Luxury Peru Culture & Foodie Adventure - 10 Days

Highlights

• Dine at Lima's best restaurants and sample exotic Peruvian street food
• Explore Andean highlights like the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
• Shop at local markets, join cooking classes, and enjoy traditional lunches
• Stroll the cobbled streets of Cusco, visiting colonial landmarks and ruins

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Dinner at Central Restaurante

Welcome to Peru! Hopefully, you brought your appetite because your first day in this South American wonderland is all about the food. You'll arrive in Lima, the nation's dynamic capital, known for its Spanish-colonial landmarks, romantic coastal bluffs, and world-class food scene. Your driver will be waiting at the airport for the 1.5-hour transfer into the city and your hotel, Belmond Miraflores Park.

Located in the upscale coastal suburb of Miraflores, this 5-star hotel is set amid verdant gardens and is known for its exceptional service and dazzling sea views. Many of the Belmond's well-appointed rooms and suites feature private balconies overlooking the Pacific. Other welcome features include a spa/wellness center and a rooftop pool where you can relax after a long flight in a sun lounger. There are many dining options at the hotel, including the acclaimed Tragaluz restaurant, serving innovative Peruvian/international cuisine.

Later, take a seat at one of the best restaurants in Peru. Central Restaurante is helmed by Chef Virgilio Martínez, whose inspired menu takes diners on a culinary journey through Peru's diverse landscapes, with each dish inspired by a specific altitude—from the depths of the Pacific Ocean to the peaks of the Andes. You'll enjoy the famous tasting menu, which features a series of meticulously crafted dishes reflecting the diverse ecosystems of Peru. Standout dishes may include Amazonian piranha with camu camu berries, Andean tubers with alpaca jerky, or Pacific seafood ceviche with Amazonian ants.

Day 2: Lima City Tour, Evening Food Tour

Rise and shine because today, you get to discover the wonders of Lima! Your guide will pick you up in the morning, and from there, you'll hit some of the top spots around Miraflores. First up is Parque del Amor (Love Park), which sits on Lima's famous coastal bluffs and is the perfect spot to enjoy a memorable sunset over the Pacific.

If you like, you can stop in at Museo Larco, a privately owned museum with a fine collection of pre-Hispanic art. Located inside a mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid, it's the best place in the city to view ancient gold and silver artifacts. From there, it's a short walk to Lima's historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Plaza de Armas (main square). Here, you'll visit impressive colonial landmarks, including the Convent of Santo Domingo. Built in the 16th century by the Dominican Order of Friars, it's located near the plaza and is famous for its magnificent Baroque architecture.

In the late afternoon, you're off to discover the best of Peru's world-famous cuisine on a half-day foodie tour. Meet another guide near your hotel and kick things off with seaside snacks paired with a pisco sour (Peru's national cocktail) as you enjoy the coastal views. Then, head over to the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, which dates to around 500 CE, to sample a variety of foods, including Peru's famous ceviche. The tour ends in the romantic Barranco neighborhood in a trendy restaurant, where you'll dine al fresco at a garden table as you enjoy a curated selection of the chef's signature dishes. 

Day 3: Fly to the Sacred Valley, Lunch at Wayra Ranch

Say goodbye to the coast and hello to the highlands as you return to the airport this morning and board the hourlong flight from Lima to Cusco. Upon arrival, you'll transfer about 9 miles (15 km) north of the city to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Extending along the Urubamba River, the valley encompasses picturesque villages, archaeological sites, and soaring Andes peaks.

It's also the location of your hotel, Tambo del Inka. This 5-star resort features elegant rooms with regional fabrics and balconies overlooking the river. There's an infinity pool, spa, and gardens on site, plus Hawa Restaurant, which serves gourmet New Andean cuisine prepared with local, organic products.

Today's lunch will be at Wayra, a gem of a restaurant in a historic estate outside the town of Urubamba. The dining room features local terra cotta tiles and original stonework, plus murals and woodcarvings by renowned Peruvian artists. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious meal of local and international favorites, like the Peruvian classic lomo saltado (beef tenderloin sauteéd with onion and tomatoes). Everything is made using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven.

Day 4: Sacred Valley Tour with the Ollantaytambo Ruins

Embark early on a full-day tour of the most legendary sites in the Sacred Valley. First up are the Maras Salt Pans, a massive patchwork of salt pans perched on a hillside. These saline pools, fed by natural springs at the top of the valley, have been used for salt production since Inca times.

Afterward, you'll visit Moray, an incredible complex of stone amphitheaters developed by the Inca. While the exact reason for the construction of this site remains unknown, historians believe the Inca constructed it in order to experiment with crop production in different microclimates.

Afterward, continue with your driver to the eastern end of the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo. This highland town and archaeological site is one of the few remaining places in the Sacred Valley that has retained its original Inca urban planning. These include agricultural terraces that are still in use today. There are also plenty of ruins here of stone structures, ancient ceremonial centers, and more. After hiking around the ruins, you can stroll the town's cobbled streets and browse artisanal handicrafts.

Day 5: Visit Pisac Market & Ruins, Lunch at Hacienda Sarapampa

After breakfast, you'll leave on a half-day tour to visit the famous archaeological site in the village of Pisac. During a three-hour guided tour, you'll explore these hilltop ruins, which are comprised of Inca burial grounds, irrigation systems, and astronomy centers. Later, head into town and visit Pisac's famous textile market to browse handmade garments.

For lunch, your driver will take you to Hacienda Sarapampa, a country estate near the town of Pisac. Here, you'll sit down with Maria del Pilar and Jussef, your friendly hosts, for a private lunch followed by a guided tour of the hacienda grounds. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.

Day 6: Train to Aguas Calientes, Tour of Machu Picchu

The day begins with a transfer to the train station in the Sacred Valley. There, you'll board a luxury train for the 3.5-hour ride to Peru's most famous ancient Inca site, Machu Picchu. During the trip, you'll enjoy first-class service as you marvel at views of the Urubamba River and Andes peaks through the windows. You can spend the journey in the train's observatory bar car, sipping a smart cocktail like a pisco sour before sitting to a gourmet three-course lunch.

Your destination is the town of Aguas Calientes. This is the main hub for excursions up the mountain to the UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Upon arrival, you'll transfer over to the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel located right at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Overnighting at this stylish retreat lets you beat the citadel's mass crowds. This 5-star hotel also offers a range of welcome amenities for the weary traveler, such as Inca spa rituals to nourish your spirit and soothe your weary muscles after a day hiking around the citadel.

After checking in, you'll board a bus for the 25-minute ride up the mountain to Machu Picchu at 7,970 feet (2,430 m), which dates to around 1450 CE. During a tour led by an expert guide, you'll hike around the complex and visit its famous landmarks, including astronomical/ritual stone structures like the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon. Many landmarks, like the Sacred Plaza and Inca Bridge, showcase the Incas' architectural prowess. The agricultural terraces are also impressive, demonstrating the Incas' skill at cultivating crops on steep hillsides.

Day 7: Free Time at Machu Picchu, Train to Cusco

One day at Machu Picchu simply isn't enough, which is why this morning, you'll return to the citadel a second time. It's a great opportunity to walk amid more well-preserved ruins, plus embark on one of the additional hikes in the area. The most famous are the routes up the tallest peaks rising above the citadel: Huayna Picchu at 8,920 feet (2,720 m) and Montaña Machu Picchu at 10,111 feet (3,082 m). Both involve rigorous uphill (at times almost vertical) hikes, and both reward your effort with great views over the citadel and the Andes below.

You'll no doubt be sore after all that hiking, which is fine because, after this half-day excursion, you'll board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train once again for the relaxing three-hour ride southeast to Cusco. Located in the highlands, this area has been settled for thousands of years. However, it wasn't until 1200 CE that Cusco was officially founded as a center for Inca rule. It was the capital of the Inca Kingdom until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Today, the city features an incredible mix of Spanish-colonial architecture and ancient Inca archaeological sites.

Your accommodation is a part of Cusco's rich history, too. Palacio del Inka is a 500-year-old manor estate converted into a 5-star luxury hotel. It's in the historic center, a short walk from landmarks like the Plaza de Armas, Cusco's main square. As for amenities, its elegant guest suites are appointed with luxurious furnishings, modern amenities, and many feature views looking out over the hotel courtyard and gardens to the city skyline beyond. After settling in, you can indulge in a range of luxurious amenities, including a full-service spa and fine dining restaurant serving gourmet Peruvian cuisine.

Day 8: Cusco City Tour, Visit San Pedro Market

You'll have most of the morning free to relax at the hotel or explore Cusco on your own. Save your energy, however, because, after lunch, you'll meet your expert local guide for a half-day walking tour of the city. Explore Cusco's historic center, visiting iconic landmarks like the Plaza de Armas and Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun). During the Inca reign in the 15th century, this was Cusco's religious and political center.

From there, walk down Hatunrumiyoc Street and admire the ancient Inca walls, particularly the 12-Angle Stone, so named because its dozen angles fit perfectly in the surrounding stones. It's a shining example of the ancient Incas' stonemasonry prowess.

Then, continue on to San Pedro, Cusco's most famous municipal market. There's no better way to know the soul of this city than by browsing its kiosks and marveling at the abundance of fresh produce, which includes many of Peru's thousands of varieties of potatoes. You can also sit down at one of the food stalls for fresh fruit juice and to snack on street food. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 9: Cusco Foodie Tour

It's another day to luxuriate in Peru's world-renowned gastronomy! A guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning, and from there, you'll embark on a full-day food tour. This culinary adventure focuses on three key Peruvian specialties: chocolate, coffee, and pisco. The journey begins at the Coffee Museum where you'll learn the secrets to what makes Peruvian coffee so delicious (hint: it has to do with volcanic soil). Of course, the tour includes a sampling of several top Peruvian brews.

The gastronomic odyssey continues at the ChocoMuseum. This small museum and purveyor of artisanal chocolates educates visitors about the production process, starting with the cacao (cocoa) tree and ending with a tasting. You'll also prepare cacao tea and hot chocolate, which play important roles in Inca culture. Then, participate in a workshop where you'll prepare your own chocolate. The day ends with a visit to Pisco Republic for a celebration of all things pisco, the famous grape brandy and national spirit of Peru. After a tasting paired with some tasty snacks, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 10: Rooftop Cooking Workshop, Depart Cusco

It may be your last day in Peru, but there's no need to rush out the door. In the morning, you'll meet a local Peruvian chef and return to San Pedro to pick up fresh ingredients for today's very special cooking class. After the market, continue on foot to a rooftop kitchen, where you'll don your chef's whites and start cooking amid incredible views of the Cusco skyline.

During the workshop, you'll learn the techniques and secrets to producing some of the country's most emblematic dishes. At the end of the experience, everyone will sit down and enjoy these creations for lunch. Afterward, you'll transfer to the airport in time to catch your flight home. Adiós!

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