A Taste of Peru Gourmet Experience

16 or 8+8 days Departs 15 August, 20, 2012

A Gourmet tour of a fascinating country

Full menu – A taste of Peru Gourmet Experience    16 Days

Stage 1    Lima,  Gastronomic Capital of Latin America 8 days – a week of Gastronomy in Lima with an overnight trip to Ica, the Nazca Lines & Paracas.

Stage 2 -   Gourmet Andean Experience    8 days – a journey through the Inca and Aymara lands of Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.

Join Sydney-based Peruvian Chef Alejandro Saravia, for ‘A taste of Perú’, a culinary experience commencing in Sydney with cooking classes and a degustation night, before embarking on an amazing gourmet journey of his native land. You will see sights, taste flavours and meet locals in a way that you would not experience as an independent traveller. There is no one better than a Peruvian Chef who has a great passion for food and who loves his country, to guide us through this adventure. Cooking classes in Sydney and Degustation included!

You have the option of taking the full tour – just over two weeks of gastronomy, culture, adventure and of course, relaxation, or one of the 2 stages.

STAGE 1:   Lima,  Gastronomic Capital of Latin America

Day 1 – Wednesday – 15 August

SYDNEY – LIMA

Fly to Santiago and connect with your flight to Lima. Tonight is for rest and to get ready for the amazing experience, which awaits us. We will provide you with a guide of the most interesting places and restaurants in Lima, if you feel like going out. Lima is a city that breaths 24 hours a day, so late night is a good time to have a walk and start to get used to Lima and meet some locals (Limeños). Lima is the capital of Peru, and an entertaining, friendly and gourmet city. It was the prized jewel of the Spanish colonies and, for 300 years, the wealthiest city in the Americas. Nowadays, you can still feel its shine, walking around the Main Square or visiting its museums.

Day 2 – Thursday – 16 August

LIMA

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will depart to Surquillo Market, close to the well-known district of Miraflores, where the best restaurants and shops are situated. In this market you will find all the fruits and vegetables for which Peru is famous. Here in Surquillo Market, you will find also most of the varieties of potatoes which grow in Peru and Chef Saravia will explain the difference between them and the dishes which are made with potato in Peruvian Gastronomy. We have so many things to discover in Peru! For lunch we will go to ‘Malabar Restaurant’, where Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino creates dishes emphasizing Peruvian native produce. Here we will try the exotic jungle ingredients matched with a good selection of wines and fruit piscos. Early evening, after a short break from lunch, we will participate in a cooking class and tasting at Le Cordon Bleu Peru (LCB), elder and most prestigious cooking school of the world. One of their chefs will show us how to cook a selection of ‘Piqueos Criollos’ (Peruvian finger food) and then we will taste all of them. We will receive a recipe book from LCB, matched wines with the dishes and a certificate from LCB. After the cooking class we will go to the ‘Antigua Taberna Queirolo’, established in 1880, and ever since, a meeting point for all those who want to have a good chat with Pisco and something to nibble on. B. L.

Day 3 – Friday – 17 August

LIMA

In the early morning, we will be visiting ‘The Terminal Pesquero’, the perfect place to find all of the seafood and fresh fish indigenous to Peru and its Pacific waters. Better if you wear comfortable clothes and boots, we will end up smelling like fish! Enjoy breakfast at La Pescadería near The Terminal Pesquero. This restaurant belongs to a fish processing plant and also sells fish. Fresh and innovative flavors are its signature. After breakfast, you will have the rest of the morning on your own, to stroll the streets of Lima, have a rest at the Hotel or, using the guide we provided you at the beginning of the trip, decide where you want to have lunch. We recommend you to go a ‘Huarique’ typical Peruvian hole-in-the-wall restaurant. With small and simple dining room you will be surprised for the sophistication of its food always keeping a homely touch. We will meet early evening to have a guided tour around Lima, visiting the most attractive and important sites. We will go to the Main Square where the city was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535. We will continue to The Cathedral and its Religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo, with the tombs of Santa Rosa and San Martin de Porras. After that we will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, the greatest monumental complex of Colonial Art in America and Cultural Heritage of Humanity and, to finish, we will visit Larco Herrera Museum, for an excellent overview of Peru’s ancient past as it holds the best private collection of pre-Columbian art in the country. The museum has many fine examples of textile works, materials and tools used by ancient Peruvians to produce their work in ceramics and metal; and Pre-Inca and Inca period pottery, gold and silver pieces with semiprecious stones. We will end this busy day with a good dinner as Peruvians do. Tonight is ‘Chifa Night’ and you’d better be hungry! Chinese food in Peru is a delicious combination of Asian and Peruvian flavours which you must try. We will enjoy diner at Wa Lok, a famous venue in Lima for its Cantonese influence made with Peruvians ingredients B. D.

Day 4 – Saturday – 18 August

LIMA – ICA (NAZCA LINES)

We will have breakfast at the hotel, and after that we will depart for Ica. Four hours by bus travelling around the beautiful Pacific Coast of Peru. Once in Ica we will have lunch at ‘La Estación’ where Chef Elsa Alejos will cook a Creole menu for us. We will go to the hotel and enjoy a bit of siesta time in Ica after lunch. Early evening we will be enjoying panoramic views from a light aircraft that will fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines, a series of ancient geoglyphs designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The high, arid plateau stretches more than 80 kilometers (50 mi) of undiscovered origin. The hundreds of individual figures range in complexity from simple lines to stylized hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, fish, sharks or orcas, llamas and lizards. A mysterious trip on the air. After that we will return to the hotel and the rest of the night is on your own. You can have a pleasant walk around the city of Ica and learn more about the African influence in this region of Peru. B. L.

Day 5 – Sunday – 19 August

ICA

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel we will spend all day becoming experts in pisco. But, what is Pisco? Let’s start now to learn about this versatile liquor. Pisco is the ‘Peruvian aguardiente’ liquor obtained from the distillation of recently fermented musts, exclusively grapes (grape juice), according to traditional practices established in production areas. It is the name of the region of Peru where the Incas, captivated by the large quantity and diversity of ‘birds’, which could be seen along this coastal region, used the Quechua word ‘Pisko’ (birds) to name it, and is the place where it was produced for the first time, as well. It also takes its name from the conical pottery in which it was originally aged. We will be heading to ‘Bodegas Vista Alegre’ one of the most prestigious producers of Peru. This is a traditional bodega dedicated to the elaboration of wine and pisco. It still maintains characteristics of Colonial practices of grape processing. After the visit and the tasting, we will go to ‘Viña Tacama’, situated northeast of Ica. This vineyard is dedicated to the elaboration of wine and pisco. It was owned by the Jesuits during Colonial times, and the mansion and the old stables of the epoch still remain. We will enjoy a guided tour, with tasting and a ‘Piqueos Criollos’ lunch. We will arrive at the hotel in the evening, and you will have the rest of the night on your own to enjoy Ica. If you haven´t tried ‘Picante de Pallares’ yet, don’t miss the opportunity and do it this night because tomorrow we will return to Lima. B. L.

Day 6 – Monday – 20 August

ICA – LIMA

Early in the morning, before sunrise, we will set off to Paracas, which holds the most important wildlife sanctuary of the Peruvian Coast. We take a guided boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, where we can observe Sea lions, Boobies, Pelicans, Penguins and other Marine birds. On the way, from the boat, we will also see the ‘Candelabro’ (Candelabrum), a giant figure etched in the sand on the side of a hill in the style of the Nazca Lines. We will have lunch at Paracas Hotel, surrounded by the sea breeze and the tweet of birds and then, after this adventure into the nature, we will return to civilization. Afternoon will be on the bus on our way to Lima, arriving Lima early evening. Tonight we will go to one of the nicest restaurants in the capital town and our feelings have to be open to taste their New Peruvian Cuisine. With a marvelous view of the architectural monument that gives its name ‘Huaca Pucllana’ and its Chef Marilo Madueño M., will make us fall in love reinterpreting the Peruvian recipe book with a contemporary touch. This archeological site, Quechuan word ‘pucllay’ meaning ‘game’ can be translated as ‘a place for ritual games’, and  it was an important ceremonial and administrative center for the advancement of the Lima Culture. B. L. D.

Day 7 – Tuesday – 21 August

LIMA

This morning we visit Barranco, the bohemian district of Lima, and meeting point for all the artists. In Barranco is where most of the bars and clubs are situated, and it enjoys a privileged setting right on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The lunch will be at the cevichería  ‘Sonia’ in Chorrillos, one of those hidden places where you find the best ‘ceviche de conchas negras’ (scallop ceviche) around Lima. We will farewell our gourmet Lima experience with dinner at ‘Astrid y Gaston’, the most international Peruvian restaurant. There’s no better place than ‘Astrid y Gaston’, the iconic restaurant, to farewell a gourmet tour to Peru. ‘Astrid y Gaston’ is situated in Miraflores, and combines Haute cuisine, great service and outstanding creativity to make it a unique place. Owner­Chef Gaston Acurio and his wife Pastry Chef Astrid are an unquestionable representative of Peruvian Gastronomy, with restaurants all over the world. B. L. D.

Day 8 – Wednesday – 22 August

DEPART LIMA

For those not continuing on to Stage 2, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. B.

STAGE 2:  The  Gourmet Andean Experience

Day 8 – Wednesday – 22 August

LIMA – PUNO

We fly to Juliaca and transfer to Puno.  As soon as we arrive into Puno, we will feel the soft breezes of Lake Titicaca surrounding us. Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world so, as you can see, Peru is a country full of natural records. Finally, you will try the famous smooth organic trout from the Lake just by the Lake! Tonight dinner will be at ‘Alma Cocina Viva’ Casa Andina, one of the best places to enjoy gourmet food in Puno. You will be crazy about the pure taste of the fish from the lake with the special touch of Chefs Rely Alencastre and Teddy Bouroncle. It is worth highlighting the spectacular views of the Lake from the dining room. B. L. D.

Day 9 – Thursday – 23 August

PUNO, LAKE TITICACA

Today we will enjoy a complete sailing day on Lake Titicaca. We will depart early morning from the dock to have an unforgettable excursion on the water to the floating islands of Uros. Those islands are made with ‘totora’, a South American plant, which is used also to make boats of the bundled dried plant reeds. Like in some other parts of Peru, the inhabitants of Uros still live as they did centuries ago. We will visit Taquile, Amantaná and Soto Island before the lunch. The lunch will be at ‘Libertador’, a beautiful restaurant situated in Isla Esteves with Lake views and excellent dishes. Executive Chef Bruno Giordano and head Chef José Maguiña creating an amazing mix of international cuisine with regional ingredients that won’t leave us indifferent. This restaurant is also well known for its creative cocktails enjoyed from the verandah facing Titicaca Lake. After lunch and if you are up to a few cocktails, you will have free afternoon to take in the lake view. This afternoon we will return to Puno, where we will spend the evening and dinner on our own. Check the guide, if you are still hungry from lunch, there are many restaurants to enjoy in Puno. We recommend you to visit the Cathedral of Puno, built in the 17th century, the Balcony of the Count of Lemos and the Museum ship Yavar, an iron ship built in 1862 in Great Britain and commissioned by the Peruvian government to patrol Lake Titicaca. It took six years to transport from the Pacific Coast to the Plateau. B. L.

Day 10 – Friday – 24 August

PUNO – CUSCO VIA THE ALTIPLANO

Early morning we will be travelling by train across the Altiplano to Cusco, the oldest city in America with more than 3000 years. On arrival we will transfer to our hotel and the rest of the day is to chill and get ourselves used to the altitude. Tonight dinner will be on your own. Cusco at night is a magic place to stroll; you can find beautiful places hidden down the narrow streets or meet locals and have a Mate de Coca tea to keep yourself acclimated to the altitude. Mate de Coca is made from the leaf of the coca plant, the same plant that cocaine is derived from, but be assured, it is not cocaine. Recent studies have shown that coca chewing significantly aids in metabolizing high carbohydrate foods like potatoes, yucca, and corn, traditional staples in Andean diet. B. L.

Day 11 – Saturday – 25 August

CUSCO

We will have the morning free to rest. We will enjoy a delicious lunch at ‘Pacha Papa’ Restaurant where Rodolfo Rolando cooks regional dishes with ancient customs. Pachamanca, which comes from the Quechua ‘earthen pot’, is a traditional Peruvian dish based on the baking of lamb, mutton, pork, chicken or guinea pig, marinated in spices with the aid of hot stones. Other Andean produce, such as potato, lima beans, and choclo (Peruvian corn) are included in the baking. We will spend the afternoon visiting the City of Cusco, on a guided tour. The Main Square, the Cathedral built in 16th century and full of valuable masterpieces, and the Temple of the Sun. Then, we will drive out of the City to visit the Inca sites of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, strategically built on a hill overlooking Cusco. The dinner will be on your own. Pachamanca is a big lunch, so probably most of you will skip the dinner or just have something to nibble on. B. L.

Day 12 – Sunday – 26 August

CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

Early this morning we will be travelling to Urubamba Valley, The Sacred Valley of Incas. We will pass through the millenary salt deposits of Mara, Moray and Pisac, with its market with terraces cultivated upon the mountains, the paradise of the Andes where you can still prove your skills bartering. For lunch we will go to ‘El Huacatay’ where Chef Pío Vasquez has created one of the most original culinary styles in Cusco. The key: the unusual use of local ingredients blended with elements from the Mediterranean and the Orient. After lunch we will visit the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to this part of the Valley, and protect it from possible invasion from the tribes in the Lower jungle. This archaeological complex was a huge agricultural, administrative, social, religious, and military Centre in the Tahuantinsuyo era. The town is considered a living museum. Dinner will be at ‘Casa Andina’ where we will have ‘Piqueos Novoandinos’ (Peruvian finger food) while enjoying an ancient ritual thanking Pachamama (Mother Earth) for her productivity. B. L. D.

Day 13 – Monday – 27 August

SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS – MACHU PICCHU

Machu Picchu is waiting for us! The day will start with an early morning rise to take the scenic train (Vistadome) through the Urubamba valley to the lost City of Incas Machu Picchu. We will arrive at Aguas Calientes Station, and after a 30 minute bus drive we will finally reach one of the most outstanding wonders of the world: Machu Picchu. Once there, we will tour around the site, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds. Lunch will be at Sanctuary Lodge, one of the most luxurious restaurants in Machu Picchu. Afternoon will be on your own, to stroll around the archaeological site and learn more about its history or to spend at out hotel in Aguas Calientes and enjoy a spa session with Andeans Treatments. Dinner will be at ‘Qunuq’ Restaurant where Chef Rafael Piqueras offers a unique menu and first class service in tune with its magical surroundings. This is the perfect place to enjoy Peruvian and fusion cuisine in Machu Picchu B. L. D.

Day 14 – Tuesday – 28 August

MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Today we will have the morning free to explore the ruins further. Mid afternoon, we board the train back to Cusco and our hotel to chill and get ready for dinner. Dinner will be at ‘Map Caf钝, with its distinctive modern style. The building resembles a large glass cube and harmonises perfectly with the courtyard of the colonial town house housing the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. The menu is original and Chef Manuel Cordova incorporates the best Andean ingredients to create a Peruvian Style of haute cuisine. B. D.

Day 15 – Wednesday – 29 August

CUSCO – LIMA

Early morning flight to Lima, to spend there our last night in Peru. We will arrive into Lima and, after making ourselves comfortable at the hotel, have a relaxing bath or just tour around the city buying some presents we will get ready for the last dish of our menu, the dessert of ‘A taste of PERú’ – Gourmet Tour. Lunch will be on your own, but we recommend you to go to a Nikkei place, fresh mix of Peruvian and Japanese food, full of new textures and flavors. To finish the gourmet tour to Peru, there is no a better place than ‘Central’, which was one of the most exciting new restaurants in Lima in 2009. His brilliant chef Virgilio Martinez will blow your mind up with its personal interpretation of Peruvian flavours highly influenced by international cuisines. B. D.

Day 16 – Thursday – 30 August

LIMA – SANTIAGO – SYDNEY

It is time to go home! This morning you are on your own. You can do your last shopping, touring or just relax at the hotel. At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport to board your International homebound flight. If you want to stay on in Peru a few more days we can extend your booking. You could visit the north of Peru, with its beautiful beaches or for adventurous, the Amazonian Jungle and its amazing culture, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, oreven another destination in South America. B.