A Culinary Adventure in Peru

DAY 1: Arrival to Lima private transfer to your hotel, overnight in Lima

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Lima. On arrival in Lima, you will be met by your driver for a private transfer to your hotel. Your hotel is located just a few minutes’ walk or taxi ride from some of the best restaurants in the city, in Miraflores.

DAY 2: Lima City Tour and Culinary Experience

After a Delicious breakfast at your hotel, we will collect you to begin our guided visit of Lima city.  We will begin with the Parque del Amor in Miraflores, which offers fantastic views over the Pacific Ocean. We will then have a panoramic tour of the Huaca Pucllana, a ceremonial site from the Lima Culture and in San Isidro, the financial Centre of the city, we can appreciate The Huaca Huallamarca, an ancient pre-Inca site of worship. We will then head to the Plaza de Armas, where we will find the Government Municipal Palace Municipal, and The Cathedral. We will then walk to the Santo Domingo Convent, who´s passageways were walked along by San Martín de Porras and Santa Rosa de Lima during the 17th Century and where their remains are to this day. We can also enjoy some of Lima´s typical street food such as churros, buttifarras and even a lunch time pisco sour, if you like! In the evening you will have the chance to dine at some of Lima’s famous gourmet restaurants on a culinary tour of the city.

Day 3: Fly to Arequipa and Cooking Class

Your private driver will transfer you to the Lima airport in time for your flight to Arequipa. Your private guide will be waiting for you at Arequipa airport to take you to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy an afternoon cooking class where you will learn how to prepare some traditional dishes of the region, such as Rocoto Relleno, Cuy Chacteado, Pastel de Papa, and Chupe de camarones as you enjoy the stunning white city of Arequipa. 

Day 4: Arequipa City Tour and The Santa Catalina Monastery

Today, after breakfast, we will head out on a City Tour of Arequipa and The Santa Catalina Monastery. Arequipa has a fascinating mixture of Spanish and indigenous cultures, still evident today, especially in the city’s stunning architecture. The “White city” is so called, due to the colour of the houses constructed from the volcanic ashes of the stunning Misti volcano, which can be seen on the Arequipa skyline. We will then visit the contrasting terracotta-coloured monastery of Santa Catalina that occupies an entire neighbourhood and is surrounded by large walls, making it one of the most fascinating religious buildings in all of Peru. Then we will visit the main square of Arequipa, with its historical colonial buildings and a beautiful cathedral that overlooks the square. In the evening we will enjoy the traditional Arequipeñan cuisine in the city.

Day 5: Colca Canyon Tour, La Calera hot springs, overnight in Chivay

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will head to the spectacular Colca Canyon.  We will climb in elevation to the Chachani volcano; with an impressive view of the Misti Volcano and the Picchu Picchu Volcano.  We will pass through the Pampa Cañahuas Vicuña Reserve, where we can see these magnificent creatures running free through the high Andean terrains and witness traditional Andean villages along the way. On arrival in the village of Chivay we will settle into our hotel and then enjoy a Colca Canyon lunch. We can head out on a short hike to see the fascinating ruins of then we will visit to the hot springs for a well-earned soak in the medicinal waters.

Day 6: Condor Cross and transfer to Cusco

At the pre-arranged time early in the morning, we will head to the Cruz del Cóndor (Condor Cross). We will await the magnificent flight of the enormous Andean condors which are close to extinction and are a symbol of The Andes Mountain range. The views at the condor cross will allow us to appreciate the vastness of the canyon which is one of deepest canyons in the world.  Being able to view the condors depends on the climatic conditions which allow the flight of these giant birds.  Being a product of nature, there are no guarantees of being able to see these birds but we live in hope!  We will then visit the villages of Maca and Yanqui, with their colonial churches and traditional customs and way of life.  After lunch, we will take an 8–9-hour journey in our transport to the city of Cusco.

Day 7: Cusco City Tour and 4 local ruins

After breakfast at the pre-arranged time, you will enjoy a guided visit of the charming city of Cusco, which was once The Inca capital. The tour will begin at The Santo Domingo Convent constructed on the Inca foundations of the Koricancha, one of the most important Inca temples, dedicated to sun worship. The ancient Spanish Chronicles states that the walls of this temple were plated in gold, covered with golden images of people and animals. We will then head to the Cathedral, the most imposing building found on the Plaza de Armas. We will then head to the San Pedro market will take you to San Pedro market, Cusco´s main market where you can try a range exotic fruits, enjoy a refreshing fruit juice or buy regional spices. Afterwards, we will visit the Cusco hills where we can find the Sacsayhuaman fortress, who´s imposing walls offer an impressive panoramic view over Cusco. We will then visit the Qenqo archaeological site, which was used for religious purposes and where it was though that the Incas performed sacrificial offerings for a prosperous agricultural year ahead. Our final visit will be to Puca Pucara, which translates to “strong red”, an archaeological complex used for military purposes, with different areas, plazas, baths, aqueducts and towers. Archaeologists believe the site was used for The Inca´s entourage, while the Inca himself, rested in Tambomachay. After the visit to these magnificent Inca sites, we will take you back to Cusco, where you may dine in one of many exceptional gastronomic delights in the city.

Day 8: South Valley of Cusco, Tipon and Pikillacta

The Southern Valley of Cusco is a lesser-visited area of Cusco, with impressive archaeological sites and typical cuisine of the region. You will visit Tipon, an Inca archaeological site as well as a small town to sample local delicacies and see a slice of day-to-day life with a visit to the market, and even sample guinea pig or chicharron! We will also make a stop off at Oropesa to sample the gigantic local bread, a speciality of Oropesa. We will also visit the pre-Inca siyte of Pikillacta with its enormous walls that protected the community from invaders. In the evening we will sample a traditional dinner show with live traditional dancing, costume and fabulous food!

Day 9: Sacred Valley and Pachamanca lunch

Enjoy a private guided tour of the archaeological site of Písac, which is a feat of Inca engineering with its magnificent temples and terraces.  You will then have some free time at the handicraft market down in the town and can try a traditional empanada if you are feeling hungry. You will then traverse the valley to participate in a typical pachamanca lunch that involves cooking local produce and meats in an earthenware underground oven, a little like a barbecue with local ingredients and with the stunning backdrop of the Andes. We will then visit the Ollantaytambo archaeological site to learn all about this Inca fortress that was built by The Inca Pachacutec. We will then head to our carefully selected hotel in The Sacred Valley of The Incas. 

Day 10: Machu Picchu

Today is the day you have been waiting and we will take you to the train station to board your train to Aguas Calientes, the small town at the base of Machu Picchu. You will enjoy a private guided tour of the magnificent Inca citadel. Enjoy the spectacular view of the river Urubamba that flows through the base of  this famous canyon. The Lost City of The Incas, Machu Picchu, will receive us with its impressive terraces, Inca stairways and ceremonial sites. Embrace the energy emanating from this magical citadel.  We will then enjoy lunch in one of the best restaurants in Aguas Calientes. At the indicated time we will return by train to the train station of Poroy or Ollantaytambo, where our transport will be waiting to take us to our Cusco hotel. Back at the hotel, enjoy a complimentary pisco sour at the bar and learn about the history and how to make this classic Peruvian cocktail.

Day 11: Free Day in Cusco

Today you will enjoy a free day in Cusco to take in the remarkable sighs in the town, buy souvenirs, do a cooking class or take an extra tour of your choice! Make the most out of this incredible Inca city by doing exactly what you want!

Day 12: Fly to Lima

Today is the final day of your Peru culinary tour with Kallpa Travel. We will take you to the airport for your flight to Lima and for your onward international flight. We sincerely hope that you have passed some incredible days, full of delectable food, new explorations and unforgettable experiences in Peru and that you will return home with Peruvian souvenirs, a lot of photos and incredible anecdotes to tell, about this culinary journey of Peru!

Included:

• 11 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected hotels in the category of your choice
• Professional English-speaking tour guide
• Professional Driver and private land transfers
• Round Trip Expedition Train to Machu Picchu
• Round Trip Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu entrance ticket
• All transfers and land transportation
• Executive tourist bus from Colca to Cusco.
• Entrance to the Calera hot springs
• Entrance tickets to all the archaeological sites and other attractions visited
• Cooking classes and meals mentioned in the itinerary
• Internal flights (Lima-Arequipa and Cusco-Lima)

Services NOT Included:

• International flights
• Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
• Tips/ gratuities
• Travel Insurance
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (please ask if you would like us to include this option).