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Overview

Lima & Cusco Food Tour in Peru

Tasty Peruvian ceviche on a cooking vacation in Peru.Peruvian cuisine is considered one of the most diverse in the world and is on par with French, Chinese and Indian cuisine. Thanks to its many influences, from pre-Inca and Inca heritage to Spanish, Basque, African, Cantonese, Japanese and finally Italian, French and British immigration (mainly throughout the 19th century), Peruvian cuisine combines the flavors of four continents, making it an ideal spot for culinary vacations in South America. With the eclectic variety of traditional dishes, the Peruvian culinary arts are in constant evolution and impossible to list in their entirety. Suffice it to mention that along the Peruvian coast alone there are more than two thousand different types of soups, and that there are more than 250 traditional desserts.

Your week-long culinary tour in this amazing country will take place in Lima and Cusco. The history of Lima, the capital of Peru, began with its foundation by Francisco Pizarro in 1535. The city was established on the valley of the Rímac river, and it became the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru. Currently a vast metropolitan city, with around one-third of the Peruvian population living in the metropolitan area, Lima still retains its deep roots in Spanish colonial style and architecture. Strongly influenced by European, Andean, and Asian culture, Lima is a melting pot of cultures due to colonization, immigration, and indigenous influences. Like many other world capitals, Lima is home to prestigious museums and cultural sites, many of which are world renowned.

Situated at 11,151 feet, Cusco is the historic capital of the Inca Empire and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO. The name Cusco is derived from the Quechua phrase “qusqu wanka” which means “rock of the owl.” The original Incan city, said to have been founded in the 11th century, was sacked by Pizarro in 1535. There are still remains, however, of the palace of the Incas the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun. Today Cusco is the most important tourist destination in Peru and home to one of the newly selected seven wonders of the world: Machu Picchu.

During your Peru cooking school vacation, you will have the unique opportunity to dine in and experience both the traditional city of Lima and the magical capital city of the Inca’s, Cusco. Both cities will offer you a very rich, yet entirely different cultural and gastronomic experience for you to savour. Whether it’s experiencing the richness of Peruvian natural resources in their purest form during a visit to the market in Lima, or feeling the spiritual awakening of seeing the majesty of Machu Picchu, both cities will be sure to leave you with a sense of enlightenment.





Latest Review

I gave this trip 5 stars
Lorraine
Oregon
This was an excellent trip. The guides were very knowledgable, the cooking classes were outstanding and the organization was right on. The only thing missed was a a few cultural experiences like a museum, music or art event. The program was so jammed packed that we did not have time to do any of these things on our own. Defiantly would recommend this trip.

Lima Gourmet Food Tour Details

Explore magical Peru on a culinary tour to Lima and Cusco. Your amazing experience will introduce you to Peruvian flavors and traditional Peruvian dishes. You will also enjoy visits of Lima, Cusco city, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and Machu Picchu.

Lima & Cusco Culinary Tour Itinerary

Day One

  • Arrival at Jorge Chavez International airport. Transfer to Lima hotel and check in.
  • Rest of the day and evening on your own.
  • Overnight.

Day Two

  • Following breakfast and a brief orientation, you will embark on your first culinary tour at the local market.
  • Upon arrival, you will participate in our fruit festival where you will have the opportunity to taste traditional and exotic fruits. After this, you will take part in your very own culinary mission at the market, in which you will be required to pick, purchase and even negotiate with local vendors all on your own! Your mission will be to pick the ingredients to prepare a famous Peruvian dish.
  • Immediately following, you will attend your first hands-on cooking class where you learn to prepare 3 of the most important Peruvian dishes, such as causa limeña, lomo saltado, and suspiro a la limeña.
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
  • Afternoon on your own.
  • Tonight’s dinner is at a top restaurant in Lima, Casa Moreyra Astrid & Gaston. The celebrated restaurant is an unforgettable experience, as the menu is designed by famed Chef Gaston Acurio and leads diners through a journey of Peruvian culinary traditions through a traditional tasting menu.
  • Transportation back to Lima hotel.
  • Overnight.

Day Three

  • After breakfast, embark on your second hands-on class to learn how to prepare the most famous Peruvian dish: “Ceviche,” and some other variations. During your “Ceviche Feast,” renowned Chef Cucho La Rosa will teach you the experience and knowledge required to prepare the best ceviche and related dishes such as “tiradito,” and all seafood combinations.
  • Afterwards, return to the hotel with some time at leisure before leaving for your Pisco tasting (the national drink of Peru) and Amazon fusion dinner at Malabar restaurant, where chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino will prepare a special tasting feast for the senses. Some dishes you may try include fish cured by masato, huatiada potato, paiche dried and black pepper, pork belly and achira, and chirimoya and avocado.
  • Return to the hotel and overnight.

Day Four

  • After breakfast, you will depart for the airport en route to the magical City of Cusco.
  • Once in Cusco, you will check in to the hotel, where you will have lunch.
  • After lunch, you will embark on your guided city tour of Cusco. During this tour you will visit the Cathedral, the Sacsayhuaman ruins and the Korikancha temple, among other historical sites.
  • Tonight, dinner is on your own.
  • Overnight.

Day Five

  • Breakfast as the hotel, followed by your guided tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco. Your tour includes a visit of the beautiful Incan village and fortress of Ollantaytambo, with a quick stop at the Quechua village of Chinchero and the Awanacancha Llama farm.
  • Next enjoy a home-style Cusquenian cooking course featuring a 3-course lunch in the Urubamba Valley.
  • After lunch, you will resume your tour with a very special visit to the Pisac Market, where you will be able to do some local shopping.
  • Your tour will end in the early evening, when you will be taken back to the hotel to rest and prepare for dinner.
  • Dinner tonight will be an exotic 7-course tasting menu at MAP café. You will experience the very best of traditional Novoandina cuisine. This cuisine mixes Andean ingredients with modern techniques to create new and inventive dishes.
  • Overnight.

Day Six

  • Early breakfast at the hotel.
  • After breakfast, you begin your journey to the lost city of the Incas: Machu Picchu. The trip starts with an early panoramic train ride to Aguas Calientes (the train ride is around 3 hours, snack included on board). Upon arrival, take the bus about 30 minutes to Machu Picchu for your tour.
  • During your guided visit of the historical site, you will explore the ruins, learn about how the Incas were able to build such a magnificent structure, and feel the mystical energy exuded by the ruins.
  • For lunch, you will have the opportunity to eat at the Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel, located in the town of Aguas Calientes.
  • In the late afternoon or early evening, take the return train ride to Cusco.
  • Dinner tonight on your own.

Day Seven

  • Following breakfast, you will be taken to the airport en route back to Lima.
  • Once in Lima, you will be taken to your hotel for day use so you can rest and recharge for the last leg of your tour. Once reinvigorated, you will participate in a special walking gourmet city tour of the city that emphasizes the culinary history of not only the city of Lima, but of the country of Peru.
  • Your special walking city gourmet tour will take you to bars, cafés and restaurants, where you will get a taste of what has become a part of everyday life in the city of Lima.
  • At the conclusion of your tour, you will arrive at “La Nacional” restaurant to take part in an extremely important culinary tradition in Peru: “Lonche” (Tea Time). It will be here that you will witness a demonstration cooking class, where you will learn how Peruvians created the most delicious sandwiches and desserts with ingredients and components of its typical Peruvian dishes. Your Peruvian culinary journey will end with your transfer to the airport. (If you would like to spend an additional night in Lima before your departure, we can arrange it on request.)

Cusco & Lima Culinary Tour Details

Included in the 6-Night Cooking Tour in Lima and Cusco

Accommodations

6 nights accommodation based on double occupancy (3 nights in Lima, plus day use of the hotel on departure day, and 3 nights in Cusco)

Food & Beverages

  • Daily breakfast
  • 5 lunches
  • 3 gourmet tasting dinners in top restaurants
  • Tea time in Lima on Day 7

Classes & Instructors

Embark on a culinary journey with our cooking vacations in Lima and food tours in Cusco. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Peruvian cuisine through three hands-on cooking classes, where you’ll learn about the diverse and flavorful dishes of Peru. Our laid-back approach emphasizes the importance of ingredients and traditional methods, making each class both informative and enjoyable. Join us for a fun and informal experience that will leave your taste buds wanting more!

  • Your first class will include a market visit in Lima, followed by a class featuring staples of Peruvian cuisine
  • Your second class will focus on the famed Peruvian ‘ceviche’ and other seafood dishes
    In Cusco your class will feature homestyle Cusquenian cuisine and some of the region’s vegetables
  • Enjoy an informal demonstration class for ‘Lonche’ (tea time) on departure day

Excursions

  • Guided visit of Cusco city
  • Guided visit to the Sacred Valley of the Inca
  • Guided visit of Machu Picchu

Transfer Details

  • Roundtrip transfers from/to Lima airport, as well as roundtrip transfers from/to the Cusco airport on days 4 and 7

Miscellaneous

  • Market visit in Lima
  • Round trip train tickets to Aguas Calientes and bus tickets from there to Machu Picchu (please note the train journey takes a few hours each way and the bus around 30 minutes)
  • Market visit in Pisac
  • Gourmet walking tour of Lima on Day 7
  • Entrance fees

Not Included

  • Round-trip domestic flights (Approximately $340 per person)
  • Domestic airport tax (about $12 per person round trip)
  • International Airport tax (about $31 per person on return flight)
  • Tips and gratuities (All tips and gratuities are optional and up to you. In all restaurants, by law, a 10% service tip is included; It is customary to leave an extra tip that could be $1-5 per person. For guides, $5 per person per day is recommended. For drivers, $1 per person per day is recommended).

Accommodation Information

In Lima stay at the 4* Casa Andina Select Miraflores, a contemporary hotel located in the popular Miraflores district. The bright, spacious rooms offer free WiFi, flatscreen TVs, minibar, coffeemaker, desk, and full equipped en suite bathroom. _(If this hotel is unvailable, a comparable hotel will be substituted.)

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In Cusco you will stay at the 4* Casa Andina Private Collection (or similar). This lovely hotel is in an 18th-century mansion just minutes from the Qurikancha Inca ruins, and also near the Cathedral. The traditional rooms have wood furnishings, flatscreen TVs, coffeemakers, sitting area, and desks, as well as fully equipped en suite bathrooms.
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Food Tour Lima, Peru Pricing & Dates

See pricing and dates for our culinary trips in Lima and Cusco below, and contact us for availability or to reserve your trip.



Lima Culinary Vacations Sample* Pricing:

6-night Program

US$3800 per person based on double occupancy

  • Add US$675 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
  • Subtract US$450 per person when booking 4 or more people

*Pricing depends on specific weeks and seasons – please inquire with dates.

30% deposit due to confirm booking.

Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!

Note that prices do not include round-trip domestic flights, to be purchased by client once trip is confirmed (approximately US $340 per person for Lima to Cusco and Cusco back to Lima).


Lima Cooking Tour Dates 2023

Our culinary trips in Lima and Cusco Peru are available year round for a minimum of 2 people. Sample dates for our Peru cooking vacations follow, but other start dates also possible, please inquire.

2023
March 26-April 1
April 2-8
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6
May 14-20
May 21-27
May 28-June 3
June 11-17
June 18-24
June 25-July 1
July 9-15
July 16-22
July 30-August 5
August 6-12
August 13-19
August 27-September 2
September 10-16
September 17-23
October 1-7
October 15-21
October 22-28
November 5-11
November 19-25
December 3-9

Reviews

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We Can Help Plan The Best Cusco Food Tour

Enjoying a wine tasting tour in Tuscany.
We take care of all the details so you can focus on enjoying your vacation. Whether you need help with flights, transportation, tours, or extra nights, we're here to assist you in any way possible. Simply let us know during checkout or contact us for more information and we'll make sure everything is taken care of. Your Lima & Cusco dream vacation is just a click away! Contact Us
 

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