations, and the guide will help personalize your experience and discuss the various options based on your preferences so that you can have a taste of Peru! Learn more about Peruvian cuisine and recipes for dishes you can experience in Peru by clicking here to read this article.
7 nights comfortable hotels
All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.
Two local flights, private cars, bus, train
Roundtrip flight Lima-Cusco-Lima is not included. Please add US$275 (specific flight cost is based on travel dates and availability).
Min 2, Max 12, Adventure Life Tour Leader/Guide
Personal Budgeting: Allow US$350 for meals not included, US$33 international departure tax, US$10 local departure taxes, US$80 optional excursions ($55/185 soles for return visit to Machu Picchu, whitewater rafting, etc.), money for souvenirs!
Share US$65, Single US$115
A comfortable itinerary of snowcapped mountains, ancient ruins and a vibrant Colonial city with a focus on Peruvian cuisine. Accommodations are in comfortable hotels and the pace of the tour is active yet not strenuous.
1 person US$50 each
2 or more people US$25 /person
