10-Day Farm to Table: A Culinary Path in Peru

Barranco Walking tour – half day

Visit the bohemian district of Barranco with a specialist guide who will take you to the corners where artists have been inspired. Barranco is the cradle of several writers, composers, sculptors, and artists in general. Visit the Pedro de Osma Museum and MATE, Mario Testino’s collection.

Lima food tour – evening – private service

Enjoy a Peru food tour that starts with the oldest Pisco distillery and tavern in Lima. Founded in 1880, you will learn all about the roots of pisco, why it was popularized in the 16th century, how it’s made, the grapes used, and the history of the tavern. The pisco portion finishes at a swanky beachfront cocktail demo at sunset where you’ll learn how to make Peru’s iconic Pisco Sour before embarking on an exciting discovery of 3 natural regions of Peru, the coast, the Andes, and the jungle. Learn about regional dishes representing their unique flavors.

After a beach-side cocktail-making class you will travel to the award-winning Amaz restaurant, a favorite of the late Anthony Bourdain, where celebrity chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino has shared a recipe exclusively for our clients.

You’ll have a go at making your own Amazonian dish accompanied by a gourmet jungle tasting menu.

After learning the secrets tuck into an array of delicious Peruvian dishes at the famous Huaca Pucllana restaurant, known as one of the top restaurants in Latin America, and offering views of the pre-Incan ruins of Huaca Pucallana. Here you’ll try the best of top chef Marilú Madueño’s take on Peruvian recipes with another menu specially designed only for our guests.

Finally, take a night-time stroll with a quaint walking food tour in Lima, around the bohemian Barranco neighborhood, where you’ll finish with a delectable dessert.

Included:  English-speaking guide, dinner, transport, room & breakfast the next day

Lima Airport transfer with a guide:  

The next morning you will be privately transferred to the Lima international airport to check-in for your flight to Cusco.

Upon arrival, you will be met by your private car, driver, and guide outside of the baggage claim. As you venture off to the Sacred Valley you will have the opportunity to visit the cameloid farm of Awana Kancha to learn about the unique animals that make up the cameloid family and their roles in the local weaving. Followed by a local weaving demonstration.

Continuing on to Pisac you have the option to visit the extensive ancient Inca city before exploring the popular artisanal market.

After having lunch at one of the local restaurants en route, your guide will drop you off and help you check in to your Sacred Valley hotel.

 BTG General ruins entrance ticket – valid 10 days

Lunch:  Local restaurant

Included:  English-speaking guide, transport, Boleto Turistico, snacks & water, lunch, room & breakfast next day

The day begins with a private transfer to the traditional indigenous community of Huayllafara. Stepping back in time, the locals will take us to visit their farms with traditional crops (like potatoes, oca, anu, tarwi, quinoas, beans among others) and will teach us about their traditional farming techniques, with the opportunity to taste local produce. During the tour, you will learn about the local culture, ancient farming techniques used even today, and their daily activities, according to the time of year and the agricultural calendar.

The tour focus will move to ancient food processing techniques, such as the preparation of chuño and moraya, the washing and uses of quinoa, elaboration of Chicha de Jora, and other interesting dishes that date back to the Incas.

The day ends with a cooking class, where you will learn how to prepare Peruvian classic recipes and use the native products in the cooking process.

Included:  transport, English-speaking guide, lunch, snacks & water, room & breakfast next day

Native Potato Research:

More than 4,000 varieties of native potatoes grow in the highlands of Andes and the “Andeans” were the first people to cultivate them. As Featured in Gordon Ramsey’s series “Uncharted”, meet the “Mad Potato Scientist” Manuel Choqque, who has devoted himself to cross-pollinating high-altitude potato strains once used by the Incas. After exploring the colorful versions of native potatoes, known for their different hues of deep purple and red on the inside, learn about how they have evolved over time to adapt to the rugged climate of the Andes.

Your tour finishes with a wine tasting made of different varieties of native tubers, also made by Manuel Choqque. The wine’s so good they have already been bought by the best restaurants in the world that reside in Peru. The Juicy rosé is made from the Black Oca, another variety is a red wine that features Mashua Negra, black-skinned oca whose ends resemble the tightly wrapped petals of a flower. Fermenting the flowers results in an off-dry wine that’s almost a dead ringer for Malbec. (Choqque says that sommeliers in blind tastings have actually mistaken it for a fruity, red-grape-based wine.) Learn about the science behind creating a palatable wine from tubers, while trying 7 different varietals.

Lunch today will be at Virgilio Martinez’s newest restaurant and research center, MIL. A one-of-a-kind culinary experience in a restaurant overlooking Moray archeological site thought to be an ancient agricultural laboratory of the Incas

The lunch will follow a unique 7-course degustation menu combined with infusion pairing and delicious nectars. Optional alcoholic beverage pairing available for an additional cost.

The tour finishes at the ancient town of Maras, known for its pre-Inca salt mines, where even today the best salt is harvested from this area.

Maras Salt-Site Entrance

lunch at Mil-Tasting Menu

Included:  excursion, English-speaking guide, Maras salt-pans entrance fee, snacks & water, transport, lunch, room & breakfast next day

Fraternize with the locals at the Urubamba farmer’s market where locals buy their groceries, the biggest in the Sacred Valley. You won’t find Alpaca sweaters or handicrafts here; stalls sell fresh fruits and vegetables grown in the valley and others more exotic coming from the tropical cloud forest of La Convencio. Meats of all kinds, fresh cheeses, spices, coffee, and more. On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, the market is even larger.

After you will travel to the village of Ollantaytambo, an ancient Inca city and fortress that people still live in today.

1200 Pachamanca lunch experience at El Albergue organic farm:  

A Pachamanca is a traditional way of preparing food in the Andes. In the absence of a stove, an oven is built out of stones that were heated with a wood fire, and upon reaching the appropriate temperature meat and vegetables are then carefully covered with the rocks. Herbs are then added and the whole mound is covered by wet sheets and finally a mound of earth.

While the meal is cooking, you will be shown around one of our favorite organic farms, that uses sustainable methods to provide food for the local restaurants. After forty minutes the meal is ready and we have the pleasure of digging our delicious potatoes, yams, corn, fava beans, lamb, pork, alpaca, and chicken straight from the earth. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

Enjoy your meal under a thatch roof in the middle of the farm with views of the Inca temple of Ollantaytambo, mount Pinkulluna and the Veronica glacier. Food is served family-style accompanied by chicha, fresh salads, and a variety of sauces, including our tasty uchucutas (traditional sauces). Beer and wine are available upon request, and we offer our signature Matacuy as a complimentary digestif after the meal. This is made in the on-site distillery, where you can also taste Caña Alta, a sugar cane spirit being distilled here in an attempt to revive lost traditions.

Included:  English-speaking guide, transport, snacks & water, lunch , room & breakfast next day

Returning to the Inca fortress town of Ollantaytambo to finish learning about the Inca’s last stand against the Spanish and transfer you to the train station for your first class train ride to Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes).

Inca Rail First-Class Train to Machu Picchu

The First Class offers you maximum comfort and space onboard. Enjoy a unique landscape at the Observatory-Lounge with live music, a 3-course gourmet lunch, bar, and an outdoor balcony where all the beauty of nature and Andean culture reveal themselves before your eyes.

Machu Picchu Entrance from 1300 to 1700.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the Machu Picchu site, for the afternoon, arriving when most tourists are leaving for the day. A prelude for your tour the next morning.

Included:  transport, English-speaking guide, Train ticket return, bus ticket, Machu Picchu entrance, dinner, room & breakfast next day

Machu Picchu Morning Tour: 

An early start to see Machu Picchu in the morning light. Your guide will help you explore Machu Picchu further.

We can take some time to explore the markets and museum of the town before boarding the afternoon train for the lovely ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas and transport to your hotel.

Lunch in Sanctuary Lodge

Included:  transport, English-speaking guide, Machu Picchu entrance, bus ticket, guide’s train ticket return, Train ticket return, lunch, room & breakfast next day

We tailor this trip to you and your interests. You will have an expert guide at your disposal to show you some of the highlights of this beautiful city. Tell him what you like and he can advise as to the best route for your tour.

You may choose to start with the Plaza de Armas and a visit to its impressive Cathedral. This contains some historic pieces from the Cusqueña school of Art. Look out for the Macaw-winged cherubs and the guinea-pig served at The Last Supper.

Qoricancha temple, once home to the center of the Inca Sun worship with its life-sized statues in solid gold, is another very popular option.

Then, visit one of the bustling markets like San Pedro Market, full of tropical fruits fresh from the Amazon. Or stroll through the impressive Inca-walled streets and head up through the San Blas artisan district to San Cristobal church for a spectacular view over the red-tiled rooftops of Cusco.

 Cooking class – private

The class consists of the preparation of a Pisco Sour, an appetizer, a main course, and a glass of wine. We also offer vegetarian options (please specify when you reserve). The lesson lasts approximately two hours and is the perfect way to spend the morning learning about some of the most popular Peruvian dishes.

Transport included: You will be picked up from your hotel at either 11 am or 4 pm and dropped back at about 1.45 pm or 6.45 pm

Included:  Cathedral and Qoricancha entrance, English-speaking guide, room & breakfast next day

This day is flexible and can be moved around based on flight schedules.

Sacsayhuaman and shopping – half day:  

This morning you visit Cusco’s most stunning ruin, the extensive Sacsayhuaman. Although the smaller stones of Sacsayhuaman were used to build modern-day Cusco, the remaining stones are up to 8.5m high and weigh over 360 tons. The distinctive zig-zag ramparts that form are attributed to being puma teeth, lightning & also fortification. This major center obviously had many functions with storehouses, administration buildings, reservoirs, and play areas. It was also the site of a crucial battle between the Incas & the Spanish.

You then make your way down into Cusco to explore some of the handicrafts on offer.

Cusco Airport Transfer:  

We transfer you to Cusco airport in time for your onward flight.

Included:  transport, English-speaking guide, water