Devour sensational recipes and unique heritage during your 8-day Peru culture tour divulging the essence of the Andes. The majestic plateau of Machu Picchu will shine above the waters of the Urubamba River while the saltpans of Maras glint in the sunlight. Irresistible ruins will create unique visions across the Andean Altiplano and delicious cuisine will fill towns with the aroma of Peruvian mint as you discover Peru.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Lima – The Essence of Flavor
Welcome to Lima where the hint of ceviche drifts in from the beachside. The zesty lemon perfumes much of the city, mixing with the scent of fresh-crusted herbs of famous Peruvian roasted chicken. The sweeping city of Lima is filled with neighborhoods as diverse as the moon to the sun. The culture, food, and even the slang changes, giving Lima an eclectic mixture of smells, flavors, and experiences. Stroll along the coastal walkway through the trendy neighborhood of Miraflores. The waves crash against the sandy shores. The lighthouse stands proud over the sea, its white and black stripes shining in the open sky. The fresh ceviche drifts through restaurant doors and beckons to you. The cool maritime breeze brushes against your cheeks and Lima welcomes you with a taste of the city’s uniqueness.
What's Included:
Day 2
Lima – Enjoying a Taste
Day 3
Cusco – Andean Flavors Abound
Day 4
Sacred Valley – Savoring the Valley
Day 5
Aguas Calientes – The Essence of Wonder
Day 6
Cusco – The Savoring of Grandeur
Day 7
Cusco – The Exploration of Flavor
Day 8
Cusco – The Grand Taste of Peru
Trip Highlights
- Discover the hypnotic awe of Machu Picchu
- Explore the depths of the Sacred Valley and get a taste of traditional Andean life
- Traverse the ruins and history of Cusco from the cultural remnants of the Inca to the architectural footprints of the Spanish
- Witness the incredible saltpans of Maras and the fabulous circular terraces of Moray
- Enjoy the delightful flavors of a quintessential Peruvian Arcade
- Experience the traditional textiles and life of the famous Pisac Market
Detailed Description
Devour Peru on this 8-day tour meant for amateur or professional chefs, food lovers, culinary enthusiasts, culinary novices, travel lovers, travel novices, and anyone with an appetite for more. Experience the zest of Lima on a tour of a traditional market. Taste the incredible food of the Andes with a journey through Pisac. Explore the surrounding towns of the Sacred Valley and discover the essence of the Lost City of Machu Picchu. Your journey through Peru will give you a sample of the magnificent: the food, the culture, the history, and the country.
Your adventure through Peru begins in Lima where each neighborhood boasts its own traditional dish, with the aromas of eclectic cooking gliding from restaurants and homes. Tour the culinary wonders of the city, through a traditional market, and past the aromas of citrus and seafood. Fly to Cusco and venture into the Sacred Valley where divided ruins are spread through the mountains and the famous Pisac Market boasts centuries of textiles and simmering culinary flavors. The village of Ollantaytambo fills the once Inca city, where ruins climb the hillside and are carved into the mountain.
Your train ride to the foothills of the Lost City gives you a taste of the jungle, the smell of coffee, and the panorama of the Sacred Valley. Ascend into Machu Picchu and discover a taste for history among the breathtaking ruins of one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Return to Cusco and enjoy a tour of the Spanish architecture centered on Inca foundations, where the city and its surroundings sing like an open-air museum. From the food to the culture, the magnificent essence of the cities and villages isn’t relegated to the cooking but to the people, the ruins, the architecture, the history, and the overall connection of Peruvian life.
Related Information: Zicasso offers a variety of Peru tours with visits to Machu Picchu. Browse the Machu Picchu trip reviews to read about the customized experiences of Peru travelers on Zicasso.
Starting Price
$2,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.86 stars based on 902 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel agent managed to ensure we were able to see and do all the things on our list, plus more! It was an amazing family adventure. We only had one issue with an airline delay, but she went above and beyond to help us. The guides and drivers were also spectacular.
Reviewed By Pamela N.
Zicasso's travel consultant planned the perfect itinerary for our family trip to Peru. She really listened to the types of experiences we wanted to have and absolutely delivered on everything she planned. All of our travel logistics went smoothly, with no issues, hiccups, or delays. She was also very responsive prior to our trip and the few times we reached out during our travels. And the app she used was extremely intuitive and helpful. I would highly recommend Zicasso's tour operator!
Reviewed By Jenifer Z.
Our trip from start to finish was absolutely fantastic. The Amazon jungle was a blast. I paid for an extra full-day excursion to fish for piranhas, which was definitely a great decision and one of the highlights of our trip (we had the piranhas for lunch, and they were delicious).
The Sacred Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu were fabulous. And then, the Galápagos were extraordinary, from the unexpected serenity of the place to the crew of the boat, and, of course, the proximity to wildlife, including snorkeling with sea lions. It was especially meaningful to be in these places with our entire family (10 of us). Everyone understood how special it was and we will all cherish the experience all of our lives.
The Zicasso travel company was fantastic from start to finish. Our travel specialist went far beyond the call of duty to help us, especially when one family members could not make the trip. He helped us with replacing that person with another. He was remarkably prompt, clear, and informative in all communications, both in planning the trip and during it. He has a very kind heart and is a great human being. I cannot say enough positive things about him.
Reviewed By bradley P.
My adult daughter and I had the most wonderful trip planned by Zicasso's travel company. Their team was exceptional; educational, on time, and just a pleasure to be with. Our itinerary was just what we were looking for. From Lima to the Amazon Rainforest, Cusco, and ending with Machu Picchu, it was well planned and well executed. We have memories that will last us forever.
Our travel specialist was a pleasure to work with. She listened to our thoughts and improved our experience with her great knowledge of the country, cities, and historical sites we wanted to visit. The travel company exceeded our expectations on every level. Thank you to our specialist and the team she assembled. We now have fantastic memories that will last us forever!
Reviewed By Darrin G.
Zicasso's travel agent is a phenomenal trip planner and advisor, and he helped make my husband's and my 20th wedding anniversary trip exactly what we were hoping for. He listened to what we were interested in exploring, provided multiple options for tours and activities, and was incredibly responsive, even after we booked the trip. He patiently answered all of our questions and provided excellent recommendations for restaurants.
Furthermore, he paired us with an outstanding tour guide for our time at the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. He even left us a surprise at our hotel on the final leg of our journey! When we go back to visit South America, we will definitely reach out to him!
Reviewed By Kasha H.
Zicasso's travel specialist was spectacular in every way. From the inception of communication and planning, through arranging for all of our tickets, hotels, transport, and amazing dining experiences, to the incredible support and guides we enjoyed along the way... they were outstanding and we received five-star service.
We were a demanding group of 13, ranging in ages from 17 to over 60, and we all had an absolute blast! We had an absolutely amazing trip. The Lares Trail and Machu Picchu (and our climb up Huayna Picchu) are by far some of the most memorable experiences we've ever had.
Our guide and driver were awesome... kind, professional, and accommodating, and our guide especially was very knowledgeable, with so much respect and love for the surrounding nature and culture.
Our travel specialist was timely, attentive, and responsive to all of our requests, and helped us collectively achieve one of the greatest vacations we have ever experienced.
They were 100% accurate in terms of how to prepare us for the altitude and allow us enough time to acclimatize in Cusco (and with a great, long, mountain bike ride at high elevation). Our specialist provided excellent recommendations for how to fill some additional time in Cusco while we acclimated. We loved touring Cusco itself, and seeing Sacsayhuaman, several spots in the Sacred Valley, and the Maras Salt Mines were all unforgettable experiences. We also loved the hotel she had us at in Cusco. It was a great spot to be able to explore the city on our own time.
After seeing all of the coordination, especially for the Lares Trail and Machu Picchu, we're so relieved we chose to go through Zicasso for this trip and were connected with our travel specialist and her company. Everything was well planned and thought out, and if anything was not right, they sought to immediately correct it. Our guide was on top of every detail and it was great knowing our agent was just a text or phone call away.
Reviewed By Gary W.