The experts in boutique travel To Peru and South America
Experience Peru's rich culinary heritage on an amazing culinary tour, where you'll explore traditional markets, learn authentic cooking techniques from local chefs, and savor delicious Peruvian dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado. In Peru, a thriving gastronomic scene takes the culinary tour experience to another level. Embark on a journey through Peru's diverse flavors and ingredients, from the coastal delicacies of Lima to the highland traditions of Cusco and the delctable cuisine of Arequipa. Immerse yourself in a gastronomic adventure that combines history, culture, and unforgettable flavors. Discover our preferred culinary tours in Peru below.
Discover the culinary heart of Peru in its capital, Lima. This tour showcases the best of Lima's gastronomy as it takes you through the city’s vibrant food scene, from bustling markets to trendy restaurants. Taste a variety of local dishes, enjoy a hands-on cooking class, and learn about the rich history of Peruvian cuisine.
Experience five stops across three vibrant districts, starting with an organic Peruvian coffee and fruit tasting at a traditional market. Delight in sampling Peru's flagship Pisco Sour, accompanied by freshly prepared superfood dishes. Enjoy gourmet cuisine with views of pre-Incan ruins at Huaca Pucllana. This spectacular Miraflores food tour, combined with a brief walking tour of Barranco, showcases the best of Peruvian food culture and Lima's rich heritage.
The Lima Gourmet Food Tour offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into the culinary heart of Lima, making it a must-do experience for food enthusiasts visiting the city.
Savor delectable Peruvian cuisine at Huaca Pucllana. Photo by Huaca Pucllana Restaurant on Instagram .
Pachamanca is a traditional Peruvian dish that is as much about the culinary experience as it is about cultural heritage. The term "Pachamanca" comes from the Quechua words "pacha" (earth) and "manca" (pot) and refers to a meal cooked underground using hot stones. The Sacred Valley, with its rich agricultural traditions and stunning scenery, offers the perfect setting for this unique dining experience.
The Pachamanca begins with heating stones in a fire until they glow red-hot. These stones are then placed in a pit dug into the ground, where marinated meats like lamb, pork, chicken, and sometimes guinea pig, along with potatoes, corn, and other Andean vegetables, are added. The food is covered with banana or large Andean leaves, followed by earth, and left to cook slowly for several hours, imparting a distinctive smoky flavor. Many Pachamanca experiences in the Sacred Valley include a demonstration of the preparation and cooking process, often accompanied by insights into its cultural and historical significance. Once cooked, the meal is unearthed and served in a communal setting, fostering a shared dining experience that embodies the community spirit of Andean cultures. Some tours also offer additional activities such as visits to local markets, farms, or archaeological sites, enhancing the overall cultural immersion.
Experiencing a Pachamanca lunch in the Sacred Valley is a must-do for those interested in Peruvian culture and cuisine, offering a delicious and immersive way to connect with the region's rich heritage.
Enjoy a traditional Pachamanca lunch. Photo by Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado .
This is a walking tour that includes 5 to 10 minutes of walking between each stop. To enrich the experience, you will not only enjoy food but also art, architecture, sightseeing, a visit to a picanteria, and a chicha and pisco tasting session! During this food tour in Arequipa, you will be guided by a licensed tour expert, who will become your new local friend, eager to answer all culinary questions and more.
You will sample more than 14 authentic Peruvian flavors unique to Arequipa and its region and explore the beautiful historic center of Arequipa as well as Yanahuara, with its stunning views of the Misti volcano. You will have the chance to interact with local hosts to learn more about local delicacies and discover the traditional method of preparing ocopa using a " batán ." Throughout this 4-hour tour, you will gain insights into the historical and cultural significance of each dish and drink you taste.
While wandering through the picturesque streets of Arequipa, you will visit a mix of trendy and traditional spots, such as the iconic San Camilo market. The tour features a wide variety of delicious bites and drinks commonly found on Arequipa's must-try lists, including guinea pig and alpaca.
In addition to exploring new flavors, a key aspect of this Arequipa food tour is uncovering the stories, cultural backgrounds, and contemporary contexts behind each bite. Arequipa is the birthplace of many of Peru’s iconic dishes. (Read our two-part journal post, Discovering Arequipa one bite at a time, Part 1: What to Eat and Part 2: Where to Eat. ).
The iconic Recoto Relleno dish, one of the most famous dishes in Peruvian cuisine, originated in Arequipa. Photo by Cathrine Lindblom Gunasekara from Oakland, USA, under the CC BY 2.0 < https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 > license, via Wikimedia Commons
During this 4-hour walking food tour in Lima's historic center, you will sample more than 13 Peruvian foods and drinks. All are popular on-the-go dining options among locals. This is not a typical food tour, as you will be taken slightly off the beaten path food-wise while going through the Historic Center of Lima. The tour includes 5 to 20 minutes of walking between each stop. Discover Peru’s capital's main square (Plaza de Armas) and many historic buildings. This is the best tour to connect with Peru's history and local culture!
Anticuchos are a popular Peruvian dish of marinated and skewered meat, often beef heart. Photo by Carly & Art, under the CC BY-SA 2.0 < https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0 > license, via Wikimedia Commons
You will visit Mercado Central, Lima's largest market, guided by a specialized licensed tour guide. Throughout this food tour, your guide will lead you to various local hotspots, allowing you to experience the true and authentic flavors that define this part of the Peruvian capital. Aside from discovering new flavors, another important component of this food tour is to discover the story, the cultural background, and the current context associated with each bite.
You can expect to taste some local delicacies, such as pan con chicharron, a traditional Peruvian sandwich featuring crispy fried pork. Another highlight is anticuchos, a popular Peruvian dish of marinated and skewered meat, often beef heart. Lastly, there's picarones, a traditional Peruvian dessert resembling doughnuts or fritters made from sweet potato, squash, flour, yeast, and aniseed, which are drizzled with a sweet syrup made from chancaca (unrefined sugar), cinnamon, and cloves, creating a delightful culinary experience. These are just a few of the delectable bites and flavors to be expected on this enriching tour!
Picarones, a traditional Peruvian dessert. Photo by Håkan Svensson, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license, via Wikimedia Commons
The Chocolate Workshop in Cusco offers a rich blend of historical, cultural, and hands-on experiences. You will learn about the origins of cacao and its significance in ancient Peruvian cultures, particularly the Incas and their predecessors. Discover the journey of chocolate from cacao bean to finished product, enriched with historical anecdotes and cultural insights.
In the hands-on experience, you get to roast, grind, and refine cacao beans to create chocolate paste and also make your own chocolate bar from scratch, choosing from a variety of molds and ingredients such as nuts, fruits, and spices. Additionally, you can create other chocolate-based products, like truffles or hot chocolate, guided by expert chocolatiers.
The Chocolate Workshop in Cusco offers a rich blend of historical, cultural, and hands-on experiences. Photo by the Choco Museo on Instagram.
The educational component of the workshop helps you gain knowledge about the different types of cacao and chocolate, including the distinctions between dark, milk, and white chocolate. You'll also learn about sustainable and ethical cacao farming practices and their contributions to the local economy and environment.
During the tasting session, you can sample different types of chocolate made from Peruvian cacao, experiencing the unique flavors and qualities of chocolate from various regions of Peru.
Designed to be fun and engaging for all ages, the workshop is a great activity for families traveling with children. Kids can enjoy making their own chocolate creations and learning in an interactive setting.
As a souvenir, you can take home your handmade chocolate products, and additional high-quality Peruvian chocolate products are available for purchase at the workshop’s store. Enjoy a sweet and educational experience as you delve into the world of Peruvian chocolate in the heart of Cusco!
Get ready to make your own chocolate! Photo by the Choco Museo on Instagram.
Peru's gastronomy scene is truly amazing, blending diverse cultural influences with an abundance of unique ingredients. The country's varied geography, from the Amazon rainforest and Andean highlands to the coastal plains, provides a rich array of fresh produce. The fusion of indigenous traditions with Spanish, African, Chinese, and Japanese influences has created a dynamic culinary landscape. Peru's commitment to culinary innovation is also evident in its vibrant street food scene and world-renowned restaurants.
In summary, Peru's gastronomy scene is a tantalizing blend of cultural diversity, unique ingredients, and culinary innovation, making it a must-experience for food enthusiasts around the globe. Are you ready to explore the country’s gastronomy? Contact us and begin planning your custom journey to Peru.
Dean is a South African animal lover, travel enthusiast, and writer. He worked as a safari guide in Kruger National Park for 27 years. Following his heart, he moved to Peru to be with his wife. Dean's passions include animals, tourism, writing, graphic design, and web development. In his free time, he enjoys movies, books, and spending time with friends and family.
Central in Lima, Peru is currently the Number 2 Restaurant in the World. Thanks to Inca Expert Travel’s collaboration with Virgilio Martinez (owner and head chef of Central), I was invited to dine there and experience it for myself. In short: my meal at Central was one of the best of my life. If you’re a “foodie” or simply love unique, extraordinary experiences, adding Central to your Peru itinerary is a must.
There’s good news for travelers that need to eat gluten-free in Peru: you too can safely enjoy some of the country’s wonderful cuisine with the help of our translation card in Spanish, insights about Peruvian cuisine, and restaurant recommendations.
