Lima was founded by the Spanish Conquistador Pizarro City of Kings in 1535. Now, it is a world city of nearly 9 million diverse people. With countless 5 star restaurants, you can certainly eat like a king and with even more fantastic local restaurants, you could find delicious food without spending like a king.

LIMA FOOD TOUR

6 Day / 5 Night Itinerary

DAY 1, Saturday: (Itinerary can be adjusted for starting on different days.)

Reception in Lima from USA flight and transfer to the colonial-style Hotel Antigua, located in the upscale district of Miraflores, for the overnight. (http://www.peru-hotels-inns.com) Miraflores is known for its shopping areas (such as the Indian Market and Kennedy Park), gardens, and flower-filled parks, and beaches. (Hotel upgrades, such as the Casa Andina Private Collection, Miraflores are available.)

DAY 2:

After breakfast at the hotel, your private guide (English and Spanish speaking unless otherwise requested) will meet you at the hotel for a tour of the city Francisco Pizarro named the City of Kings on in 1535. Taking advantage of the lesser traffic on a Sunday, we will explore downtown or Central Lima. After a quick stop at a local market for fresh fruit juice, we head to the Main Square, called the Plaza Mayor or Plaza De Armas. Next stop is the San Francisco Convent, arguably the greatest architectural complex of its kind in Latin America, we’ll explore a network of underground galleries and catacombs that were a cemetery in colonial times. Next we walk around the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by such important buildings as the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s house, the Cathedral and City Hall.

    Then we walk through the most popular pedestrian street in Lima, the Jiron de la Union, to the San Martin Square, which was inaugurated in 1921 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the independence of Peru. On the plaza is the historic hotel, the Gran Bolivar, which is worth a look around and maybe enjoy a "chela" (beer), or its  bar’s famous Pisco Sour. There are many great places downtown for lunch. One of the popular and most charming ones is the historic El Cordano Bar, founded by Italians and famous for its sandwiches, such as “Butifara”. You return to the hotel in the late afternoon. (B)

    The costs of drinks, snacks, and lunch are not included as this allows you to choose what suits your taste that day in conjunction with your guide instead of us dictating where and what you eat. Your local guide will make suggestions on the best places and what to eat as you travel around. Checking out different options is part of the fun. (For a 360° view of the Main Plaza at night: http://www.panorammer.com/panoramas/4_plazadearmaslima_f.php)

(Note: Dinners are not included unless requested. The local guide can assist with any desired dinner reservations, or you can choose to eat at the hotel, or nearby restaurants, such as in Kennedy Park along the Calle de Pizza, or seaside at the nearby LarcoMar Mall. Famous Lima restaurants include: La Rosa Nautica, Punta Sal, Astrid y Gaston, Panchita, Rafael, Costanera 700, Malabor, Mangos, Caplina among others which can provide unforgettable dining experiences.)

DAY 3:

Today starts with a visit to the recently renovated Mercado Surquillo in Miraflores. It is Lima’s premier and largest food market. (Click here for a video tour.)

The market contains a wide variety of well stocked of breads, fruits, cheeses, fish, meats, potatoes, dried beans, nuts, seeds, herbs, flowers and many of the natural products from all over the country of Peru. Your local guide will explain the unknowns - how they taste, and are prepared. Of course you may want to sample for yourself as you go by the many vendor stalls.

It is normal to see women from the country wearing the colorful skirts of their region selling local products. The three floors have independent vendor stalls, small restaurants for take-out foods and craft shops. It is the market of choice for the gourmet chefs of Lima. The market includes an incredible range of meats, fish, and seafood. Upstairs in one of the restaurant stalls is a great place to view (and maybe taste) some of the many kinds of fresh ceviche. This combination of marinated fresh seafood is one of Peru’s most famous dishes.

      Afterwards is a visit one of Lima’s outstanding museums, the Larco Herrera Archeological Museum. Housed in a 18th century colonial building, the museum has the world’s largest private collection of pre-Columbian art, including its famous erotic art ceramics. The museum is also a setting for a fine meal of traditional Peruvian cuisine. Its Cafe del Museo is located in the gardens and directed by Peru's most prestigious chef, Gastón Acurio. (B)

DAY 4:

Travel south out of the city for a tour of the ancient of Pacachamac. This archaeological site overlooks the Pacific Ocean and predates the Inca by centuries,

however the Inca did maintain it as a religious center. Afterwards is lunch at La Gloria Del Campo, and/or La Casa Don Cucho (www.cuchosazonperuana.com), which is in the refurbished Hacienda Casa Blanca built in the 1800’s.

    Pacachamac is also the area to view the traditional Peruvian Paso horses at the nearby Hacienda Mamacona. Other options while in the countryside include touring a working “lucuma” farm, which grows the “lucuma” fruit, native from Peru and great for Ice creams and desserts, or visit a working olive farm, or fig farm.

    Depending on timing and desires, the day is likely to end at the beach to enjoy a famous Pacific sunset and some cold drinks and fresh seafood. (B)

DAY 5:

After breakfast is a morning walk through the artsy and bohemian Barranco neighborhood, including the famous Puente de los Suspiros, or Bridge of Sighs.

    Then after a short ride on a historic street car across from the Museum of Electricity, you tour the Museo de Arte Colonial Pedro de Osma, located in the Palacio de Osma. This private museum, located in a historic, ornate Barranco mansion, focuses on colonial Peruvian art from areas that were among the most distinguished cultural centers of the day, including Cusco, Arequipa, and Ayacucho. The house is extraordinary, and the collection of religious art, including polychrome sculptures, retablos (altarpieces), and paintings from the Cusco school, are exceptional for a small, private museum. Out back, across the gardens, is a separate building with an amazing collection of 16th- to 19th-century silver.

For an outstanding meal, overlooking Pre-Inca archaeological ruins, we recommend going to the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant, located in Miraflores next to the Pucllana ruins. Another great option is to have an “Amazonian” lunch at the upscale Malabar Restaurant, where renowned Chef Pedro Miguel Scchiafino prepares fusion dishes made with exotic ingredients from the Amazon. 

     Afterwards is a visit to the famous Gold Museum, considered one of Lima’s premier attractions. It houses the private collection of Miguel Mujica Gallo, who spent years amassing it. It features gold figures, jewelry, masks, knives and artifacts from the Inca and colonial periods and also contains mummies, headdresses and other ancient relics. Upstairs from the Gold Museum is the equally fascinating Arms museum, which houses weapons and armor from many cultures. Artifacts from Peru’s history, such as items owned by the Pizarro brothers and Simón Bolívar, are also on display.

Now that you are more familiar with Peruvian cuisine, an option for dinner is to go shopping with a guide to a local market and/or modern supermarket for your desired meal. Afterwards, assisted by able cooks, you help prepare and share your meal in a local home.

Day 6:

Transfer to the airport for flight back home or continue on with an extension to Cuzco (for great regional Andean cuisine) or another itinerary in Peru. (B)

Click below for suggested travel itineraries & information:

Cuzco Food Tours

Peru Food Info & Links

Peru Food Tours