Peruvian Gastro Tour, Private Tour

Peru is quite a spectacular destination as you will discover during this fascinating eight-day tour exploring the country. See modern Lima and its different neighbourhoods and enjoy an entertaining and delicious culinary tour. Then visit the Imperial City, discover the exquisite cuisine at various culinary museums, and tour the beautiful historic centre of the city with its quaint squares and old residences. Have the most surprising adventure discovering Machu Picchu, the mesmerising lost city located on top of an Andean peak. Join this tour and have a memorable Peruvian experience! 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Lima: The capital’s architectural ensemble has earned it UNESCO World Heritage Site status, with attractions such as the Casa Aliaga, the Cathedral and the Main Square.

Cusco: Discover the former Inca capital, where the ruins of the former civilisation and the Spanish colonial legacy provide impressive attractions such as the baroque Cathedral, the Sacsayhuaman, as well as Puka Pukara archaeological sites.

Machu Picchu: The lost city of the Incas is hidden on top of an Andean peak, offering spectacular views of the mountains and a glimpse into the fascinating Inca past.

Day 1: ARRIVAL LIMA

Arrive at Lima airport, receive assistance, and transfer to your selected hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure to get to know the city. Lima is a modern metropolis full of history, hosting approximately 10 million inhabitants and going through an exciting process of cultural and economic changes. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Peru´s sprawling capital city. Alternatively, you can book our optional Magic Water Circuit with Dinner: 

Magic Water Circuit with Dinner (private basis):

A modern system of fountains certified as the largest in the world by the Guinness World Records. Built-in Exhibition Park, the Magical Water Circuit attracts crowds during summer and winter, being one of the new favorite attractions of Lima. See yourself and enjoy our water cruise that is followed by a unique gastronomical experience at a restaurant, accompanied by a delicious dinner.

Notes: Private service. Not available on Sundays and Mondays. Start time: 17:30 hours. Duration 4 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Magic Water Circuit, and Dinner.

Overnight in Lima.

Day 2: LIMA

After breakfast at the hotel, explore Lima’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historic buildings. Start with a scenic tour in the colonial core. Begin from the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire. Stroll over to the cathedral, and visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted in 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to one of his captains, Jerónimo de Aliaga. This is the only house from that time that still belongs to the same family. Continue to the Larco Museum, located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district and housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built over a seventh-century pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum boasts the most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver artefacts, as well as interesting pieces of erotic art. Then, enjoy dinner at a Gourmet restaurant. Afterwards, return to your hotel.

Overnight in Lima.

Day 3: LIMA - CUSCO (90 min by flight; not included)

Transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport, where you’ll board your flight to the city of Cusco.  Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive not later than 10:30hrs. Noon arrivals are too late. Once you’ve landed in your new location, enjoy dinner in a local restaurant, and then try some more local food in a rustic environment in the traditional San Blas neighborhood. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore this vibrant city. Alternatively, you can book one of our optional tours: 

Half-Day South Valley Tour: Tipón, Pikillaqta, and Andahuaylillas (private basis):

A unique tour that includes visits to the most important attractions between Cusco and Puno. Being the first to explore breath-taking archeological sites Tipón and its impressive rural colonial mansion where the Incas constructed an impressive irrigation system in harmony with nature that is still perceived by the surrounding population. In Pikillacta, the best-preserved pre-Inca cities we´ll follow the remains of the Wari culture, ancestor of the Incas, and in the beautiful Church of Andahuaylillas, also called "The Sistine Chapel of America” we´ll see the Wari´s marvelous original pipe organ. Take the most advantage of our tour and enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Notes: Private service. Start time: 13:00 hours. Duration 4.5 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Andahuaylillas and BTC (Cusco tourist ticket).

Cusco City tour and nearby Archaeological sites (private basis):

Catch a glimpse of the charming city of Cusco during our Cusco city tour and visit this old capital of the Inca Empire and its nearby archeological sites. With our guide you start with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex and one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun, then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheater of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practiced agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then, to wrap up our tour, visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Afterward, return to your hotel.

Notes: Private service. Start time: 13:00 hours. Duration 5 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Coricancha, Cusco Cathedral, and BTC (Cusco tourist ticket).

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 4: CUSCO

Join a gastronomic tour that includes a visit to the Chocomuseo, the Coffee Museum, and the Pisco Museum; two ideal places in which to learn about the production process of each of these staples, from raw ingredient to end product. To make things even more enticing, in each one of them you will get to enjoy a taste! At the end of the tour, return to your hotel.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 5: CUSCO MARAS – MORAY – SACRED VALLEY (75 Km - 2 hrs)

Start your journey towards Maras, an impressive Inca salt exploitation complex. These are large salt deposits, still in operation, from which salt was extracted and exchanged for products from other parts of the Empire. Next, visit Moray to contemplate the mysterious circular concentric platforms that were found here. Some scholars believe the place used to be an agricultural research centre: the external platforms would have been at higher temperatures than the internal ones, simulating the conditions of the different ecological floors of the Andes. After this visit, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Then head to a restaurant in the Sacred Valley for lunch and when finished return to your hotel in the valley. 

Overnight in Sacred Valley.

Day 6: SACRED VALLEY

After breakfast at the hotel, take part in an activity that invites participants to learn about the living culture of Ollantaytambo from their own point of view. You will do this through photography, with the assistance of a professional photographer. The activity begins with a presentation in the Ollantaytambo main square. Then, you’ll be transferred to the Pakaritampu pyramid to snap some shots of the excellent view of the landscape and the valley. Later, visit the town of Ollantaytambo, uninterruptedly inhabited since the time of the Incas, to explore its historical streets, meet its inhabitants and capture its colours, architecture and environment in your photos. Lastly, visit a 'chichería' to share some moments with the manufacturers of a local craft drink, who’ll explain the history and importance of these centres in the Andean world. Today's lunch is a thousand-year-old ritual of the Andes: Pachamanca. It consists in preparing elements such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, meat, vegetables and more under the earth, cooking them with hot stones. Then witness the unearthing of the Pachamanca and enjoy the food.

Overnight in Sacred Valley.

Day 7: SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (115km – 4 hrs)

After having breakfast at the hotel, your trip to Machu Picchu starts with a transfer to Ollanta train station, where you board a train towards the town of Aguas Calientes on a journey lasting around an hour and a half. Aguas Calientes has a handicrafts market, restaurants, and accommodation of different categories for those who prefer to spend the night next to the mountain and then visit it early next morning. After a short transfer, arrive at Machu Picchu, a masterpiece of engineering and architecture that served as a sanctuary and resting place for Inca Pachacuti. Machu Picchu means ‘Old Mountain’, and was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of the tour, return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch. Return to Ollanta station by train with one last transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 8: DEPART CUSCO

After a tasty breakfast, a transportation service will take you from your hotel to the airport. 

Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area the use of warm clothing is recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.