Archaeological Visit to the Pachacamac Sanctuary and Larco Museum
Our Pachacamac tour takes you back to Lima's pre-Inca past with the great sanctuary of Pachacamac, the most important oracle of the Andean coast, and the archaeological collection of the Larco Museum.
Thousands of years of history before the Incas
Summary
Long before the arrival of the Spanish, the central coast of Peru was home to great civilizations. This Pachacamac tour takes you to discover that past through two of the most important places in Lima.
First, at the Pachacamac Archaeological Sanctuary you explore adobe temples, plazas and pyramids. For more than a thousand years, they were a pilgrimage center and home to an oracle revered throughout the Andean world, including the Temple of the Sun built by the Incas.
Then, in the afternoon, you visit the Larco Museum, located in a viceregal mansion surrounded by gardens, which houses one of the most complete collections of pre-Columbian art in the world. If you want to complete your visit to Lima, our city tour shows the colonial capital; also, in the north you can visit the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna.
Highlights
Itinerary
09:00 - 09:30
Hotel pickup
We pick you up at your hotel in Miraflores, San Isidro or Barranco before the tour.
Your guide picks you up at your hotel. Then we begin the drive south of Lima by tourist transportation.
09:30 - 10:30
Transfer to Pachacamac
Drive to the Lurín valley while your guide introduces the site.
We travel along the South Pan-American Highway to the Lurín River valley, where the Pachacamac Archaeological Sanctuary is located.
10:30 - 12:30
Pachacamac Sanctuary
Adobe temples, plazas and pyramids.
First, we visit the site museum; then we explore the sanctuary, including the Painted Temple, the ramped pyramids, the Acllahuasi and the Temple of the Sun, with views of the Pacific Ocean and the Pachacamac islands.
12:30 - 14:00
Transfer and free time for lunch
Return to the city, then a lunch break.
Later, we head back to Lima and you have free time for lunch. The Larco Museum restaurant is an excellent option, because it overlooks its gardens.
14:00 - 16:00
Larco Museum
One of the most complete pre-Columbian collections in the world.
Then you explore the halls of the Larco Museum, with pieces from the Moche, Nazca, Chimú and Inca cultures, the gold and silver gallery, its visitable storage with thousands of ceramics and the pre-Columbian erotic art gallery.
16:00 - 16:45
Return to your hotel
Transfer back to your hotel when the visit ends.
Finally, at the end of the visit we take you back to your hotel in Miraflores, San Isidro or Barranco.
Include
What does it include?
- Pickup from hotels in Miraflores, San Isidro or Barranco
- Tourist transportation during the tour
- Professional guide in English or Spanish
- Entrance to the Pachacamac Archaeological Sanctuary
- Entrance to the Larco Museum
- Permanent assistance during the tour
What's not included?
- Lunch
- Drinks and snacks
- Tips for the guide
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Important information
What to bring
Comfortable, light clothing
Light jacket
Comfortable walking shoes
Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
Water
Cash for lunch
Sun and weather
Pachacamac is an open site with no shade in the coastal desert. From December to April the sun is intense; in contrast, in winter the sky is usually overcast and cool.
Operating days
Some sites have a weekly closing day; for example, the Pachacamac sanctuary usually closes on Mondays. Therefore, we coordinate the tour date when you book.
Recommendations
At Pachacamac you walk on sandy ground with some slopes, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Also, at the Larco Museum you can take photos without flash.
Gallery
FAQ
What was Pachacamac?
It was a great ceremonial and pilgrimage center of the central coast, home to an oracle revered throughout the Andean world. Also, it was occupied for more than a thousand years by different cultures, including the Incas.
What makes the Larco Museum special?
Its pre-Columbian art collection is one of the most complete in the world. Highlights include its gold and silver gallery, its visitable storage and, also, its pre-Columbian erotic art gallery.
How much walking is there at Pachacamac?
On the Pachacamac tour, the visit takes about two hours, while you combine vehicle stretches inside the site with walks on sandy ground.
Is lunch included?
No, but the tour includes free time for lunch. Also, the Larco Museum restaurant is a highly recommended option.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. The Pachacamac tour is educational and family-friendly, especially for children interested in history.
Can I book this tour as a private service?
Yes. The tour is available as a group or private service, as well as with flexible schedules.
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