Lima Day Trips: Top 5 Tours Explored (2024)

So, you are thinking about visiting Lima and only have one day to actually experience it all? Don’t worry! I mean, seriously, you really can see quite a lot of the City of Kings in a single, well-planned day. I’ve explored lots of city tours during my trips, and I wanted to share with you some absolutely terrific full-day options, very much worth your consideration. The idea is really to soak up as much history, culture, and delicious food as you possibly can. So, get ready to explore my top five Lima day tours for 2024 that will most certainly leave you with amazing memories.

Pachacamac Archaeological Site & Barranco District Tour

If you’re the type of person who’s drawn to old mysteries and bohemian vibes, well this tour is really right up your street! First up, you visit Pachacamac, which is an ancient archaeological site dating way back to pre-Inca times. Apparently, it used to be a really important religious center, kind of like the Vatican of its day, but for several cultures, including the Lima, Wari, and Inca people. Wandering around the ruins, you can just get a feel for the weight of history; almost you can hear the whispers of the past as you look over the Pacific Ocean.

Next, this trip will take you to Barranco, that is Lima’s artistic district. In many ways, it’s completely different from the ancient vibes of Pachacamac. Here, is that you’ll discover colorful streets overflowing with stunning street art, cute cafes, and gorgeous ocean views. Walk across the Bridge of Sighs, like it’s a tradition that could possibly grant you a wish, and simply soak in the relaxed, creative feel of the area. This specific combination of ancient history and modern artistry makes this tour genuinely fantastic and interesting.

Historic Downtown Lima & Catacombs

For folks really wanting to feel the heart of Lima, oh boy, this historical tour will bring you right to it. As I was saying, downtown Lima is a UNESCO World Heritage site, pretty much filled with unbelievable architecture from the colonial times. Plaza Mayor, which is the main square, actually stands out with its fancy buildings like the Government Palace and the Cathedral of Lima. You can learn so much about Peru’s past as you walk along these places, listening to the local stories. In fact, make sure to check historical downtown tours when planning your trip.

One rather creepy yet absolutely fascinating thing you shouldn’t miss during your visit, you know, are the catacombs at the San Francisco Church. So, these underground tunnels used to be a graveyard way back when, housing the bones of about 25,000 people. Sure, it’s kind of scary, very, but it gives you such a real sense of the City’s past. Basically, this tour is an absolute winner for anyone truly into history and perhaps those that don’t mind just a little bit of the spooky stuff!

Miraflores Bike Tour & Larco Museum

Fancy getting active whilst actually exploring one of Lima’s fanciest areas? This bike tour will have you seeing Miraflores from an entirely different perspective. First off, cruise along the scenic Malecon, the coastline boardwalk. You can absorb all the views of the Pacific Ocean. Obviously, stopping at places such as the Love Park to capture all those views and see some unique art is key. Actually, this part of the trip really blends exercise with pleasure, making the whole trip something totally fun!

After the ride, then this tour usually incorporates a stop at the Larco Museum. So, housed inside an 18th-century mansion, I think it displays an amazing assortment of pre-Columbian art. Very much including pottery, gold, and textiles. Oh my gosh, this museum, so educational, provides a much better idea of Peru’s historical past and artistic skills. The mixture of outdoor cycling with cultural exploration is a brilliant combination.

Paracas National Reserve & Huacachina Oasis

Very ready to get outside of Lima a little bit? This full-day adventure will whisk you way down the coast to Paracas. Apparently, the National Reserve is an amazing place for landscapes and animals. A boat trip really allows you to see things like the Ballestas Islands. Those are sometimes named “the poor man’s Galapagos” simply because they are filled with all kinds of sea creatures and birds, seals, penguins, and all the kinds of different seabirds all chilling and playing on the rocks. Make sure Paracas tour booking are secured ahead of time.

Now, as for the grand finale, just go to the Huacachina oasis. Right? Encircled by these massive sand dunes, well, Huacachina is a total desert paradise. The fun part here, oh yes, that’s riding buggies over dunes. This can possibly feel just like riding on a sandy roller coaster. Likewise, you get to try sandboarding. Seriously, strap yourself into a board, head down, and get a thrill. So, this tour actually gives you a seriously unreal blend of wildlife viewing with exciting desert action, and is definitely worth the adventure!

Nazca Lines Overflight & Ica Vineyard Tour

Here’s another full-day tour for all those keen on amazing experiences just outside Lima. So, prepare yourself for something seriously impressive as this tour focuses on a flight over the renowned Nazca Lines. I think these very old geoglyphs drawn into the desert floor really feature different animals, plants, and unusual shapes. That is, viewed from the air they’re absolutely spectacular, something that can blow your mind at any rate. I think Nazca Lines day flight should be experienced at least once.

To relax after this, there’s also an additional thing you might find kind of fun. I’m talking about getting to experience a tour around a local Ica vineyard. Ica really is known for their winemaking. So, during the tour, then you get to figure out how Peruvian wine and pisco are made, and, of course, taste them. Thus, that blending of seeing mysterious old lines with local wine tasting makes this a pretty one-of-a-kind and also unforgettable experience.