Best Day Trips from Lima

Among the best things to do in Lima are the excursions from the Peruvian capital to its surroundings. From beautiful natural landscapes to ancient buildings that transport you to an ancient time, you will love all these places!

If you like animals and sea tours, I recommend a trip to the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas National Reserve. If you prefer the desert and surfing on sand dunes, I suggest going to Ica and Huacachina. On the other hand, if you want to visit a Peruvian classic, you should visit Machu Picchu. The options are very varied, choose the one that best suits your tastes and expectations!

If you are looking for an adventure experience you must travel to the dunes of Ica and Huacachina, the largest oasis in America. In these day trips from Lima you can take a tour with a professional guide so you do not miss any detail.

To start this tour you must go to the region of Ica. This is a fantastic region located south of Lima that will allow you to get another look at the coast of Peru. There you will start the day exploring a hacienda with beautiful vineyards, tasting the best wine of the area and some delicious hors d'oeuvres!

After this delicious experience you can continue with a tour to Huacachina. There you can go up and down gigantic sand dunes on special boards. Enjoy the rest of the day under the sun and don't forget to take as many pictures as you can.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 200 € per person.
• Duration: about 14 hours.
• Means of transportation: private vehicle.
• Curiosity: Huacachina is an area that you can also combine with other destinations, for example, when booking an excursion to the Nazca Lines or when booking an excursion to Huacachina and Paracas.

If you plan to be in Lima for two days or more, I recommend you to take a tour to the Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve for a one-day experience where you can experience beautiful desert landscapes, impressive animals and much more.

You will depart by bus and travel for two hours to the Paracas National Reserve. Upon arrival you will get ready to take a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, also known as the "Galapagos of Peru".

On these spectacular islands you will be able to observe penguins, sea lions, among other animals. You will also be able to observe the geoglyph of El Candelabro de Paracas. After exploring the islands it will be time to return to the mainland and visit the Paracas National Reserve.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 40 ¤ per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Means of transportation: bus and speedboat.

An excursion to Machu Picchu from Lima will be one of the best activities to do during your stay in the city. During this experience, you will not only have the opportunity to see one of the seven wonders of the world, but also to visit the impressive Sacred Valley and the historic city of Cusco.

To live this experience you should bring a small suitcase with things you will need for the days of exploration. You will travel by plane and stay in an inn. As soon as you arrive you should take advantage of the time to enjoy the atmosphere of this city, so I recommend you to participate in one of the best tours of Cusco and walk through its streets, churches and squares.

Among the highlights of this trip is to visit the Sacred Valley with a tour in Pisac, the town of Urubamba, the ruins of Ollantaytambo, the town of Chinchero and Machu Picchu.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 900 € per person.
• Duration: about 4 days and 3 nights.
• Means of transportation: plane and train.

For all those who love nature and green spaces, an excursion to the Lachay National Reserve will be the best vacation plan. To start with this excursion, you should drive along the Pan-American Highway North to the Lachay hills in a private vehicle or with a guide. The first stop will be in Chancay, where you can enjoy breakfast.

Afterwards, you will continue the tour until you reach the reserve. Undoubtedly, it is a beautiful area that should not be missed in your tour. You will begin a walk along the path that crosses the hills until you reach the forest of taro trees.

After the lunch break, you can go to the sacred citadel of Caral. This is one of the oldest archaeological sites in South America. There you can visit the ruins, temples, amphitheater and pyramids.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 100 € per person.
• Duration: about 15 hours.
• Means of transportation: private vehicle.

Traveller Tip

Whenever you travel to open places you should always take your sunscreen with you, especially if you are in desert areas. Due to the high temperatures I also recommend you to wear light clothing that allows your skin to perspire and receive air.

Near Lima you will find several waterfalls that you can visit and enjoy. Among them are the Huanano waterfalls, located two hours from Lima in the district of San Jeronimo de Surco.

When you arrive you will be amazed by the natural and almost magical spectacle of this site where vegetation abounds. If you go with a guide, he will help you explore this paradise. You will be able to walk through the trails and viewpoints with detailed information about each one of them.

You will have the opportunity to explore the flora and fauna, as well as breathe the fresh air. Best of all, enjoy the crystal clear water and take a swim - don't forget to bring your swimsuit and towel! At the end of the tour, you will take the bus back to the starting point.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 30 € per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Means of transport: private bus.

Only three hours from Lima is Caral, the oldest city in South America. A day trip to this destination is, without a doubt, an experience you have to live because of its historical importance.

You will travel to Caral and visit the ancient temples, step pyramids and sunken plazas. The experience can be done with a person with knowledge about this architectural complex to learn about each of the sites you see during the visit.

It is said that Caral is the "Mother City" of the ancient civilizations of the south of the continent. It was even declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is argued that its culture developed at the same time as ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 200 € per person.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Means of transportation: private bus.

The preparation for an excursion from Lima will depend on the time and destination you choose. If you are only staying for a few days, I suggest taking a small suitcase with the basic and most important things. This way you will not have to worry about carrying too much weight and you will be very comfortable.

Most of these excursions do not include meals, so if you want a gastronomic experience it is better to do a gastronomic tour in Lima before leaving.

All these excursions are to open destinations, which means that you will be exposed to the sun. For this reason it is important that you use sunscreen. Also, wear comfortable and light clothing, especially if you are going to very hot areas.

Lima is a lively city where you can do hop on-hop off bus tours, walking tours, entertaining visits to beautiful sites, among other activities. However, in the outskirts of the city there are also many things you can do.

With an excursion of this type you will be able to explore very well preserved natural corners of Peru. You will also have the chance to see ancient buildings and well-preserved architectural complexes. You will learn about history, nature and culture while having fun.

These excursions usually have one or more specialized guides who will tell you everything you need to know about the sites, culture, history and much more. Also, you won't have to worry about transportation, as this is usually included. All you have to do is follow the itinerary and be at the meeting points at the time indicated.