Lima Discovery
Lima, Peru
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Get your hands on the blueprint to modern Peruvian life on this Lima tour that puts you in the shoes of locals. Hit the market, sip a Pisco Sour, pick up a few words of Spanish, and snack on some churros for the ultimate introduction to life in Lima.
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Highlights
- Get all the insider info from a local about the rich history of the fascinating city of Lima
- Learn about Lima’s infamous sights, as well as the hidden gems you never knew existed
- Explore churches, parks, and plazas as you listen to local tales
- Wander through a local market filled with fresh produce from all over Peru
- Polish up your Spanish and learn some local phrases
- Sip on a pisco sour, the only way to kick back in Peru!
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Schedule details
- Duration: 4 hours
- Meeting point:
Gran Hotel Bolivar on the main entrance (Jr de la Unión 958, Plaza San Martin, Lima, Perú)
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 2.00 PM
- Ending point:
Maury Hotel, Jr. Ucayali 201 – Lima Downtown.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, San Francisco monastery entrance fee, and a Pisco Sour.
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, drinks, gratuities and tips for your guide.
This fun and dynamic tour of Lima is more than a history lesson, it connects you with the heart and soul of this fascinating Peruvian city, from the people that really know what it’s like to live there – the locals. Ditch the history books, this Lima walking tour will give you everything you need to know!
You’ll meet your local guide at the main door of the Bolivar Hotel, and start the tour by learning a few words of Spanish, something that will come in handy for the rest of your Lima travel experience! Here you’ll also get some insider info on the Bolivar Hotel, before heading out on your adventure through the City of Kings.
You’ll walk along Jiron de la Union, a pedestrian avenue linking Plaza San Martin to Plaza de Armas. Along the way, your local guide will be pointing out the sights along this street, from the hidden gems to the Lima’s classic tales. If you’re peckish, here you’ll be able to sample some ‘chicha morada’, a typical local drink, and snack on some authentic Peruvian churros.
Next on this Lima city tour, you’ll dive off the beaten path and make a short stop at San Pedro de Lima Church, an infamous Lima landmark, before heading onwards towards the Central Market. With your local guide, you’ll navigate your way through all the various stalls, checking out the fresh produce and learning about the eating habits of the locals. From jungle, to coast, to ‘altiplano’, or high plains, Peru has a rich and diverse food culture, and you’ll find examples of dishes from all over the country here at this market, and learn about them from a local. Thought Peru didn’t have much of a food scene? You can think again!
As you move ahead on this historical Lima tour you’ll walk through Plaza Bolivar, the perfect place to hear anecdotes about the history of Peru and all of South America. Visit the breath-taking Monasterio San Francisco, home to huge underground catacombs and a building so rich in history that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site back in 1991. As you take in the views of the building and this square, your local guide will be filling you with knowledge about all that you can see.
After all that learning, it’s time to rest your body and give yourself a break, and the only way to do that in Lima is with a Pisco Sour in hand! Your local guide will take you to the place where this iconic drink was invented, or so they claim…
This Lima tour will come to an end in Plaza de Armas, where you can continue you on your own exploration of the city, or your local guide will be able to point you in the direction of your accommodation.
As a city so important to Peru’s history and culture, it can be hard to know what to do in Lima to really tap into what it is to be a Limeno. With a local by your side on our Lima Discovery tour, you’ll get to know the classic stories and local tales of this fascinating Peruvian city.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, San Francisco monastery entrance fee, and a Pisco Sour.
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, drinks, gratuities and tips for your guide.
Dress standard: Latin Americans can be very conscious of appearance so try to be casual but conservative in your dress. Outside of beach areas halter tops and very short shorts should not be worn. When visiting churches or religious sites shoulders and knees should be covered.
Your Trip: This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.
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Local contact
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