You don't have to venture far outside Peru's capital city for a week's worth of fascinating history, culture, high-altitude thrills, and world-class cuisine! On this 7-day itinerary, you'll base yourself in Lima, exploring the city's top museums and landmarks with a local guide. Learn how to make pisco sours and ceviche on a food tour around the bohemian neighborhood of Barranco, then enjoy a few side trips away from the city. First you'll detour to the Inca site of Pachacamac, then you'll board a small plane for a ride high over the famous geoglyphs known as the Nazca Lines. Return to Lima for one last night on the town before this weeklong journey comes to an end.

Highlights

  • Get to know Lima's food scene on a gourmet walking tour
  • View priceless museum collections of pre-Inca gold and artifacts
  • Fly high over the stunning Nazca Lines geoglyphs in a 12-passenger plane
  • Try sandboarding on the dunes at Huacachina
  • Boat around the ethereal rock formations of the Ballestas Islands

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Lima & Get Oriented Lima
Day 2 Tour the City & Sample Local Delicacies in Barranco Lima
Day 3 Visit the National Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology, and History Lima
Day 4 Explore Pachacamac & the Gold Museum Lima
Day 5 Fly High Over the Nazca Lines Paracas
Day 6 Boat Around the Ballestas Islands Lima
Day 7 Depart Lima - End of Trip  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lima & Get Oriented

High cliffs over the ocean in Miraflores, Lima

Welcome to Lima, Peru! The country's largest city is home to one-third of the country's population. Located at the site of a pre-Columbian indigenous settlement, conquered by the Inca empire in the 15th century and later by the Spanish conquistadores, Lima has a fascinating history and a diverse mix of cultures. Amerindian, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian — especially Chinese and Japanese — influences make Lima a dynamic and exciting city to explore. 

Lima's breezy location on the Pacific Ocean makes it a perfect city for exploring on foot. Head downtown to mingle with locals, stretch your legs, and grab a bite to eat in one of many award-winning restaurants. Or take in views over the ocean in the clifftop neighborhood of Miraflores. You'll go on a guided tour tomorrow, but this afternoon, you can take it easy and enjoy Lima!

Day 2: Tour the City & Sample Local Delicacies in Barranco

Peruvian ceviche

Get out and explore Lima today on a guided tour. First, you'll head to the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating Spanish architecture. Stroll over to the 16th-century Cathedral, which took 80 years to construct in grandiose Spanish colonial style. Visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion given by conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jerónimo de Aliaga, one of his captains, in 1535. This is the only house from that era that still belongs to the same family. Walk around the Pucllana Pyramid, a magnificent ceremonial and archeological center built in the 4th century CE and considered a sacred village by the Incas. You will also visit the monumental San Francisco Convent, which displays the largest collection of religious art in America, and the underground Catacombs.

Later in the day, you'll have the chance to try a wide range of Peruvian snacks, street foods, traditional dishes, and drinks on a walking food tour of artsy Barranco. A local chef will teach you how to prepare Peru's most famous treats, including ceviche and pisco sours. 

Day 3: Visit the National Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology, and History

The beautiful interior of the San Francisco Convent in central Lima
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You will start your tour today at Peru's National Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology, and History, located in the Pueblo Libre district. It is the oldest national museum, founded in 1826, and houses a huge collection of pottery, textiles, and gold and silver artifacts from various indigenous cultures. You will then visit the Larco Museum, located inside a mansion built on a pre-Columbian pyramid, to see an incredible collection of pre-Hispanic gold and silver artifacts. Have dinner near the beach in Miraflores, taking time to visit the scenic Love Park on the clifftop.

Day 4: Explore Pachacamac & the Gold Museum

Pachacamac
Sightseeing at Pachacamac
After breakfast, you'll leave town and head out for a morning excursion to the Inca site known as Pachacamac. Your guide will lead you on a walking tour around this famous site featuring palaces, pyramids, and temples, notably the impressive Temple of Pachacamac. Later, after lunch, return to Lima to discover one of the largest collections of Peruvian historic artifacts at the Gold Museum of Peru. You'll view thousands of priceless pre-Inca pieces such as necklaces, bracelets, and rings, as well as ceramics, tools, weapons, and funeral offerings. This amazing museum also exhibits an important collection of textiles.

Day 5: Fly High Over the Nazca Lines

Looking down over the Nazca Lines

Your day begins with an early pick-up from your hotel in Lima, followed by a scenic drive along the coast south to the seaside town of Paracas. After arriving, transfer to the nearby airport in Pisco. From here you will take a 90-minute flight south aboard a 12-passenger plane to view the sprawling Nazca Lines. These massive images, the longest of which are 1,200 ft (370 m), vary from geometric lines to figures of animals and people. Due to the stable environment of the Nazca Desert, these geoglyphs — which were created by removing the top layer of iron-oxide coated pebbles to reveal the light-colored clay underneath — have been remarkably well preserved. You will get a chance to see many of the most famous geoglyphs, including the hummingbird, dog, tree, whale, lizard, and more.

After the flight, head to Huacachina for an adventure in the desert sand dunes. In the evening, transfer to your hotel in Paracas. You'll have dinner and spend the night here.

Day 6: Boat Around the Ballestas Islands

Ballesta Islands
Boating around the Ballestas Islands
An adventure awaits you today when you board a speedboat to explore the Ballestas Islands, also known as the "little Galapagos" because of their great variety of marine wildlife. Along the journey, you'll see dark caves and rock formations that have been carved by the sea, wind, and time. You'll also be able to observe sea lions, penguins, and seabirds in their natural habitats. You'll return to Lima in the evening for one last Peruvian-style dinner before the itinerary finishes.

Day 7: Depart Lima - End of Trip

The striking contours of Rainbow Mountain in the Andes

Today the trip comes to an end. You'll transfer to the airport to catch a flight out. Safe travels!

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