The Top Peru Tours From Lima
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on October 29, 2021 by James Bustamante
The capital city in Peru can work as a hub to go on day trips. Available Peru tours from Lima include The Nazca Lines, Huacachina Oasis in Ica, Paracas, Marcahuasi, Huarochiri, and several more. You can’t go directly from Lima to hike Machu Picchu, there are several stops along the way first however there is a lot you can do in the capital. Let’s go down the line to see which Peru tours from Lima you’d like to have in your itinerary.
Lima City Tour
The first Peru tour from Lima that any traveler should invest in their first day in the capital should be the city tour. The Lima tour can be considered at most a half-day experience since it ends by 3:00 pm. We usually begin at 8 in the morning with a pick up at your hotel. The experienced driver and guide will seat you in the tour bus and then we begin our excursion through the various districts and the center of Lima.
Some of the most appealing aspects of the city tour are the colonial buildings and old cathedrals that decorate Lima. We head to the bohemian district of Barranco before returning to Miraflores for a refreshing Pisco Sour and a delicious lunch.
The Paracas Nature Reserve
Just four hours away by car we can find the Paracas nature reserve. Travelers usually spend a day or two in this area of the coast to do two very popular Peru tours, the boat ride to the Paracas nature reserve and the Nazca lines tour.
The Paracas nature reserve boat tour has multiple schedules but we usually like to go early in the morning. This is when we can watch some of the marine life like sea lions, seals, various birds, and sea otters feeding on the plentiful fish in the area. Some of the most reclusive species of South American birds stop by to feed like the Andean flamingo. The boat tour takes around 2.5 hours from beginning to end back in Paracas.
The Nazca Lines Flyover Peru Tour
One of the major Peru tours from Lima or from Paracas is the Nazca lines plane tour. If we are leaving from Paracas, our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and head to the domestic airport nearby. We board the plane and fly over the Nazca desert for 45 minutes. Over the course of the flyover tour, we will see multiple giant outlines that represent animals, plants, shapes, and even humanoid forms. The flyover tour is relatively short however it is one of the Peru tours that tends to leave a big impression.
Visit Lunahuana
Just three hours to the south of Lima we find the village of Lunahuana. This curious location is situated next to the river which provides river shrimp and trout for the local population. In fact, this area is known for its cuisine which focuses on these very ingredients. Lunahuana is also known for its white water rapids and adjacent activities.
Take a trip down the river with expert guides that will not only take you through a fund ride downstream but also give a history lesson on this quaint little town. Lastly, visit the local Pisco warehouses, where many families grow their own grapes and produce their own Pisco.
The Town Of Azpitia
Azpitia is yet another town near Lima that offers adventure sports as its main attraction. Rune ATV’s through the outskirts of the village or visit the main strip where you’ll find some of the most delicious river shrimp ceviches around. This Peru tour is a mere hour and a half from Lima and is definitely worth the drive.
Ica and The Huacachina Oasis
The city of Ica can be found three and a half hours away from Lima, driving to the South on the Panamericana Sur highway. Ice is a city located in one of the aridest regions in the country. Surrounded by sand dunes, Ica is the perfect place for anyone looking to go sandboarding or ride dune buggies. One of the major attractions of Ica is the Huacachina Oasis located just a few minutes from the city center.
This desert lagoon has a few hotels and restaurants on the edge of its banks which are in turn surrounded by massive sand dunes. Many travelers come to this Oasis to spend a couple of days sandboarding and taking dune buggies up and down the mountains of sand.
People who come to Ica will also find vineyards near the hills, some of the more notable wineries are Queirolo and Tacama. The first offers a boutique hotel experience, you can spend a couple of nights while you ride horses, taste the local wines and Pisco or spend time in the pool. Tacama also has a wine tasting tour as well as an amazing restaurant that specializes in Peruvian creole cuisine.
Lucumo de Lomas
The Lucumo de Lomas is located near th Lurin river valley in Pachacamac. This Peru tour from Lima can be a fulfilling day hike that is located just 45 minutes away from Miraflores. This route has been touted as one of the most scenic ecotourist Lima hikes in the area. The tour can last from 3 to 6 hours in total.
Tour to Marcahuasi
Marcahuasi is a popular Peru tour near Lima for local Peruvians. You can ask most “Limenos” and they’ll confirm that at some point they have been to Marcahuasi. The hike starts in San Pedro de Casta and it will take around 3 hours to fully complete. There is also an alternative route that leads to an amphitheater and is best done at night when the stars brightly shining.
Rapagna Lagoon
The Rapagna lagoon can be found in Huarochiri at over 12,000 feet above sea level. The trek is moderate to moderate difficulty and offers superb views of the surroundings. This Peru tour near Lima is relatively unknown so look forward to small crowds.
The Lomas de Lachay
This easy-going day trip is perfect for a family outing. Las Lomas de Lachay is just an hour away from Lima, making it a perfect route for anyone looking for an enjoyable day trip away from the city. This national reserve is one of the most important found near the capital.
The Larco Museum
The Larco Museum is rich with precolombian history and is often one of the most requested museum tours by travelers. The museum which is actually a colonial mansion is surrounded by beautiful gardens and has over 40,000 pieces of art that date as far back as 5,000 years. Make sure to include the visit as part of your Peru tour package while you are in Lima.
The Malecon de Miraflores
A list of Peru tours in Lima would not be complete with a walk down the Malecon de Miraflores. The district of Miraflores is one of the most popular places to stay while in Peru thanks to its location. Walk down endless parks that overlook the ocean, go hang-gliding or try a delicious Pisco sour in the Larcomar center. The district has plenty of restaurants, bars, hotels in all price ranges, art galleries, and museums.
Cusco and Peru Tours in The Highlands
Cusco is a gorgeous city that mixes local Andean culture with the colonial-style buildings that were enacted during the Spanish conquest of the continent. One of the most popular Peru tours from Lima is to go to Cusco and start the Andean portion of the trip.
The Cusco city tour, for example, starts at 8:30 am and quickly takes you to the various museums, temples, and fortresses located within and outside the city limits. Some of the highlights include the San Blas Neighborhood, The Korikancha Gold Museum, and The Sacsayhuaman Inca fortress.
For more information on how to get from Lima to Machu Picchu easily and take day hikes like the Rainbow mountain or hike the Inca trail contact our travel advisor today.
Conclusion
There are plenty of Peru tours from Lima that will usually take a day to complete. In some cases like visiting Ica or flying over the Nazca Lines, you might need 2-3 days to complete. On average you might end up spending 3-5 days if you want to thoroughly go through the tours that begin in Lima.
