Peru Culinary Jorney Private 9 Days and 8 Nights

Upon arrival at the Jorge Chavez International Airport you’ll be met by your Travelution Peru host and taken to the hotel for the evening and a well-deserved rest.

Having exploded onto the global food scene, Peru is now widely regarded as one of the world’s principal food travel destinations. In the morning, you will head off to the local market with your private chef in order to buy the local ingredients and learning about the amazing Peruvian food.

Later, take a walking tour of Lima’s key historical sites. One of the main fascinations of Lima is the concentration of ancient history in the area; the origins of the city pre-date the Spanish foundation of the city by several millennia. Begin to unravel this multifaceted history and discover the complex past of this fascinating city with a visit to the colonial area of Lima featuring the Cathedral (closed on Sundays), the Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Main Square with its beautiful baroque-style buildings. You will also visit Larco Herrera Museum, considered one of the best museums in the world. After your visit you will be privately transferred to the hotel.

This morning visits the fish market, a truly authentic Peruvian experience then indulge in brunch at Amazon Restaurant. This afternoon our Amazon journey continues through the unique flavour of Pisco Sour. The rest of the afternoon would be at leisure.

Upon your arrival, one of our representatives will be waiting for you right outside of the baggage claim area holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be transferred to your hotel in the sacred valley, you will make a stop at Awanacancha where you will see the four Andean camels (Llamas, Alpacas, Huanacos and Vicuñas) and then see a traditional Andean textile center that serves as a perfect introduction to the Andean life.

You will visit the colorful and famous market of Pisac, which has a large number of local artisans who gather from different communities to sell their handicrafts and unique food. You can then go to Pisac`s impressive archeological complex, Then we will Participate in a Pachamanca style lunch, an ancient Peruvian cooking technique consisting of an earth-oven in which native ingredients are wrapped in local herbs and cooked underground.

Visit the authentic Quechua Andean Community and participate in their daily activities such as knitting and agriculture. For brunch we’ll enjoy a typical Watia (a high-altitude BBQ) before continuing towards Moray Archaeological site. Enjoy a delightful picnic lunch, where we can savor dishes made with locally grown produce. Visit the salt mines of Maras. This village is a salt-producing center that dates back all the way to pre-Inca times. There are more than 4,000 salt pools, all carved into the mountain.

Your private guide will meet you at your hotel early this morning. You will be driven to the train station to board the Vistadome train for a dramatic train ride to Machu Picchu (6,180 ft.), the great mountain-top city abandoned by the Inca Empire, reclaimed by the jungle and lost to humanity until its rediscovery in 1911.

It sits on a mountain site of extraordinary beauty, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. Machu Picchu was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height, with its giant walls, terraces and ramps, which appear as though they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments.

Upon arrival at the ruins, you will take a guided tour of the lost citadel. Lunch will be provided at Sanctuary Lodge next to the ruins.

Upon conclusion of your tour, return for an evening in Aguas Calientes. Enjoy an excellent dinner on-site at your hotel and fall into bed, lulled to sleep by the sound of the cloud forest around you.

We have an early breakfast and head up to the ruins to experience the peace and solitude of this magical place. Our knowledgeable guide leads us through, explaining the significance of the various structures and the theories behind Machu Picchu’s purpose and construction methods. We have the rest of the morning and early afternoon to attempt the optional hike up Huayna Picchu and/or explore the ruins on our own. We catch the afternoon tourist train to Ollantaytambo and from there take the bus to Cusco, arriving at approximately 7 p.m. The day concludes with our guide joining us for a final celebration dinner at a traditional local restaurant. Overnight in Cusco.

This morning, try your hand at preparing traditional Peruvian dishes. With your chef, you will cook an organic starter, a main dish and a dessert, with a generous dash of modern creativity and imagination.

In the afternoon, we have a guided tour of Cusco and its nearby ruins; you’ll tour prominent Inca sites in and around Cusco including temples, the megalithic Sacsayhuaman fortress, the carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars of Kenko, the small Puka Pukara fortress that protected the capital and the Tambomachay water temple.

After breakfast, transfers back to the Cusco airport will be arranged for travelers departing today. Trip members can opt to return to Lima for connecting flights home or extend their travels in Peru.