Lima is a fascinating city and a treasure trove of history. Explore ancient Incan archeological sites, or stroll through the elegant cathedrals and opulent palaces dating from Spanish colonial times.
Today you have a full day freely visit Lima or participate in the following activities at your own expense. The optionals are considered from 2 travelers, please take note all optionals are subject to availability.
Option 1: Shopping Tour in Lima (3-hour)
Let´s go shopping in Lima! You will tour the various Craftsmen Centers of Lima and find the best master pieces of expert artisans who have learned to work delicately and with expertise and have arrived from various parts of Peru. All these places offer items in gold and silver, as well as local textiles, rugs and garments made with the finest alpaca wool. During the visit, you will have the advice of a guide who will help you during the tour. If you don’t want to buy any handicrafts for souvenirs, Lima offers you a variety of department stores, supermarkets, and other shops.
Option 2: Lima City Tour (3-hour) : Lima’s main square → Cathedral of Lima (include ticket) → Church and Convent of Santo Domingo (include ticket)
This half-day city tour starts at Lima’s main square, where you can admire the Governmental Palace. You can visit the Cathedral, where the conqueror Francisco Pizarro is buried, and its religious museum. Then, your guide takes you to the Convento de Santo Domingo.
Cathedral of Lima
The Cathedral of Lima is the most important church in Peru because it is located right in the Historic Center of the city, a place with a lot of history. At first glance, it stands out for its beautiful Renaissance-style façade that is illuminated at night thanks to a play of lights. Inside there are various styles that have evolved over the years. Its thirteen chapels, its choir stalls and the crypt where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are stand out.
Convento de Santo Domingo
The church is famous in Lima for being the only one with a "real" steeple, which in consequence of the construction over several stages has a very peculiar style.
Option 3: Visit Larco Museum (3-hour, include ticket)
The Museo Larco is housed in an 18th century viceroyalty mansion. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the Museo Larco permanent exhibition invites visitors to explore the more than 5000 year history of ancient Peru, through a fascinating collection of pre-Columbian art.
Option 4: Visit to Barranco (3-hour)
This excursion will show you the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco. With its pittoresque squares and street art it makes for a real interesting trip. Barranco has been home to some of Peru’s and Latin America’s finest artists, offering them beauty and inspiration. Barranco has earned a reputation as the bohemian district of Lima because of its bright buildings, beautiful street art, and charming streets. It’s also home to Lima’s best bars and some of its best restaurants – and definitely some of the best coffee shops.
Option 5: Excursion Central Market & Chiantown (4-hour)
Embark on a 4-hour tour where you can taste up to 12 Peruvian flavors while discover the historic center of Lima, visit the largest market in the city and walk through the streets of its Chinatown. Afterwards, we will go to the craft brewery.
Departure time: Monday to Saturday 11:00-17:00
Option 6: Pachacamac Tour (4-hour, include ticket)
Pachacamac is a Pre-Incan archaeological site located about 35 km southeast of Lima. In this large complex, archaeologists have discovered more than fifteen pyramids built by the Wari people between 600 and 800 AD. According archaeologist, Pachacamas was the most important pilgrimage center in ancient Peru and in its glory days hundreds of people from all over the country came to visit the sacred place. You have the opportunity to explore this unique ruins with your guide. Afterwards, you return to your hotel.
Special note: You cannot participate in this activity on Monday and Wednesday.
Option 7: Paracas 2-day Tour
Day 1: Lima - Paracas
The desert and the sea come together in spectacular landscapes in Paracas, in the department of Ica, just a few hours south from Lima. The cliffs that fringe the beaches are teeming with life, millions of birds that live here year-round, and thousands of others that fly from the northern hemisphere and from further south, ranging from guano birds to Humboldt penguins.
Reference Hotel: Hotel La Hacienda Bahia Paracas Or Similar
Day 2: Paracas - Nasca Lines - Lima
The Nazca Lines are a collection of giant geoglyphs—designs or motifs etched into the ground—located in the Peruvian coastal plain about 250 miles (400 kilometers) south of Lima, Peru. Created by the ancient Nazca culture in South America, and depicting various plants, animals, and shapes, the 2,000-year-old Nazca Lines can only be fully appreciated when viewed from the air given their massive size.