GASTRONOMIC TOUR : Tours and Travels

DAILY DEPARTURES
10:30 am

DURATION:
4 1/2 Hours

Discover the secrets of peruvian gastronomy.

“Peru is developing the most important culinary movement of the World”
Ferran Adriá
Restaurant owner of El Bulli
Three Michelin stars

We will introduce you to the history of Peruvian gastronomy.

Our culinary adventure begins at a typical “peruvian market”. There, you will be able to appreciate a wide variety of Peruvian product and enjoy and taste exotic fruits. Be amazed by the huge variety of fish and seafood our ocean, considered one of the richest in the World, has to offer.

We will also visit an exclusive Peruvian restaurant, where you will have the oportunity to prepare your own “Pisco Sour” and the famous “Ceviche”.

Later you will enjoy a delicious lunch, consisting of the most symbolic dishes of Peruvian cuisine.

Lima Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Lima Tour - Pachacamac Tour Peru - Caral Tour Peru - Visist Lima Peru - Lima and Machu Picchu Tour

The Ceviche

In Peru, ceviche has been declared to be part of Peru's "national heritage" and has even had a holiday declared in its honor. The classic Peruvian ceviche is composed of chunks of raw fish, marinated in freshly-squeezed key lime or bitter orange (naranja agria) juice, with sliced onions, chili, salt and pepper. Corvina or Cebo (sea bass) was the fish traditionally used. The mixture was traditionally marinated for several hours and served at room temperature with chunks of corn-on-the-cob, and slices of cooked sweet potato. Regional or contemporary variations include garlic, minced Peruvian ají limo, or the Andean chilli rocoto, toasted corn or "cancha" and yuyo (seaweed). A specialty of Trujillo is ceviche prepared from shark (tollo or tojo). Lenguado (sole) is often used in Lima. The modern version of Peruvian ceviche, which is similar to the method used in making Japanese sashimi, consists of fish marinated for a few minutes and served promptly. It was created by the now deceased Peruvian-Japanese chef Dario Matsufuji, during the 1970s. Many Peruvian cevicherías serve a small glass of the marinade (as an appetizer) along with the fish, which is called leche de tigre or leche de pantera.

Lima Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Lima Tour - Pachacamac Tour Peru - Caral Tour Peru - Visist Lima Peru - Lima and Machu Picchu Tour

IN LIMA PERU: Places to visit and celebration dates

• Main Square. It was here at this spot that Francisco Pizarro founded the city of Lima on January 18th, 1535. Around its perimeter sit famous and grand buildings, like the Government Palace, City Hall, Cathedral, Archbishop’s Palace and Club de la Union Building. Centerpiece of the square is a bronze fountain set there in the mid 17th century.

• Cathedral of Lima. While originally finished in 1622, it has gone through various remodeling periods and now expresses a whole host of different architectural styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neo-classical, all of which have left their particular mark. Inside, true masterpieces of art hang on its walls and preserved there as well are the remains of the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro.
• Church of Saint Dominic. It is the oldest church in Lima. Lavishly decorated, the one piece that stands out above the rest is the wooden crucifix carved by Juan Bautista Vásquez. Next door is a convent where the remains of famous Dominican saints rest, the likes of Saint Martin of Porres, Saint Rose of Lima and Saint John Macías.

• Church of Saint Francis of Assisi. These church and convent are without a doubt the most notable examples of Colonial architecture in the city. The church’s interior stuns the visitor with pieces like the magnificent wooden seats of the choir, Baroque and Neoclassical retablos (side altars) and religious wood carvings. And, you must find your way to the bowels of the church for there begin the famous catacombs of Lima.

• Church of Saint Rose of Lima. An architectural complex formed by the church and sanctuary. Still standing is the house where the saint lived and the hermitage she built with her own hands so she could devote herself to prayer.

• Church and Monastery of the Barefoot Friars. Originally opened in 1565 as a house of meditation and penance, today it is site of a valuable art collection, mainly displaying paintings from the Cusco, Lima and Quito Schools.

• The Aliaga House. This former residence of one of the founders of Lima, Jerónimo de Aliaga, is now a museum. Above the entrance is a gorgeous balcony built during Lima’s Republican Era, and inside, elegant rooms and attractive patios.

• Torre Tagle Palace. One of the main jewels of 18thcentury Colonial architecture. Uncharacteristically, its balconies, Arabic in style, feature an asymmetrical design on its façade. Besides the hallways, patios and corridors, there is a lovely wood paneled prayer room. Now, it is headquarters of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

• Park of the Wall. Showcases the remains of the wall that surrounded Lima in the 17th century. An immense statue of the Conquistador and the city’s founder, Francisco Pizarro, stands in the park, and a site museum displays artifacts recovered from the area.

• China Town. Its bustling streets, full of street vendors, malls, banks and stores selling Chinese goods, are the perfect places for enjoying exquisite Peruvian-Chinese food at any of the many restaurants operating there, known locally as “chifas”.
• Acho Bullring. It is the oldest bullring in the Americas and the third oldest in the world. October is the month of the celebrated Lord of Miracles Bullfighting Festival in which the world’s best matadors come to show off their skills.

Excursions from Lima:

• Fort Real Felipe. Located in Callao, its military architectural style is one of a kind, dating back to 1776. Pentagonal in shape, it is a masterpiece of stone and brick.

• Caral. North of Lima is the arid Supe Valley whose winds sweep over the site of the Caral archeological complex. Tests performed by researchers working there have discovered that the city is 5,000 years old, making it a peer of such great civilizations as Egypt, China and Mesopotamia.
The architectural complexity of its pyramids, where archeologists have uncovered important artifacts such as musical instruments, speak of the high degree of scientific and cultural development of its people.

• Pachacamac. Also south of Lima, located in the Lurín River Valley, this mud city was, according to the mythology of the ancient peoples of Peru, home of the creator god, Pachacámac (“he who moves the world”) and site of the most important and respected oracle in the Andean world. Archeologists estimate that the site was inhabited as early as 200 A.D. and have called it one of the principal ceremonial centers in the pre- Hispanic Americas.

• Lunahuaná. A lovely, sunny valley south of Lima and a perfect spot for adventure sports. If it is food you crave, then order any dish with its river shrimp. Its exquisite wines and pisco brandies must also be tasted. Nearby, rest the ruins of the ancient Inca Wasi (House of the Inca) archeological site.

• North Yauyos Cochas Scenic Reserve. Even the most experienced traveler will be astounded by what this corner of the Andes has to offer. Encompassing the upper Cañete River Valley, this area teems with waterfalls and enchanting lagoons, heaven on earth for trout fishermen. Spread out over a vast area of 221,268 hectares, it is well forested and filled with abundant wildlife. Also worth visiting are the two small villages of Huancaya and Vilca with their bridges erected during the Colony.

WHEN?

Surco Wine Festival.
Second week in March. You can taste wine and pisco brady and even take part in their preparation at the various wineries of the district of Santiago de Surco.

Pisco Sour Day. February.
Peru’s banner cocktail takes center stage this day at all bars and restaurants in Lima.

National Peruvian Paso Horse Show.
April 20th – 28th. The show takes place on the grounds of the Mamacona Hacienda (district of Lurín). The best Peruvian Paso horse breeders gather together for this event.

International Book Fair.
Last two weeks in July. Peruvian and foreign writers meet and greet inside of 53,820 square feet of space crammed with books.

Lima Film Festival.
August. This is an international film festival where you can watch Latin-American films compete against each other, vote for the winner and meet actors, directors and screenwriters from all over the world.

Lord of Miracles. October.
The image of the Lord of Miracles (Señor de los Milagros or Cristo Morado – the Purple Christ) exits from its home church and is carried in massive processions through the streets of Lima downtown. By far, it is the most attended religious procession in Peru and one of the most important in the entire world.

Creole Music Day. October
31st. A traditional musical genre from the coast of Peru that has its greatest advocates in Lima.
Experience its full force at concerts in bars, restaurants, peñas (traditional pubs) and plazas.

Lima Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Lima Tour - Pachacamac Tour Peru - Caral Tour Peru - Visist Lima Peru - Lima and Machu Picchu Tour

LIMA: Tours and Travels

Lima City Tour: The best way to enjoy Lima and its history

LIMA CITY NIGHT: Discover the beauty of Lima, visiting its foremost architectural monuments beautifully illuminated.

FOUNTAINS OF LIMA: Be surprised by the largest compound of electronic fountains in the world.

DINNER SHOW: Come for an unforgettable evening enjoying a wonderful dinner buffet and a spectacular show.

PACHACAMAC: A unique archaeological and mystical experience; the oracle, temples, palaces, Myths and legends.

LIMA MUSEUMS: Larco museum and Archeological Museum

LARCO MUSEUM: The finest collection of gold and silver from ancient Peru.

GOLD MUSEUM OF PERU: Come and meet the most famous collection of gold in Peru.

GASTRONOMIC TOUR: Discover the secrets of peruvian gastronomy.

PERUVIAN PASO HORSE EXHIBITION: A national tradition, turned into people´s pride.

CARAL TOUR: Discover the oldest civilization in America.

Lima Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Lima Tour - Pachacamac Tour Peru - Caral Tour Peru - Visist Lima Peru - Lima and Machu Picchu Tour

BOOKING PERU TOURS AND TRAVEL IN LIMA

* Important Notice: We recommend a minimum of 3 weeks to notice book the Inca Trail.

Making an Inca Trail trek booking: Since only 500 trek permits are issued per day for the Inca Trail (trek permits are also required for the porters and cooks) it is important to try to make a trek reservation as far ahead as possible. There is no clear rule as to how far ahead is enough to to guarantee you a space since this depends on demand.

CHECK INCA TRAIL AVAILABILITY 2011 - 2012

Reservations for the Inca Trail to Machupicchu.

To make reservations for the Inca Trail you have to carry out the following procedure: The reservations can be made 360 days in advance before entering the Inca Trail, anytime of the year, be it through paper or by e-mail, according to the format (Reservation Card). The Reservation Office will hand a code with the status of "reserved". The staff in charge of doing the reservations at the Reservation and Collecting Office of the Dirección Regional de Cultura del Cusco - INC has to be duly certified.

The reservation is subject to space availability, being the limitation the loading capacity. The applicant will confirm the reservation up until 30 days in advance before entering the Inca Trail, presenting the final group list at the Reservation and Collecting Office of the Direccion Regional de Cultura del Cusco - INC.
The applicant will also pay 50% of the total amount of the group's entrance tickets at the aforementioned office. The Reservation Office will register the pre-payment changing the reservation to a "confirmed" status. Any reservation that has not been confirmed according to the previous clause of the present article will be automatically void. The reservation will change to the "reconfirmed" status after paying off the other 50%, which has to be done anytime 5 days before entering the Inca Trail, at the Collecting Office of the Direccion Regional del Cusco - INC

Regulation of the Inca Trail Network of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu click here

Lima Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Lima Tour - Pachacamac Tour Peru - Caral Tour Peru - Visist Lima Peru - Lima and Machu Picchu Tour

INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

The most popular trek in Peru is the famed Inca Trail, which is likely a road that the ancient Inca used for sacred pilgrimages. Along the route you can view ruins from the once great Incas, who cherished the Sacred Valley for its beauty and resources. Typically, Inca Trail Peru treks last 2 days, 4 days or 7 days. Cusco, the ancient Inca Empire capital, is where people usually head before taking on the Inca Trail, and if you don’t have your plans figured out, there are numerous travel agencies and adventure guides who can help you pick out the right package. Keep in mind that camping along the way on overnight trips is your only option for accommodations, so if you prefer to sleep in a bed, you might try just hiking the last part of the Inca Trail, which can be done in one day. Regardless of where you start, Machu Picchu is the ending point for the trail, so you will always have a most just reward for your efforts.

Each day up to 2,000 tourists flood the ancient Inca mountaintop city of Machu Picchu in southern Peru. They come to marvel at temples built from perfectly chiseled blocks of granite and pay homage to the sun.
Most of the tourists travel by train from nearby Cusco. Others ride the bus. A few hundred heartier souls arrive on foot after a four-day slog along the famed Inca Trail.

Machu Picchu Under Threat from Pressures of Tourism Can Tourists Save a Peruvian Rain Forest? Inca Traditions Pay Off for Peruvian Weavers "For the average tourist, [the Inca Trail] could be the adventure of a lifetime and a real stretch both physically and psychologically," said Karin Muller, a writer, photographer, and adventurer based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Lima Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Lima Tour - Pachacamac Tour Peru - Caral Tour Peru - Visist Lima Peru - Lima and Machu Picchu Tour

PERU HOLIDAYS

Welcome to Our Holidays. we are uniquely placed to offer you the widest possible range of travel options, and to help you plan and book the trip of a lifetime.

Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz Peru - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu

Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz Peru - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu

Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz Peru - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu

Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz Peru - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu

Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz Peru - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu

Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz Peru - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu

Peru Travel agency tours Operator: Inca Trail to Machu Pichu - Trekking Huraz Peru - Short Inka Trail - Peru Treks - Trekking to Machu Picchu

PERU TRAVEl & ADVENTURE MAP