TOURS IN LIMA AND SOUTHERN PERU 7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS

Culture, history, and contrasts of Peru’s capital

• Arrival in Lima
  Upon arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport, our Viajes Pachacútec staff will be waiting for you with a welcome sign to provide assistance and transfer you by private service to your hotel. During the journey, you will receive a brief introduction to the city of Lima, as well as general recommendations for your stay.
• Free time to rest, acclimatize, and settle into the hotel.
• Historic Lima City Tour
  In the afternoon, we begin the guided city tour through the Historic Center of Lima, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the Plaza Mayor, the political and social heart of the city, where we will appreciate important colonial buildings such as the Lima Cathedral, the Government Palace, and the Municipal Palace, highlighting their historical and architectural value.
• We continue with a visit to the Convent of San Francisco, one of Lima’s most emblematic religious complexes, renowned for its baroque architecture and famous underground catacombs (entrance included).
• Modern Lima: Miraflores and Barranco
  Afterwards, we head to modern Lima. We visit the district of Miraflores, where we take a walk along its malecón, enjoying spectacular panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
• We then continue to Barranco, the city’s bohemian and artistic district, known for its cultural atmosphere, colorful streets, art galleries, and the traditional Bridge of Sighs, one of Lima’s most photographed landmarks.
• Magic Water Circuit
  In the evening, we visit the Magic Water Circuit, located in the Reserve Park, recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest ornamental fountain complex in the world. We will enjoy a nighttime show that combines water, laser lights, and music, creating a unique and memorable visual experience (entrance included).
• Return to the hotel
  At the end of the tour, return to the hotel by tourist transport.

Overnight in Lima.

 Coastal route, nature, adventure, and mystery of ancient Peru

Live an intense and fascinating day traveling along the southern coast of Peru, where the ocean, the desert, and millenary vestiges come together in an unforgettable experience, carefully organized by Viajes Pachacútec.

• Early departure from Lima. We depart very early in the morning from Lima in comfortable tourist transportation, traveling along the Pan-American Highway South. During the journey (approx. 3.5 hours), the coastal landscape accompanies us with deserts, valleys, and views of the Pacific Ocean, until we arrive at the bay of Paracas.
• Paracas – Ballestas Islands. Upon arrival at the port, we board a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, one of the most important marine sanctuaries in Peru. During the tour, we will observe colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a great diversity of seabirds such as pelicans, boobies, and cormorants.
• On the way, we will appreciate the enigmatic Candelabro of Paracas, a gigantic geoglyph carved into the desert sand, whose age and function still generate mystery.
• Paracas – Ica – Huacachina. We continue the journey to the city of Ica, the heart of Peru’s wine-producing region, where we will have lunch at a traditional hacienda, enjoying typical local dishes, and we will also have a pisco demonstration. After a restorative lunch, we will continue our trip to the Huacachina Lagoon, a natural oasis surrounded by high sand dunes, considered one of the most photogenic landscapes of the Peruvian desert.
• Here you will have free time to rest, take photographs, or enjoy optional adrenaline-filled activities such as dune buggies and sandboarding (not included).
• Ica – Nazca. In the afternoon, we continue our journey toward Nazca (approx. 2.5 hours), avoiding the return to Lima and optimizing the trip for those who wish to continue exploring the south of the country. During the drive, the desert landscape becomes increasingly vast and silent, setting the mood for the mystique of Nazca.
• Arrival in Nazca. Arrival in the city of Nazca and transfer to the hotel. Night of rest, ideal to prepare for the optional visit of the overflight of the famous Nazca Lines the following day.

Overnight in Nazca.

 Ancestral mystery and return to the capital

• Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, transfer to the Nazca aerodrome to take part in one of the most iconic and enigmatic experiences in Peru.
• Nazca Lines Overflight. We begin the overflight of the Nazca Lines, with an approximate duration of 35 minutes, aboard a small aircraft specially designed for this activity. During the flight, each passenger will have a window seat for optimal viewing of the geoglyphs.
• We will observe impressive figures traced in the desert more than 1,500 years ago by the Nazca culture, among which stand out the Hummingbird, the Monkey, the Spider, the Condor, the Astronaut, as well as geometric lines and large trapezoids. These enigmatic figures have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and continue to be the subject of study due to their precision, size, and astronomical and ceremonial significance.
• Nazca Lines Viewpoint. Afterwards, we will visit the Nazca Lines Viewpoint, from where some lines and figures can be appreciated from the ground, allowing a different perspective of these ancient geoglyphs and a better understanding of their magnitude within the desert landscape.
• Overland return to Lima. In the afternoon, we begin the overland return to the city of Lima, traveling along the Pan-American Highway South (approximately 7 hours). During the journey, technical stops will be made according to the itinerary, enjoying the desert and coastal landscapes of the southern part of the country.
• Arrival in Lima and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Lima.

• This day will be dedicated to discovering the flavors, aromas, and traditions of one of the most renowned cuisines in the world. We will begin the day with a visit to a traditional market in Lima, where you will be able to closely experience the great diversity of Peruvian ingredients. Accompanied by our guide, we will explore stalls featuring local products, fresh fish, ají peppers, aromatic herbs, and an astonishing variety of exotic fruits, learning about their origin, uses, and cultural value within Peruvian cuisine.
• Afterwards, we will head to a Peruvian cooking workshop, where you will take part in a hands-on class led by a professional chef. During this experience, you will learn techniques, secrets, and the history behind emblematic dishes of the national cuisine, preparing step by step:
• Ceviche. an icon of Peru, made with fresh fish, lime, ají, and traditional ingredients.
• Lomo saltado. a delicious fusion of Peruvian and Oriental cuisine, prepared in a wok with beef, vegetables, and French fries.
• Pisco sour. Peru’s flagship cocktail, where you will learn about the process and the proper preparation of this traditional drink.
• At the end of the class, we will enjoy a tasting of the prepared dishes, accompanied by an explanation of the importance of Peruvian gastronomy as Cultural Heritage and a symbol of national identity.
• In the afternoon, you will have free time to enjoy optional activities, such as visiting the Larco Museum, famous for its impressive collection of pre-Columbian art, or to stroll and shop in Miraflores, one of Lima’s most modern and touristic districts.

Overnight in Lima.

Millenary history, living tradition, and Peruvian culture

• Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, we will begin the transfer south of Lima to experience a journey that combines archaeology, tradition, and Peruvian folklore.
• Pachacamac Archaeological Sanctuary. We will visit the Pachacamac Archaeological Sanctuary, one of the most important ceremonial and religious centers of ancient Peru. This sacred complex was revered for more than a thousand years by various pre-Inca cultures and by the Incas, who considered it a powerful oracle of the Andean world.
  During the guided tour, we will learn about its main structures, such as the Temple of the Sun, located at the highest point of the complex, the ramped pyramids, ceremonial plazas, and ancient pathways. From the sanctuary, we will enjoy impressive views of the Pacific Ocean while the guide explains the Andean worldview, rituals, and the spiritual importance of Pachacamac within the Tahuantinsuyo.
• Traditional Hacienda and Typical Lunch. After completing the archaeological visit, we will transfer to a traditional hacienda, where we will enjoy lunch featuring representative dishes of Peruvian gastronomy, in a warm and welcoming countryside setting. This gastronomic experience allows us to connect with the flavors and traditions of Peru’s central coast.
• Peruvian Paso Horse Show. After lunch, we will attend an elegant Peruvian Paso Horse show, an emblematic national breed recognized worldwide for its smooth gait, natural balance, and distinguished presence. During the exhibition, the horsemen (chalanes) will demonstrate the skill and elegance of these horses, accompanied by traditional Creole music and explanations about their breeding and cultural heritage.
• Traditional Dances and Peruvian Folklore. The show is complemented by performances of traditional Peruvian dances, where dancers, dressed in colorful traditional costumes, interpret rhythms that represent the country’s cultural diversity. This presentation offers an authentic display of Peruvian folklore and identity.

Return to the hotel in Lima

A journey to the origin of history, between desert, valley, and sea

• Early Departure from Lima. Hotel pick-up.  We begin this unique cultural experience with pick-up from your hotel in Lima. Our team will welcome you, and we will depart in a modern, comfortable, and safe tourist vehicle, ideal for enjoying the journey with peace of mind.
• Pan-American Highway North: Northern Coastal Landscapes. We travel north along the iconic Pan-American Highway, crossing the Northern Coast region. Along the way, we will appreciate the contrast between the coastal desert, fertile agricultural valleys, and the Pacific Ocean. The guide will provide introductory information about the historical importance of the area and the geographical context in which the oldest civilization in the Americas flourished.
• Supe Valley: Where Civilization Was Born. Interpretive tour
  We enter the fertile Supe Valley, following the course of the river that enabled the development of Caral more than 5,000 years ago. We make strategic stops to understand the natural, social, and economic environment that gave rise to this advanced civilization. The landscape combines gentle mountains, green fields, and desert areas, creating an ideal setting to connect history and nature.
• Sacred City of Caral – World Heritage Site. Guided visit
  We explore the impressive Sacred City of Caral, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We tour its main pyramidal complexes, ceremonial plazas, and sunken amphitheater, while the guide explains advances in anti-seismic architecture, astronomy, social organization, and sustainable living practices. You will learn about the archaeological findings that demonstrate the high level of development achieved by this ancient civilization.
• Connection and Free Time. Time to enjoy Caral
  Free time to contemplate the surroundings, take photographs, ask questions to the guide, and appreciate the energy of the site. We visit strategic viewpoints to capture unique images of the desert landscape and ancestral structures, experiencing Caral from an authentic and reflective perspective.
• Descent to the Sea. Transfer to Barranca
  We begin our return through the Supe Valley toward the coastal city of Barranca, once again enjoying the contrast between valley and desert until reaching the ocean.
• Flavors of the Pacific. Lunch by the sea
  We enjoy a traditional Peruvian lunch at a restaurant located in front of the Pacific Ocean, with panoramic views. You may choose from various local gastronomic options, highlighting fresh fish and seafood (lunch not included, options can be coordinated).
• Barranca: Culture and Coastal Relaxation. Panoramic visit
  We visit the main attractions of Barranca, such as the Cristo Redentor viewpoint, offering privileged views of the coastline, the beach resort area, and the Main Square. An ideal moment to walk, relax, and discover the essence of this charming coastal town.
• Return to Lima. Journey back
  We begin the return to Lima, enjoying the landscape at sunset. Approximate arrival between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., depending on traffic.
  End of a profound cultural experience that connects the origin of American civilization with the living landscapes of Peru.

Return to the hotel in Lima

• At Viajes Pachacútec, we feel honored to have been part of this journey and to accompany you in moments that become unforgettable memories. We say goodbye with the certainty that Peru will always have something new to offer and with the hope of meeting again on a future adventure.
  
• Thank you for traveling with Viajes Pachacútec.
  Until next time and have a safe return.
• Hotel pick-up and transfer to the airport at the scheduled time; the exact time will be coordinated one day in advance.