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A gastronomic tour of Lima, Cusco, and magnificent Machu Picchu
Type of Trip: Culinary, Cultural Length: 9 days Season: April-December Rating: Grade II
Awarded South America’s Leading Culinary Destination in 2024 by the World Travel Awards, Peru, considered among the 10 most biologically diverse countries in the world, is a rich melting pot of flavors, traditions and agriculture. The country’s expansive history helped develop an unbelievable culinary fusion with flavors ranging from Spain, Italy, Africa, Japan and China to the Incan roots of the Peruvian highlands. Taste your way through Peru while exploring the entrancing wonders of the Incan empire, Machu Picchu and the nearby city of Cusco. Spend time with chefs from the diverse food scene in Lima and Cusco while preparing foods in a farm to table fashion. Explore the ancient ways of farming, continued for centuries because of the astonishing success and varied crops, while learning about native varietals and their nutritional content. The Flavors & Culinary Traditions Tour is sure to delight foodies worldwide, while offering a touch of adventure in Machu Picchu.
Trip Highlights:
- Enjoy the finest restaurants of Lima, the Sacred Valley and Cusco, among the best in South America
- Discover Peru’s incredible diversity of food and culture during typical market visits
- Get creative in the kitchen with an experiential cooking demo and class
- Learn how to make Pisco Sours and Ceviche, two icons of Peru’s gastronomic scene
- Witness the Sacred Valley’s Andean heritage and culinary traditions up close and personal
- Visit Moray, an agricultural center, where Incas experimented with crops in different eco-systems
- Learn about Peru’s more than 3800 varieties of potatoes and other native foods
- Watch the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu emerge from the clouds and experience it’s magic
Brief Itinerary
DAY 1: USA / LIMA
Land in South America’s culinary capital – Lima. Savor your first taste of Peruvian cuisine at one of the city’s world-renowned restaurants, setting the stage for an unforgettable gastronomic pilgrimage.DAY 2: CULINARY TOUR OF LIMA
Embark on a flavorful tour with a culinary expert. Explore vibrant local markets, sample iconic Peruvian dishes, and participate in an interactive cooking demonstration. Cap the day with a welcome dinner at one of Lima’s top-rated restaurants.DAY 3: LIMA / CUSCO / SACRED VALLEY
Fly to Cusco and descend into the Sacred Valley. Begin at a textile center to witness ancient weaving techniques, then visit Pisac to learn about the cultivation of the Giant White Corn and savor a delightful Andean lunch. Continue along the valley with the evening indulging in Creole and traditional regional cuisine.DAY 4: CHINCHERO / MARAS SALT MINES / OLLANTAYTAMBO
Immerse yourself in Chinchero’s living Quechua traditions and visit the concentric terraced ruins at Moray. You’ll also be able to observe the fascinating Inca Salt Mines of Maras. Enjoy lunch at a historic hacienda featuring native delicacies before exploring the impressive Ollantaytambo fortress.DAY 5: SACRED VALLEY / MACHU PICCHU
Travel by scenic Vistadome train to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. Uncover ancient agricultural techniques and marvel at the ingenious Incan irrigation systems. Also, see the citadel and the remarkable Inca Drawbridge.DAY 6: MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO
Witness a breathtaking Machu Picchu sunrise. Optional guided hikes offer panoramic views of this UNESCO World Heritage site. For lunch taste the gastronomic creations at Sumaq Restaurant, one of the finest in town. Return to Cusco for an evening of sophisticated Andean cuisine.DAY 7: CULINARY AND HISTORICAL CUSCO
Head to Cusco’s San Pedro market and learn about the Andean super foods, tour the Coricancha sun temple and pre-Columbian sites, the ancient Tambo Machay pools, and enjoy a sundowner at the imposing Sacsayhuaman fortress. Indulge in a farewell dinner at the acclaimed MAP Café.DAY 8: CUSCO / LIMA OR USA
Participate in a hands-on cooking class at Calle Del Medio Restaurant with views of the main square. Fly to Lima for last-minute discoveries before your overnight flight.DAY 9: USA
Arrive home with a wealth of culinary knowledge and memories to last a lifetime of Peru’s rich culinary and cultural tapestry.Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF)
With full trip profile, difficulty rating, weather, and other planning details.
All Southwind itineraries are fully customizable to your personal interests and travel dates. Please contact us us for firsthand knowledge and help with your travel plans.Departures
On request for a minimum of 4 participants any week during the season (April through December)
2025 Land Cost
4-6 participants: from $7,200 p.p.d.
7-12 participants: from $6,500 p.p.d.
Single Supplement: from $1,700p.p.d. = per person based on double occupancy. Price does not include international or local flights.
Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF)
With full trip profile, inclusions/exclusions, estimated airfare, and other info.Lima Upgrade Option: JW Marriott Hotel
Enjoy a view of the Pacific Ocean against the shoreline at one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Top-20 Latin American hotels, the JW Marriott Hotel Lima. This 5-Star facility has prime location near the Larcomar shopping and entertainment center, and luxurious amenities.
Sacred Valley: Sol Y Luna Lodge
Designed to promote the allure of nature and the magic of the Sacred Valley, the 4-star Sol Y Luna Hotel features 14 bungalows distributed throughout a delightfully landscaped site. Each bungalow is an integration of adobe, wood, stone from the area, resulting in a construction that lives in harmony with nature.
Machu Picchu: Inkaterra Pueblo
The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel is a unique, 4-star ecological hotel situated in a cloud forest above the Urubamba River. Featuring 83 spacious, sunlit rooms, the style is Spanish colonial with stone archways and red tiled roofs. Cottages and gardens are reminiscent of a traditional Andean village.
Cusco: Casa Cartagena Hotel
This Boutique Hotel & Spa is a restored historic house located in the city center and features 16 spacious and luxurious suites. In 1983 the city of Cusco was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, comprising this hotel within its perimeter. Weaving luxury and history together, this upscale property is a combination of colonial architecture and Inca stone foundations making for a magical retreat.
Lima Upgrade Option: Miraflores Park Hotel
Located on the Malecon de la Reserva, the 5-star Miraflores Park Hotel has 81 suites offering guests the ideal space for work and rest. Enjoy ample private bathrooms in marble and granite, comfortable king-size beds, and a splendid ocean view.
Sacred Valley Upgrade Option: Libertador Tambo Del Inka
Tambo del Inka, an exclusive Starwood property, is the Sacred Valley’s premier resort and spa. It is the only hotel in Urubamba with a private train station to Machu Picchu, and one of only two with a heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool.
Machu Picchu Upgrade Option: Sanctuary Lodge
Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, by Belmond, enjoys a unique position at the entrance of the Inca Citadel ruins. The unequaled location of this upscale 4-star hotel allows guests easy access to Machu Picchu, as well as breathtaking scenery and bird watching.
Cusco Upgrade Option: Monasterio Hotel
Built in 1592, the original monastery was given the seal of royal approval in 1692. The San Antonio Abad Seminary and was converted into Cusco’s best and most delightful 5-star hotel in 1995. Only two blocks from Cusco’s main square, the Monasterio Hotel features 109 guest rooms.
Amazon Lodges
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights from Cusco or Lima
Season: April to December
Families and travelers with limited time, who want a taste of the Amazon Basin rainforests, will enjoy the Reserva Amazonica or Sandoval Lake lodges, 45 min by motor boat from Puerto Maldonado.Lake Titicaca Tour
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights from Cusco
Season: April to November
For those who want to experience authentic Quechua culture first-hand and feel like you’ve traveled back in time, nothing beats a visit with a family on Taquile Island.Arequipa and Colca Canyon
Length: 5 days/4 nights from Lima
Season: Mid-April to mid-November
Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca in southern Peru is one of the deepest canyons in the world. Since its walls are not as vertical, the valley is filled with small towns that preserve their traditions.Arequipa and Colca Canyon
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights from Lima
Season: Year-round
A visit to Paracas is a journey to one of South America’s most important protected coastal-marine systems. Whales, orcas, dolphins, sea lions and sea otters are just a few the 36 species of marine and land mammals found in the reserve.Manu Biosphere Reserve
Length: 5 Days/4 Nights from Cusco
Season: April to October
For travelers wanting to maximize their wildlife viewing opportunities in a short extension, few places in the Amazon Basin can compete with Manu National Park in southeastern Peru. It is considered to be one of the most pristine and important rainforest reserves on the planet!Northern Peru
Length: 4 days/3 nights from Lima
Season: Year-round
Long before the Incas controlled the country, sophisticated cultures existed along the Peruvian coast; and northern Peru is one of the best destinations for visiting the remains of their cities. Moche sites including the renowned Lord of Sipan and the pyramids.Nazca Lines Tour
Length: 3 days/2 nights from Lima
Season: Year-round
The mysterious lines etched into the coastal plains near the town of Nazca have fascinated scientists, archaeologists and visitors for decades. Best viewed from the air, Nazca figures such as the monkey, fish, hands and whale are highlights.Caral Ruins
Length: 2 days/1 night from Lima
Season: Year-round
In 2001 researchers stunned the archaeological community by carbon-dating the ruins at Caral back to 2627 BC. Step back in time to an early civilization while touring this UNESCO World Heritage Site.Testimonials
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“I thought the trip was fabulous and will recommend Southwind to anyone I meet who is interested in the region.”
Anita Rogers – Peekskill, NY
★★★★★ -
“The trip was superb. The team was A+++. Couldn’t have asked for better guides and more wonderful people. We loved every aspect of the trip even though it was a lot to do in the days that we were there. Thanks to Fredy, Willy and Miguel, we stayed on track and did it all. The restaurant/chefs/food discoveries were delightful. Thank you for putting together the perfect trip!”
Layne Lieberman, RD – New York, NY
★★★★★ -
“We have taken quite a number of “adventure trips” and this was one of the best organized. It was an excellent well-rounded, well-spaced program.”
Robert Biddulph – McHenry, IL
★★★★★
