Along the way......

Peru is a country of many facets, which are incredibly diverse both with respect to its geography and to its people. History left its mark on an inescapable mix of cultures after the arrival of the Spanish, best expressed by the black slave trade, without forgetting the wave of immigration the country has undergone in the last 200 years, most notably Asian in origin. The worldwide influences on its gastronomy places Peru at the head of all Latin American countries in culinary matters. In this circuit we offer a tour of the best restaurants as well as the traditional "highlights" of Southern Peru. Bon appetite!

Day 1 :LIMA / RECEPTION

Reception upon arrival at Jorge Chavez airport, in Lima.
Transfer to the hotel. Meals open.

 

Day 2 : LIMA / CITY TOUR OR LIMA OPEN WITH MEALS

Day dedicated to the visit of the Peruvian capital city. In the morning, discovery of the colonial quarters of the city center via the Plaza San Martin and the Plaza Armas. Then, visit of the Cathedral, the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs.

Lunch in a Cevicheria (typical restaurant serving fish) where we taste the delicious Ceviche (raw fish marinated in lemon juice) and the causa limeña (tuna and eggs stuffed potato cake), and with accompanying drink the chicha morada (made from fermented purple corn).

In the afternoon, visit of the Archaeological Museum which hosts a collection of pre-Columbian fabrics, goldsmith’s art and mummies …
At the end of the day, visit of the district of Barranco: the artists place. Transfer to the hotel.

For dinner, in a well-known Peruvian restaurant because of its founder the extremely famous Gaston, a wide variety of fine plates, but make sure you keep space for desert, Astrid is spouse is an expert! Mousse, meringue, sponge cake, pies, and exquisite exotic cream puffs.

Note 1 : On Sundays in Barranco takes place the « Feria de los sabores » where you can taste several Amazonian and Creole dishes.
Note 2: As the Convent and the Archaeological Museum are closed on Mondays, visits of the Church of San Pedro or Santo Domingo, and of the Larco Herrera Museum are planned instead. Please note that there will be an extra charge for it.

 

Day 3 : LIMA – NAZCA (BUS SERVICE) - LOW-ALTITUDE FLIGHT OVER THE LINES

In the morning, transfer to the Lima land terminal.
Departure by bus, for Nazca, via the Pan-American Highway skirting the coastal desert.

We reach our hotel where a typical coastal meal awaits us: “la Pachamanca”, a plate made of meat, potatoes, fava beans, cheese and corn and cooked in the earth!

Low-altitude flight over the famous lines - strange geometrical drawings, some of which easily exceeding 300 yards in length and only visible from the sky!

For dinner, a selection of places made from typical Peruvian ingredients such as peanuts, quinoa (cereal), pumpkin, Olluco or achira (regional root) or the yuca (manioc). For desert a mazamora de quinoa or lucuma delicacy (typical Peruvian fruit).

Note 1: length of the low-altitude flight: 30-minute.
Note 2: bus trip not accompanied by a guide.

 

Day 4 : NAZCA – AREQUIPA (BUS SERVICE)

We start our “gourmet” tour by an earthy breakfast in a local farm with the local products of the Chate family welcoming us in the heart of their agricultural exploitation. We then head to the aqueducts of Cantayoc remnants of the Nazca culture.

Lunch in the area before getting back on the bus for the long trip to Arequipa.

Transfer to the hotel.

For dinner, the chef’s suggestion: trout stuffed Quinoa Cakes (the trout being from the Colca River), Pacific salmon steak, seasonal exotic fruit mousse.

Note 1: 353 miles – length: 9-hour minimum.
Note 2: bus trip not accompanied by a guide.

 

Day 5 : AREQUIPA / HALF-DAY CITY TOUR

Half day dedicated to the discovery of the White City. Visit of the colonial center and of the Covent of Santa Catalina.
Afternoon open to stroll in the streets of Arequipa.

For lunch, we invite you in a Picanteria, typical restaurant of Arequipa offering a pleasant atmosphere to taste regional plates such as the rocoto relleno (stuffed sweet pepper).

For dinner, chef’s suggestion: Adobado de osobuco (traditional plate), shrimp stuffed eggplants and fresh vegetables in cream sauce, for desert the tocino del cielo literally bacon from the sky looking more like the floating islands we are used to!

Please note: an authorized guide from the site guides the visit of the Convent.

 

Day 6 : AREQUIPA – AGUADA BLANCA PRESERVE - PATAPAMPA – COLCA CANYON

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for Colca, whose canyon is one of the deepest in the world, with 3680 meters depth (12073 feet).
Crossing of the National Preserve and of the Patapampa pass.
On the way, we admire magnificent landscapes and possibly observe vicunas and other camelids.
Transfer to the hotel in Colca. Option to take a bath in the village hot springs (not included).

For dinner, quinoa soup, alpaca a la plancha.

Please note: 99 miles – around 5-hour of travel time.

 

Day 7 : COPORAQUE – CRUZ DEL CONDOR - AREQUIPA

Morning departure in a private vehicle in the direction of Arequipa. First stop at Cruz Del Condor, at the heart of the Colca, to observe the condors. Visit of some typical villages such as Maca. Lunch buffet style on the road.
Return to Arequipa and transfer to the hotel.

For dinner, chef’s suggestion: Chupe de camarones (shrimp soup, also a typical plate of Arequipa), cuy chactado (The long expected guinea pig!), for desert, another local specialty: the queso helado (frozen cheese!).

 

Day 8 : AREQUIPA – PUNO (TITICACA) (BY BUS)

In the morning, transfer to the Arequipa land terminal. Journey by bus to Puno, town located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This itinerary gives you the opportunity to discover the rather unusual landscapes of the Altiplano. Cold lunch in the bus, transfer to the hotel.

For dinner, the chef’s suggestion: Carparccio of Alpaca, steak in pepper sauce with a potato gratin, Andean cheese and sweet crystallized hot pepper, chocolate pie/passion fruit over cream and a scoop of home made ice-cream.

Note 1: visitors are not accompanied during the journey. 5-hour of travel time.
Note 2: timetable and specific transport company details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.
Note 3: this trip can also be organized in a private vehicle.

 

Day 9 : PUNO – UROS - TAQUILE – PUNO (TITICACA)

In the morning, transfer to the port of Puno to embark for the islands of Uros and Taquile. After a 25-minute cruise, we visit of the floating islands.
These islands are not natural; the Uros tribe, whose main activity is fishing, built them. We then head for Taquile (around 2-hour cruise), an island of great cultural interest, where residents live in harmony with the ancestral traditions.
Visit and lunch in a typical restaurant, not included. Back to Puno in mid-afternoon.
Transfer to the hotel.

For dinner, the chef’s suggestion: Tarwi salad (Lupine), Chorillana trout medallions, Huancaina potatoes, Quinua custard.

Day 10 : PUNO – CUZCO (TOURIST BUS)

Transfer to the Puno land terminal. Journey by bus to Cuzco, Navel of the Inca Empire. This itinerary allows you to enjoy wonderful landscapes along the road, via the Raya Pass, at 4320 meters above sea level (14173 feet). Visit of the Pukara Museum, the archaeological site of Raqchi and the “Sistine Chapel” of the Andes in Andahuaylillas.
Reception and transfer to the hotel in Cuzco.

For dinner, the chef’s suggestion: Ham stuffed with gorgonzola and spinach in a sauco and oporto sauce – Steak in a pepper and sweet hot pepper sauce sautéed in Pisco (local alcohol national) – Pears cooked in red wine served with a scoop of ice cream.

Note: visitors are not accompanied by a guide on the bus journey. However, a Spanish/English-speaking guide, exclusive to the bus company, participates to the journey and gives information along the way.
Option: Train of the Andes Orient Express – in service from November to March Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. From April to October also operating on Saturdays.

 

Day 11 : CUZCO – PISAC – MARAS - OLLANTAYTAMBO – SACRED VALLEY

In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for a day dedicated to the discovery of the Sacred Valley. First stop at the ruins of Pisac. Visit of the site and walk around the handicraft market.
Typical lunch and stop in a ceramic workshop in Urubamba (Ayllu if opens).
Continuation of the journey to Maras: salt mines in the middle of the Cordillera! Walk down to the Urumbamba River where the vehicle awaits us. Continuation to the Incan village of Ollantaytambo. Visit of the fortress and transfer to our hotel in Yucay.

For dinner, the chef’s suggestion: Green salad served with langoustines breaded in coconut and over a mango salsa assorted with caramelized peanuts – duck in a Sauco sauce (regional fruit) – curry vegetables accompanied by coconut and small Peruvian bananas breaded and sautéed in kiwicha (local cereal of the Andes) rice – maracuya pie (passion fruit)

 

Day 12 : SACRED VALLEY - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUASCALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU - CUZCO

In the morning, departure from the train station of Ollantaytambo for the journey to Aguascalientes.
Direct connection to the shuttle service that will drive you to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Day dedicated to the visit of the site; one of the wonders of the world, discovered in 1911 by the American anthropologist Hiram Bingham.

Late lunch with our friend Patrick at the Indio Feliz, chef’s suggestion: Cantaloup from Trujillo in a Sacred Valley Sureau (liquor), brook trout from the Urubamba River in a sauce of mangoes from Quillabamba, Orange pie in cream and vanilla ice cream. In the afternoon, we return to Cuzco. Transfer to the hotel.

For dinner, the chef’s suggestions: shrimps breaded in a Brie sauce over a bed of asparagus in a piecrust. Duck Magret in a curry sauce, for desert a Maracuya Trilogy (passion fruit) a meal in itself!

Note: depending on availabilities, the return journey can be done by train to Ollantaytambo and then by private vehicle to Cuzco.

 

Day 13 : CUZCO / COMPLETE CITY TOUR

Day dedicated to the discovery of Cuzco and its surrounding areas. In the morning, visit of the archaeological sites overlooking the city: Tambomachay, Q’enko, Pukapucara and Sacsayhuaman. We then walk down to the San Blas quarter (the artists’ place). We pass by the famous 12 angles stone and continue to the San Pedro market to familiarize ourselves with local products.

We stop for lunch in a Quinta, an outdoor restaurant typical of Cuzco where we can taste, among other things, the Lechon (sucking pig) accompanied by tamales.

In the afternoon, visits of the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), and of the Cathedral, exhibiting some paintings from the School of Cuzco and many goldsmith’s art, silver and precious stones treasures.
Transfer to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.

In the evening, in a warm atmosphere with a soft musical background, we offer a “degustation” menu chosen carefully to please the most difficult palates!

 

Day 14 : CUZCO – LIMA (BY PLANE)

Transfer to the Cuzco airport for a flight to Lima, the Peruvian capital.
Reception and transfer to the hotel.

For lunch, we suggest a typical “criollo” meal: Anticucho, Cau Cau, Juanes, Carapulcra.
Afternoon open.

For dinner, we take you to an original restaurant/art/. Chef’s suggestion: Shrimp Pierrade over a tomato and crisp artichokes coulis, sheep shank in a fig sauce accompanied by mozzarella polenta, passion fruits stuffed with crème brûlée over a mango coulis.

Please note: visitors are not accompanied by a guide on this flight. Timetable and specific airline details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.
Option: for a city tour of Lima – contact us.

 

Day 15 : LIMA / INTERNATIONAL RETURN FLIGHT

Three hours before take-off, transfer to Jorge Chavez airport in Lima.
Connection with the international return flight. Meals open.

 

Included:

  All tours mentioned in this program

  Private English-speaking guide

  Aforementioned transport: domestic flights, trains

  Private transfer to airport / station / bus terminal / hotel with Spanish-speaking chauffeur

  Entrance to sites, museums and natural parks

  Hotels with double or triple room including breakfast

  Aforementioned meals

  Guide expenses (transport, hotels, meals, etc…)

 

Not Included:

  International return flight

  Individual equipment (sleeping bag, torch lamp, etc…)

  Obligatory travel insurance

  Entrance fees if mentioned

  Drinks

  Tips

  Airport tax ($US 6 per person for national flights, $US 30 per person for international flights)

  Aforementioned free meals

General information Peru

Equipment to bring

Travel and health advice

Altitude stays

Climate