Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour

Arequipa’s food tour offers a captivating blend of ancestral cuisine and city exploration. Participants can enjoy the rich flavors of Peru’s vibrant culinary heritage while discovering the historic highlights that make this city so enchanting. With hands-on demonstrations and guided visits to iconic sites, the tour promises a unique experience that tantalizes the senses and illuminates the deep-rooted traditions that shape Arequipa’s cultural identity. Whether you’re a foodie, history enthusiast, or simply seeking a memorable adventure, this tour presents an enticing opportunity to uncover the essence of this remarkable Peruvian destination.

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Good To Know

A 4-hour guided tour that showcases the ancestral cuisine and highlights of Arequipa, Peru, priced at $79 per person.
Includes food tastings at the San Camilo Market, exploration of city landmarks, and consumption of traditional Peruvian dishes like cuy, alpaca, and ocopa.
Features a hands-on demonstration of preparing ocopa, a traditional dish, using a batán.
Recommended for participants with good fitness levels, as it is not suitable for those with mobility impairments, dietary restrictions, or accessibility needs.
Tour has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with a perfect 5-star rating based on 7 reviews, praised for its engaging guides and personalized small-group experience.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour offers visitors a comprehensive 4-hour experience priced from $79.00 per person.

The tour is limited to just 10 participants, ensuring a personalized experience. Guests can reserve their spot and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

The tour is limited to just 10 participants, ensuring a personalized experience. Guests can reserve their spot and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

The tour starts at the San Camilo Market, where travelers enjoy a 30-minute food tasting.

They then explore the city’s highlights, including the Cloisters of The Company, Plaza de Armas, Malecón Bolognesi, and the Yanahuara Scenic Overlook, while savoring local dishes and drinks.

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Itinerary Highlights

Starting at the C. San Camilo 207, the tour begins with a food tasting at the lively San Camilo Market.

After a 10-minute walk, visitors explore the historic Cloisters of The Company.

Next, they admire the stunning Plaza de Armas Arequipa for 10 minutes.

The tour then transitions to local restaurants, where participants savor a total of 125 minutes of delectable dishes.

Afterward, they venture to the scenic Malecón Bolognesi for 25 minutes before concluding the experience with a dessert at the Yanahuara Scenic Overlook.

Culinary Experience

Though the Arequipa Food Tour offers a diverse array of local dishes, the culinary experience primarily showcases the region’s ancestral cuisine.

Participants will sample traditional plates like cuy (roasted guinea pig), alpaca, rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy peppers), and ocopa (a potato-based stew). They’ll also get to try different types of chichas (corn-based drinks) and pisco, a Peruvian brandy.

The highlight is a hands-on demonstration where attendees learn to prepare ocopa using a traditional batán, a stone mortar and pestle.

The tour emphasizes showcasing the rich flavors and time-honored culinary practices of Arequipa.

Tour Features and Accessibility

Although the Arequipa Food Tour is accessible to most participants, it may not be suitable for certain groups. The tour offers an English-only live guide and includes hotel pick-up and drop-off. Plus, the tour is wheelchair accessible. However, it is not recommended for people with mobility impairments, vegans, vegetarians, those over 80 years old, or those with gluten intolerance and low fitness levels.

| Tour Features | Details |

| — | — |

| Live Tour Guide | English only |

| Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off | Included |

| Wheelchair Accessibility | Yes |

| Suitability | Not recommended for certain groups |

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Customer Reviews and Recommendations

The Arequipa Food Tour has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from previous participants. Based on 7 reviews, the tour boasts a perfect 5-star rating.

Travelers praise the engaging guides who provide insightful commentary on the city’s history, politics, customs, and culture. The small group size creates a personalized experience, and participants highlight the fantastic variety of local dishes and unique hands-on cooking demonstrations.

To make the most of the tour, visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat and sunscreen, and stay hydrated due to Arequipa’s strong sun.

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Local Gastronomy and Traditional Flavors

As the centerpiece of the Arequipa Food Tour, the culinary experience delves into the region’s local gastronomy and traditional flavors. Guests savor an array of signature dishes, including the iconic cuy (roasted guinea pig), tender alpaca, the fiery rocoto relleno (stuffed peppers), and the creamy ocopa (potatoes in a peanut-based sauce). Complementing the savory bites are refreshing drinks like the chicha (fermented corn beverage) and the renowned pisco (grape brandy). The hands-on cooking demonstration of ocopa using a traditional batán (stone mortar) further immerses participants in the region’s rich culinary heritage.

| Dish | Drink |

| — | — |

| Cuy | Chicha |

| Alpaca | Pisco |

| Rocoto relleno | – |

| Ocopa | – |

Hands-on Cooking Experience

One of the highlights of the Arequipa Food Tour is the hands-on cooking experience, where participants learn to prepare the beloved local dish of ocopa.

Under the guidance of a knowledgeable chef, guests use a traditional batán, a stone mortar and pestle, to grind the ingredients for this savory potato dish.

Guests grind the ingredients for the savory potato dish ocopa using a traditional batán, a stone mortar and pestle, under a chef’s guidance.

They’ll discover the unique flavors of aji amarillo, peanuts, and fresh herbs as they create the authentic ocopa sauce.

This interactive culinary lesson offers a rare opportunity to take in Arequipa’s rich gastronomic heritage and return home with a newfound appreciation for Peruvian cuisine.

Discovering Arequipa’s History, Culture, and Customs

Beyond the savory culinary experiences, the Arequipa Food Tour offers a rare glimpse into the city’s rich history, diverse culture, and enduring customs.

As you explore the historic Plaza de Armas, your guide shares insights into the colonial architecture and the significance of the towering volcano that dominates the skyline.

At the Cloisters of The Company, you’ll learn about the city’s religious heritage and the influence of the Catholic Church.

Throughout the tour, you’ll uncover Arequipa’s unique traditions, from the traditional preparation of the beloved ocopa dish to the vibrant chichas and pisco tasting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Request Dietary Accommodations for the Tour?

The tour is not suitable for those with dietary restrictions like vegans, vegetarians, or gluten intolerance. However, customers can request accommodations, and the tour operator will try to accommodate them if possible, but cannot guarantee availability.

Is Photography Allowed During the Tour?

Photography is generally permitted during the tour. Participants are encouraged to capture the vibrant local markets, historic landmarks, and unique culinary experiences. However, it’s polite to ask for permission before taking photos of people.

How Much Walking Is Involved Throughout the Tour?

The tour involves a moderate amount of walking, about 80 minutes in total. It includes stops at the San Camilo Market, Cloisters of The Company, Plaza de Armas, Malecón Bolognesi, and Yanahuara Scenic Overlook. Participants should wear comfortable shoes.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for Participants?

The tour is not suitable for people over 80 years old, as it may involve a moderate amount of walking. However, there are no other age restrictions for participants.

Can I Purchase Souvenirs or Local Products During the Tour?

The tour doesn’t include time for purchasing souvenirs or local products. However, the tour concludes at the Yanahuara Scenic Overlook, where visitors can explore the area and potentially find opportunities to shop for local handicrafts or specialties.

The Sum Up

The Arequipa Food Tour offers an exceptional opportunity to take in the city’s rich culinary heritage and cultural landmarks. With its diverse tastings, hands-on demonstrations, and insightful exploration of Arequipa’s history, this tour provides a well-rounded experience that captures the essence of the region’s ancestral cuisine and vibrant local character. It’s an ideal choice for foodies and cultural explorers seeking a memorable journey through the flavors and traditions of this captivating Peruvian destination.

You can check availability for your dates here: