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- GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE!
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- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Gastronomic Travel Guide in Peru
Peru is recognized as one of the world’s top gastronomic destinations. Its cuisine is the result of a unique cultural fusion, blending indigenous traditions with Spanish, African, Asian, and European influences. This melting pot of flavors is reflected in every dish, from sophisticated fine dining creations to the delicious street food.
In this gastronomic guide, you’ll find everything you need to enjoy Peru’s exquisite cuisine: iconic dishes like ceviche, lomo saltado, causa limeña, pisco sour, and chicha morada; the best gastronomic destinations, from local markets in Cusco and Lima to highly recommended restaurants; recipes for Peru’s most emblematic dishes; a detailed list of everything we offer; and information on how to book your gastronomic tour with Rap Travel.
What You Need for a Gastronomic Tour
Before embarking on an incredible gastronomic tour, make sure you’re ready to enjoy an unforgettable experience filled with unique flavors. Follow these key tips to ensure you make the most of your culinary journey and explore the best of Peruvian gastronomy without any hiccups.
Discover iconic dishes, explore local markets in Cusco and Lima, and experience the perfect fusion of tradition and innovation in Peruvian cuisine.
01. Iconic Dishes
- Lima: Iconic dishes like ceviche, lomo saltado, and causa limeña are must-tries during your visit.
- Cusco: Known for trout ceviche, roasted guinea pig (*cuy al horno*), quinoa soup, and *chiri uchu*, a traditional festive dish.
- Arequipa: Don’t miss *rocoto relleno*, *adobo*, pork chicharrón, and desserts like cheese ice cream (*helado de queso*).
- Peruvian Amazon: Discover dishes like *juanes*, *tacacho con cecina*, and fresh fish such as *paiche*.
02. Traditional Drinks
What you’ll need for the gastronomic tour:
- Pisco Sour: Peru’s flagship drink, made with pisco, lime juice, egg white, and syrup, with a touch of coffee.
- Chicha Morada: A refreshing drink made from purple corn.
- Inca Kola: The soda that symbolizes Peruvian culture.
- Chicha de Jora: An ancestral drink made from fermented corn.
03. Local Markets
- Cusco: San Pedro Market and Wanchaq Market. Ideal for tasting fresh juices, local bread such as *chuta*, Andean products like coca leaves, and the various potato varieties Cusco offers.
- Lima: Surquillo Market. Famous for its fresh ingredients and street food offerings.
- Arequipa: San Camilo Market. Perfect for trying *queso helado* and exotic fruits.
04. Cooking Classes
- Cooking Classes in Cusco: In the heart of Cusco, we invite you to experience an unforgettable journey that combines culture, tradition, and unique flavors. Our cooking classes take you through the secrets of Peruvian gastronomy, from selecting fresh ingredients at a local market to creating iconic dishes of our region. At Rap Travel, we include workshops to learn how to prepare traditional dishes such as *Pisco Sour made with chicha morada*, *quinoto with peppered beef*, and *quinoa rice pudding*.
- Cooking Classes in Lima: Our Gastronomic Tour includes workshops to prepare iconic dishes such as *ceviche*, *papa a la huancaína*, *quinoa chupe*, *causa rellena*, or traditional desserts like *suspiro a la limeña*, *mazamorra morada*, *quinoa rice pudding*, *Pisco Sour made with chicha morada*, and *quinoto with peppered beef*. These courses can also include visits to markets such as San Pedro in Cusco and Surquillo Market in Lima to select fresh ingredients.
05. More Information
Recommended Restaurants
- Fine Dining: Central, Maido, and Astrid y Gastón in Lima.
- Traditional Restaurants: Chicha and Organia (Cusco), La Nueva Palomino (Arequipa), and Amaz (Lima).
- Hidden Gems: Small spots where locals enjoy authentic food, like El Chinito (sandwiches in Lima) or Pachapapa in Cusco.
Traditional Recipes
- Ceviche: Explains how to prepare the classic Limeño dish.
- Ají de Gallina: Provides a step-by-step guide.
- Desserts: Includes recipes for *suspiro a la limeña* and *mazamorra morada*.
Travel Tips
- What to bring: Comfortable clothing, an appetite, and curiosity to try new flavors.
- Transportation: Details how to reach markets and restaurants.
- Budget: Information on average costs to enjoy a complete gastronomic experience.
Interviews with Local Chefs
Includes interviews or profiles of renowned chefs like Gastón Acurio, Virgilio Martínez, or local chefs from traditional eateries and markets. Their stories can inspire travelers and highlight the cultural significance of Peruvian cuisine.
Nutritional Information and Dietary Options
Provides details about the ingredients used in dishes and offers alternatives for travelers with dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free).
01 Everything for the Gastronomic Tour
Before embarking on the Gastronomic Tour and immersing yourself in this unforgettable adventure, it’s important to keep some essential tips in mind.
- Gastronomy in Lima
- Discover the best ceviche restaurants.
- More information here ➔
- Peruvian Gastronomy
- Tradition, fusion, and local flavors.
- More information here ➔
- The Pisco Route in Ica
- Discover the purest flavors.
- More information here➔
02 All About a Gastronomic Tour!
Discover how to prepare your palate for an unforgettable culinary experience. Learn about key locations, including iconic markets and restaurants, the ideal altitudes for enjoying coffee and cacao, the origins of native ingredients, and how they blend in Peruvian cuisine. Explore the duration of each tour and the cultural richness you’ll encounter at every step of the journey. Get ready to experience Peru through its flavors!
- General Information
- Discover everything about a gastronomic tour.
- Learn more. ➔
- Best Travel Season
- Peru at its finest.
- Learn more. ➔
- Everything You’ll See
- Flavors and history from a land rich in tradition.
- Learn more. ➔
- Recommendations
- Explore, enjoy, and savor!
- Learn more. ➔
03 Our Gastronomic Tours
Discover the richness of Peruvian cuisine and explore the markets, restaurants, and unique flavors of Cusco with our exclusive tours for a culinary experience you’ll treasure forever.
04 Discover Cusco with Our All-Inclusive Packages
Explore the best of Cusco with our personalized tour packages. Discover the magic of this historic city and its surroundings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gastronomic Tourism in Peru
The cost of gastronomic tours in Peru varies depending on the city, type of experience, and duration:
- Budget group tour: $30-$50 USD per person (half-day).
- Standard tour: $70-$120 USD per person (1 day).
- Premium private experience: $150 USD or more per person, depending on customization.
Our agency offers culinary tours in Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa, including visits to local markets, cooking classes, and tastings of traditional dishes. For more information and bookings, visit our gastronomic tours in Peru page.
Peru is a gastronomic destination year-round. However, the best time to enjoy outdoor tours, such as vineyard visits in Ica or markets, is during the dry season, from May to November, to take advantage of more stable weather.
A typical gastronomic tour may include:
- Visits to local markets.
- Cooking classes with Peruvian chefs.
- Tastings of dishes like ceviche, lomo saltado, and ají de gallina.
- Pisco tastings at vineyards or traditional bars.
- Iconic desserts like suspiro a la limeña or picarones.
In Arequipa, you can enjoy:
- Cooking classes in traditional restaurants, learning to prepare rocoto relleno or pastel de papa.
- Visits to historic picanterías.
- Tastings of local desserts like queso helado.
It’s possible but not recommended. Organized tours include transportation, specialized guides, and guided tastings that enrich the experience. They also handle logistics, allowing you to fully enjoy the surroundings.
To enjoy your experience, it’s recommended to bring:
- Comfortable and light clothing.
- Appropriate walking shoes.
- Sunscreen and a hat (especially in Ica).
- A camera or smartphone to capture moments.
- A good appetite and curiosity to try new flavors.
Yes, most tours are suitable for all ages. They can be customized to include light activities and menus adapted to their needs.
Gastronomic tours typically include:
- Transportation between tour locations.
- Guides specialized in gastronomy.
- Ingredients and equipment for cooking classes.
- Meals and drinks during the tour.
Some of the most notable experiences include:
- Preparing ceviche in Lima with fresh market ingredients.
- Participating in a pisco sour class in Ica.
- Learning to cook roasted cuy in Cusco.
- Tasting chicha morada and anticuchos at local markets.
Yes, gastronomic tours are an excellent option even during the rainy season (December to April). Many activities, such as cooking classes and tastings, take place indoors and are not affected by the weather.
