Classic Peru

Visit Lima’s bustling produce markets and taste fruits, vegetables and ceviche. Then, enjoy lunch at La Picanteria, a restaurant owned by famous chef Hector Solís. The restaurant reproduces the traditional atmosphere of a picanteria, and the menu varies according to what’s best in the market that day.

Enjoy a guided tour of one the most impressive collections of Pre-Columbian art and artefacts in the world. Privately owned and housed in a pretty 18th century building, this museum showcases chronological galleries that overview 4,000 years of Peruvian history with a fascinating array of pieces. 

Mil Centro is Virgilio Martínez’s new restaurant located 11,500 feet above sea level at the on the edge of the ruins at Moray in Peru’s Sacred Valley. Housed within a former vicuña breeding centre, Mil Centro is a beautiful space where you can enjoy traditional Peruvian ingredients elevated to new heights.

More than a meal, the Pachamanca is a traditional Andean ceremony to celebrate Mother Earth. Declared a Cultural Patrimony in 2003, this culinary ritual follows ancestral roots that are still very much alive today in everyday Andean life. Its name comes from the words “pacha” (earth) and “manka” (pot), which refer to the cooking method used, an underground oven made with hot stones. Today, you will be part of this feast, by watching and learning all about this ancestral cooking process. Afterwards you will enjoy the traditional dish, where you can taste different types of meats, such as chicken, beef, pork, and “cuy” (guinea pig), which are marinated in local herbs and spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked by the heat of the stones.

The ruins of Pisac’s citadel are quite spectacularly sited on hilltop above today’s village and its market, on a triangular plateau with a plunging gorge on either side, guarding not only the Urubamba Valley below, but also a pass leading into the jungle to the northeast. The most impressive feature is the agricultural terracing, sweeping around the mountain in graceful curves. Straight from the hands of local craftspeople, you will learn about textiles and the weaving process at the market.

Visit Ollantaytambo, an Inca village set below an ancient Inca fortress and temple with stunning views over the valley that will make you feel as if you have stepped back into the 15th century. Admire the magnificence of this site as you stroll through the quaint streets of the present town.
Finally, the day ends with a visit to Alqa Museum. Located in a small and cosy property in the heart of Ollantaytambo, it is the only home in this charming town that still has the ancient structure of its garden or “cancha” intact.

Spend your free time climbing either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for incredible sweeping views. Huanya Picchu is a steeper route for confident hikers and Machu Picchu Mountain is a more climb, taking 3 hours in total to ascend and descend.

Today you will become an honorary Peruvian chef. You’ll make three courses, pisco sours and enjoy Pisco tasting. You’ll then eat the delectable meal you’ve created in this cosy restaurant with beautiful rooftop views.

Meet with a renowned pottery artist and learn the pre-Columbian techniques used to create colourful, decorative pottery. You’ll be able to create your own piece of art and take it back home as a souvenir.