Arequipa, Peru’s "White City," boasts a rich culinary heritage rooted in ancestral traditions. The Arequipa Food Tour provides a captivating 4-hour journey through the city’s vibrant gastronomic landscape. Participants can savor iconic local dishes, explore bustling markets, and even learn to prepare traditional ocopa. Led by knowledgeable guides, this immersive experience showcases Arequipa’s diverse flavors and cultural tapestry. With a limited group size, the tour offers personalized attention and a chance to discover the city’s captivating story. Those seeking to explore Arequipa’s culinary depths won’t want to miss this delightful opportunity.
Key Points
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This 4-hour culinary experience in Arequipa offers a glimpse into the city’s ancestral food traditions, including tastings of local specialties like cuy and alpaca.
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The tour includes a market visit, cloisters tour, food tastings at three local restaurants, a scenic stroll, and a dessert stop at a scenic overlook.
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Participants can learn to prepare the traditional Peruvian dish ocopa using a traditional batán and sample local beverages like chicha and pisco.
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The tour is not suitable for individuals with mobility impairments, vegans, vegetarians, or those over 80, and is not designed for those with dietary restrictions or mobility issues.
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The tour is conducted in English by a licensed, English-speaking guide and includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, as well as all food and drink.
Tour Overview and Pricing
The Arequipa Food Tour, titled "Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour," offers a comprehensive 4-hour culinary experience for a price starting from $79.00 per person.
The tour is limited to a group size of 10 participants and features free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Visitors can reserve their spot without upfront payment, allowing them to book the tour and pay later.
The tour includes a visit to the San Camilo Market, sightseeing at the Cloisters of The Company, food tastings at local restaurants, scenic views at Malecón Bolognesi, and a dessert stop at the Yanahuara Scenic Overlook.
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Itinerary Highlights
The Arequipa Food Tour kicks off at the C. San Camilo 207, San Camilo Market. After a brief 30-minute market visit, the group heads to the Cloisters of The Company for a quick 5-minute sightseeing experience. The real culinary adventure begins with three local restaurant food tastings, each lasting 40-45 minutes. Afterward, the tour takes a scenic 25-minute stroll along the Malecón Bolognesi, followed by a delightful 15-minute dessert stop at the Yanahuara Scenic Overlook.
| Itinerary Highlights | Duration |
|---|---|
| Food Market Visit | 30 mins |
| Cloisters Tour | 5 mins |
| Restaurant Tastings | 40-45 mins each |
| Malecón Bolognesi | 25 mins |
| Yanahuara Overlook | 15 mins |
Food and Drink Experience
During the Arequipa Food Tour, participants get to savor an array of local specialties.
They’ll taste the iconic cuy (guinea pig), try the rich and savory alpaca, and explore the flavors of rocoto relleno (stuffed peppers) and ocopa (a creamy potato dish).
The tour also introduces them to various chichas, traditional fermented Andean beverages, as well as pisco, the national spirit of Peru.
As a highlight, you will learn to prepare ocopa using a traditional batán, a stone mortar and pestle.
This hands-on experience provides an immersive look into the ancestral culinary traditions of Arequipa.
Tour Inclusions and Accessibility
The Arequipa Food Tour includes a variety of offerings to enhance the experience. The tour is inclusive, covering all food and drinks, a licensed English-speaking guide, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and 18% sales tax (with possible exemption using your passport details). However, it’s not suitable for individuals with mobility impairments, vegans, vegetarians, those over 80, or with gluten intolerance and low fitness levels.
| Inclusions | Not Suitable For |
|---|---|
| All food and drinks | People with mobility impairments |
| Licensed English-speaking guide | Vegans and vegetarians |
| Hotel pick-up and drop-off | Individuals over 80 |
| 18% sales tax (with possible exemption) | Those with gluten intolerance |
| Low fitness levels |
Important Information and Recommendations
Guide will be at the Compartamos Financiera building near San Camilo Market entrance for the meeting point.
Prohibited items include weapons, sharp objects, alcohol, drugs, and explosive substances.
It’s recommended to wear a hat, use sunscreen, wear comfortable shoes, and bring water.
The tour is only provided in English, and guides don’t speak multiple languages.
This Arequipa Food Tour isn’t suitable for people with mobility impairments, vegans, vegetarians, individuals over 80, those with gluten intolerance, and those with low fitness levels.
Adhering to these important details and recommendations will ensure a seamless and enjoyable food tour experience in Arequipa.
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Customer Reviews
Positive customer reviews highlight the Arequipa Food Tour’s exceptional offerings.
With an overall rating of 5/5 based on 3 reviews, guests express great satisfaction with the experience. They praise the tour guide’s attentive care and the insightful introduction to the local food scene.
Reviewers particularly recommend the tour for those interested in exploring Arequipa’s unique flavors. The food tastings at traditional restaurants and the opportunity to learn about preparing local dishes like ocopa are noted as standout features.
Meeting Point and Guide Information
At the meeting point, the guide will be stationed near the Compartamos Financiera building, just adjacent to the San Camilo Market entrance.
This strategic location ensures easy accessibility for participants. The guide, a licensed English-speaking professional, will be ready to lead the tour and provide valuable insights throughout the experience.
Guests can expect:
- Knowledgeable guidance on the local food scene and city’s history
- Seamless coordination of the tour’s itinerary and logistics
- Friendly and attentive service to ensure a memorable journey
It’s important to note that the tour is only provided in English, as the guides don’t speak multiple languages.
Prohibited Items and Recommendations
Prohibited items for the Arequipa Food Tour include weapons, sharp objects, alcohol, drugs, and explosive substances. These items are strictly prohibited for the safety and enjoyment of all participants.
To ensure a comfortable and enriching experience, it’s recommended to wear a hat, use sunscreen, and wear comfortable shoes. Bringing water is also advised, as the tour involves walking and exploring the local food scene.
Plus, the tour is only provided in English, so guests who don’t speak English may have difficulty following along.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Request Dietary Modifications for the Food Tastings?
Unfortunately, the tour is not suitable for dietary modifications. As per the tour details, it’s not suitable for vegans, vegetarians, or those with gluten intolerance. Guests must be able to try the included local specialties.
Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?
Unfortunately, there’s no option to extend the tour duration. The tour is set at 4 hours, and any changes to the itinerary or timeline aren’t offered. The company maintains a strict schedule to ensure a consistent experience for all guests.
How Do I Obtain a Refund if I Need to Cancel the Tour?
According to the tour overview, customers can receive a full refund if they cancel their tour reservation up to 24 hours in advance. To obtain the refund, they’ll need to contact the tour provider directly.
Does the Tour Operator Provide Any Photography/Videography Services?
The tour operator doesn’t provide any professional photography or videography services. However, participants are welcome to take their own photos and videos during the tour. The guide can offer tips on capturing the best shots of the sights and food.
Is There an Option to Customize the Tour Itinerary to My Preferences?
The tour operator doesn’t offer customization of the itinerary, but they’ll try to accommodate special requests if notified in advance. The standard tour covers key highlights of Arequipa’s local cuisine and sights.
Recap
The Arequipa Food Tour offers a captivating exploration of the city’s rich culinary heritage. Guests will savor iconic local dishes, uncover the vibrant culture, and gain hands-on experience in traditional cuisine preparation. Led by knowledgeable guides, this immersive journey showcases Arequipa’s gastronomic diversity, making it a must-do experience for foodies seeking an authentic taste of the region.
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