CITY TOUR OF LIMA: US$ 120
Pick-up from your hotel for a city tour of colonial
and modern Lima, including the cathedral, dating from 1654,
the main square, which still houses the original bronze fountain
built in 1650, and the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs.
Known as the city of the kings, Lima was founded in 1535 by
Pizarro and rebuilt in 1991, the same year that UNESCO declared
it a world heritage site. One of the very few South American
cities that preserve the colonial past, Lima was home to the
Spanish viceroy during the time of the Spanish colonialists.
The tour also includes a visit to the residential areas of
San Isidro and Miraflores, stopping at Larco Mar to enjoy
a view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Return to your hotel
or extend your tour by a visit to one or more of the museums
listed below.
MUSEUMS OF LIMA: US$ 60 each per museum
The Gold Museum was originally from a private
collection and includes valuable pieces, particularly gold,
silver and copper from several pre-Hispanic cultures. The
most precious piece in the collection is the solid gold Tumi
(ceremonial knife) belonging to the Lambayeque culture. Specific
museums of this culture are available on our Lambayeque museums
package, see
Lambayeque museums.
The Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum
is one of the best private museums in Peru. With a fabulous
collection of northern cultures particularly of the Mochica
culture. The museum was founded in 1926 in Trujillo but was
transferred in the 1950's to Lima. There is a room of mummies,
textiles (including a Paracas cloak over 2000 years old),
and several gold and silver vaults.
The National Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology and
History is located in the Magdalena Palace and houses
interesting artefacts from the Kotosh and Chavin cultures
including the Tello Obelisk from Chavin. There are displays
of the Chimu and Lambayeque cultures in addition to a gallery
of the Peruvian Viceroyalty.
The Museum of the Nation is a permanent
exhibition of textiles and artefacts from many pre-Hispanic
cultures.
PACHACAMAC: US$ 120
Transfer from your hotel 30 Km south of Lima to the pre-inca
complex of Pachacamac. Thought to be an oracle and also royal
dwellings, the site is clearly divided into three parts; the
first and oldest temple of rustic design, the second, known
as the temple of the sun, and the third or temple of the moon,
known as Aclla Wasi, which is clearly of Inca design.
CARAL: US$ 230
Transfer from your hotel for a full day's guided visit to
Caral, the oldest civilisation in the Americas. Dating back
to over 3000BC, this earliest of settlements developed almost
simultaneously with the civilisations of Mesopotamia, Egypt,
India and China. Full day tour before returning to Lima and
your hotel.
CALLAO - ISLAS PALOMINA: US$ 170
Transfer from your hotel for a full day's trip to the port
of Callao, just south of Lima. From here transfer to the dock
for a four hour cruise around several islands including Palomino,
San Lorenzo, Cabinzas and El Fronton. On the cruise you will
see many sealions and seabirds and is a great alternative
for those who do not wish to travel further south to the Ballestas
Islands.
BALLESTAS ISLANDS: US$ 190
Early transfer to the bus terminal for the 5 AM bus
to Pisco. Reception and transfer to the port for the boat
to the Ballestas islands. Commonly referred to as the "little
Galapagos", here you will see an amazing concentration of
sea birds and sea lions in their natural habitat along with
the famous "candelabra" enigma, marked into the desert hillside.
This engraving has nothing to the do with the Nazca Lines
but is thought to be an old pirate warning over two centuries
old. After the boat tour, return to the mainland for an excursion
to the Paracas National Reserve, the only coastal reserve
in Peru. Here you will visit several museums showing the natural
history of Paracas and also the ancient Paracas culture in
addition to the beautiful "cathedral", a natural rock formation.
After lunch, return to Pisco. In the afternoon, transfer to
the bus terminal for the return bus to Lima. Transfer to your
hotel.
Our Travel Destinations 
All Inclusive Luxury Tours 
