Peruvian Gastronomy Travel Experiences with Tanit Trails.

In 2010, UNESCO added Peruvian Cuisine to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Things, they said, that are cultural treasures worth preserving. In 2019 Peru won three awards at the World Travel Awards and one was for being the World´s best culinary destination for many years running. Peru's capital, Lima, we would argue, is the food capital of South America and just look at how many restaurants are in Latin America's Top 50 Restaurants List!

Peru has amazing biodiversity with 11 ecological regions and 84 of the world's 117 different "life zones" in the world. This is one of the reasons for such a huge variety of ingredients and products. This biodiversity provides a fabulous variety of fish, meat and local ingredients, and Peru's history has meant that its gastronomy has evolved with both pre-Columbian and Spanish culinary influences, agriculture and farming traditions as well as more recently a large Japanese influence. No wonder Peruvian gastronomy is so unique and diverse. More recently, it's mixed with influences from all over the world, and the creativity and innovation of Peru's local chefs continue to make Peruvian cuisine shine worldwide.

At Tanit Trails, gastronomy and Peruvian cuisine are very close to the heart of everything they do. Indeed owner Nicolas Ramirez's wife, Brisa, is a chef who has worked in several top international restaurants such as Noma, Copenhagen (Number 1 in the world for many years!) Whether you have clients who are completely foodie obsessed just want to learn more, or who just want to eat and drink really well when they travel - Tanit Trails, can deliver.

Watch a webinar about Tanit Trails and what they offer in the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Machu Picchu HERE

PERU CULINARY EXAMPLE ITINERARIES

If you are interested in more information on culinary/gastronomy tours from Tanit Trails, you might like to take a look at a couple of our example itineraries below and contact us to set up a meeting.

• We have a 12 Day Highlights Culinary Circuit example itinerary which takes in Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco & Arequipa.

• A unique 12 Day Northern Circuit Culinary example itinerary highlighting the gastronomy of the Amazon and archaeology of the north.

• If you have longer why not add on a few days in a luxury hotel at the beach? 5 day Northern Beach Module

• Contact us for a full Restaurant Recommendations Guide - or download from Tanit Trails account on SquirrelFish

If you would like more information, example itineraries or images from Tanit Trails, please get in contact and connect with us on SquirrelFish.

PERU CULINARY EXPERIENCES - EXAMPLES

Here are a few sample culinary experiences to give you an idea of what is possible...

Larco Museum, Barranco, Local Gastro, Cocktail Workshop and Dinner at Maido and meet Chef Mitsuharu.

First, visit Lima's famous Larco Museum. Get some context about the different stages of cultural development in the Peruvian territory - a perfect introduction to your journey. For lunch enjoy the flavors of a typical “picantería” and delight of the most traditional recipes at “La Picanteria Restaurant”. Owner and chef Hector Solis went back to his roots with this rustic, lunch-only eatery, inspired by the famed picanterías of Peru's northern coast.

We then visit Barranco district a vibrant neighbourhood full of shops, galleries, restaurants, and architectural gems. Preceding dinner, you are invited to participate in a private cocktail-making workshop. Pisco, Rum, and Gin are the main characters for this experience, all paired with a few specialities from the kitchen.

To finish our day, chef Mitsuharu Tsumura – “Micha” for his friends – welcomes us at his restaurant “Maido” for dinner - voted on "50 Best" as the Best Restaurant in Latin America for three years in a row, from 2017 to 2019, and in 2020 retains the title of The Best Restaurant in Peru. The first Japanese arrived in Peru during the late eighteen hundreds. It is clear that these pioneers took the best advantage of the fresh fish to be found in the rich Peruvian Sea. The children of these first immigrants did open gradually to Peruvian gastronomy and it is just now that “Nikkei” – Peruvian/Japanese fusion has found a leading place in the Peruvian culinary scene.

Sacred Valley Authentic Pachamanca and Boutique Whisky Distillery. Dinner at home with our Friends.

Today’s lunch is a whole experience during which we will visit an organic farm set on an old Inca Terrace and participate in the preparation of a traditional Pachamanca. The Pachamanca is an ancient Peruvian cooking technique consisting of an earth oven in which native ingredients such as different kinds of tubers, vegetables and meats are wrapped in local herbs and cooked underground using wood-fired heated stones.

The owner also has a boutique traditional distillery, where he is developing fascinating products using different Andean ingredients. You may want to have a look at it and perhaps try one or two sips of the Andean Whisky! You are driven back to the hotel for some downtime before heading to the home of one of our local friends for dinner.

Both born and raised in Barranco/Lima, our hosts Juan Carlos and Laura moved to the Sacred Valley several years ago and started a new life here, enjoying their passion for nature, culture and art.

Did you know that Virgilio Martinez who is the chef and owner of award-winning Central Restaurant in Lima now has a restaurant in the Sacred Valley? After a visit to Maras and Moray in the Sacred Valley we can take you for lunch at Mil.

Arequipa Culinary Heritage and Cooking Experience.

First, we visit San Camilo Market. This is a local traditional market, where you will be able to appreciate the variety, colours and scents of all kinds of fresh local products. Visiting a local market is always a great way to get immersed in authentic local culture. People from Arequipa are proud of owning one of the best “regional cuisines” in Peru. Today we will participate in a culinary workshop during which you will experience and enjoy a taste of the traditional local cuisine. Finally, we can walk through the colonial Yanahuara streets to reach the picanterìa. Similar to the “Picanteria” in the north of Peru, the ones in Arequipa were the gathering place by excellence, where friends, intellectuals, artists, musicians, business people or simple farmers would gather to eat “picantes”, drink “chicha” (fermented corn beer) and discuss their matters. Today you will have the chance to try some local emblematic dishes such as rocoto relleno, ocopa arequipeña, cauche de queso, chupe de camarones or cuy chactado, just to name a few…

Andean Farming Community of Huayllafara & Lamay.

Today we will enjoy walking the trails of Lamay and meeting with the community of Huayllafara. In the community, we will appreciate the traditional crops and the local style buildings. We will meet women and men doing their traditional farming, animal breeding, traditional crafts and family life, which women wisely combine. This is an opportunity to spend time with the people that actually farm and grow some of the products that make possible the quality and diversity of Peruvian gastronomy. Just think that in Peru we have almost 3000 varieties of edible potatoes! Unlike some “staged” community-based experiences, what we do today is participating in the activities that are actually happening during the time of the year. We then hike down to Lamay on an easy trail, with nice views of the village and surroundings. This fresh and short walk will make us feel the scent of Lamay and the Sacred Valley of the Inkas.

Organic Farm & Guinea Pig Raising, Cooking & Pottery Workshop at Private Home of Renowned Artists.

Your guide today is a local chef who will show you a glimpse of the authentic Peruvian lifestyle and businesses. First out of Lima to an organic farm where the owner will show you the amazing self-sustainable circle that they have created based on Guinea Pig (cuy) breeding. Together with learning about endemic ingredients and getting in touch with local entrepreneurs you will be inspired as to how this initiative is changing lives in remote Andean Communities. Then to a charming private house in the Lurin Valley for a fascinating cooking experience while enjoying a Pisco Sour. You may also want to take the time to visit the pottery studio owned by the hostess’ family, who happens to be one of the most renowned producers of fine ceramics in Peru. Your day ends back in Barranco district where you can go for a short walk through the charming streets, art galleries and shops.

Tarapoto Market, Tobacco & Chocolate Factory, Traditional Amazon Lunch

During the day our private guide takes you to visit the Market, “Tabacalera del Oriente” tobacco factory, and "Tesoro Amazonico" chocolate factory. "El Huequito" market is the right place for an introduction to the Amazon culture, not only to the wide variety of exotic ingredients that are produced in this region but also to the daily life of the locals. “Tabacalera del Oriente” is especially interesting because it is a small business that employs mostly women as a choice to give them more opportunities in a region that is ruled by men. During the visit you will see the slow process that is carried all the way from the collection, fermentation, drying and extremely careful handcrafting of each cigar. Finally, Tesoro Amazonico is a modern plant where you will be able to witness the elaboration of the chocolate from the seed to a great quality chocolate bar. Lunch takes place at La Patarashca, one of the best restaurants of traditional food in Tarapoto.

Lima Fish Market

Wake up at dawn and drive through Lima as it is waking up towards its huge, famous fish market on the outskirts of the city. This is a great opportunity to admire the astonishing variety of fish coming from the rich Peruvian oceans. Representing only 1% of the world´s ocean surface, the Peruvian Sea holds 10% of its riches. Not only the quantity but the quality of Peruvian fish and seafood is outstanding. This is a truly authentic non-touristy experience only suitable for fish traders, chefs looking for the best catch for their restaurants and you - travellers who are eager to appreciate the true vibrant daily life in the Peruvian Capital.

Chasuta Community, Women’s Cooperatives & Cooking Class: Recovering traditional culinary recipes from the Amazon.

This tour visits the local community of Chasuta, an authentic and humble Amazon village that suffered during the terrorism of the 80s and early 90s. The local women decided to organize themselves into small associations and build cooperative businesses to support their families and improve their quality of life. You will visit Misky chocolate factory, where women are making innovative cacao and "macambo" fruits products. Another great project is the association led by Ms. Blanca, gathering a few women who are devoted to recovering traditional culinary recipes from the Amazon. Here you find the chance to participate in a cooking class, learning about typical ingredients and ancient recipes. Part of today`s experience involves a visit to a Cacao farm and witnessing the process that is carried from the fruit, through the extraction, fermentation and drying of the seed. Another very interesting traditional initiative is the work in traditional ceramics, which we will also be able to see.

Peru is a vast country which offers so much for clients it is definitely somewhere to promote again and again to your clients. The team at Tanit Trails and I look forward to having the opportunity to support you with whatever resources and training might be helpful to you and your teams to promote and sell Peru. Please get in touch when the time is right.