Northern Peru holds one of the most impressive legacies of pre-Columbian America, and this tour takes you to the heart of that history while combining it with the most iconic flavours of Peruvian cuisine.
Chan Chan: the world's greatest adobe city
The day begins at Chan Chan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest adobe city on the planet. Built by the Chimú culture between the 9th and 15th centuries, the citadel spans over 20 km² and at its peak housed more than 30,000 inhabitants. You will walk through the Nik An palace — the only one fully restored — where the walls speak through their friezes: waves, cormorants, pelicans, fish and geometric patterns reflecting the Chimús' deep connection with the sea. You will visit ceremonial plazas, inner courtyards, altars and the funerary platform where their rulers once rested.
Huanchaco market & local ingredients
From Chan Chan you will head to the seaside village of Huanchaco, where your first stop is the local market. Here you will discover the fresh ingredients that bring northern Peruvian cuisine to life: chilli peppers, tropical fruits, seafood and seasonal produce — the perfect introduction to what you are about to cook.
Gastronomic experience by the sea
At a local restaurant you will take part in a hands-on demonstration with an expert bartender who will reveal the secrets of the Pisco Sour, Peru's most emblematic cocktail. The chef will then guide you through the preparation of ceviche, Peru's signature dish and declared National Cultural Heritage. Tasting included.
Caballitos de totora & free time
To close, you will stroll along the shoreline observing the caballitos de totora — reed boats with over 3,000 years of history — still used today by local fishermen to head out to sea. Free time to enjoy the beach at your own pace.