Taste and Culture of Peru

Lima

Early In the morning, we will begin our cultural and gastronomic tour to Lima. Our culinary adventure begins at a typical “Peruvian Market”. There, you will be able to appreciate a wide variety of Peruvian product, enjoy, and taste exotic fruits. Be amazed by the huge variety of fish and seafood our ocean, considered one of the richest in the World, has to offer. Then we will continue to Colonial Lima center for a panoramic tour. The Viceroyalty of Peru was the most important of the Spanish Empire and Lima was its capital. In its historic center highlights the architecture and urban design of that period, old streets with colonial mansions Moorish balconies. In the historic center, we appreciate Court, Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, panoramic view of the Government Palace, Cathedral of Lima, Municipal Palace and monumental Convento de San Francisco. After that, continue to contemporary Lima. We will visit to the most traditional residential areas of the capital: San Isidro: Olivar Park, financial and residential area. After that, we will taste a traditional Peruvian sandwich: Chicharron. It is a chunk of fried pork shoulder or pork belly boiled in a flavorful broth accompanied with camote (sweet potato). The Chicharrón Sandwich combines thick slices of tender and juicy meat with Peru's most important salsa, the Salsa Criolla. These are stacked in between a crispy French roll and rounded off with slices of sweet potato making the Sanguche de Chicharrón the most typical combination of Peruvian flavors you ever tasted before in a simple sandwich. Absolutely delicious! In addition, we taste our refreshing “chicha morada”. Our tour continue to Miraflores: Central Park, Love Park where we will appreciate a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and Barranco. The last one is very popular for its bohemian nightlife, its leisurely strolls and its beautiful antique architecture. At this point we will have the oportunity to taste our sweet “picarones”, is a Peruvian dessert that originated in Lima during the viceroyalty. It is somewhat similar to buñuelos, a type of doughnut brought to the colonies by Spanish conquistadors. Its principal ingredients are squash and sweet potato. It is served in a doughnut form and covered with syrup, made from chancaca (solidified molasses). At the end of our culinary tour, return to the hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight: Lima
Meals: Breakfast, Chicharron Sandwich, Chicha morada and Picarones.

Cusco / Urubamba

Breakfast at the hotel Full-day excursion to the "Sacred Valley of the Incas", by the Vilcanota River. Our first visit will be Chincheros, a beautiful Andean village famous for its spectacular mountain views, colourful marketplace, traditional textile weaving centre and an ancient church with unique floral and religious interior motifs. At this point we will have the opportunity to witness live an ancient technique, the Andean weaving or pallay, which has preserved its originality and craft quality, made entirely with natural materials that supply clothing for the high-Andean. Accompanied by a local weaver, we will learn the Andean technique following all the stages step by step, from the washing process with the root of the saqtana (traditional plant), spinning with the pushca (textile tool of the Incas) getting threads of different thicknesses depending on the use of each one, the dying of the threads with natural dyes such as the cochinilla, molle, chillcka, the kolle flower, aguay pilly, papel papelilla, kakasenka, eucaliptus and finally the weaving demonstration. At the end of the demonstration, we will taste local products: corn and cheese provided by locals and we could buy textiles in their local market. From this place, we will have a panoramic view of Chincheros ruins; our guide will explain us about it. We will continue our tour to the local restaurant for lunch with a spectacular view of Urubamba River. In the afternoon, passing through the Towns of Calca and Urubamba, we visit the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to this part of the Valley, and protect it from possible invasion from the tribes in the Lower jungle. The Fortress consists of a series of stepped carved stone terraces accessed by long staircases. Later you can walk through the quaint streets of the nearby Town, and get a good idea of what this Strategic Military, Religious, and Agricultural Centre was like during the era of the Inca Empire. Transfer to the select hotel.
Overnight: Urubamba
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Aguas Calientes / Cusco

Breakfast at the hotel Today we will have an exclusive proposal in Machu Picchu. Dynamic and fun Peruvian cooking and bar classes where participants will learn how to prepare the traditional ceviche, a fresh trout-based dish and exotic peppers from the Peruvian coast. The bartender will help you prepare the pisco sour or any other cocktail with fresh fruits and Andean herbs with a unique touch. In this culinary activity, the participants will also interact with the supplies and the recipes, and will be able to taste them while admiring the majestic mountains, and take recipe book back home to enjoy them over again. In the afternoon, return to Cusco by train.
Overnight: Cusco
Meals: Breakfast, lunch