Lima Coast
5
Day Itinerary •
Peru
Five days in Lima and the Peruvian coast gives you the full extraordinary range of one of the great undiscovered capitals of the world, from the UNESCO World Heritage colonial centre and its 25,000-year-old catacombs to the extraordinary Nazca Lines visible only from the air, the pre-Inca sacred city of Pachacamac, the remarkable Paracas National Reserve with its Humboldt penguin colonies and extraordinary marine wildlife, and the finest restaurant scene in Latin America. This extended route covers Lima and the Peruvian coast in full. The colonial centre, Larco Museum, Huaca Pucllana pyramid and Barranco district, the extraordinary Paracas Reserve with sea lions and condors, the extraordinary Ballestas Islands boat trip, the Nazca Lines overflight, the Ica desert oasis of Huacachina, and five days of extraordinary Peruvian gastronomy from market ceviche to the world's finest restaurants.
Best Time To Visit
December to April for Lima sunshine, year-round for south coast
Getting There
Fly into Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM), Lima
Getting Around
Uber in Lima, hired car or bus south to Paracas, Ica and Nazca
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 200 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat coast with optional sandboarding at Huacachina
DAY 1
LIMA COLONIAL CENTRE
MORNING
PLAZA MAYOR AND SAN FRANCISCO CATACOMBS
The extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage colonial centre of Lima, the finest collection of 16th-century Spanish baroque architecture in South America. The Plaza Mayor is surrounded by the extraordinary Government Palace, Lima Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace with its remarkable carved wooden balconies. The adjacent Monastery of San Francisco contains the finest colonial library in Peru and extraordinary catacombs beneath the church containing the neatly arranged bones of 25,000 people. Entry to catacombs approx 15 soles. 20 min taxi
MIDDAY
MUSEO LARCO, THE WORLD'S FINEST PRE-COLUMBIAN COLLECTION
The most extraordinary private collection of pre-Columbian gold, silver, ceramics and textiles in existence, in an extraordinary 18th-century vice-royal mansion in Pueblo Libre. The gold room contains extraordinary Moche and Chimu ceremonial objects. The extraordinary erotic pottery gallery documents 2,000 years of Peruvian artistic and sexual culture in remarkable detail. The garden cafe is extraordinary. Entry approx 45 soles. Open until 10pm. 20 min taxi
AFTERNOON
MIRAFLORES CLIFFS, PARKS AND PACIFIC VIEWS
The extraordinary Miraflores malacon clifftop, a series of parks perched on the dramatic sandy cliffs above the Pacific where paragliders launch on the thermal updrafts rising from the beach below. The Parque del Amor with its extraordinary mosaic-tiled walls overlooking the ocean is the finest coastal viewpoint in Lima. The extraordinary Larcomar shopping centre is built directly into the cliff face with Pacific views from every level.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Barrio Chino in Lima's colonial centre is the oldest and largest Chinatown in Latin America, established in the 19th century by Chinese contract workers who came to build Peru's railways. The extraordinary chifa cuisine that emerged from the fusion of Cantonese and Peruvian cooking is one of the most remarkable culinary hybrids in the world. The Calle Capon night market is extraordinary after 7pm.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Tanta, Lima Outstanding Peruvian cafe by Gaston Acurio. Extraordinary tamales, juices and strong coffee. | Lunch: El Cordano, Lima Centro Lima's oldest restaurant, in operation since 1905. One block from Plaza Mayor. Extraordinary traditional Lima cuisine. | Dinner: Central, Miraflores Consistently ranked among the top restaurants on earth. Extraordinary altitude-based tasting menu. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 2
MIRAFLORES AND BARRANCO
MORNING
HUACA PUCLLANA PYRAMID
The most extraordinary urban archaeological site in Lima, a massive adobe pyramid from the Lima culture built between 200 and 700 CE rising 22 metres from the middle of a Miraflores residential neighbourhood. Active excavation continues. The extraordinary contrast between a 1,500-year-old ceremonial pyramid and the surrounding apartment blocks is unlike anything in South America. The on-site restaurant with views over the illuminated pyramid at night is extraordinary. Entry approx 15 soles. 15 min walk
MIDDAY
LA MAR CEVICHERIA, LIMA'S FINEST
The finest cevicheria in Lima, Gaston Acurio's La Mar where extraordinary fresh Pacific corvina sea bass in leche de tigre tiger's milk, mixed seafood tiradito and the extraordinary causa Limena potato terrine are the finest expressions of Peru's extraordinary coastal cuisine. Lima has been voted the best food city in Latin America for over a decade and this is the finest single lunch in the city. Cevicherias close at 4pm. Go early. 20 min taxi
AFTERNOON
BARRANCO ARTS DISTRICT AND BRIDGE OF SIGHS
The most extraordinary neighbourhood in Lima, a 19th-century seaside resort turned bohemian arts district of extraordinary colonial mansions, street art, galleries and bars. The extraordinary Puente de los Suspiros wooden footbridge leads to the Bajada de los Banos coastal path. The MATE Museo Mario Testino in a colonial mansion celebrates Peru's most famous photographer. The Barranco malacon at sunset over the Pacific is extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Circuito Magico del Agua in the Parque de la Reserva is the world's largest fountain complex, a UNESCO record-holding series of 13 extraordinary illuminated fountains with light shows from 7pm. Entry costs only 4 soles making it one of the finest value extraordinary experiences in Lima. The tunnel of water you walk through is extraordinary. Entirely missed by most visitors.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Haiti, Miraflores The finest traditional Lima cafe. Extraordinary tamales and strong Peruvian coffee on the park. | Lunch: La Mar, Miraflores The finest cevicheria in Lima. Extraordinary fresh Pacific ceviche. Arrive before 1pm. Closes 4pm. | Dinner: Maido, Miraflores The finest Nikkei restaurant in the world. Extraordinary 14-course Japanese-Peruvian menu. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 3
PARACAS
MORNING
BALLESTAS ISLANDS BOAT TRIP
The most extraordinary wildlife boat trip on the Peruvian coast, circling the extraordinary rocky Ballestas Islands 40 minutes offshore from Paracas where enormous colonies of Humboldt penguins, Peruvian boobies, Inca terns, sea lions and pelicans crowd the guano-encrusted rock faces. Called the poor man's Galapagos, the extraordinary wildlife density at close range from the boat is remarkable. Dolphins often accompany the boat. Approx 35 soles per person. 45 min drive
MIDDAY
PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE AND RED BEACH
The most extraordinary desert coastal reserve in South America, 335,000 hectares of extraordinary Atacama Desert meeting the Pacific Ocean in a landscape of red and ochre cliffs, extraordinary flamingo lagoons and the remarkable Candelabra geoglyph carved into the hillside above the bay. The extraordinary Red Beach, where the sand is genuinely red from volcanic minerals, is the finest beach in the Paracas Reserve. Entry approx 11 soles.
AFTERNOON
PARACAS BAY AND ANDEAN CONDORS AT THE COAST
The extraordinary Paracas Bay at dusk, where the Humboldt Current meets the extraordinary desert coast creating one of the most productive marine environments on earth. Andean condors occasionally glide along the clifftops above the reserve in the afternoon thermals. The extraordinary combination of desert, Pacific Ocean and Andean condors in a single view is unique in Peru. The bay at sunset over the Pacific is extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Paracas Candelabra, a massive 180-metre geoglyph carved into the hillside above Paracas Bay, is the finest coastal geoglyph in Peru and predates the Nazca Lines. Visible from the Ballestas Islands boat and from the bay itself, its meaning and origin remain debated. The Paracas culture that created it flourished here 2,000 years ago and produced the finest textiles in the pre-Columbian Americas.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast, Paracas Eat before the early morning Ballestas Islands boat. Boats depart at 8am. | Lunch: El Chorito, Paracas Outstanding fresh ceviche and tiradito at the best seafood restaurant in Paracas. Extraordinary fresh corvina. | Dinner: As de Oros, Paracas Outstanding traditional restaurant on the Paracas malacon. Fresh Pacific seafood and local pisco sour.
DAY 4
HUACACHINA AND ICA
MORNING
HUACACHINA DESERT OASIS AND SANDBOARDING
The most extraordinary natural oasis in South America, a small palm-fringed lake sitting in the crater of an enormous sand dune system 5km from Ica. The extraordinary dunes rising 100 metres around the oasis are the finest sandboarding location in Peru. Dune buggy rides across the extraordinary desert landscape with sandboarding on the steep dune faces combine extraordinary adrenaline with one of the most dramatic natural landscapes in South America. Dune buggy approx 40 soles. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
ICA PISCO BODEGA TOUR AND TASTING
The finest pisco-producing region in Peru, where the extraordinary Ica valley vineyards produce the grapes for Peru's national spirit. The Tacama and Vista Alegre bodegas near Ica offer extraordinary tours of the traditional pisco production process, from grape harvest to the extraordinary copper pot still distillation, finishing with tastings of pure pisco, acholado blends and the finest pisco sour preparation. Tours approx 25 soles including tastings. 2 hours drive
AFTERNOON
DRIVE TO NAZCA AND EVENING ARRIVAL
The extraordinary drive south from Ica across the Atacama desert, one of the driest places on earth, to the extraordinary Nazca plateau where the famous geoglyphs were created by the Nazca culture between 500 BCE and 500 CE. The extraordinary desert landscape, flat as a table and extending to the horizon in every direction, gives the first hint of the extraordinary scale of the Nazca Lines that can only be appreciated from the air.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Palpa Lines near Nazca, older and less visited than the famous Nazca geoglyphs, include the extraordinary Astronaut figure and remarkable family portraits carved into the desert floor with extraordinary precision. The Palpa Lines are visible from a roadside mirador without the need for an overflight. Completely overlooked by most visitors to the region despite being genuinely extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast, Paracas or Ica Good breakfast before the Huacachina dune buggy excursion. | Lunch: Restaurant in Ica Fresh Ica asparagus, local cheese and excellent Ica valley wine or pisco at a local restaurant. | Dinner: Hotel Nazca Lines restaurant Outstanding dinner in Nazca. Fresh local produce and the finest pisco sour on the south coast.
DAY 5
NAZCA LINES AND RETURN
MORNING
NAZCA LINES OVERFLIGHT
The most extraordinary aerial experience in South America, a 30-minute flight over the extraordinary Nazca Lines, the UNESCO World Heritage geoglyphs covering 450 square kilometres of desert plateau. The extraordinary figures include a 90-metre hummingbird, a 46-metre spider, an extraordinary monkey with a coiled tail, an astronaut figure and dozens of extraordinary straight lines and geometric patterns whose purpose and creation method remain incompletely understood. Book with Aerodiana or Alas Peruanas. Approx 80 to 100 USD. 4 hours drive north
MIDDAY
PACHACAMAC PRE-INCA SACRED CITY
The most extraordinary archaeological site near Lima, a vast pre-Inca oracle city 30km south of the capital where the deity Pachacamac was worshipped for over 1,000 years. The site covers 465 hectares with extraordinary adobe pyramids, temples and plazas. The excellent on-site museum contains the extraordinary wooden idol of Pachacamac, one of the finest pre-Inca wooden sculptures in Peru. Entry approx 15 soles. 45 min taxi
AFTERNOON
LIMA FAREWELL AND FINAL GASTRONOMY
LIMA FAREWELL AND FINAL GASTRONOMY Evening A final afternoon in Lima for any remaining sites and a last extraordinary Peruvian meal before departure. The Surquillo market in Miraflores is the finest local food market in the city, with extraordinary fresh Pacific fish, Andean produce, exotic jungle fruits and the full extraordinary range of Peruvian ingredients. The Lima coast at dusk from the Miraflores malacon, with the Pacific turning extraordinary shades of orange and pink, is a fine final memory.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Circuito Magico del Agua fountain complex in Lima's Parque de la Reserva, the world's largest illuminated fountain complex, is the finest and most overlooked extraordinary experience in Lima. Entry costs only 4 soles and the light shows run from 7pm to 10pm every evening. The extraordinary tunnel of water, colour-changing fountains and laser shows are unlike anything else in South America.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before flight Light breakfast before the Nazca Lines flight. Small planes can cause motion sickness. | Lunch: On the road back to Lima Stop at a local restaurant in the Ica valley. Fresh asparagus and extraordinary local wine. | Dinner: Isolina or Astrid y Gaston Outstanding final Lima dinner. Isolina for extraordinary home cooking or Astrid y Gaston for the finest tasting menu.
Where To Stay
Lima, Nights 1 to 2 Belmond Miraflores Park or The Barranco Hotel. Approx 100 to 350 USD per night. Paracas, Night 3 Hotel Paracas Luxury Collection or Casa Paracas. Bay views. Approx 100 to 250 USD. Ica or Nazca, Night 4 Las Dunas Hotel (Ica) or Hotel Nazca Lines. Approx 60 to 150 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Book Central and Maido in Lima weeks ahead. These are among the finest restaurants on earth.
2. Only use Uber or official taxis in Lima. Never hail a street taxi. Non-negotiable safety rule.
3. The Nazca Lines overflight is 30 minutes. Book early morning for the clearest visibility.
4. Ceviche is a midday dish in Lima. The finest cevicherias close at 4pm. Always lunch, never dinner.
5. The Ballestas Islands are called the poor man's Galapagos. The wildlife is extraordinary.
6. The garua mist covers Lima June to October. The south coast at Paracas is often clear year-round.
Total Budget
75 to 580 USD/day