Crop Symbols of Peru

Experience Peru’s crop heritage from Andes to coast — explore ancient corn, potato, and quinoa traditions, and modern farms in Ica and Paracas.

what will you experience on this journey?

A fascinating journey through Peru’s ancient and modern agriculture. Discover the origins of corn, potatoes, and quinoa in the Andes, explore Machu Picchu, and visit coastal plantations of asparagus, blueberries, and citrus in Ica and Paracas. A complete farm-to-table experience.

Duration
09 days / 08 nights

Best for
Cultural travelers, agritourism enthusiasts, and gastronomy lovers

Destinations
Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Cusco – Lima – Ica – Lima

Activity Level
Moderate

Itinerary

Day 01 / … / Lima

¡Welcome to Peru!
Arrival at Lima airport, assistance from one of our representatives at the airport. Then transfer to the hotel located in Miraflores district. Check in (15:00) and rest.
Overnight in Lima (-)

Day 02 / Lima: City tour + Larco Museum

Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning we visit the city of Lima. The tour begins visiting the colonial part of Lima and the main buildings of the historic part, thus achieving a better understanding of the city’s past.
These main areas include the Plaza San Martín, the Plaza Mayor and the Government Palace. We will continue our visit to the monumental Convent of San Francisco, which is the largest sample of colonial religious art in America. The Great Courtyard of the Main Cloister, finely decorated with Sevillian tiles from the 16th century, its beautiful Moorish arches and the Underground Crypts, known as the Catacombs, where you will feel the presence of the colonial past.
Lunch on this day will be offered at the Café del Museo restaurant. This restaurant is besieged by beautiful nature, in which fresh air is breathed and beautiful gardens are contemplated, an attractive place that revolves around a lot of culture, art and history for several decades. Then visit the Larco Herrera Museum. The Museum chronologically displays Peruvian pre-Columbian pieces of pottery, lithics and metals such as gold and silver, inside a viceregal mansion from the 18th century. Return to hotel.
Rest of afternoon at leisure. Overnight (B, L)

Day 03 / Lima / Cusco – Sacred Valley: Casa Hacienda del Maiz

Breakfast at the hotel.
At scheduled time, we walk to the boarding area to board the flight to the city of Cusco. Reception at the airport and transfer to the Sacred Valley. On route, visit a Textile Center, a place where you can see South American camels. Then, visit to the Sarapampa Farm, where you will learn how corn has influenced the Andean Culture and its important role in the life of the colonial hacienda. After which you will take a quick guided tour of the hacienda for a true “corn experience”, from its agricultural process to the interpretation center. Followed by a truly unique culinary experience with a full 3 course menu made entirely up of locally farmed ingredients. Afterwards, you will visit the Agricultural Laboratory of the Ancient Incas, the archaeological site of Moray. Finally transfer to your hotel where you can rest and recharge your batteries for the next day’s tour.
Overnight in the Sacred Valley (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 04 / Sacred Valley – Potato Park – Sacred Valley

Breakfast at the hotel.
Early in the morning we will visit the Potato Park, where you can see native potato fields, handicraft workshops and medicinal plants.
09:10 Hrs. Traditional reception with flowers and music.
09:20 Hrs. Interpretation of the Potato Park as an Indigenous Biocultural Heritage Area.
10:00 Hrs. Tasting of native boiled potatoes with a variety of chilli peppers.
10:30 Hrs. Exhibition on the native potato and its current adaptation to climate change.
12:30 Hrs. Traditional lunch based on native potatoes and local products.
Then continue to visit the archaeological site of Pisac.
Finally, transfer to the hotel located in the Sacred Valley and free afternoon.
Overnight in the Sacred Valley (Breakfast, Typical Lunch).

Note: In Cusco, the potato planting season is from October to December and the potato harvest season is from April to June.

Day 05 / Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Breakfast at the hotel.
This day will be the highlight of our trip, the visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Early in the morning we will depart from Ollanta train station to the majestic town of Aguas Calientes; travel time is approximately 01 hour 30 minutes by EXPEDITION train. We will arrive at the station in the town of Aguas Calientes, and from here we will board the buses to ascend to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, one of the 7 wonders of the world. We will start the visit observing the great landscape that surrounds it. The tour will take approximately 2 hours; at the end of the tour we will descend to the town of Aguas Calientes for shopping.
Lunch at the restaurant Café Inkaterra.
At the indicated time, transfer to the station to board the EXPEDITION train back to Ollantaytambo. Arrival and transfer to the hotel in Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 06 / Cusco: City tour / Lima – Ica

Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning we will take a city tour of Cusco where we will visit the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the Sacsayhuaman Fortress. According to the departure time of your flight to Lima, we will transfer you to the airport. Box lunch included.
Arrival and transfer to the city of Ica (Travel time approx. 4 hours).
Overnight in Ica (Breakfast, Box Lunch)

Day 07 / Ica – Asparagus & Blueberries – Ica

Breakfast at the hotel.
On this fascinating tour, we will have the opportunity to explore the world of modern agriculture in the region of Ica, the main asparagus and blueberry producing city. Through a guided visit to the cultivation fields. Lunch menu at the hotel.
Then, visit to the Pisco Winery, where you will learn about the process of elaboration of Pisco, types of vines and times of sowing and harvesting.
Overnight in Ica (Breakfast, Lunch).

Day 08 / Ica – Paracas – Hacienda San Jose – Lima

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the pier to start the excursion to the Ballestas Islands. These are the habitat of a great variety of marine fauna such as the Humboldt Penguin, pelicans, flamingos, dolphins and sea lions, which can be easily observed from a motorboat. Return to Lima.
En route, you will visit the Hacienda San Jose. Here, you will see the different products that are harvested in this area such as mandarin, avocado and oranges. An expert will explain in detail the best time to plant and harvest these wonderful products that Mother Earth gives us.
Traditional lunch at Hacienda San Jose. After 03 hours, arrival in Lima.
Overnight in Lima (Breakfast, Lunch)