Peruvian Gastronomy Journey

Upon arrival at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, we will meet you and transfer you to your chosen hotel. Please ensure your domestic flight from Lima arrives no later than 10:30 to allow for a smooth connection; flights arriving at noon are too late. The afternoon is yours to relax or explore independently, with the option to book one of our guided tours. In the evening, enjoy a three-course dinner at Pachapapa, a well-regarded restaurant known for its authentic Andean dishes and traditional Cusco-style picantera atmosphere.

Today we embark on a gastronomic tour that explores three key elements of Peruvian culture: chocolate, coffee, and pisco. We begin with a visit to the Chocomuseo, where youll learn about the chocolate-making process from bean to bar, accompanied by a tasting. Next, we visit the Coffee Museum to discover how coffee is cultivated and processed, with another opportunity to sample the final product. The tour concludes at the Pisco Museum, where youll gain insight into the production of Perus national spirit and enjoy a tasting. After the tour, we return to your hotel in Cusco for a restful evening.

We begin the day with a visit to Maras, an impressive Inca salt mining site still in operation today. These extensive salt pans were historically important for producing salt, which was traded across the Inca Empire. Next, we explore Moray, where youll see the remarkable circular terraces thought to have served as an agricultural research centre. The varying levels create different microclimates, possibly used by the Incas to experiment with crops suited to diverse Andean environments. After the tour, we transfer you to UNU Tiobamba restaurant in Chinchero, where you can enjoy a meal that showcases the regions rich culinary traditions in a setting that blends comfort with stunning natural surroundings. Once finished, we return to your hotel in the Sacred Valley for the evening.

After breakfast, we travel to the Pisac market, where you can browse a variety of stalls offering locally made textiles, carvings, and replicas of ancient Inca artefacts. Following the market visit, we explore the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, a remarkable example of Inca urban planning that remains largely intact. Originally conquered and rebuilt by Pachacutec (14381471), this complex is one of the most significant Inca sites. For lunch, you will take part in preparing a traditional pachamancaa dish cooked underground using heated stones. This hands-on experience includes learning about its cultural significance and enjoying a meal featuring chicken, pork, lamb, Andean and sweet potatoes, organic vegetables, homemade salad, traditional sauces, and a purple corn drink called chicha morada. The activity lasts approximately two hours. We then return to your accommodation in the Sacred Valley for the night.

After breakfast, we transfer you to Ollanta train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, a journey of approximately one and a half hours. Aguas Calientes offers a handicrafts market, a variety of restaurants, and accommodation options for those who wish to stay overnight near Machu Picchu and visit the site early the following day. From there, a short transfer takes you to Machu Picchu, an extraordinary example of Inca engineering and architecture. This ancient sanctuary and royal retreat of Pachacuti is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. After exploring the site, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will enjoy lunch at Caf Inkaterra, known for its fusion of traditional Andean flavours with contemporary cuisine, all while overlooking the Vilcanota River. Following lunch, we take the train back to Ollanta station and transfer you to your hotel in Cusco for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will transfer you from your hotel to the airport for your onward journey.