Trapestry of flavours

Travel is all about experiencing things different to our normal lives. Together with our Peruvian operator, Travel Just 4U is delighted to offer our clients a unique gastronomic Peruvian experience.

If Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, Lima is the capital of Peruvian cuisine. It all started with the fusion of Andean and Spanish, and was further shaped and perfected through various immigration waves: African, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Japanese and Italian being the most important.
In this tour we will start off in Lima´s historic downtown, looking at masterpieces of colonial architecture such as the Santo Domingo Convent, the Cathedral and the Casa de Aliaga. Our gastronomic adventure officially starts at Lima´s Barrio Chino (Chinatown). Lunch will be in a chifa, a term used in Peru to refer to a style of Chinese cooking in which the ingredients originally used from China were substituted by those available in Peru.

In the afternoon we will enjoy the permanent exhibition of renowned Peruvian photographer Mario Testino at the MATE (Museo Mario Testino), located in the bohemian quarter of Barranco. Our day will end with a sampling of piscos, accompanied by a variety of Peruvian tapas.

Early in the morning, we will visit Mercado de Productores one of the main markets in Lima. After the visit, we will continue to the traditional neighborhood of Pueblo Libre, where we will have the chance to visit a Tavern, an ancient place of encounter for Limeños. Lunch will be an imaginary trip to the Amazon region. At Amaz, chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino uses ingredients from the Peruvian Amazon to show the cultural and culinary richness of the region.
The exclusive Cala restaurant will be our meeting point for dinner: here, Peru´s ample seafood variety is prepared using a masterful blend of Peruvian and Mediterranean styles.

Via Cusco our culinary adventure takes us through the Urubamba Sacred Valley which is literally traveling back in time. Today´s Andeans still maintain many traditions that date back to Inca times, and food is no exception. In Chinchero, a town famous for the quality and beauty of its textiles, we will enter the world of master weaver Nilda Callañaupa. Nilda has devoted her life to preserving her ancestor´s weaving techniques, and formed the Cusco Center for Traditional Textiles, an NGO sponsored by National Geographic. Lunch at Wayra ranch will provide an opportunity not only to sample a variety of Andean dishes, but also to see another icon of Peruvian identity: the Peruvian Paso Horse.

During our visit to Ollantaytambo, the only town to maintain the Inca system of urban planning, we will stop by a chicheria and try chicha, corn beer still made the same way it has done for centuries. Lunch will be at the 300 year-old Huayocari Hacienda estate, and prepared using exclusively local products.
We will visit a small agricultural community where we’ll partake in the daily activities of inhabitants, learning about ancient techniques that for many reasons are still used in the area.
We will have dinner at EL HUACATAY, a small, cozy restaurant with a unique fusion menu.
A bit over century ago Hiram Bingham made the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu, a site he though was the lost city of the Incas. Accompanied by an expert guide, we will learn about its meaning and place within the Inca Empire. The beauty and complexity of the architecture, the spectacular natural landscapes, and the energy contained within its structures will for sure take your breath away.
Cusco, which means “navel of the world” in Quechua, is still considered the centre of Andean life. During our city tour we will visit the Main Square and its amazing Cathedral as well as Sacsayhuaman, an amazing stone construction the meaning of which is still uncertain. However, the main focus will be put on the San Pedro market – here we will see and smell (those adventurous enough can even try) every single ingredient used by everyday Cusqueno, including many that come from the Amazon region. One of our lunches will be at Quinta Eulalia, a traditional local eatery that has been serving authentic Cusqueno cuisine since 1941 – the oldest of its kind in the city. And for a hands-on finale to our journey, we will participate in a cooking class, under the guidance of a professional chef.