Trip Itinerary
TRIP ITINERARY
CUSCO FOOD TOUR – HALF-DAY ITINERARY
Experience the authentic flavors and culinary traditions of the Andes with our Cusco Food Tour, a half-day gastronomic experience where you will learn about traditional Cusco cuisine, participate in food preparation, and enjoy a delicious lunch featuring some of the region’s most representative dishes.
10:00 AM – HOTEL PICKUP IN CUSCO
Your Cusco Food Tour begins at 10:00 AM with pickup directly from your hotel in Cusco. Our team will meet you at your accommodation and take you to the location where your traditional Andean culinary experience will take place.
During the introduction, you will learn about the importance of food in Cusco’s culture and how many traditional recipes and cooking techniques have been preserved and passed down through generations.
10:30 AM – TRADITIONAL CUSCO COOKING EXPERIENCE
Upon arrival, you will meet your local hosts and begin discovering the ingredients, flavors, and traditional cooking techniques used in Cusco.
This is an interactive experience where you can observe and participate in the preparation of some of the region’s most representative dishes.
CHICHARRÓN – TRADITIONAL CUSCO-STYLE PORK
Learn how chicharrón is traditionally prepared in Cusco. Your hosts will explain the ingredients and cooking process used to create this popular pork dish and the traditional accompaniments served with it.
You will have the opportunity to participate in different stages of the preparation while learning why chicharrón has become an important part of Cusco’s local cuisine.
CUY AL HORNO – TRADITIONAL ANDEAN ROASTED GUINEA PIG
Discover the preparation of cuy al horno, one of the most traditional dishes of the Peruvian Andes.
Your hosts will explain how cuy is seasoned and prepared according to local traditions, as well as its cultural importance in Andean communities, family celebrations, and special occasions.
PACHAMANCA – AN ANCIENT ANDEAN COOKING TRADITION
One of the highlights of the Cusco Food Tour is learning about Pachamanca, one of the Andes’ most fascinating ancestral cooking techniques.
You will observe how meats, potatoes, corn, and other local ingredients are traditionally prepared using hot stones and an underground cooking method. Your hosts will explain the preparation process and the cultural connection between Pachamanca, the land, and traditional Andean life.
12:00 PM – TRADITIONAL ANDEAN LUNCH
After participating in the preparation process, it is time to enjoy the flavors you have been discovering.
Sit down for a traditional lunch featuring Cusco and Andean specialties prepared during the experience. This is the perfect moment to taste the dishes, share the meal with your hosts, and appreciate the different ingredients and cooking techniques used in traditional local cuisine.
Lunch is included as part of the Cusco Food Tour.
12:45 PM – RETURN TO YOUR HOTEL
After lunch, we will begin the return journey to your accommodation in Cusco. Sit back and relax after your culinary experience while our transportation takes you directly back to your hotel.
1:00 PM – HOTEL DROP-OFF & END OF THE TOUR
At approximately 1:00 PM, we will arrive at your hotel, marking the end of your Cusco Food Tour.
After this experience, you will leave with more than just the memory of a delicious meal—you will have gained a deeper understanding of Cusco’s traditional cuisine, local ingredients, ancestral cooking techniques, and Andean food culture.
TOUR SUMMARY
- Tour Duration: Approximately 3 hours
- Tour Type: Half-Day Culinary & Cultural Experience
- Starting Time: 10:00 AM
- Ending Time: Approximately 1:00 PM
- Pickup: Your hotel in Cusco
- Drop-Off: Your hotel in Cusco
- Meals: Traditional Andean lunch included
- Experience: Cooking, local cuisine, culture & traditional Andean gastronomy
Tour Inclusions
Inclusions
Included
Hotel Airbnb Pick-Up: We will pick you up directly from your hotel in Cusco at the scheduled time to begin your culinary experience.
Transportation to the Cooking Location: Comfortable transportation from your hotel to the local market and cooking location is included.
Guided Local Market Tour: Visit a traditional local market in Cusco accompanied by your chef or local host. Discover the ingredients commonly used in Andean cuisine and learn about local products, vegetables, herbs, spices, potatoes, corn, and other traditional foods.
Shopping for Fresh Ingredients: Participate in selecting and purchasing the ingredients that will be used during your cooking experience. The cost of all ingredients required for the dishes is included in the tour price.
Professional Chef: A professional chef will accompany you during the culinary experience, explaining traditional recipes, ingredients, preparation techniques, and the cultural importance of Cusco’s cuisine.
Hands-On Cooking Class: Learn step by step how traditional dishes are prepared. The experience may include the preparation of chicharrón, cuy al horno, and Pachamanca, allowing you to participate directly in the cooking process under the guidance of the chef.
Fully Equipped Kitchen: The experience includes access to a suitable cooking area with the kitchen equipment, utensils, and tools required for preparing the scheduled dishes.
Traditional Ingredients: All necessary ingredients for the cooking class are provided, including meats, potatoes, corn, vegetables, herbs, seasonings, and other local products required for the selected recipes.
Pachamanca Preparation Experience: Learn about the traditional preparation of Pachamanca, including the ingredients and ancestral cooking techniques that make this one of the most representative culinary traditions of the Peruvian Andes.
Traditional Lunch Included: At the end of the cooking experience, enjoy one of the traditional dishes prepared during the class as your lunch, giving you the opportunity to taste the final result of your culinary experience.
Cultural & Gastronomic Explanation: Throughout the experience, learn about the history and cultural significance of traditional Cusco dishes, local ingredients, Andean cooking techniques, and the role of food in local celebrations and everyday life.
Return Transportation & Hotel Drop-Off: After the cooking experience and lunch, transportation back to your hotel in Cusco is included, completing your Cusco Food Tour.
Not Included
Tips & Gratuities: Tips for the professional chef, guide, driver, or local staff are not included and are completely optional.
Drinks & Beverages: Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, bottled drinks, and any additional beverages are not included and can be purchased separately.
Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, additional food, personal purchases, and any other services or expenses not specifically mentioned in the “What’s Included” section are not included.
What to Pack
What to Pack
CUSCO FOOD TOUR – WHAT TO PACK
For the Cusco Food Tour, you only need a few personal essentials. All ingredients, cooking utensils, kitchen equipment, and materials required for the cooking class are provided as part of the experience.
- Passport or Valid Identification: Carry your original passport or a valid identification document during the tour.
- Small Daypack: A lightweight backpack is recommended for carrying your personal belongings during the local market visit and cooking experience.
- Comfortable Walking Shoes: Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes, as the experience includes walking through a local market and participating in food preparation in the kitchen.
- Comfortable Clothing: Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move easily during the cooking class. Avoid loose clothing that could interfere with kitchen activities.
- Light Jacket or Sweater: Cusco’s weather can change quickly, and mornings can be cool. A light jacket or sweater is recommended.
- Sun Protection: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or cap, particularly for the outdoor portions of the experience.
- Camera or Smartphone: Bring your camera or smartphone to capture the colorful local market, traditional ingredients, cooking process, and the dishes you prepare.
- Personal Medication: Bring any personal or prescription medication you may need during the tour.
- Cash in Peruvian Soles or Credit Card: Useful for purchasing souvenirs, additional drinks, local products, or other personal items during the market visit.
- Portable Charger: Optional but useful for keeping your phone or camera charged throughout the experience.
- Rain Jacket or Umbrella: Recommended during Cusco’s rainy season or whenever changing weather conditions are expected.
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATION: For the Cusco Food Tour, wear comfortable clothing and closed, non-slip shoes suitable for a kitchen environment. You do not need to bring cooking equipment or ingredients, as everything required for the scheduled cooking class is included. If you have food allergies, intolerances, dietary restrictions, or specific dietary requirements, please inform Machu Picchu Team in advance so our chef can prepare appropriately for your experience.
Prices
Pricing
CUSCO FOOD TOUR PRICES | 2026–2027
Our Cusco Food Tour offers a complete half-day culinary experience at a competitive price. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation, a local market visit, all ingredients, a fully equipped kitchen, a professional chef, hands-on cooking instruction, and a traditional lunch featuring one of the dishes prepared during the experience. Returning Machu Picchu Team customers may qualify for a special rate, subject to verification and availability.
STANDARD RATE: $35 USD per person
PROMOTIONAL RATE: $30 USD per person
Group Size
The Cusco Food Tour operates in small groups to provide a more personalized and interactive cooking experience. Group size may vary depending on reservations for each departure.
Guaranteed Daily Departures
The Cusco Food Tour operates daily throughout the year, subject to availability. Reservations can be made online, including up to one day before the tour when spaces are available. Machu Picchu Team coordinates the transportation, market visit, ingredients, professional chef, cooking class, lunch, and return transfer for a complete and well-organized culinary experience.
Addons & Upgrades
How to Book
How to Book with Machu Picchu Team
HOW TO BOOK – CUSCO FOOD TOUR
Booking your Cusco Food Tour with Machu Picchu Team is quick and simple. Click the BOOK NOW button, select your preferred date, enter the required passenger information, and complete the payment through our booking system.
The Cusco Food Tour can be booked up to one day before departure, subject to availability. Once your reservation is confirmed, our team will send you the pickup information and the main details of your culinary experience.
Please provide your full name, email address, WhatsApp number, and hotel or accommodation address in Cusco so we can correctly coordinate your pickup and transportation.
TERMS & CONDITIONS – CUSCO FOOD TOUR
RESERVATION
Your reservation is confirmed once the required passenger information and payment have been received and Machu Picchu Team has sent your booking confirmation.
AVAILABILITY
The Cusco Food Tour operates throughout the year and can be booked up to one day before the tour, subject to availability. We recommend booking in advance so our team can properly coordinate the chef, ingredients, transportation, and cooking experience.
HOTEL PICKUP & DROP-OFF
Hotel pickup and return transportation are included from accommodations located in or near Cusco’s historic center. Your exact pickup details will be confirmed before the tour. If your accommodation is outside the regular pickup area, our team will provide a convenient meeting point or advise you of any additional transportation arrangements.
LOCAL MARKET & INGREDIENTS
The experience includes a visit to a local market, where you will learn about traditional Andean products and participate in selecting ingredients for the cooking class. All ingredients required for the scheduled dishes are included in the tour price.
COOKING CLASS
The cooking experience is led by a professional chef, who will explain the ingredients, preparation methods, and traditional cooking techniques step by step. Travelers are expected to follow the chef’s instructions, particularly when using knives, hot surfaces, cooking equipment, or other kitchen utensils.
FOOD & DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
The experience may include traditional ingredients such as pork, cuy (guinea pig), potatoes, corn, vegetables, herbs, and other local products. Travelers with food allergies, intolerances, vegetarian requirements, or other dietary restrictions must inform Machu Picchu Team before the tour so we can determine whether appropriate alternatives can be arranged.
LUNCH
Lunch is included and consists of one of the traditional dishes prepared as part of the cooking experience. Additional food or dishes requested outside the confirmed experience may have an additional cost.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
You may cancel your reservation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start of the Cusco Food Tour and receive a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure, as well as no-shows, are non-refundable.
DATE CHANGES
Requests to change your travel date are subject to availability. We recommend contacting us as early as possible because the chef, ingredients, and other services must be coordinated in advance.
TOUR SCHEDULE
The tour normally begins at approximately 10:00 AM and finishes around 1:00 PM. Times are approximate and may vary slightly depending on hotel pickup, traffic, market activities, food preparation time, and other operational circumstances.
PERSONAL EXPENSES
Drinks, alcoholic beverages, tips, souvenirs, personal purchases, and any additional services not specifically listed in the “What’s Included” section are considered personal expenses.
ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
By booking the Cusco Food Tour, you confirm that you have reviewed and accepted the itinerary, inclusions, exclusions, food and dietary information, cancellation policy, and booking conditions provided by Machu Picchu Team.
Faqs and Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions CUSCO FOOD TOUR – AMAZING PERUVIAN CULINARY EXPERIENCE
1. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE CUSCO FOOD TOUR?
The Cusco Food Tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation, a guided visit to a local market, all ingredients, a fully equipped kitchen, a professional chef, hands-on cooking instruction, and a traditional lunch featuring one of the dishes prepared during the experience.
2. WHAT TRADITIONAL DISHES WILL WE PREPARE?
During the experience, you will learn about the preparation of traditional Cusco dishes such as chicharrón, cuy al horno (Andean roasted guinea pig), and Pachamanca, an ancestral Andean cooking technique using heated stones.
3. DO WE VISIT A LOCAL MARKET?
Yes. The Cusco Food Tour includes a visit to a local market, where you will discover traditional Andean ingredients and learn how to select some of the products used during the cooking experience.
4. DO I NEED COOKING EXPERIENCE?
No. Previous cooking experience is not required. A professional chef will guide you step by step through the preparation process, making the experience suitable for beginners as well as travelers who already enjoy cooking.
5. HOW LONG DOES THE CUSCO FOOD TOUR LAST?
The tour lasts approximately 3 hours, starting with hotel pickup at around 10:00 AM and finishing at approximately 1:00 PM, after lunch and your return transfer to the hotel.
6. CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE FOOD ALLERGIES OR DIETARY REQUIREMENTS?
Please inform us in advance about any food allergies, intolerances, vegetarian preferences, or other dietary requirements. Our team will confirm which alternatives can be arranged depending on the dishes and ingredients used for your experience.
7. HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK THE CUSCO FOOD TOUR?
You can book the Cusco Food Tour up to one day before departure, subject to availability. However, we recommend booking in advance so we have enough time to coordinate the professional chef, fresh ingredients, transportation, and cooking experience.
Travel Guide
Gallery
Photo Gallery
WHY BOOK THE CUSCO FOOD TOUR WITH MACHU PICCHU TEAM?
1. DIRECT LOCAL TOUR OPERATOR
Book directly with Machu Picchu Team, a Cusco-based local operator. We coordinate your entire culinary experience directly, from hotel pickup to the cooking class and return transfer.
2. AUTHENTIC LOCAL EXPERIENCE
Our Cusco Food Tour goes beyond simply tasting Peruvian food. Visit a local market, discover traditional ingredients, participate in the preparation process, and learn about authentic Cusco and Andean culinary traditions.
3. PROFESSIONAL CHEF
Learn step by step with a professional chef who will teach you how traditional dishes are prepared and explain the ingredients, techniques, and cultural significance behind Cusco’s cuisine.
4. HANDS-ON COOKING EXPERIENCE
This is an interactive experience where you can participate in preparing traditional dishes such as chicharrón, cuy al horno, and Pachamanca, rather than simply watching or tasting.
5. EVERYTHING ORGANIZED FOR YOU
We take care of the essential details, including hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation, market visit, ingredients, cooking equipment, professional chef, cooking class, and lunch.
6. SMALL GROUPS & PERSONALIZED ATTENTION
We prioritize small groups to create a comfortable cooking environment and provide more personalized attention from the chef throughout the experience.
7. LOCAL SUPPORT & EASY BOOKING
Book easily online and receive direct assistance from our local team in Cusco before and during your experience. With Machu Picchu Team, you have local support whenever you need it.
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