Taste of Peru

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY Taste of Peru

• Day 1: Arrival to Lima & Overnight in Lima

  Upon your arrival, one of our representatives will meet you at Lima airport and and take you to your hotel. *An extra day in Lima can be added upon request as well as additional activities and meals.

• Day 2: Market Visit with Fruit Festival, Mission with Ceviche Festival, Free afternoon, Peruvian Fusion Dinner at Astrid & Gaston & Overnight in Lima (B, L, D)

  After breakfast at your hotel in Lima, one of our representatives will meet you at your hotel and escort you on your market visit and fruit festival activity. The localmarket visit is a great way to experience a little bit of the Peruvian culture in its daily life. Here you can find and taste the best variety of vegetables and fruits in the country, including exotic products from the “Andes” and the “Jungle”. On this market visit, you will also have the chance to participate in a very special Ceviche Mission. More than an activity this is your secret mission, which starts at the market; we will give you the recipe, ingredients list and money, which you will use to buy all your supplies to make your Ceviche (don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish, this is part of the fun). After the shopping one of our chefs will lead you on this journey into the famous Peruvian dish: Ceviche. In the evening, you will once again be met at your hotel, and taken to Astrid & Gaston for a special and exclusive “Tasting Menu”. This is a 12-courses tasting menu dinner specially prepared by Gaston Acurio, arguably Peru’s most famous chef and restaurateur. You will taste traditional dishes presented into a creative and new form. At the end of the dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel for the night. *An extra day in Lima can be added upon request, as well as additional activities and meals.

• Day 3: Introduction to the Peruvian Cuisine Class, Afternoon City Tour of Lima, Author’s Fusion Dinner at 1087 Bistro & Overnight in Lima (B, L, D)

  After breakfast at your hotel you will be picked up for your Introduction to the Peruvian Cuisine Class at one of the best restaurants of Criolla Cuisine: The Senorio de Sulco, whose Chef and owner Flavio Solorzano, will teach you the quintessential basics of Peruvian Cuisine. You will learn how to prepare Peru’s staple dishes, and afterwards you will enjoy a full tasting of these traditional Peruvian dishes. After lunch you will be picked up at the restaurant, and taken on your tour of the city of Lima. Sites to be visited: Main Square, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the City Hall, the San Francisco Monastery (including catacombs), old streets with colonial houses, and a great driving tour through the beautiful districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. At the end of your city tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in order for you to rest before dinner. You will then be picked up and taken on a special Author’s Fusion Dinner at 1087 Bistro. Executive chef and owner Palmiro Ocampo creates each and every dish as if he is creating a piece of art. His cuisine is not defined by any style and is only influenced by the quality of the products he finds. At the conclusion of this delicious dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel to rest for the night. *An extra day in Lima can be added upon request, as well as additional activities and meals.

• Day 4: Flight to Cusco, Afternoon City Tour, Novandina Tasting Dinner at MAP Café & Overnight in Cusco (B, D)

  After breakfast at your hotel in Lima, you will be met by one of our representatives and taken directly to the airport, in order to catch your short, one-hour flight to the capital city of the Incas: Cusco. You will be met upon arrival by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel of choice. You will have the remainder of the morning to rest and freshen up. It is best to take it easy this morning to let your body adjust to the altitude. In the afternoon you will be met at your hotel and taken on a grand tour of the city of Cusco, the former capital of the once vast Inca Empire. We walk Cusco’s impressive Plaza de Armas and visit both the Spanish cathedral and Inca temple of the sun, Qoricancha. Next, we set out to visit the ruins above the city that were considered an essential part of the ancient capital. We start from Sacsayhuaman, where Inti Raymi the Festival of the Sun, is held during the Summer Solstice; Tambomachay, the Temple of the Sacred Waters, which is a marvel of hydraulic engineering and Q´enqo where we will see the remains of a ceremonial site used for fertility rites and for celebrations of the solstice and equinox. In the evening, you will be picked up at your hotel and taken on a Novoandina dinner at MAP Café, located in the Museo de Arte Precolombino (Museum of Pre-Inca Art). Specializing in Novoandino cuisine and presenting the use of native ingredients and rescued recipes with innovative dishes, this 7-course tasting-menu dinner will introduce your palate to tastes rarely experienced before. At the end of the dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel in Cusco for the night. * An extra day in Cusco can be added upon request, as well as additional activities and meals.

  NOTE: Some people prefer to go directly to the Sacred Valley upon arrival to the Cusco Airport. Please let us know if you prefer that to send you an updated itinerary.

• Day 5: Sacred Valley Private Tour, Home-Style cooking demonstration & Overnight in Cusco (B, L)

  After breakfast at your hotel in Cusco we set out into the Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will start our visit at Pisac Ruins,one of the most beautiful archeological site that combines a beautiful architectural structure with a stunning landscape. Pisac site is located on the highest hill of the city, on a dry and rocky surface. Then we will have some time to have lunch and recover energies to continue with the tour. Finally, we head deeper into the Sacred Valley and visit the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. At the end of your tour, you will take part in a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience in the Sacred Valley, specially catered for you at the Huayoccari Hacienda: a Demonstration of Local Vegetables & Home-Style Cooking Class. Owned by Jose Ignacio Lambarri, who will share with us his family art collection and colonial art gathered over half a century, you will have the opportunity to take part in a special lunch at the hacienda, which will be made from fresh products from the plantation. After lunch, we head out to the bustling market-town of Chinchero. The main sight to see at this location is a catholic church with paintings from the Cusquenian School. At the end of the day you will go back to Cusco. * An overnight in the Sacred Valley can be added upon request, as well as add additional activities and meals.

• Day 6: Machu Picchu Tour, Lunch in Aguas Calientes & Overnight in Cusco (B, L, S)

  The day you have been waiting for! After breakfast we catch the early train to the town of Aguas Calientes and we will then continue by bus to the Machu Picchu citadel. This day you will enjoy a full tour of the lost city and have lunch at one of the best Restaurants in Aguas Calientes, Chullpi, where you enjoy top quality food. From the restaurant you will enjoy stunning views of the Sacred Valley. In the afternoon we say farewell to Machu Picchu as we take the train to set out by Poroy station, where transportation will be waiting for you to bring you to Cusco. You will arrive at night at your Cusco hotel. * An overnight in Machu Picchu can be added upon request, as well as bus and entrance tickets for a second day at the citadel. Please let us know if you would like to add other activities and meals.

• Day 7: Free morning in Cusco, Flight Back to Lima, Pisco Tasting with Amazon Fusion Dinner & Overnight in Lima (B, D)

  After breakfast you will enjoy the morning in Cusco, you will be picked up at your hotel and taken directly to the airport in order to catch your short, one-hour flight back to Lima. Once you arrive in Lima, you will be met at the airport by one our representatives and taken to your hotel. You will have the afternoon free to rest from your Cusco adventure. In the evening you will be met at your hotel and taken on your Pisco Tasting class and to the dinner at Malabar restaurant. You will learn to prepare new and trendy Pisco drinks with exotic fruits in addition to the traditional Pisco Sour at one of Lima’s coolest spots: Malabar Restaurant. After your Pisco experience you will try Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino’s cuisine characterized by the use of jungle ingredients. At the end of your Amazon fusion dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel for the remainder of the night. *An extra day in Lima can be added upon request, as well as additional activities and meals.

• Day 8: Culinary Shopping, Lunch at Huaca Pucllana Restaurant & Farewell Nikkei Dinner (B, L, D)

  After breakfast you will be met in the lobby of your hotel by one of our representatives, in order to be taken to Huaca Pucllana Restaurant, proud to maintain Peruvian flavors as a base for its cuisine, interpreting them according to the classic cooking techniques as well as the contemporary styles.This restaurant satisfies the demands of the most exquisite tastes. At the end of the lunch you will be taken back to your hotel in order for you to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon, free at your leisure. Considering that this is your last day in Peru, this free-time will allow you to get ready for your flight back home. In the evening you will be picked up at your hotel, and after a quick check-out taken on your farewell Nikkei dinner at Costanera 700 Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Peru. You will experience the Japanese and Asian influences in the Peruvian Cuisine. At the end of the dinner your trip to Peru winds to an end as we transfer you to Jorge Chavez airport to catch your flight back home. * Please let us know if you like to add extra activities or an extra day hotel if your flight is the next morning.

IMPORTANT:

As price depends on each passenger choices, please contact us to send you an updated price based on your specific request. Please send us the following information and we will respond within 24 hours with your updated price.

• Number of people in your party
• Level of accommodation (3 Superior,4,5*). Please see options
• Private or Group Tour
• Train choice. Please see options
• Adding options: if you like to add day tours, extra days, meals, etc
• Need domestic or international flights?
• Have a special request (ie: special diet, wheelchair, children, senior, etc)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

About Machu Picchu Entrance Tickets 

As the popularity of Machu Picchu has increased in the last few years, and in order to preserve the ancient paths of Machu Picchu, the Peruvian Culture Ministry has restricted the number of people that could enter Machu Picchu to a maximum number of 3,267 people per day. This means that, once all the tickets are sold out, no further entrance tickets will be available. Also, please note that to avoid a secondary market for these tickets, all tickets are issued with the name of the passenger, his/her passport number, nationality and date of birth. Therefore, tickets are non refundable and non transferable. Also the tour to Llaqta or Inka city of Machupicchu should last up to 4 hours, visitors will be divided into 2 turns: from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. pursuant to Art. 16 of the Regulations.

About Huayna Picchu Tickets

Entrance tickets to Huayna Picchu are no longer free. They are now US$12.00 per person. There are two scheduled visits per day, with a limit of 200 people per visit (total of 400 per day). If you are interested in hiking Huayna Picchu, we will need you to let us know at the same time you book your trip since Huayna Picchu tickets need to be purchased in conjunction with Machu Picchu tickets.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

TYPE OF TOURS

All of our tours are offered in both Group and Private services; however, as we like to maintain control of the quality of our tours, even our group tours include PRIVATE transfers.  This is important, as when you get picked up; you will go directly to your hotel without having to drive around the city to drop off other people in their hotels.  Transportation is just for you. 

MIXED GROUP/PRIVATE
Destinations Tours: Private Transfers + Group Cultural Tours 
Special Interest Tours: Private Transfers + Private Special Interest Activities + Group Cultural Tours

All PRIVATE
Destinations Tours: Private Transfers + Private Cultural Tours 
Special Interest Tours: Private Transfers + Private Special interest Activities + Private Cultural Tours 

ACCOMMODATIONS

We offer all level of accommodations.  When creating an itinerary it would be important to know which your preferred level of accommodation is.  Please be sure that at all levels our recommended hotels offer great service and nice comfortable rooms. Our team has personally tried all our recommended hotels. 

MODERATE 
3-star Superior: These are 3-star that should really be considered has 4-star Hotels. Nice location, great rooms and charming decoration. Excellent service, with restaurant, room service, business centre, laundry, etc. Buffet breakfast. Best value. Perect for someone looking for an inexpensive option and still have some superior services. 
4-star Hotels: Good location, very nice rooms, great decoration and excellent service. This hotel includes more services such as room service, business center, laundry, spas, more room features, etc. Some have gourmet restaurants. Buffet breakfast. Perfect for someone looking for some luxury and special services and do not need a 5-star option.

LUXURY 
4-star Suites: Some 4-star hotels have suites that offer the same room features of a 5-star option. Perfect for someone looking to upgrade from a 4-star standard room and get more space and features. 
5-star Hotel: What you usually imagine a 5-star hotel is. Great location, luxury accommodations and excellent service. Gourmet restaurants, spas, room service, business center, etc. Perfect for someone looking for a 5-star service but do not need the 5-star Deluxe option. 
5-star Deluxe: These 5-star deluxe hotels offer ultimate luxury with outstanding service, luxurious rooms with deluxe room features and “you ask-you will get” concierge service. Properties have privileged locations or particular history behind it. Gourmet restaurants and spas. Ideal for the luxurious traveler.

TRAINS

Expedition: The least expensive tourist train, recently renovated offers nice seats and good train service. 
Vistadome: A higher category of train service, with panoramic roof windows. It offers a snack and fashion show. 
Hiram Bingham: Luxury train which offers lunch, tea-time and dinner service. 
Andean Explorer: Train service from Cusco to Puno or Puno to Cusco. Departs only on certain days of the week, depending on the season. 

FLIGHTS

LOCAL AIRLINES

Peruvian Airlines: Peruvian owned airline that offer the least expensive prices but has few frequencies. Both Peruvian and Foreigners pay the same. 
Star Peru: Peruvian owned airline. It flyes to many destinations and offers good value prices, but has few frequencies. Both Peruvian and Foreigners pay the same.

INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES 

Taca Airlines: Central American owned airline that offers great service but few frequencies to Cusco. It is moderately expensive. It offers sale prices for Peruvian Residents ONLY that cannot be purchased by tourists. 
Latam Peru: Chilean owned airline.  It offers great service and many frequencies to Cusco (almost 13 flights per day).  Prices are the highest on the market. It offers sale prices for Peruvian Residents ONLY that cannot be purchased by tourists.

DOMESTIC TICKETS 

Lima/Cusco/Lima: From US $ 350.00 per person. This is an example price, since prices depends on the airline, date and time of booking. 

DOMESTIC TICKETS (PARA LOS TOURS DE GALAPAGOS)

Lima/Cusco/Lima: From US $350.00 per person. This is an example price, since prices depend on the airline, date and time of booking. 
Quito/Galapagos/Quito: From US $421.00 per person. This is an example price, since prices depend on the airline, date and time of booking.