A Culinary & Cultural Journey

A 4-Week Itinerary Across Chile & Peru

Peru and Chile make for one of the most rewarding combinations in South America. Between the two, you’ll find some of the world’s best food, landscapes that feel otherworldly, and a depth of history and culture that’s impossible to ignore.

This itinerary was originally created for a couple of clients with a love of food, history, and adventure. It takes you from the vibrant streets of Lima to the wilds of Patagonia, with stops at Machu Picchu, the Atacama Desert, and the Chilean wine country along the way. If you’re looking for a trip that combines luxury with local insight, culture with comfort, and unforgettable dining, this one is hard to beat.

Here’s how I’d do it.

Stop 1: Lima, Peru (3 Nights)

Lima has built a reputation as one of the world’s great food cities, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. While many pass through quickly en route to other parts of Peru, it’s worth spending a few nights here to explore the capital’s food scene, art, and coastal culture.

Base yourself at Hotel B in Barranco, a beautifully restored Belle Époque mansion that now houses a boutique hotel filled with contemporary art. It’s perfectly located for exploring Barranco’s galleries, cafes, and the iconic Puente de los Suspiros, with the coast just a few minutes away.

A private culinary tour of Miraflores is a great way to start, where you can taste your way through some of the city’s best local dishes and cocktails. Explore the markets with a local guide, sail the Pacific coast for a different perspective on the city, and spend an afternoon wandering Barranco’s colourful streets.

For restaurants, Kjolle and Maido are two of Lima’s finest. Kjolle celebrates native Peruvian ingredients in creative ways, while Maido is globally recognised for its Japanese-Peruvian fusion, known as Nikkei cuisine. Both offer an experience that’s as much about storytelling as it is about the food.

Stop 2: Sacred Valley, Peru (3 Nights)

After Lima, you’ll fly to Cusco and head straight into the Sacred Valley. It’s the perfect place to adjust to the altitude before exploring Machu Picchu, with a gentler climate and plenty to see and do.

We stay at Sol y Luna, a beautiful hotel surrounded by the Andes, where the accommodation is spread across individual casitas set in lush gardens. The property supports a local school, and there’s a strong sense of connection to the community and landscape.

The Sacred Valley is rich with Incan history, dramatic scenery, and a growing food scene. You’ll explore the Moray terraces and Maras salt mines by ATV, enjoy a tasting menu lunch at Mil, Virgilio Martinez’s pioneering restaurant set high in the Andes, and visit the village of Ollantaytambo, known as the last living Inca town.

A visit to a remote mountain village adds a deeper cultural connection, where you’ll experience a traditional Pachamanca lunch, cooked underground using hot stones. It’s a special ritual that celebrates the earth and the local way of life, and something you don’t get in the typical tourist itinerary.

Stop 3: Machu Picchu, Peru (1 Night)

From the Sacred Valley, you’ll take the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. The train ride itself is part of the experience, with panoramic windows offering views of the Urubamba River and the surrounding peaks.

You’ll spend the night at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, a charming hotel set within a cloud forest just outside town. The property feels like a hidden village, with whitewashed casitas, winding stone paths, and gardens full of orchids and birdlife.

The highlight, of course, is Machu Picchu. You’ll explore the citadel with a guide, learning about its history, architecture and significance. For the more active, there’s the option to hike either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for panoramic views over the site.

The journey back to Cusco is just as memorable, travelling on the Hiram Bingham train. With polished wood interiors, live music, and a three-course dinner, it’s a luxurious and atmospheric way to end the day.

Stop 4: Cusco, Peru (2 Nights)

After Machu Picchu, you’ll return to Cusco - once the capital of the Inca Empire and now one of Peru’s most vibrant cities. It sits at over 3,300 metres, so expect the air to feel thinner and the light sharper. The city itself is a blend of Incan stonework, colonial architecture, and a growing creative scene.

You’ll stay at Palacio Nazarenas, a former convent turned Belmond hotel, tucked just behind Cusco’s main square. It’s a peaceful base with an outdoor pool, spa, and beautiful courtyard spaces to escape the buzz of the city.

There’s plenty to explore here, from the artisan neighbourhood of San Blas to the impressive Qoricancha temple and the lively San Pedro Market. A private walking tour helps bring the city’s layers of history to life, and there’s the option to experience a guided pisco tasting - essential while in Peru.

Cusco is also known for its food scene, with restaurants like Chicha by Gastón Acurio or Cicciolina offering excellent Peruvian cuisine in atmospheric settings.

Stop 5: Arequipa, Peru (2 Nights)

Next, you’ll fly to Arequipa, often called the White City for its colonial buildings made from white volcanic stone. Framed by three volcanoes, it has a distinct feel from the rest of Peru. Slower paced, more elegant, and with a strong culinary heritage.

You’ll stay at Cirqa, a stunning boutique hotel housed in a 16th-century former monastery. It’s intimate, stylish, and captures the essence of Arequipa’s history with a modern edge.

A guided city walk introduces you to the tambos, historic communal courtyards tucked behind the main streets, as well as the city’s grand plazas and churches. You’ll visit the colourful San Camilo Market, which is less touristy than in other cities and packed with local produce, spices, and street food.

No visit here is complete without a meal at a traditional picantería, unique to this region of Peru. These family-run restaurants serve hearty, spicy dishes that have been passed down through generations. A true taste of the city’s character.

Stop 6: Santiago, Chile (2 Nights)

From Arequipa, you’ll fly via Lima to Santiago, Chile’s capital and a city that often surprises visitors with its energy and creativity. Set against the backdrop of the Andes, Santiago is a place of contrasts - sleek skyscrapers alongside historic neighbourhoods, vibrant markets next to some of the continent’s most celebrated restaurants.

You’ll stay at The Singular Santiago in the Lastarria district, a leafy and walkable area known for its galleries, cafes, and cultural spaces. It’s the perfect base to explore the city’s highlights.

A private culinary tour offers an introduction to Santiago’s food scene, from the bustling fish market to the city’s best spots for empanadas and pastel de choclo. For dinner, Boragó is a must - consistently ranked among the world’s top restaurants for its hyper-local ingredients and inventive approach to Chilean cuisine.

To round out your time here, there’s the option to join a Dining with Locals experience, where you’ll share a home-cooked meal and gain a deeper insight into everyday life in the city.

Stop 7: Atacama Desert, Chile (3 Nights)

From the capital, it’s a flight north to the Atacama Desert, one of the driest and most otherworldly landscapes on the planet. Think salt flats, geysers, lunar valleys, and vivid lagoons dotted with flamingos.

You’ll stay at Tierra Atacama, a beautiful lodge just outside the desert town of San Pedro de Atacama. The rooms look out across the desert towards the Licancabur Volcano, and the hotel’s spa and pool offer welcome relaxation between excursions.

There’s no shortage of ways to explore the Atacama. Watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon, hike through the Moon Valley, or visit the high-altitude lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques. At night, the desert becomes one of the best places in the world for stargazing thanks to its clear skies and lack of light pollution.

Three nights here gives you enough time to experience the variety of landscapes, with a good balance between adventure and downtime.

Stop 8: Pucón, Chilean Lake District (3 Nights)

Next, you’ll head south to the Chilean Lake District, flying into Temuco and continuing on to Pucón. This region is the complete opposite of the Atacama - lush, green, and dominated by lakes, forests, and volcanoes.

You’ll stay at &Beyond Vira Vira, an elegant lodge set on a private estate with its own working farm. The setting is peaceful, surrounded by rivers and snow-capped peaks, and the food is a real highlight with much of the produce coming straight from the property’s farm.

Pucón is an adventure hub, but you can make your days here as active or as relaxed as you like. Options include hiking the Villarrica Volcano, kayaking on the Liucura River, or visiting local Mapuche communities. Alternatively, you can simply enjoy the estate, take a cooking class, or spend the afternoon in the spa.

It’s an ideal place to slow the pace, reconnect with nature, and enjoy a very different side of Chile.

Stop 9: Torres del Paine, Chilean Patagonia (3 Nights)

From the lakes, you’ll travel further south into Patagonia, one of the most dramatic and remote regions in the world. Your base here is Estancia Cerro Guido, a working sheep ranch set on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park, with wide-open views of the iconic granite peaks.

Staying on an estancia offers a more authentic Patagonian experience than some of the more polished hotels inside the park. It combines rustic charm with comfort, great food, and access to expert guides.

One of the highlights here is the chance to go on a puma safari. This part of Patagonia is one of the best places to spot these elusive cats in the wild, guided by local trackers who know the land intimately. There are also guided hikes, horseback rides, and 4x4 excursions into the national park to see glaciers, lakes, and the towering Cordillera Paine.

Patagonia feels like the edge of the world, and Cerro Guido is the perfect place to experience it without feeling disconnected from comfort.

Stop 10: Casablanca Valley, Chile (2 Nights)

To end the trip, you’ll fly back north and spend two nights in the Casablanca Valley, Chile’s renowned wine region located between Santiago and the coast. After the adventure and intensity of Patagonia, this is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy some of the country’s best wine and food.

You’ll stay at La Casona at Matetic Vineyards, a charming boutique hotel surrounded by organic vineyards. The pace here is deliberately slow. Spend your days touring the estate, tasting the wines, and enjoying long lunches overlooking the vines.

The region is also known for its proximity to the coast, so you can easily visit nearby Valparaíso, a colourful port city famous for its street art, steep funiculars, and bohemian atmosphere.

It’s a relaxed and indulgent way to round off the trip before flying home.

This itinerary really captures the best of Peru and Chile. From the food and culture of Lima and Santiago, to the ancient history of Machu Picchu, the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert, the wild beauty of Patagonia, and finally the slow pleasures of wine country. It’s a trip that offers something completely different at every turn, but always with great food, expert guides, and carefully chosen hotels to make it feel special from start to finish.

A trip like this, planned for January and including all accommodation, internal flights, transfers, private guiding, and most experiences, would typically start from around £70,000 for two people. As always, the final cost depends on the time of year, availability, and how the itinerary is tailored.

If you’re considering a trip to South America (or anywhere else in the world) get in touch and I’ll help you design a journey that’s completely bespoke to you.