Typical food served at the table at Isla del Sol, lake Titicaca, Bolivia.

Town of Copacabana and the lake of Titicaca, Bolivia

Delicious gastronomic dinner in Bolivia.

Peru culinary vacation, Machu Picchu

Jaen street lights at LaPaz, Bolivia, South America

Taking the funicular in La Paz Bolivia.

Traditional Bolivian humitas of corn and leaves

Tasty Peruvian ceviche on a cooking vacation in Peru.

Waiting for the train in Peru.

Visiting Sacsayhuaman in Peru.

The salinas in Peru.

Traditional Peruvian food called Pachamanca

The Sacred Valley in Peru.

Tourists on Inca stairway (Escalera del Inca) in Yumani village on Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) in Titicaca lake, Bolivia

The ruins of Raqchi in Peru.

The Ollantaytambo ruins in Peru.

A festival with local dress in Peru.

VIsiting Pucarà on a Peru culinary vacation.

A selection of local potatoes in Peru.

Exploring the center of Lima Peru.

Exploring Machu Picchu in Peru.

Cusco Peru and its architecture.

A detail of the architecture in Cusco Peru.

The sun rising over the Salar de Uyuni

Fruit market in the steets of Cusco, Peru

A dish of traditional foods of Peru.

Delicious empanadas in Peru.

Local fruit beverages in Peru.

Ancestral ritual of the Andes called Pachamanca

The salt flats of Uyuni Bolivia.

Traditionally dressed locals on Lake Titicaca.

Boat and houses on Lake Titicaca.

A view of La Paz Bolivia.

Exploring La Paz Bolivia.

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Overview

South America Culinary Vacation

The gastronomy of South America is diverse and delicious, and you can explore it on this unique trip into the Andes region of Peru and Bolivia. The biodiversity of the region produces distinct local varieties of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Form the corn, maca, kiwicha, and cocoa of Peru to the sugar cane, quinoa, and potatoes of Bolivia, you will find many different foods during your hands-on cooking classes and while dining out.There is also a thriving and vibrant restaurant scene in these two countries, with everything from innovative fine-dining restaurants to centuries-old rural cooking traditions to be explored.

Peruvian cuisine is among the world’s most diverse – and currently among its most highly touted. It includes age-old indigenous traditions as well as influences from colonization and immigration from many different European and Asian countries. It is said to combine the flavors of four continents, making it truly unique, and you can enjoy this uniqueness during our Lima food tours and culinary experiences in Cusco.

Bolivian cuisine is perhaps lesser-known that that of its neighbor, but it is no less delicious. From market stalls to high-end restaurants, you will find a wealth of foods to enjoy that focus inherently on the natural products of this biodiverse area.

But of course, the gastronomy is only one part of the wonders of Peru and Bolivia. The cultural sites left by the Incas and the colonial sites built by the Spaniards offer much to explore. Peru’s famed site of Machu Picchu is one of the seven modern Wonders of the World. And Bolivia also offers a breathtaking array of landscapes to explore, from giant salt flats to mountainous lakes, each of them full of unique and diverse flora and fauna to enjoy on our culinary tour of Peru and Bolivia.

Highlights of the Peru & Bolivia Culinary Tour

The 11-night Peru and Bolivia culinary vacation will highlight the rich and diverse cuisine of these two countries. Peru is considered one of the hottest culinary destinations at the moment, and Bolivia one of the most unique and up-and-coming. Your culinary tour will introduce you to the flavors and ingredients of both countries.

The culinary vacation in Peru and Bolivia will also include unforgettable cultural visits such as to Machu Picchu, to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to Lake Titicaca, and to the Salt Flats of Uyuni, to name but a few.

The culinary tour of Bolivia and Peru is rounded out with city tours, trips to local towns and villages, and of course an exploration of the culinary products that are unique to the Andean region.

Day One

Arrival at the Lima airport and transfer to your hotel.
Rest of day at leisure to settle in and rest up.
Overnight in Lima.

Day Two

After breakfast, venture out for your Ultimate Lima Food Tour and City Experience, which will cover the best of Lima, Peru in one day. Enjoy five stops spread across three districts, which will include a spectacular Miraflores food tour and brief Barranco Walking Tour. There will be a visit to a traditional market and a Peruvian Coffee and fruit tasting.
For lunch, have fun trying one variation of Peru’s famous Pisco Sour cocktail, accompanied by a unique and delectable seafood course. Enjoy views of pre-Incan ruins at the Huaca Pucllana while indulging in gourmet Peruvian dishes.
This afternoon you will have a guided tour of Colonial and Modern Lima. Known as “The City of Kings,” Lima is a fascinating city with a long history. Start at the Miraflores and San Isidro districts, passing by a pre-Incan sacred site, and end in the Historic Center. You will explore some of the most historically significant streets on your way to the famed Plaza de Armas. Next, head to the Convent of Santo Domingo, a beautiful colonial structure. Head back to your hotel in Miraflores through the Parque del Amor, with its beautiful views of the Lima Bay.
Dinner on your own, and overnight in Lima.

Day Three

Early breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. (Flight is not included, but will be purchased at time of booking. The flight usually runs around US$100 per person).
Arrive in Cusco (usually mid to late morning) and head to the Sacred Valley.
You will stop half way through the route for a truly unique food experience. Meet agricultural engineer Manuel Choqque in Chinchero, and learn about the incredible agro-diversity of Peru. Mr. Choqque researches and experiments with native potatoes and tubers and produces wildly colored variations. He was recognized as Producer of the Year in 2018 by Summum for his important work. He will welcome you to his home, explain his work, and show you some of the 370 types of potatoes he has. You can taste some with a traditional Peruvian uchucuta sauce, made from hot peppers. Mr. Choqque also uses his products to make tuber wines and vodka, which you can also sample.
Chincero is a picturesque village where you will also visit the PARWA center, with its beautiful local textiles. See the church of Chinchero, built in 1607 by the Spaniards, and the town’s ancient Incan ruins.
Proceed to your hotel and check in.
Dinner on your own and overnight in the Sacred Valley.

Day Four

After breakfast, head to the Raqchi viewpoint, from which you can stare out over the Urubamba Valley, Then head to the fascinating archeological site of Moray in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. See its huge concentric terraces, originally used as a botanical laboratory.
Visit the Maras salt mines, where the finest salt in the world is extracted. Then head to a local restaurant for lunch, where you will try a Pachamanca. Pachamanca refers to a technique of cooking underground with hot stones. There is usually a variety of marinated meats such as lamb, goat, pork, chicken, or even guinea pig (called “cuy” in Peru – but you don’t have to try it!), as well as vegetables such as green lima beans, potatoes, yucca, corn, and more. After lunch, enjoy an experience roasting coffee.
Head on to Ollantaytambo and its eponymous archeological complex, one of the largest in Peru. It is strategically located on the top of a mountain. Visit also the town, which is unique for having maintained the original Incan urban plan for its layout.
Transfer back to your hotel.
Dinner on your own and overnight in the Sacred Valley.

Day Five

Breakfast and check out, then transfer to the train station for your full-day visit to Machu Picchu, one of the most famous sites in the world. Your guide will meet you at the train station and will lead you on your journey.
You will take the train to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. Upon arrival, start your ascent toward the ruins.
When you arrive at the archeological site you will enjoy a tour of one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch, and board the train for the return trip to Ollantaytambo, then on to Cusco city.
Transfer to your next hotel in Cusco (your luggage will be transferred for you during your excursion).
Dinner on your own and overnight in Cusco.

Day Six

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then have a visit of Cusco, known as the Imperial City. During your visit of this UNESCO World Heritage Site you will see the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Incan palace, which was then made into a Dominican church and remains standing to this day.
Ascent to the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an example of Incan military architecture. Then head to the Q’enqo archeological site, which was the location for important Incan ceremonies.
Finally, arrive at the Plaza de Armas and visit the Cathedral.
For lunch, your Cusco food tour will head to the local market to select products then use them in your hands-on cooking class. The class will be on the 11th floor in the rooftop kitchen, affording you breathtaking views of the city and one of the best culinary experiences in Cusco. Prepare an appetizer, main course, and pisco sour, of course!
Afternoon at leisure, with dinner on your own. Overnight in Cusco.

Day Seven

After breakfast, check out and then board the shared tourist bus to Puno. This will be a comfortable full-day (8-hour) guided drive enjoying the wonderful landscapes of the Southern Valley of Cusco and local sites of interest.
Visit Andahuaylillas, where you will find the beautiful church of San Pedro, a 17th-century structure with an impressive organ.
Visit the Raqchi ruins, also known as the Temple of God Wiracocha, and then enjoy lunch at a typical local restaurant.
Next head to La Raya, which is the highest point between Cusco and Andahuaylillas, and enjoy the panorama.
Head to Pucará, where you can visit the Incan military museum.
Finally, arrive in Puno and check in to your hotel.
Dinner on your own, and overnight in Puno.

Day Eight

Breakfast at the hotel, and check out.
Have a private transfer from Puno to Copacabana, traveling along the beautiful Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. The journey will take about 3 1/2 hours, and upon arrival you will visit the town, including its church and the famous “Virgen Morena” statue, which was carved in the 16th Century.
Cross the lake on an hour-long boat ride to the Island of the Sun, where you will have an “Aptapi” meal, a traditional communal lunch common among the indigenous people of the area. Then continue by boat to the Incan ruins of Pilkokaina (Pilkukayna). Finally, enjoy an hour hike to La Estancia, your home for the night with its wonderful view of the lake.
The Ecolodge la Estancia is on the southern part of the Island of the Sun. It preserves the Andean architecture but marries it with modern comforts while respecting the surrounding nature. The cabins are built with adobe brick and thatch roofs and use solar energy.
Dinner at La Estancia and overnight.

Day Nine

Rise early to watch the sun rise – a view not to be missed! Then enjoy breakfast at the lodge.
Hike to the village of Yumani, visiting its two most famous sites: the Inca stairs and the Fountain of Eternal Youth. Then head north by boat to visit the elaborate Chincana ruins.
Continue by 1-hour boat journey to the Island of the Moon and the Incan ruins of Iñak Uyu, and then finally continue to Copacabana (about 1 1/2 hours away), where you will have lunch

After lunch, private transfer to La Paz, about 3 1/2 hours away, while enjoying the lovely views of the Andes Royal Range.
Once in La Paz, enjoy a multi course meal at the fabulous haute cuisine restaurant, Gustu. Gustu has been recognized worldwide for its culinary excellence, with unique dishes showcasing the country’s wealth of natural resources and culture.
Overnight in La Paz.

Day Ten

Early breakfast, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Uyuni. (Cost of flight not included, approximately US$300 per person, round trip.)
Upon arrival, visit the “train cemetery,” with its remains of the trains of the 19th and 20th Centuries, then enter the salt flats. These are the largest salt flats in the world, the result of a prehistoric lake that dried up, leaving behind an incredible, otherworldly landscape. Visit the village of Colchani with its salt processing plant, and see the Ojos de Agua (“eyes of water”), where the underground water comes to the surface.
For lunch, learn how to cook in the traditional way known as “wathia,” in an earthen oven built with rocks. Eat the wathia and other Andean dishes Aptapi-style on the salt flats.
Free afternoon, with a chance to watch the sun set over the salt flat.
Dinner at the hotel and overnight.

Day Eleven

Breakfast at the hotel, and transfer to the airport for your flight back to La Paz.
Upon arrival in La Paz, transfer to your hotel, and time for a quick lunch (on our own) before your afternoon tour.
This afternoon, enjoy a tour of beautiful La Paz, named one of the 7 “wonder cities of the world.” It lies in a valley at the foot of the Andes Range, almonst 12,000 feet above sea level. Visit the street markets, browsing the many handicrafts, weaving, and even items of witchcraft, then visit the colonial part of the city. See the church of San Francesco, the Gold Museum, Murillo Square, the “Mariador de Killi Killi” panoramic overlook, and the outdoor replica of the pre-Colombian Tiwanaku temple. You will have the unique local experience of riding the Teleférico, the cable car, which affords beautiful views of La Paz.
Dinner on your own, overnight in La Paz.