Lima tastes better when you shop first. This Surquillo Market Nro 1 to SkyKitchen cooking experience is a great mix of 35+ fruit tasting and hands-on learning, with a small-group size capped at 12 people. One consideration: you will be trying a lot of new flavors in one sitting, so if you are picky or have strict allergies, plan ahead.

I like that it starts at 9:00 am at Mercado Nº 1 de Surquillo, with a market walk led by guide Christian that focuses on how locals actually shop. After about 50 minutes of produce education, you head to a rooftop kitchen in the Miraflores area where you mix a Pisco Sour and cook a 4-course lunch you eat right after each course.

Key Highlights You Can Actually Use

• Surquillo Market Nro 1 fruit tasting (35+ samples): you learn flavors and names you will recognize later.
• Small-group format (12 or fewer): easier questions, quicker help, less standing around.
• Pisco Sour kickoff, then you cook: you get hands-on right away, not just watching.
• SkyKitchen rooftop setting: you cook and eat in a relaxed, city-view vibe.
• Ingredient education that goes beyond fruit: quinoa varieties, herbs, legumes, meats, fish, and Andes roots and seeds.
• Dietary options available: vegetarian option on request, plus vegan support mentioned by past guests.

Surquillo Market Nro 1: Your Fruit Map of Peru

Your day starts at the entrance of Mercado Nº 1 de Surquillo (Surquillo 15047), where the guide pulls you into real market life fast. Expect about 50 minutes of walking and talking, not a rush-through tour. This is where the experience earns its keep, because you learn what you are tasting and why it matters.

The market stop is built around recognition. You will see exotic fruits, vegetables, legumes, herbs, meats, fish, and seafood, plus quinoa varieties and staples that show up in everyday Peruvian cooking. You also get explanations for lesser-known Andes plants, roots, and seeds, the kinds of things you might otherwise miss if you were wandering on your own.

I like that the guide keeps it practical. It is not just facts. You learn how different produce behaves, how it is used, and how it fits into dishes you might order later in Lima.

This part also explains why the fruit tasting feels so good. When you taste 35+ fruits, you are not just checking off boxes. You start building a mental ingredient list, so your next restaurant meal makes more sense.

One small heads-up: markets are markets. You do not want to worry about expensive jewelry while you are walking and leaning in to look at produce. The tour asks you to skip flashy jewelry in the market portion, and you should listen.

Miraflores Stop: A Quick Change of Pace

You do not spend the whole day in the market. The plan includes a stop in Miraflores before you reach SkyKitchen for the cooking class.

Think of this as a breather in the schedule. The vibe shifts from produce-focused walking to getting ready to cook. It also helps you mentally reset, because the next phase is hands-on and you will want some energy.

Even if you are not in Miraflores for long here, the structure matters. You get culture and food learning in two different modes: shop with your senses, then cook with your hands.

SkyKitchen Peruvian Cooking Class on the Rooftop Terrace

SkyKitchen Peruvian Cooking Classes is where the day turns from tasting to doing. You arrive from the market by included transportation, so you are not figuring out routes while your hands are already full of food memories.

One detail I really like from past guests is that the class takes place on a rooftop terrace with city views. You get that open-air feeling while you cook, which makes the whole thing feel less like a “tour stop” and more like a real meal with instruction built in.

At SkyKitchen, you start by making a Pisco Sour, one of Peru’s best-known cocktails. The tour includes alcoholic beverages in the form of that Pisco Sour, so you are not stuck chasing the right drink later. Then you transition into the main event: a hands-on 4-course Peruvian cooking class where you prepare what you will eat.

The staff and chef instructors handle the pace. You are doing the cooking, but you are not left to flail. There is help for washing up and direction while you work through the courses.

Also, if you care about plant-based cooking, this matters. Vegetarian options are available if you request them at booking, and vegan versions have been created by the chefs in past experiences.

The 4-Course Lunch: Hands-On, Then Eat Right Away

The heart of the experience is the four-course lunch, and it is designed to keep you fed without knocking you out early.

You cook all the courses yourself, which is the difference between a cooking class and a demo. You are actively involved from prep to cooking, then you sit down and eat each course after it is ready.

Past guests have noted that the earlier samples from the market and the way portions are handled helps you avoid feeling overly stuffed before the cooking portion begins. That is exactly what you want on a half-day food tour, because it keeps the momentum going from fruit tasting to the final bites.

The lunch uses all ingredients included in the class. Water and juice are also included, and you can expect the overall meal to be Peruvian-focused using Peruvian ingredients, not a generic “international cooking class.”

Even if you are not a confident cook, this setup is forgiving. The instructors guide you, the staff supports with cleanup, and you still get real kitchen reps. It is the kind of experience where you leave understanding how Peruvian ingredients fit together, not just copying a recipe on your phone.

What You Actually Taste (35+ Fruits Plus Real Ingredient Education)

The fruit tasting is the headline, and it really earns its place. You taste 35+ different fruits during the market portion, with small samples that let you try widely without committing to huge portions.

But the tour goes further than fruit names. As you walk the market, you see the ingredients that surround those fruits in real Peruvian meals. Expect to get explanations connected to things like:

• Quinoa varieties and how they are used
• Herbs and legumes you might never notice on your own
• Meat, fish, and seafood stands for a fuller picture of local flavors
• Andes plants, roots, and seeds that add depth to traditional cooking

This is valuable because Lima dining can feel confusing at first. When you understand what a fruit or herb is doing, you can order with confidence. You also start noticing how many meals in Peru rely on a mix of produce, grains, and seasonings, not just one sauce or one style of cooking.

If you are the kind of traveler who likes to shop smart at home markets, you will likely enjoy this even more. You come away with a mental list of ingredient types and flavor directions.

Price and Logistics: Is $125 Worth It in Lima?

At $125 per person for an approximately 5-hour experience, you are paying for a full package: a guided market walk, a major fruit tasting, and a hands-on cooking class that ends with a complete lunch.

Here is why it can feel like good value:

• You get 35+ fruit samples plus ingredient education that would take you a long time to recreate solo.
• Transportation is included from the market to the cooking venue.
• The meal is included, and you cook it yourself across a 4-course lunch, not just one small snack.
• Drinks are partially included via water, juice, and a Pisco Sour.

What is not included helps you calibrate your expectations. Beer and wine are not included, so if you plan to drink more than the included Pisco Sour, factor that into your budget. Tips are not mandatory, and that is good to know if you prefer to travel with a set spending plan.

The other “value” angle is group size. With a maximum of 12 people, you are less likely to feel like a number. That matters in a cooking class, because you need instruction and space to work.

If you want a simple rule: if you enjoy food learning and hands-on cooking, $125 is in the range of fair for what you get. If you only want a quick tasting with minimal participation, you might be happier with a shorter market sampler.

Who This Tour Fits Best, and Who Might Want to Skip It

This tour is a strong match for you if:

• You want a market-first way to understand Peruvian food.
• You like tasting lots of small samples and learning names and uses.
• You enjoy hands-on cooking more than watching.
• You want a guided, small-group Lima food experience, max 12 people.

It is also a good pick if you plan to eat in Peru for the rest of your trip. The ingredient education helps you order with better instincts, and you can spot items on menus more easily.

You might hesitate if:

• You do not want to try many new flavors in one morning.
• You have complex food restrictions that require careful planning. The tour asks you to let them know about restrictions or allergies, and vegetarian option is available, but your comfort level is still important.

If you are traveling with kids, note the policy: children up to 10 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Finally, if you are sensitive to market conditions, keep in mind you will be walking through Surquillo Market Nro 1 for around 50 minutes. Comfortable shoes help. No fancy jewelry helps more.

Book It or Skip It: My Practical Recommendation

I would book this tour if you want one Lima experience that combines ingredient learning, serious tasting, and a real meal you make yourself. The combo of 35+ fruit samples, guided market context, and a hands-on 4-course lunch at SkyKitchen is exactly the kind of “I learned a lot and ate well” outing that sticks.

Book it sooner rather than later, since it is a small-group setup and the average booking window reported is about a month in advance. If you are relying on the vegetarian option, say so at booking, and if you have allergies or restrictions, share them early.

One more reality check: this experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed once booked. So if your schedule is flexible, lock it in only when you are confident.

FAQ

Where do I meet, and what time does the tour start?

You meet at the entrance of Mercado Nº 1 de Surquillo (Surquillo 15047, Lima). The start time is 9:00 am, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the Lima market and cooking experience?

It runs about 5 hours, approximately.

How big is the group?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 12 travelers.

What will I be eating and tasting during the tour?

You will taste 35+ fruits during the market portion. Later, you will cook and eat a 4-course lunch, with all ingredients provided.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available?

A vegetarian option is available if you advise the provider at booking. You should also let them know about any food restrictions or allergies.

What drinks are included?

The included beverages include water and juice, plus a Pisco Sour (alcoholic beverage). Beer and wine are not included.

Is this tour suitable for kids?

Children up to 10 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

What is the cancellation policy?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or request an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.