Among the most underrated destinations is Lima, Peru’s capital. It is one of the best destinations to appreciate and enjoy a few days of new flavors and experiences. Not only will what awaits you within the city surprise you, but many attractions are just a day or less away.
For this reason, together with the experts from Machu Travel Peru, we want to tell you all about the best day trips from Lima. So that you know a little about the best destinations around the Peruvian capital. The greatest day trips from.
Join us in enjoying the best day trips to Lima.
- Cerro Chorrillos
- Pachacamac
- Caral
- Chincha and San Jose
- Paracas National Reserve
- Huacachina
- Nazcas Lines
1. DAY TRIP TO CERRO CHORRILLOS FROM LIMA
Lima’s list of the best day trips begins with one of its closest destinations, Cerro Chorrillos. It is just south of the city center, within the Chorrillos suburb. If you stay in the capital in Miraflores or Barranco, Chorrillos is only a few steps away.
You can take public transportation or bike to the top of the hill. To complement your visit to Huaca Pucllana Lima, you can start a beautiful journey to the top of Cerro Chorrillos. You will have a panoramic view of the beautiful Peruvian capital from there. Otherwise, it is essential to remember that the best time to visit Lima is during the summer months, from December to April, because the weather is warm and sunny.
2. DAY TRIP TO PACHACAMAC FROM LIMA
Just south of Chorrillos is the second-best destination for day trips from Lima. Pachacamac is an important UNESCO-listed archaeological site, as is Lima Main Square. It also has a great museum where you can learn about the history of some ancient Peruvian cultures. Getting there is relatively easy; you can go alone by bus or enjoy an alternative tour of Pachacamac. The entrance is also very cheap, reaching approximately 15 soles. The Pachacamac site is one of the best things to do in Lima.
3. DAY TRIP TO CARAL FROM LIMA
After enjoying the many things to do in Barranco, it is time to undertake one of the best day trips from Lima. Caral is another archaeological site on the outskirts of Lima that is on the UNESCO list as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is located north of the city, approximately 200 kilometers. It is advisable to take a whole day to appreciate Caral’s site fully. Remember that Caral is considered the oldest city in all of America. Therefore, it will be worth it.
4. DAY TRIP TO CHINCHA AND HACIENDA SAN JOSÉ FROM LIMA
Continuing our list of day trips are Chincha and Hacienda San José. A visit to Hacienda San Jose is a journey into Peru’s past.
Formerly, the place was a farm built on the back of the slaves bought by specific Spanish invaders. The slaves came mainly from Africa. In the bloom of the farm, large quantities of cotton, honey, and sugar were produced and exported primarily to Europe. Today, the farm is a large 4-star hotel home to the slave tunnels. You can take a short tour of the tunnels to learn the history and conditions in which the former slaves lived. Even a significant Afro-Peruvian population lives near Chincha, allowing you to learn about its general history and culture. It is one of the best day trips, but we recommend that you undertake this tour after a tour of the beautiful Costa Verde.
5. DAY TRIP TO PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE FROM LIMA
The Paracas National Reserve, located about 250 kilometers south of Lima, is a protected area on Peru’s southern coast known for its stunning desert-ocean landscape. This reserve encompasses over 3,000 square kilometers of coastal waters and desert, providing a sanctuary for diverse wildlife, including sea lions, dolphins, and various bird species such as flamingos and pelicans. The reserve also holds archeological significance, preserving remnants of the ancient Paracas Culture.
This place is one of the best day trips and tourist sites. The nearby city of Paracas is just a few hours away by bus and offers the best tours and wildlife sightings in all of Peru. You can visit the beautiful Paracas National Reserve or embark on a magical boat trip to the Ballestas Islands. Undoubtedly, it is one of the few experiences not comparable to those in Andean countries.
6. DAY TRIP TO HUACACHINA FROM LIMA
Huacachina is a stunning desert oasis nestled amidst towering dunes near Ica, Peru. This picturesque lagoon is surrounded by palm trees and lush vegetation, creating a stark contrast against the backdrop of immense dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Visitors to Huacachina often embark on thrilling adventures across the dunes, riding in dune buggies that zip through the sandy landscape. These dune buggy tours offer adrenaline-pumping rides over the peaks and troughs of the dunes, providing spectacular panoramic views of the oasis and the vast desert beyond.
Other great destinations we can find during the day trips are Ica and Huacachina. Ica is a fairly large city famous for its vineyards and local liquor production. You can enjoy a few tours through some vineyards and try the traditional cocktails of Peru. Huacachina is not far; just about 15 minutes from the city of Ica, you will find an amazing natural oasis. This place is a tourist destination par excellence, with activities such as sandboarding and buggy riding, where you will have several ways to enjoy yourself and have a good time. They can be a great weekend getaway after a few hours in Lima.
7. DAY TRIP TO NAZCA LINES FROM LIMA
Of course, we could not close the list of day trips without including the incredible Nazca lines. While it is not close to Lima, it is only a day’s bus ride away. Also included in the UNESCO list, this place remains one of the mysteries of Andean countries. These lines are best visible from an air flight, although other cheaper methods exist to observe them. Dare to visit one of the most significant ancestral wonders of the Andean country.
“THE WORLD IS BIG AND I WANT TO GET A GOOD LOOK AT IT BEFORE IT GETS DARK”
We hope together with Machu Travel Peru to have given you a little idea of what a tour around Lima can be. Remember that times and attractions of our travel packages are subject to change and it will depend a lot on your arrival time and the type of tour you want to experience. If you have further questions, you can consult our qualified advisers.
Peru has so much to offer, it can be hard to know where to start. With many years of experience in the tourism sector, Machu Travel Peru is happy to help with anything regarding your trip to Machu Picchu and any tours around it. Make your Machu Picchu experience an unforgettable one!
