Peruvian Gastronomy Exploration

Upon arrival at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, we will meet you and transfer you to your chosen hotel. Please ensure your domestic flight from Lima arrives no later than 10:30 to allow sufficient time for transfer and check-in; flights arriving at noon or later are not recommended. The afternoon is yours to relax or explore independently, with the option to book one of our guided tours. In the evening, enjoy a three-course dinner at Pachapapa, a well-regarded restaurant known for its authentic Andean dishes and traditional Cusco-style picanteria atmosphere.

Today we embark on a gastronomic tour in Cusco, beginning with a visit to the Chocomuseo, where you will learn about the chocolate-making process from bean to bar, followed by a tasting session. Next, we visit the Pisco Museum to discover the production of Peru's national spirit, including a sample to enjoy. After these experiences, we return to your hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure.

We begin the day with a visit to Maras, an impressive Inca salt extraction site still in operation today. These extensive salt pans were historically important for trade across the Empire. Next, we explore Moray, where you will see mysterious circular terraces thought to have served as an agricultural research centre, simulating different Andean microclimates through varying temperatures on each level. After the tour, we transfer you to UNU Tiobamba restaurant in Chinchero, an excellent setting to savour the region's rich gastronomy and culture amid stunning natural surroundings. Once you have enjoyed your meal, we return to your hotel in the Sacred Valley for the night.

After breakfast, we travel to the Pisac market, where you can browse a variety of stalls offering locally made textiles, carvings, and replicas of ancient Inca artefacts. Following the market visit, we continue to Ollantaytambo, a remarkable example of Inca urban planning that remains largely intact. Originally conquered and rebuilt by Pachacutec (1438 - 1471), the archaeological complex here is one of the most significant sites of the Inca Empire. For lunch, you will take part in preparing a traditional pachamancanan Inca dish cooked underground using hot stones, meaning "earth oven" in Quechua. The two-hour experience includes chicken, pork, lamb, Andean and sweet potatoes, organic vegetables, homemade salad, traditional sauces, and a purple corn drink called chicha morada. After lunch, we return to your accommodation in the Sacred Valley.

After breakfast, we transfer you to Ollanta train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, a journey of approximately one and a half hours. Aguas Calientes offers a handicrafts market, a variety of restaurants, and accommodation options for those wishing to stay overnight near the mountain for an early visit. From there, a short transfer takes you to Machu Picchu, an extraordinary example of Inca engineering and architecture. This site, once a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca ruler Pachacuti, is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. After exploring Machu Picchu, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will enjoy lunch at Cafe Inkaterra, known for its innovative fusion of Andean and contemporary cuisine, set against stunning views of the Vilcanota River. Following lunch, you take the train back to Ollanta station and transfer to your hotel in Cusco for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will transfer you from your hotel to the airport for your onward journey.