Lima Shore Excursion: Shanty Town Tour & Lunch from Callao

Climb the yellow stairs into Villa El Salvador, then walk Lima's colonial palaces and underground tombs.

This 8.5-hour shore excursion from Callao Port takes you through both sides of Lima: first into the shanty towns of Villa El Salvador where you meet local families and children, then to a lunch at a neighborhood restaurant, and finally through the Historic Center on foot to see colonial palaces, wooden balconies, and the Catacombs inside San Francisco Convent. A professional guide in English or Spanish leads the full day, and your tour fees support Reciprocity NGO's community projects.

The experience

The tour starts by climbing the famous yellow stairs into the hillside neighborhoods of Villa El Salvador, San Juan, and Pamplona. You walk narrow paths to the tops of the hills where families live under a shared community system, and locals, many of whom welcome visitors warmly, share their culture, traditions and daily life with you. A stop at a local nursery lets you see how the community raises its children. This part of the day is built around meeting people and understanding how a large part of Lima's population actually lives, not watching from a distance.

After the shanty town section, you have lunch at a local restaurant where the food is typical of the neighborhood. Then your guide takes you into Lima's Historic Center on foot. The walking route covers San Martin Square, Plaza de Armas, the main pedestrian street Jiron de la Union, the Government Palace and Cathedral (both viewed from outside), Pasaje Santa Rosa, and the Convent of Santo Domingo. The final stop is inside the Convent of San Francisco, where you descend into the Catacombs, underground burial chambers built centuries ago, and your entry ticket is included.

Private transportation picks you up at Callao Port and returns you there at the end. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and the full day is designed around seeing the real Lima: the neighborhoods most tourists skip and the colonial architecture most do see, but together in one excursion. Your tour operator's profits go to Reciprocity NGO, which runs social projects in the communities you visit.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Callao Port.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• entry tickets to the Catacombs of San Francisco Convent.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Lasts 8h 30m, runs every day at 08:30 and 11:30, from US$ 125 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 timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 11:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendly

Operated by HAKU TOURS

Is this one for you?At 8.5 hours, this tour fills most of a port day and leaves little time for independent exploration afterward. Book it if you want a complete picture of Lima (both the neighborhoods tourists usually avoid and the colonial center they seek) guided by someone who knows both, rather than splitting your time between separate excursions.

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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). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the shanty towns like, and do I actually interact with people there?

Villa El Salvador and the surrounding neighborhoods are hillside communities where families live under a shared system. You climb the yellow stairs and walk through narrow paths to reach the tops of the hills, where locals share their culture, traditions and beliefs with you. A visit to a local nursery is included, and the guide notes that residents welcome visitors and are happy to meet them.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The shanty town section involves climbing stairs and walking narrow paths uphill to reach the neighborhood. The Historic Center portion is a walking tour through multiple squares, streets and buildings. The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness and comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.

What exactly is inside the Catacombs of San Francisco?

The Catacombs are underground chambers built centuries ago beneath the Convent of San Francisco in the Historic Center. You descend inside to see them as part of the walking tour, and your entry ticket is included in the excursion price.

Does the tour return to Callao Port in time for the ship to leave?

The excursion is 8.5 hours long and includes private transportation from and back to Callao Port. Confirm your ship's departure time when you book so the operator can time the return accordingly.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food will it be?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour price. The meal is typical of the neighborhood where you eat, reflecting local cuisine and dining customs.