9-Nights A Taste of Peru: Gastronomy & Culture from $5,377

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Welcome to Peru

Transfer: Jorge Chavez Lima International Airportto Lima - Miraflores

Hotel: Aloft Lima Miraflores (4 Star Rating)

Feel the gastronomic, social and cultural pulse of the city at Aloft Lima Miraflores. With rooms overlooking the city, this hotel in Lima, Peru is strategically located near attractions such as the Larcomar Shopping Center and the Miraflores and Barranco boardwalk, where you can admire the best sunsets in Lima. It is surrounded by parks and shops, close to galleries and museums. The hotel has a varied gastronomic proposal, a restaurant bar and a snack shop open 24 hours a day. In addition, it has an on-site fitness centre, a swimming pool, and state-of-the-art event rooms.

Day 2: A Taste of Lima: Coffee, Pisco Sour & Huaca Pucllana

Your private-guided gastronomy tour begins with a transfer to a charming garden in the Barranco district of Lima where you will enjoy a cup of organic Peruvian coffee alongside your local guide. After learning a bit about the neighbourhood, set out to explore its colourful streets and cultural landmarks, such as the iconic Bridge of Sighs. You'll soon visit a popular local market to sample a few fresh exotic fruits, discover local ingredients, and learn how they have influenced the evolution of local and global cuisine alike. Your next stop will be a restaurant in the nearby district of San Isidro, where you'll sip on a classic pisco sour accompanied by a delicious tasting of dishes that showcase the superfoods that make Peruvian cuisine so popular. Your tour winds down at an iconic restaurant located next to the impressive pre-Inca ruins of Huaca Pucllana. Here, settle in for a selection of gourmet dishes with the spectacular pre-Inca temples as your backdrop. Pairing culture and delicious cuisine and finishing with a return transfer to your hotel, this tour serves as the perfect introduction to Peruvian gastronomy and parts of Lima often overlooked.

Day 3: Lima to the Sacred Valley with Sulca Textiles Museum

Transfer: Lima - Miraflores to Jorge Chavez Lima International Airport

Upon arrival to Cusco Airport, please collect your baggage and head to the arrivals area. Here you will be greeted by a local assistant holding a sign with your name on it. Your journey toward the Sacred Valley soon begins, passing through the charming Imperial City of Cusco. Along the way, stop for special visit to the Sulca Museum, where Peru's textile history is showcased through unique pieces recreated by the talented Sulca family, inspired by Pre-Columbian, Inca, Colonial, and Contemporary cultures, and crafted using ancestral techniques. It is the perfect place to acquire your first authentic souvenir from the Andes. You will then continue toward your hotel in the Sacred Valley, crossing majestic mountains and fertile fields, and typically arriving in the early afternoon.The Boleto Tourism Card (BTC) allows you to access archeological and cultural sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The BTC is a mandatory requirement for travellers visiting the area, and is included in your itinerary.

Hotel: Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado (5 Star Rating)

This hotel is part of the Starwood Hotels Luxury Collection and is 15 kilometers away from Cusco. It is the most luxurious and largest hotel in the magical Sacred Valley and it overlooks the banks of the lovely Vilcanota River. The luxury spa offers pampering massages and therapeutic treatments using ancient Incan ingredients. The professional staff go to every length to ensure an indelible stay, offering refined dining, a therapeutic spa, and a premier fitness center, along with an emerald lagoon and blooming riverside gardens.

Day 4: Flavours and Traditions of the Sacred Valley

Immerse yourself in the ancient traditions and bold flavors of the Sacred Valley on this curated and private-guided culinary experience. Begin with an exploration of the region's exceptional coffee, following the journey from raw bean to roasted perfection while discovering the unique aromas and profiles that make Andean coffee so distinctive. Next, step into an artisanal distillery to craft your very own Andean spirit, a personalized blend of sugarcane aguardiente, fresh garden herbs, and traditional aromatic ingredients, sealed in a keepsake bottle that will continue developing for months ahead. The experience culminates with a Pachamanca feast, one of the Andes' most celebrated culinary traditions; chicken, pork, lamb, Andean potatoes, and organic vegetables slow cooked in an earthen stone oven, enjoyed surrounded by mountains and ancient archaeological remains. After a delicious day of discovery and connection, you'll be returned to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Day 5: The Salt Ponds of Maras and Enigmatic Moray

This half-day adventure will take you to see two of the most iconic places in the Sacred Valley of the Incas: Maras and Moray. The impressive archaeological complex of Moray, which resembles a natural amphitheater, will amaze with its enormous, concentric platforms. Here you will enjoy a guided tour to learn about the history of these fascinating ruins that are an excellent example of brilliant Inca engineering. After touring Moray, you will visit the famous ancestral salt mines of Maras, a place where - to this day - the finest salt in the world is harvested. With stunning panoramic views of the mosaic of terraces and ponds, Maras offers the perfect setting for photography enthusiasts. After touring Maras and Moray, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 6: Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes with Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu

Your adventure today brings you to one of the most important places in the Sacred Valley of the Incas: the town of Ollantaytambo. A window to the country's Incan past, it is an emblematic place where Manco Inca defeated the Spanish in the year 1537. Begin by walking through its characteristic cobblestone streets, surrounded by adobe houses, before heading towards the fascinating archaeological complex, which was a military, religious and agricultural center. There, you will climb the steep stone steps to admire the monoliths that make up the Temple of the Sun, learning a little about Inca astronomy and the impressive architecture seen throughout the archaeological site. Ollantaytambo, its platforms and its fortress are a perfect testimony of the extraordinary skill of the Incas in construction and planning. Please note, the fortress of Ollantaytambo can be considered moderately challenging to explore and requires decent mobility and fitness levels. At the end of your tour, you will be delivered to Ollantaytambo train station or returned to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, pending on your onward travel plans.As there are strict luggage restrictions in place on board the train to Aguas Calientes, a luggage transfer service has been arranged to bring your additional belongings to Cusco. Once you have completed your experience in and around Machu Picchu, your baggage will be ready and waiting for you in Cusco.At the scheduled time, board the 360 Train with service to Aguas Calientes, the penultimate stop on your way to Machu Picchu. The train cars of the 360 are defined by comfortable seats, panoramic windows, ambient music and an open-air observation wagon that complements the spectacular scenery that accents the trip to Aguas Calientes; be sure to have your camera ready as there are seemingly endless opportunities for gorgeous pictures. As you travel to Aguas Calientes, you are welcome to purchase a range of food and beverages from the on-board service (additional cost), and will also be offered a complimentary snack.On this circuit, you'll catch classic postcard perfect photos of Machu Picchu from the Guardian's House, which overlooks the primary citadel. Soon after, you'll go to the lower terrace, where you will have the chance to capture some fantastic panoramic pictures of the citadel. Next, you'll continue through the urban and religious sector where you can explore the main Inca Temples and precincts including the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Fountains, and more. Widely considered to be among the most comprehensive circuits to tour Machu Picchu, you'll explore the complex for 2 hours and 30 minutes alongside your local private guide before completing the route.

Hotel: Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (5 Star Rating)

At the foot of the imposing mountains surrounding Machu Picchu, by the banks of the Vilcanota River, stands Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel. The only five-star hotel in Aguas Calientes is architecturally inspired by the enigmatic lost city of the Incas. The exquisite culinary creations of the hotel's restaurant are prepared with regional ingredients and its luxury suites await you for an enchanting trip to the historical past of the Andean culture.

Day 7: Hiram Bingham Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco

On this circuit, you'll catch classic postcard perfect photos of Machu Picchu from the Guardian's House, which overlooks the primary citadel. Soon after, you'll make the journey to Inti Punku, also known as the Sun Gate. This unique touring option is only available at select times of the year and is an experience few will have the opportunity to enjoy. It is widely believed that Inki Punku served as a sort of checkpoint control during Incan times and was likely used to restrict access to the nearby sanctuary. Most guests will complete this visit in approximately two hours.At the scheduled time, board the Hiram Bingham Train with service to Cusco. Named after the explorer who rediscovered the Inca citadel in 1911, the train has two dining cars, an observation car equipped with a bar and a kitchen car. Decorated in the style of 1920's Pullman carriages, each has been furnished in polished wood and brass with large comfortable armchairs. As you board, the tables are exquisitely set with gleaming crystal and polished cutlery. En route to Cusco, you will settle in for an impressive dinner, specially crafted by the on board chef. Easily the most luxurious way to travel from Aguas Calientes to Cusco, sit back and enjoy the delights of the Hiram Bingham Train.

Hotel: Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel (5 Star Rating)

This first-class luxury traditional 5-star hotel is ranked as the best 5-star in the city by the Peruvian Minister of Tourism. The Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel is located across from the impressive Koricancha, or Temple of the Sun, and surrounded by magnificent Inca and colonial buildings. Also, the hotel is just minutes away from the city's major attractions: the main plaza, the Cathedral, the artisans' neighborhood known as San Blas, and others, as well as the route to the architectural complexes of Sacsayhuaman, Q'enko, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.

Day 8: Market Visit, Culinary Class & Cocktails in Cusco

Step into the kitchen of Mama Seledonia for a cooking experience that nourishes both the palate and the soul. Founded by the passionate and talented Seledonia Montalvo, this initiative goes far beyond great food; it provides meaningful employment opportunities for single mothers from vulnerable communities, making every dish you prepare all the more enjoyable. The experience begins with a guided tour of the vibrant Cascaparo market, where Cusco and the Sacred Valley's array of unique, hearty and healthy native ingredients take center stage and the building blocks of Andean cuisine come to life. Together with your local guide, you'll handpick seasonal produce before heading to Seledonia's kitchen to roll up your sleeves and learn how to prepare a few traditional dishes. The session concludes with a shared tasting of everything you've prepared, making for a warm, purposeful, and delicious way to connect with the culture and community of Cusco.Explore Cusco's historic center after dark on this private guided cocktail walking tour, led by a professional bartender with a passion for Peru's most celebrated spirit, pisco. Winding through some of the city's most atmospheric streets, you'll make three carefully chosen stops at standout bars and restaurants, each offering a unique and refreshing perspective on pisco-based cocktails. The evening opens with an introduction to pisco's history and character, complete with a tasting of its essential varieties. From there, cocktails grow more adventurous - think coca sour, exotic fruit preparations, and ginger-infused concoctions - as your technique and appreciation deepen with each visit and sip. The night finishes at a bar overlooking Cusco's impressive and illuminated Main Square, where a shared piqueo of snacks and a final cocktail provide the perfect, memorable finale to an unmissable evening. Please note, this tour is exclusively done on foot and does not include transportation.

Day 9: Walking Tour of Cusco's Historic City Center

Lace up your walking shoes and set off on a fascinating half-day exploration of Cusco's most iconic landmarks, guided by an expert who seemingly brings every cobblestone and courtyard to life. The tour opens at the magnificent Main Square, where centuries of Inca and colonial history converge in one incredible space; the grand Cathedral, built atop the palace of Inca Huiracocha, dominates the plaza and houses a remarkable collection of goldsmith masterpieces and celebrated Cusco School paintings. A short walk leads to Koricancha, once the most sacred temple in the Inca Empire, where imposing stone foundations now cradle a striking baroque Spanish convent, a powerful symbol of Cusco's layered and complex identity. The route then winds uphill through narrow, atmospheric streets to the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, where local artisan workshops spill onto the lanes and the perfect handcrafted souvenir is never far away. After exploring Cusco by foot, your guide will escort you back to your accommodations.

Day 10: Depart from Peru

Transfer: Cusco to Cusco Airport