Taste of Peru Journey | 10D/9N

After breakfast at your hotel in Lima, your guide will pick you up at approximately 9:00 am for a private city tour. We’ll start with a panoramic view of Huaca Pucllana (97 masl / 319 ft), a sacred ceremonial center built in the 4th century A.D. Then we’ll head to Lima’s Historic Center, where you’ll marvel at landmarks such as Lima Cathedral, Government Palace, and Archbishop’s Palace, and visit the San Francisco Convent, famous for its underground catacombs.

We’ll continue through the upscale districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, stopping at the Love Park and enjoying panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from Larcomar (50 masl / 165 ft). We’ll also pass through traditional residential neighborhoods of Lima. The tour ends either at your hotel or, if you prefer, at a local restaurant for lunch.

In the afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco (3399 masl / 11152 ft), a private transfer will take you to your hotel.

Included:

• Breakfast at the hotel in Lima 
• Tourist transportation for the Lima city tour 
• Certified tour guide 
• Entrance ticket to San Francisco catacombs 
• Transfer from hotel to Lima airport 
• Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco 
• Private transfer from Cusco airport to your hotel 
• One night in a hotel in Cusco 

Not included:

• Meals: Lunch and Dinner 
• Additional costs or delays beyond our control 
• Personal expenses 
• Travel insurance 

Start the day with breakfast at your hotel. Your guide will meet you to begin this flavorful experience. We’ll head to San Pedro Market, a vibrant local market that reflects the daily life of Cusqueños. Here, you’ll find a variety of traditional products such as fresh juices, cheese, pan chuta (a large circular bread), coffee, coca leaves, and more. You’ll also shop for ingredients for your cooking class. You’ll choose between preparing ceviche or lomo saltado, depending on your preference.

Next, we’ll head to the cooking studio, where for around 2 hours, you’ll discover your culinary talents under the guidance of a professional chef. Learn cutting techniques and final presentation tips as you prepare your dish from start to finish. You’ll then enjoy the food you’ve created and understand why Peruvian cuisine ranks among the world’s best.

At the end, feel free to ask the chef for tips and tricks to perfect your cooking at home. Take this memorable and delicious experience with you!

Included:

• Breakfast at the hotel in Cusco 
• Professional chef 
• Tour guide 
• Visit to San Pedro Market 
• Preparation of ceviche or lomo saltado 
• Tasting of the prepared dishes 
• All ingredients 

Not included:

• Meals: Dinner 
• Tourist transportation 
• Personal expenses 
• Travel insurance 
• Additional costs or delays beyond our control 

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Cusco, your guide will pick you up at 8:00 am. We’ll head to Maras Salt Mines (3200 masl / 10499 ft), about a one-hour drive. The paved road turns into a dirt road near the site, but don’t worry—the vehicle is well-suited for the journey.

Along the way, you’ll see fields of wheat, potatoes, and barley. In the rainy season, the entire landscape turns a lush green. Locals here are mainly farmers and shepherds. Over 3,000 salt ponds are located at the site, and from above, the view is spectacular. Historically, the salt was used to dehydrate food for preservation— a method still used in remote communities today. Salt extraction occurs weekly, or every 2–3 days in the dry season. It’s sorted by layers and used for human consumption, medicine, and animal feed.

Next, we’ll visit the Moray archaeological site (3500 masl / 11483 ft), an ancient agricultural lab with circular terraces that created microclimates for farming. We’ll then head to Urubamba for a buffet lunch before checking in at your hotel to rest.

Included:

• Breakfast at the hotel in Cusco 
• Tourist transportation 
• Certified tour guide 
• Entrance to Maras Salt Mines 
• Entrance to Moray archaeological site 
• Buffet lunch in Urubamba 
• One night in a hotel in Urubamba 

Not included:

• Meals: Dinner 
• Travel insurance 
• Personal expenses 
• Additional costs or delays beyond our control 

After breakfast at your hotel in the Sacred Valley, your guide will pick you up at 10:00 am. We’ll begin our visit to Ollantaytambo archaeological site (2792 masl / 9161 ft), which functioned as both a military and religious center during Inca times. It’s known as one of Peru’s best-preserved towns, with unique Inca architecture, cobblestone streets, and water channels.

Next, we’ll experience the preparation of a traditional Pachamanca meal, made by placing ingredients—potatoes, sweet potatoes, fava beans, chicken, beef, and vegetables—into an underground oven heated with stones. After about 45 minutes, we’ll enjoy the delicious fusion of flavors.

In the afternoon, board the Expedition or The Voyager train for a 1 hour and 40-minute journey to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, a staff member will meet you and escort you to your hotel for rest and preparation for the following day’s visit to Machu Picchu.

Included:

• Breakfast at the hotel in the Sacred Valley 
• Tourist transportation 
• Certified tour guide 
• Pachamanca preparation activity 
• Pachamanca lunch 
• Entrance ticket to Ollantaytambo archaeological site 
• Train ticket (Expedition or The Voyager) from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes 
• One night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes 

Not included:

• Meals: Dinner 
• Alcoholic beverages and sodas 
• Personal expenses 
• Travel insurance 
• Additional costs or delays beyond our control 

We will board the first buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. The ride takes 35 to 40 minutes along a zigzagging road surrounded by lush vegetation until we reach the entrance gate of Machu Picchu (2430 masl / 7972 ft). If needed, you may use the restrooms at the entrance, as there are none inside the sanctuary.

Together with our guide, we will begin the assigned route. The charm and mysticism of Machu Picchu will connect you with the nature and history of this sacred place. You’ll be amazed by the precision of the stone carvings and the hydraulic system used by the Incas. The guide will make several stops to explain the significance of each site, and you’ll have time to take photos.

After the 2-hour and 30-minute guided tour, we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. You will be dropped off at a tourist restaurant to enjoy lunch, and you’ll also have free time to explore the town on foot, as there are no cars in the area.

Be at the train station 30 minutes before the departure time of your return train. The route is the same back to Ollantaytambo station, where you’ll enjoy a show on board and scenic views. Upon arrival, your assigned transport will take you back to your hotel in Cusco (3399 masl / 11152 ft).

Included:

• Breakfast at the hotel in Aguas Calientes 
• Tour guide 
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu 
• Round-trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu 
• Lunch in Aguas Calientes 
• Vistadome Observatory train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo 
• Tourist transportation from Ollantaytambo station to your hotel in Cusco 
• Hotel night in Cusco 

Not included:

• Dinner 
• Travel insurance 
• Personal expenses 
• Additional costs or delays beyond our control 

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 8:30 am. We will drive for about 30 minutes to our first stop: the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman (3700 masl / 12140 ft), where we’ll admire the massive megalithic structures.

Next, we’ll visit Qenqo, and then continue to Manos de la Comunidad, a beautiful traditional site full of colors and Andean textiles. Here, we will meet the most iconic Andean camelids—llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos—in an interactive experience where you can feed them, take photos, and learn to distinguish each species.

We’ll also witness the traditional process of textile production—from raw alpaca wool to finely woven blankets, bags, ponchos, and decorative items.

We then visit the final two archaeological sites: Pucapucara and Tambomachay, the latter being a sacred Incan site dedicated to water. At the end of the tour, we’ll return to Cusco, dropping you off either at your hotel or in the main square for dinner at one of the many local restaurants.

Included:

• Breakfast at the hotel in Cusco 
• Tourist transportation 
• Tour guide 
• Visit to Andean camelids 
• Entrance tickets to Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay 
• Hotel night in Cusco 

Not included:

• Meals: Lunch and dinner 
• Travel insurance 
• Personal expenses 
• Additional costs or delays beyond our control 

Early morning, around 3:30 am, your guide will pick you up from your hotel to begin this incredible mountain adventure. After a 2-hour drive, we’ll reach Cusipata (3310 masl / 10860 ft), where we’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast made with local ingredients.

We’ll then continue for another 40 minutes, passing through checkpoints managed by the two communities that operate Rainbow Mountain. The trek begins at Llacto, the starting point for all hikers.

The hike starts as a moderate one for about an hour, becoming more challenging for the last 30 minutes due to the high altitude. You’ll reach the viewpoint (5100 masl / 16732 ft) and be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges and even a glimpse of the Red Valley in the distance.

Once at the top, your guide will explain the origin and geological formation of this spectacular natural site, which displays shades of red, ochre, green, and yellow. After taking in the views and snapping photos, we’ll descend the same route back to the starting point, where our vehicle awaits to take us to a nearby restaurant for a buffet lunch.

We’ll return to Cusco by approximately 5:00 pm.

Included:

• Tourist transportation 
• Professional guide 
• Buffet breakfast and lunch at a Cusipata restaurant 
• Entrance ticket to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) 
• Trekking poles 
• First aid kit 
• Hotel night in Cusco 

Not included:

• Dinner 
• Travel insurance 
• Personal expenses 
• Additional costs or delays beyond our control 

Enjoy your final breakfast in Cusco. At a scheduled time, we’ll transfer you to the Cusco airport for your domestic flight to Lima. Upon arrival, a transportation service will take you to your hotel in Lima.

If there’s anything you didn’t get to visit on your first day, this is the perfect opportunity to explore more of Lima before your international flight.

Included:

• Breakfast at the hotel in Cusco 
• Transfer from hotel to Cusco airport 
• Domestic flight from Cusco to Lima 
• Transfer from Lima airport to your hotel 
• Hotel night in Lima 

Not included:

• Meals: Lunch and Dinner 
• Travel insurance 
• Hotel in Lima (if not specified in package) 
• Personal expenses 
• Additional costs or delays beyond our control 

We’ll pick you up 3 hours and 30 minutes before your international flight departure and transfer you to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima for your return home.

Included:

• Breakfast at the hotel (if your flight is early, request a box breakfast at the hotel) 
• Tourist transportation from your hotel to the airport 

Not included:

• Meals: Lunch and Dinner 
• Travel insurance 
• Personal expenses 
• Additional costs or delays beyond our control