Travelling is one of the best ways to open your mind and experience things from a new perspective. But if you have Celiac disease? Or some wheat allergy? Or some variation of which causes issues that seem to be forefront when everyone discusses the newest vegan-fair-trade cafe on the block – yet later on at the company holiday party you’re left alone at the punch bowl with your stomach growling, pretending not to be hangry? Yeah, that’d be me too. I’m Ana Komar. It’s nice to see you.

Presenting: a special Celiac-Friendly (AKA gluten-free) tour arranged in conjunction with Elite Travel Peru to cater to others with similar needs. Always needing to bring along your own food, or simply ‘going without’ at times is not the way to travel and experience new cultures. I intend to show you that it is possible to see the world no matter what your gut says.

Why should you feel comfortable and excited about the potential of this trip?
Ana Komar: seasoned trip coordinator, travel guide, reservations agent, fellow Celiac. Born American, I’ve traveled, studied, and lived abroad by myself for the last 6 years – and have been strictly gluten free for the past 11. I’ve also been a Mountain Trekking Guide in the Andes, logistics coordinator for 3 trekking tourism companies in the region, and moved to the Cusco area at age 15. I’m fluent in the local dialect, giving us the most experiential (and well-understood explanations) of our needs. Let’s just say I know the area like the back of my gluten-free hand. This makes me ultra-capable of not only making your trip to Peru the most in-depth and action-packed but also able to care of your specific needs (that are normally impossible to get across while traveling), hassle-free.

I have more of the long-lasting dire symptoms when it comes to gluten and the slightest cross-contamination – and while that has the potential to ruin an experience, that’s never been able to stop me before (and now you, too!). Throughout my travels, food conditions have led to many an extra time-consuming, frustrating excursion in order to find a safe option. I’ve decided to transform this experience into a positive, safe reality for others living with similar conditions. No longer should gluten be an inhibitor to traveling the world.

Why Peru? The ancient kingdom is vibrant with color and culture. There’s a reason Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world. It is tangible evidence of the urban Inca Empire at the peak of its power and achievement—a citadel of cut stone fit together without mortar so tightly that its cracks still can’t be penetrated by a knife blade 500 years later. It stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of fauna.

But Peru is much more than Machu Picchu. Peruvian cuisine is known as one of the best in the world – with most of it being naturally gluten free! Delicious fresh ceviche, Causa Rellena, and the traditional Pachamanca await. The gorgeous Sacred Valley of the Inca is home to many ancient ruins that can be explored and toured. Taking casual hikes around the communities will lead you to views of glaciers off the beaten track. The native Quechua tribes still live within the crevices in the Andean mountains surrounding the Cusco region. We will take the opportunity to go high at 13,000 feet above sea level to see their traditional homes, lives, and to learn about their culture. The views from their homes will take your breath away. The Sacred Valley is true to its name, a stunning area that combines all the natural beauty of the Andes with the incredible ingenuity of Incan industry.  The Famous Valley is home to the town of Ollantaytambo with its imposing Inca fortress, one of the most visited tourist sites in Peru and a must-see for most tourists. Ollantaytambo is a magical place. Nestled in between energy bearing mountains, it was the royal estate of Emperor  Pachacuti who conquered the region. Here, he built the town and a ceremonial center. Later, during the time of the Spanish conquest,  it served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, the leader of the Inca resistance. We’ll take ample time and a guided tour to visit the archaeological sites – the beautiful Princess Baths, Temple of the Sun and the Condor, and see the ancient graineries. Ollantaytambo is the only living Inca village that is still inhabited. Take time explore the traditional Incan homes and shops – and soak in it’s special beauty!

An off-the-beaten track addition to your tour are the circular agricultural terraces of Moray with their complex system of irrigation and terraces, and the ancient saltworks of Salineras. The less explored  two small towns that lie in the middle of the Valley are Maras and Moray.  Often passed over, these two places provide the perfect chance to get off the beaten track and get more intimate with the Incan history. We will also be visiting the salt flats of Maras –  a true hidden beauty of the Sacred Valley. Passing through green mountain after green mountain of rugged Andean terrain, you’d be forgiven for never seeing them coming. Lying in the middle of inconspicuous mountains, with sun reflecting on it as though they were snow, the salt flats will stun you with their beauty, shining out like white gold. Depending on what season you travel you can see pools of water in each section of the salt fields, shining like shimmering mirrors in the sunlight.  Pass through and admire the white salt rocks against the background of green mountains, which provides you with as great a natural contrast you are likely to see anywhere in the world.

Later, we see a traditional weaving demonstration in the village of Chinchero – a small Andean Indian village located high up on the windswept plains of Anta at 3762m. Beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snow-capped peak of Salkantay dominating the western horizon. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its other major claim to is its colourful Sunday market.

The best part is that this trip is priced comparatively to similar trips that aren’t gluten free – even with most meals included (while on others, they are not). Goodbye GF mark-up! We’ll stay in high-quality accommodation throughout, while enjoying gourmet cuisine and experiencing local traditions in the high communities. You’ll take many of your own pictures – the likes of which no one else has ever seen before, I promise.

Whether traveling on my own or coordinating private tours for other clients, I diligently need to find the best, tastiest option for what’s available according to specific needs. This goes beyond ‘choice’ and into ‘necessity’. Food should be beyond simply nourishing your body, even (especially!) for people with gluten-related issues. I did the research – it appears that most of you agree, too.

On this 7 day tour, we will dive deep into South America to one of the top destinations in the world – Peru! Highlights of the tour include:

  • The Sacred Valley
  • Rafting past ancient Incan ruins
  • Hiking in the Andes Mountains
  • Gourmet culinary cuisine experience in the capital of Lima
  • Visiting high indigenous communities and feasting with locals
  • Machu Picchu!
  • and of course – delicious, safe Peruvian food (and drinks!) at every hour of the day.

For a fuller picture of the itinerary, please view below – for full release, comments, questions, and to join, please fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page to contact me:

Tentative dates: March 17 – 23 (can be slightly modified based on guest interest)

Day 1 –  Arrive to Lima, stay overnight in Lima

Day 2 – Lima Culinary Tour, Fly from Lima to Cusco, Transport to Ollantaytambo

Day 3 – Rafting in the Sacred Valley of the Inca / Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site

Day 4 – Moray/Salineras, Native Community Visit with traditional Pacha Manca feast

Day 5 – Hiking to Machu Picchu on the Inka Trail

Day 6 – Machu Picchu, Chincheros traditional weaving demonstration, return to Cusco

Day 7 – Cusco City & Market Tour – Fly to Lima (if not continuing on to Lake Titicaca)

After – Fly home (or stay to go onto the add-on Lake Titicaca tour for an additional 3 days! )

Tentative price: $2500 per person with single supplement available (price will be exact as soon as group size is determined – international flight to Lima not included).

Main Tour includes:

  1. Flights- Lima – Cusco – Lima.
  2. Private ground transportation for all trips in Cusco and Machu Picchu.
  3. Hotels for all nights listed.
  4. All breakfasts and lunches (and dinners most nights – safe suggestions for others).
  5. English Speaking Guide and expenses.
  6. Entrance fees to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco
  7. Inca Trail Pass
  8. Train fares
  9. Bus fares
  10. Bottle drinking water every day
  11. Allergy lists and photos

Tour does not include:

  • Some dinners
  • Extra beverages & ‘going out’
  • Tips. (bellmen, waiters, guides, cooks,  drivers)
  • Flights from ‘home’ to Lima to ‘home’

Lake Titicaca 3 day add-on tour: March 24-26, addt’l $675

Day 8 – Transport from Cusco to Puno (with various stops at ancient ruins, archaeological sites, and photo-ops!)

Day 9 – Lake Titicaca, the Floating Islands of Uros, and Isla Takile. Flight back to Lima.

Day 10 – Fly ‘home’!

Lake Titicaca add-on includes:

  • Additional nights in hotels in Cusco, Puno, and Lima.
  • Transport from Cusco-Puno-Lima
  • English Speaking Guide and expenses
  • Entrance fees and boat transports
  • Most meals (TBD)

Does not include:

  • Flight ‘home’ from Lima
  • Extra beverages, tips, and ‘going out’.