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| Fiestas Patrias de Perú Photo Credit: Infobae |
It’s one of the most visited South American countries by Australians seeking diversity, adventure and immersive experiences and is renowned for its rich culture, deep history, and world-class cuisine. But what’s new in Peru and why should travellers have it firmly on their 2023 wish list? Here are a few good reasons why:
FOOD NEWS FROM THE CULINARY CAPITAL
Peru has won the World Travel Awards’ Leading Culinary Destination award eight times so there’s no arguing its culinary credentials. It’s estimated that by 2023, an approximate of 277,651 overseas tourists will travel to Peru, having among their main motivations to try the country’s incredible cuisine. Gastronomy is the third motivation for visiting, only behind visiting Machu Picchu and learning about the country’s culture and history, and it’s easy to see why with three Lima restaurants in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, including Central at number 2. Central’s first appearance on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list was in 2013 and the restaurant has been recognised globally ever since for its creative approach to cuisine and for its celebration of Peruvian heritage and biodiversity.Not only is Peru home to several of the World’s Best Restaurants, it’s also home to The World’s Best Female Chef (2021); Pía León. Pía is co-owner of Central and Kjolle restaurants alongside her husband and famed chef, Virgilio Martínez.
Whilst some of Lima’s favourite restaurants continue to win awards and are must-visits, there are also some new openings travellers should sample and savour.
Vegans and non-vegans alike will be pleased to hear celebrity chef, Matthew Kenney, has expanded his vegan restaurant empire into Lima. Kenney partnered with Peruvian chef and entrepreneur, Andre Patsias to open Plant Food + Wine in June, with focus on local Peruvian cuisine and culture to honour the country’s traditional techniques, flavours and produce.
The dramatic looking ALADO restaurant also opened in Lima this year, in the same month, with an innovative menu based on high temperature josper ovens, which create unique flavours by using charcoal and smoke techniques on meats, fish, seafood and vegetables. Chef James Berckemeyer has designed a concise but diverse menu so guests can also find pasta, salads, and desserts, and the perfect cocktails to harmonize all of his flavours.
For those more interested in sipping their way through Peru Carnaval Bar in Lima featured in the Top World’s 50 Best Bars 2022, which is especially impressive given it only reopened in January 2022. First-time visitors should start with the three-cocktail Carnaval Experience to get a true taste of owner Aaron Díaz’s playful and sophisticated style.
No trip to Peru is complete without the perfect Pisco, and whilst quite the opposite of new being the oldest vineyard in South America, the tasting tour at the pretty pink Hacienda Tacama in Ica (four hours south of Lima), is one of the most immersive and enlightening around. Guests can stay the night in one of the hacienda’s 11 luxury guest rooms and embrace a Pisco Sour by the pool. Other great choices to live and learn the world of Pisco are Hacienda La Caravedo and Viñas Queirolo. Pisco producers were heavily affected by COVID-19, so visitors will not only get to experience Peru’s national drink in its true and authentic form, but they’ll also be helping to rebuild this important industry by visiting.
NEW SUITE STAYS
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| Las Qolqas Eco-Resort & Spa |
Luxury boutique Hotel CIRQA opened in Arequipa in late 2019 sitting alongside Titilaka (Lake Titicaca) and Atemporal (Lima) in Andean Experience’s portfolio of inspiring destinations, innovative lodgings and authentic Peruvian experiences. CIRQA, like its sister properties, is unique in nature and celebrates its surrounding environment and culture. The 11-room hotel is based in a 16th-century former monastery, and is applauded for its astounding design and architecture, which combined with contemporary nuances, make up the soul of the property.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts has also expanded its portfolio over the last year with new openings including Hilton Garden Inn Lima Miraflores, DoubleTree by Hilton Trujillo and Hampton by Hilton Arequipa. The hotel group now boasts 10 hotels across Peru.
Whilst Accor has announced its expansion into Peru with the signing of Novotel Punta Sal. The hotel will bring Novotel, one of Accor’s most popular brands, to Peru with a stylish beachfront resort offering warm waters, year-round sun and immense biodiversity. The new Novotel will be situated seven kilometres south of the entrance to Punta Sal, on one of the longest beaches on the Peruvian coast. The property will feature 182 suites, multiple recreational spaces, and activities for families. It is slated to be open by the end of 2024.
Other openings in Peru that may have been missed include The AC Hotel Lima Miraflores (April 2019), Casa Andrina Premium San Isidro (January 2020) and Fairfield Lima Miraflores (August 2020).
FESTIVALS 2023
Peruvians know how to celebrate; it’s estimated that there are around 3,000 cultural festivals across Peru each year. Here are some top picks to consider:Trujillo Marinera Festival: January 2023
Each January hundreds of dancers and thousands of spectators flock to Trujillo to experience this 10-day festival. Travellers can expect parades, demonstrations, and national competitions for marinera dancers and Peruvian paso horses.
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| Fiesta de la Candelaria Photo Credit: Peru Rail |
Each February people gather on the shores of Lake Titicaca for Peru’s largest and arguably, most colourful festival. Here visitors will see approximately thirty thousand dancers and eight thousand musicians dressed in traditional clothing. This culturally immersive experience get travellers deep into indigenous and colonial traditions.
Inti Raymi: 24 June 2023
The Inti Raymi or "Sun Festival" takes place every year on 24 June, in the historical city of Cusco. The whole city of Cusco comes together for a party for the majestic Inca ceremony that announces the new year. This festival began in 1430 AD and today is continued as a theatrical performance charged with mysticism and spirituality.
Fiestas Patrias de Perú: 28-29 July 2023
The official National Holiday of Peru is officially celebrated on the 28 and 29 July, however the celebrations happen all month long. Across the country, fiestas, events, concerts, parades and cultural activities take place and demonstrate Peru’s passion for a party.
PERU: NEED TO KNOW
When to TravelWhilst it’s always a good time to travel to Peru, with year-round activities and events, May - October is considered the “dry season”. Travellers will see sunny days but may see chilly evenings. This is the peak tourism season.
Flight Connections
LATAM Airlines operates daily services from Sydney to Lima via Auckland and Santiago. The flight time is approximately 21 hours and 15 minutes and thanks to the International Date Line, you can depart Sydney and arrive in Lima on the same day! Qantas operates flights to Santiago four times weekly, with connections to Lima on LATAM Airlines.
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| Inti Raymi Photo Credit: Peru Rail |
For the most up to date information visit https://www.peru.travel/en. At the time of writing;
▪ Australian Tourists can get a visa on arrival in Peru for stays up to three months.
▪ On October 27, the Peruvian Government published the Supreme Decree N° 130-2022-PCM that formalizes the end of the Covid-19 State of Emergency, lifting all restrictions by coronavirus that were maintained to date.
For more information on travel in Peru please visit www.peru.travel or follow @peru on Instagram and facebook.com/visitperu.
*Source: Rachel Jones rachel@thisishelm.com.au +61 (0) 422 085 502
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