Colors and Flavors of Northern Peru
Discover a different side of Peru by traveling to the country’s northwestern coastal region. While not nearly as touristy or well-known as other destinations further south, the offerings here are immense, from the pre-Incan archaeological sites to a gastronomy that’s a melting pot of flavors influenced both by the land as well as the area’s many settlers over the centuries. Your home base for this journey is the stunning colonial town of Trujillo, which is known for its beautiful streets and colonial-era churches.
With it’s location near the sea, the cuisine in this part of Peru is rich in seafood, but also features a wide variety of delicacies, from thinly sliced pieces of cured meat, to cocktails made with the infamous pisco as well as lesser known liqueurs like brandies made from sugar cane. You’ll get a taste of all of this while spending time with your guides, a husband and wife who’ve worked in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years and across three continents. Today they call northern Peru their home, and some of their favorite things to share with their guests about this paradise include the diversity of northern Peruvian food, as well as the history of pre-Colombian civilizations. They, along with their Pervian drivers and tour assistants, will take you around to meet local families, where you’ll get to know a variety of Peruvian traditions, from the food to ceramic making!
Trip Details
Your hands-on cooking and cocktail classes will help you explore authentic Peruvian cuisine, including:
- two cocktail courses
- a hands-on cooking class at a local village
- a class in Huanchaco featuring ceviche and Pisco
- a visit to the local market in Trujillo to taste local products, followed by a cooking class
Itinerary
Day One
- Arrive in the early evening in Trujillo. You’ll be met by a guide who will take you to your hotel.
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- After breakfast, depart for a walk through the colorful coastal town of Trujillo. You’ll learn about the town’s colonial and republican history through its buildings, churches, and the majestic cathedral. On the walking tour, stop at the archaeological museum to learn more about the history of Peru’s northern coast; there will also be an exhibition on Peruvian horses.
- Get a taste of the local food during lunch.
- In the afternoon, enjoy some time on your own.
- In the evening, discover the world of Peruvian cocktails with a cocktails class at Museo Cafe Bar Algenmira. The cocktails you learn to make will most likely include the famous Pisco liquor, and a syrup made from a Peruvian tree called algarrobian.
- Dinner tonight is on your own.
- Overnight.
Day Three
- Breakfast.
- Start the day with a visit to Moche’s village, where we’ll visit the Garcia family who will welcome us to their house-workshop. Here we’ll learn about their millennium ceramic art and their handicraft. The Moche were known for respecting their environment with realistic as well as expressive ceramics. In this workshop, we’ll make our own ceramics using traditional tools and techniques.
- After the workshop, learn about the different kinds of plants, vegetables, and fruits that are locally grown. A hands-on cooking class in a local restaurant will follow. Some dishes we may make include sopa teologa, the raya sancochada, or duck ragout with beans.
- Lunch to follow based on our efforts.
- After lunch, visit the Sun and Moon temples and their museum.
- In the afternoon, stop at the pub El Boticario to learn more about preparing cocktails, this time with herbs, and then we’ll enjoy a drink together. If you’d like to, feel free to taste some piquoes (optional).
- Dinner tonight is on your own.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- Breakfast.
- In the morning, explore the archaeological site the Nik-An palace of Chan Chan, one of the largest cities from the pre-Columbian era. Once the capital of the Chimu empire, this palace showcases the importance of water to the ancient civilization, in part through the decorative high reliefs.
- Next it’s on to Huanchaco for a cooking class to learn how to prepare two popular items in Peru, Ceviche de Pescado and a Pisco Sour cocktail. Lunch to follow based on our efforts.
- In the afternoon, discover Caballitos de totora, an ancient tradition that is still used today to build reed watercrafts.
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight.
Day Five
- After breakfast, visit the local market of Trujillo, a popular meeting place as well as the spot where everyone goes to get their local produce. Get a chance to taste a few items while learning about what chefs like to cook with to craft their traditional meals, such as the shambar, a Peruvian soup. A cooking class will follow along with lunch.
- Enjoy some time on your own in the afternoon.
- The farewell dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant, along with a cocktail.
- Overnight.
Day Six
- After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye!
- Transfer to the Trujillo airport for your flight to Lima.
Trip Details
Included in the 5-Night Trip
Accommodations
Five nights accommodation at the 3* Hotel Victoria’s Suite
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 4 lunches
- Farewell dinner
Classes & Instructors
Your hands-on cooking and cocktail classes will help you explore authentic Peruvian cuisine, including:
- two cocktail courses
- a hands-on cooking class at a local village
- a class in Huanchaco featuring ceviche and Pisco
- a visit to the local market in Trujillo to taste local products, followed by a cooking class
Excursions
- Guided tour of Trujillo
- Visit of a Moche village with ceramics workshop
- Visit of the pre-Columbian archeological site of Chan Chan
- Lesson on the ancient craft of caballitos de totora (reed watercraft)
Transfer Details
- Included from the Trujillo airport
Not Included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Airport taxes and visa fees
- Extra nights
- Piqueuos in the restaurants
Accommodation Information
Your accommodations for the week are at a charming small hotel in central Trujillo, the 3-star Hotel Casa Andina Standard Trujillo Plaza. The hotels’ 46 modern rooms are furnished with private en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, safe, phone, and WiFi.
Pricing & Tour Dates
Pricing:
5-night Program
US$1945 per person based on double occupancy
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Single occupancy pricing: please inquire.
Tour Dates
2023-2024
Please inquire for dates.
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