The mansions and churches of colonial downtown Lima and the modern suburbs of San Isidro, Miraflores and Monterrico, make Lima a study in contrasts. More than seven million people, a third of Peru's population, live in the capital city of Peru, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Founded by Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro, Lima is also known as the City of Kings for its founding at Epiphany in 1535. For more than 300 years, Lima was the most important city and the greatest metropolis in South America. Vestiges of Lima's colonial heyday remain today in downtown Lima:

The Plaza Mayor or main square, flanked by the Government Palace, the City Hall and the Cathedral. Torre Tagle, an exceptionally beautiful mansion built in 1735, today houses the offices of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Nearby, the recently renovated Palacio de Osambela, built between 1803 and 1805, serves as a venue for art exhibitions and cultural events.

Dozens of Lima's colonial churches are gems of Ibero-American architecture, such us San Francisco, founded in 1535, and La Merced, whose earliest construction pre-dates the founding of Lima. Modern Lima is a mix of architectural styles and beautiful gardens, especially Miraflores and San Isidro, popular commercial districts with excellent shops, art galleries and restaurants. Barranco, home to Lima's best known artists and writers, is filled with bars and night clubs.

* If you are interested in any of the following tours, go to our contact form.

DAY 1
Upon arrival reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel for overnight.
DAY 2
Morning half day tour of colonial and modern Lima. (See description in LIM-002). Transfer to the airport for departure flight. (B)

This three-hour sightseeing tour offers the best of colonial and modern Lima. Included are Lima's most imposing colonial churches and mansions such as the Government Palace, the Plaza Mayor, the City Hall and the Cathedral, including 17th century San Francisco Monastery. The tour ends with a visit to the modern suburbs of San Isidro, where a visit to the pre-Inca pyramid of Huaca Huallamarca (closed Mondays) and on-site museum is included before continuing to Miraflores, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
*Daily.

Founded in 1926 by Peruvian archaeologist Rafael Larco Hoyle, the Larco Museum showcases remarkable chronological galleries providing an excellent overview on 3000 years of development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history.

Located in a unique vice-royal mansion of the 18th century built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid, is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Features the finest gold and silver collection from Ancient Peru and the famous erotic archaeological collection, one of the most visited Peruvian tourist attractions.

For an unforgettable experience, Larco is one of the few museums in the world where visitors can also choose to enter the storage area with its 45.000 classified archaeological objects.Its masterpieces are considered worldwide icons of Pre-Columbian art, after being exhibited in the world's leading museums.
* Daily

This small but well laid out museum offers one of the best overviews of ancient Peruvian archaeology. The museum houses the Raymondi Stone Slab, the Tello Obelisque, outstanding examples of Paracas and Nazca pottery, together with other major collections, which can be appreciated in chronological display.
* Daily except Mondays.

One the world's largest private collections, Lima's Gold Museum displays a dazzling array of pre-Columbian gold, silver and copper works of art. Created by Peru's innovative metal-smiths, they range from civilizations of Paracas, Chavin, Nazca, Moche, Wari, Lambayeque and Chimu to Inca. The museum also houses a collection of antique fire arms from around the world.
* Daily.

The best private collection of textiles in Peru, the museum's highlights include painted cotton fabrics, fine cotton gauze from Chancay, and archaeological area just north of Lima, and intricately-loomed tapestries woven of alpaca wool. Visitors will see the array of techniques developed by Peru's ancient weavers, ranging from plain weaves to brocades.
* By appointment.

A stunning display of the most outstanding examples of potters from the different main cultures of ancient Peru, including gold jewelry from Sipan. Also a display of colonial artifacts, silver, oil paintings from Cusco art school and sculptures.
* By appointment, minimum 10 passengers.

Housed in the modern building of the former Ministry of Fisheries, this government museum contains a wonderful display of treasures from the latest archaeological discoveries such as Sipan, Paijan, Cerro La Paloma, etc. Also on display are models of the different exploration sites.
* Daily except Mondays.

A visit to one of Peru's most renowned pre-Hispanic pilgrimage sites takes you 30 km. (19 miles) south of Lima to the temples of Pachacamac overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Although the earlier constructions at Pachacamac only date back to around AD 200, it is famed as the site of an important Inca Temple.* Daily except Mondays.

Enjoy the very special world of the Peruvian paso horse at a breeding ranch, an authentic replica of a typical colonial andean hacienda. You will be able to appreciate the horses' unique gait during the special show prepared for you.
* Daily minimum 10 passengers.
* Optional typical Peruvian lunch minimum 30 passengers.

In Barranco, one of the most picturesque districts of bohemian Lima, visit the workshops of some of Peru's leading artists, a great opportunity to appreciate and buy excellent pieces of Peruvian art.
* Daily.

Visit our Lima everglades where you can closely observe several kinds of fresh water animals and vegetation. Every year from December till March, large flocks of migratory birds stop here on their long journey from Canada and the United States to the southern tip of the Americas. Tour ends with a visit to a handicraft gallery.
* Daily.

Enjoy a nature sea life adventure in comfortable sail or speed boats visiting these beautiful islands to watch sea lions and many species of sea birds in their natural habitat.
* By appointment.
* Roundtrip transfers included.

Starting in the center of Lima, this short tour will take you through the bohemian district of Barranco, home to Lima's best known writers and painters and playground to Lima's younger generation. After enjoying a Pisco Sour cocktail at a local nightspot and a stroll over the `Puente de Los Suspiros´, we continue on to a local restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
* Daily.

This tour begins in the morning at the Lima airport. An hour and a half flight takes you 310 km. (193 miles) south to Ica where you will be transferred to a smaller plane to over-fly the world-famous Nazca markings. Lunch in Ica and a brief city tour before flying back to Lima.
* Round trip transfers from your hotel included.
* Daily minimum 2 passengers.