- Whet Your Appetite
- travel deeply
- extend your experience
- make a difference
Superlatives are often used when describing Peru which boasts the world’s highest navigable lake, its mightiest river and its two deepest canyons, as well as the oldest urban settlement in the Americas and the 2nd highest diversity of bird species on the planet. Peru’s historical legacy is equally impressive, and archaeological and artistic records of its many fascinating pre-Hispanic cultures can be found throughout the country. Of these, none evokes travelers’ passions more than the magical Machu Picchu, the iconic and mysterious Inca masterpiece.
Peru’s marvelous natural bounty and historical heritage is rivaled by the depth of its thriving living culture, from a 2,000 year old textile tradition to indigenous rituals in honor of mother earth, to hundreds of vibrant folkloric and religious festivals.
And, in case the fore-mentioned doesn’t already have you running headlong onto a Lima-bound flight, Peru has emerged as one of the gastronomic epicenters of Latin America with a culinary tradition that layers a rich variety of indigenous ingredients - from the coast, jungle and highlands - with savory influences from Europe, China and Japan.
National Geographic Traveler 50 Tours of a Lifetime (2007)
National Geographic Traveler named Culture Xplorers' Epicurean Peru as one of 50 Tours of a Lifetime. Our trip was given this honor for providing travelers the authentic experiences one would have if visiting well-connected, adventurous local friends. The journey represents a farm-to-fork approach to entering the living culture of Peru. An excerpt follows.
“The journey from Lima to the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco and the Virgen del Carmen celebration is punctuated by frequent visits with craftspeople, many of whom are friends with Culture Xplorers founder Jim Kane. But for Ben Goodman, the trip highlight was attending the annual CX-sponsored Weavers Awards in Chinchero, where indigenous weavers from across the Sacred Valley are recognized and awarded cash prizes for their work. 'Such a collaboration between two distant cultures is rare' he says. 'It gave me an opportunity to become part of this living community'.
– Peggy Loftus, NG Traveler
Travel + Leisure 40 Trips to Change Your Life (2007)
Travel + Leisure scoured the globe for trips that change the lives of both the travelers and the communities with which they come into contact. They highlighted forty such transformative experiences in their November 2007 on-line issue. An excerpt follows.
"Spend time between Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu learning from culinary masters. You will make ceviche, or chopped fish with lime juice and spices, and cook pachamanca, or a meat dish, in an earthen oven-all while benefiting local artisans and organic farmers. American Jim Kane leads Culture Xplorers, which aims for a total immersion experience that includes studying under some of Lima's finest modern chefs, witnessing millennia-old weaving techniques in the Sacred Valley, and bargaining for cocoa in Cuzco."
- Ben Skinner, Travel + Leisure
In addition to its spectacular natural beauty and archaeological treasures, Culture Xplorers provides travelers an unparalleled access to the people and living culture of Peru.
Farm-to-Table
After shopping for seasonal produce at the open-air market, roll-up your sleeves with a local chef at his home kitchen for a delicious, hands-on workshop focused on fresh Andean cuisine.
Life at Ground Level
Whether enjoying a hearty home-hosted meal, playing a boisterous coin-toss game at a rustic Andean pub, participating in an ancient earth offering ceremony or engaging in an art project with students in the Andes, CX travelers experience life at ground level.
Access & Expertise
Meet National Geographic grantees, Slow Food award winners, museum directors, curators and festival organizers in exclusive, behind-the-scenes visits
National Geographic Traveler 50 Tours of a Lifetime (2007)
National Geographic Traveler named Culture Xplorers' Epicurean Peru as one of 50 Tours of a Lifetime. Our trip was given this honor for providing travelers the authentic experiences one would have if visiting well-connected, adventurous local friends. The journey represents a farm-to-fork approach to entering the living culture of Peru. An excerpt follows.
“The journey from Lima to the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco and the Virgen del Carmen celebration is punctuated by frequent visits with craftspeople, many of whom are friends with Culture Xplorers founder Jim Kane. But for Ben Goodman, the trip highlight was attending the annual CX-sponsored Weavers Awards in Chinchero, where indigenous weavers from across the Sacred Valley are recognized and awarded cash prizes for their work. 'Such a collaboration between two distant cultures is rare' he says. 'It gave me an opportunity to become part of this living community'.
– Peggy Loftus, NG Traveler
Travel + Leisure 40 Trips to Change Your Life (2007)
Travel + Leisure scoured the globe for trips that change the lives of both the travelers and the communities with which they come into contact. They highlighted forty such transformative experiences in their November 2007 on-line issue. An excerpt follows.
"Spend time between Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu learning from culinary masters. You will make ceviche, or chopped fish with lime juice and spices, and cook pachamanca, or a meat dish, in an earthen oven-all while benefiting local artisans and organic farmers. American Jim Kane leads Culture Xplorers, which aims for a total immersion experience that includes studying under some of Lima's finest modern chefs, witnessing millennia-old weaving techniques in the Sacred Valley, and bargaining for cocoa in Cuzco."
- Ben Skinner, Travel + Leisure
PRE-TRIP CULINARY WORKSHOP
Immersive yourself in Peruvian cuisine & culture before leaving home! Two or more travelers booking together may opt to have a private "Taste of Peru" workshop for up to 10 guests at their home. CX founder Jim Kane will arrive to your home, provide all food & drink ingredients, lead a Peruvian culinary workshop complete with hand-blended Pisco Sours, give an educational slide show on Peru & of course answer all your trip related questions.
Titicaca’s Traditions
Engage with rural students and their headmaster, experience the best of community-based travel, hike one of Lake Titicaca’s most magical islands and enjoy a morning of hiking, horseback riding or relaxing at a friend’s alpaca ranch.
Amazon Adventure
Explore the brash natural world of the Amazon from the privileged base of Reserva Amazonica, a celebrated eco-lodge. Dramatic tree-top canopy walks, a twilight boat ride, playful river otters and cacophonous troops of monkeys are just some of the wonders you’ll experience under the expert tutelage of resident naturalist guides.
National Geographic Traveler 50 Tours of a Lifetime (2007)
National Geographic Traveler named Culture Xplorers' Epicurean Peru as one of 50 Tours of a Lifetime. Our trip was given this honor for providing travelers the authentic experiences one would have if visiting well-connected, adventurous local friends. The journey represents a farm-to-fork approach to entering the living culture of Peru. An excerpt follows.
“The journey from Lima to the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco and the Virgen del Carmen celebration is punctuated by frequent visits with craftspeople, many of whom are friends with Culture Xplorers founder Jim Kane. But for Ben Goodman, the trip highlight was attending the annual CX-sponsored Weavers Awards in Chinchero, where indigenous weavers from across the Sacred Valley are recognized and awarded cash prizes for their work. 'Such a collaboration between two distant cultures is rare' he says. 'It gave me an opportunity to become part of this living community'.
– Peggy Loftus, NG Traveler
Travel + Leisure 40 Trips to Change Your Life (2007)
Travel + Leisure scoured the globe for trips that change the lives of both the travelers and the communities with which they come into contact. They highlighted forty such transformative experiences in their November 2007 on-line issue. An excerpt follows.
"Spend time between Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu learning from culinary masters. You will make ceviche, or chopped fish with lime juice and spices, and cook pachamanca, or a meat dish, in an earthen oven-all while benefiting local artisans and organic farmers. American Jim Kane leads Culture Xplorers, which aims for a total immersion experience that includes studying under some of Lima's finest modern chefs, witnessing millennia-old weaving techniques in the Sacred Valley, and bargaining for cocoa in Cuzco."
- Ben Skinner, Travel + Leisure
At Culture Xplorers, we insist on being not only responsible travelers, but on making a positive impact on the communities with which we come into contact. We work hand-in-hand with local leaders in the destinations we visit to spend time as well as money in their communities, to exchange views and to support the living traditions that make these destinations unique.
In Peru we have created the Culture Xplorers Weavers Awards, an annual awards celebration honoring the indigenous weavers of the Sacred Valley. Now in its 5th year, over 500 weavers from nine participating communities compete for pride and prizes. Each year, 30 winners are honored with medals, certificates of achievement and share a prize pool which has reached over $3,000 annually.
For more details on the growing impact of these awards, please watch the following short documentary video
www.culturexplorers.com/Pages/Destinations/Peru/Peru_WeaversAwards.html
Culture Xplorers also works to strengthen schools in rural communities such as Yanaoca, where donations from a number of sources, including Culture Xplorers travelers, have facilitated the construction a school kitchen and other infrastructure projects. Thanks to this broad-based collaboration, 60+ students now receive nutritional, hot meals while attending class.
As a catalyst to these and other deep-rooted partnerships in each of our destinations, the non-profit Culture Xplorers Foundation was created in 2007 with the goal of fostering the sustainability of local culture in indigenous communities worldwide.
National Geographic Traveler 50 Tours of a Lifetime (2007)
National Geographic Traveler named Culture Xplorers' Epicurean Peru as one of 50 Tours of a Lifetime. Our trip was given this honor for providing travelers the authentic experiences one would have if visiting well-connected, adventurous local friends. The journey represents a farm-to-fork approach to entering the living culture of Peru. An excerpt follows.
“The journey from Lima to the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco and the Virgen del Carmen celebration is punctuated by frequent visits with craftspeople, many of whom are friends with Culture Xplorers founder Jim Kane. But for Ben Goodman, the trip highlight was attending the annual CX-sponsored Weavers Awards in Chinchero, where indigenous weavers from across the Sacred Valley are recognized and awarded cash prizes for their work. 'Such a collaboration between two distant cultures is rare' he says. 'It gave me an opportunity to become part of this living community'.
– Peggy Loftus, NG Traveler
Travel + Leisure 40 Trips to Change Your Life (2007)
Travel + Leisure scoured the globe for trips that change the lives of both the travelers and the communities with which they come into contact. They highlighted forty such transformative experiences in their November 2007 on-line issue. An excerpt follows.
"Spend time between Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu learning from culinary masters. You will make ceviche, or chopped fish with lime juice and spices, and cook pachamanca, or a meat dish, in an earthen oven-all while benefiting local artisans and organic farmers. American Jim Kane leads Culture Xplorers, which aims for a total immersion experience that includes studying under some of Lima's finest modern chefs, witnessing millennia-old weaving techniques in the Sacred Valley, and bargaining for cocoa in Cuzco."
- Ben Skinner, Travel + Leisure