Lima Shore Excursion: Pachacamac and City Tour from Callao Port

Ancient pyramids, colonial catacombs, and a sacred site still used for native rituals

This shared group tour from Callao Port covers Lima's most important historical sites in a single morning and afternoon. You start at Pachacamac, a pre-Columbian citadel 31 km southeast of the city, then move through the Historic Center to see the Cathedral, the Monastery of San Francisco with its catacombs, and the Plaza de Armas. A professional guide in English or Spanish leads the route. Lunch at a local restaurant and all entrance fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each6 stops

1. San Martin Square20m
2. Jiron de la Union40m
3. Church and Convent of Saint FrancisEntry included30m
4. Presidential Palace5m
5. Cathedral of Lima5m
6. Main Square20m

Pachacamac and Lima City Tour

• Pick up from Callao Port or Airport
• Visit Pachacamac archaeological site
• Visit San Martin Square
• Walk along Jiron de la Union street
• Explore Ucayali and Lampa streets
• Visit Monastery of San Francisco and Catacombs
• View Presidential Palace and changing of the guard
• Quick visit to historic bar near Presidential Palace
• View Cathedral of Lima
• Visit Plaza de Armas and Happy Inka market
• Visit oldest convent in South America (outside)
• Return to Callao Port or Airport

The experience

The tour begins with pickup from Callao Port or the airport and a one-hour drive to Pachacamac, an archaeological complex built with adobe and stone palaces and pyramidal temples. You'll see the colossal structures and panoramic views of the Pacific coast and the green valley below. The site is still considered sacred by local natives, and the guide will explain why it's worth visiting before heading to Cusco or Machu Picchu: Pachacamac gives you the foundation to understand Inca tradition.

After Pachacamac, the tour moves into Lima's Historic Center. You'll walk through San Martín Square and Jirón de la Unión, a street lined with wooden balconies, rock carvings, and monumental churches. The guide takes you through Ucayali and Lampa streets to the Monastery of San Francisco, where you descend into the catacombs: a network of burial chambers from the XVI, XVII, and XVIII centuries that reveal how the city's inhabitants lived during the colonial era. You'll also see the Presidential Palace from outside, where the changing of the guard happens daily, and pass Marcahuasi, Peru's oldest official bar, famous for its traditional cuisine and visits from Ernest Hemingway and former presidents.

The Cathedral of Lima comes next, an imposing structure that dominated religious power during the colonial period. By Catholic law, no other church in the city could be built higher than its towers. You'll get the best panoramic view for photographs. Before heading back to Callao or the airport, the tour stops at the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by the first palaces and mansions built in South America, and includes a walk through the "Happy Inka market" on Ancash Street, where you can see indigenous carvings and textiles.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• entrance tickets to Pachacamac and the catacombs.
• all fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• private transport from Callao Port or the airport.

Before you book

Lasts 8h 30m, runs Tuesday to Sunday at 08:30, from US$ 120 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish, in groups of up to 14 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 88 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by HAKU TOURS

Is this one for you?This is a shared group tour, so you'll travel with other passengers. The eight-and-a-half-hour span fits the major sites of Lima's history into one port day, making it suited to cruise passengers or travelers with limited time in the city.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

How far is Pachacamac from Lima's city center?

Pachacamac is located about 31 km southeast of the city center, roughly an hour's drive from Callao Port.

What are the catacombs in the Monastery of San Francisco?

The catacombs are underground burial chambers beneath the monastery dating from the XVI, XVII, and XVIII centuries, showing how colonial-era inhabitants of Lima were laid to rest and revealing details of life during that period.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour itinerary.

What entrance fees are covered?

Entrance tickets to Pachacamac and the catacombs at the Monastery of San Francisco are included. All fees and taxes are covered in the price.

Is there time to shop for souvenirs?

The tour includes a walk through the "Happy Inka market" on Ancash Street before the Plaza de Armas, where you can buy indigenous carvings, textiles, and other local crafts.