Lomas de Lachay Day Trip from Lima: 3-Hour Mountain Trek

Walk to the top of a misty mountain oasis where Lima's northern views open up

A guided day trip from Lima to Lomas de Lachay reserve includes a 3-hour trek to the mountain summit, a picnic served at the top, and hotel pickup and drop-off. The reserve is a misty ecosystem covered in winter vegetation (June to October) with well-marked trails that lead through flora like Tara and Lucumo and fauna including vizcachas, foxes and hawks. Your guide shares facts about the landscape and the reserve's role as a refuge for adventure sports.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided trek and picnic at Lomas de Lachay

• Travel south from Lima
• Listen to guide's introduction
• Hike to mountain top
• Observe flora and fauna
• Enjoy picnic at trek end

The Experience

The day starts with hotel pickup and a drive south of Lima. Your guide talks through what you'll encounter on the trek as you travel to Lomas de Lachay — a reserve that sits as a rare green pocket in an otherwise arid region. Once there, you walk to the summit over roughly 3 hours on trails that are marked and maintained, moving through vegetation that shifts with the seasons. In the winter months (June to October), the reserve fills with greenery; in other seasons, the landscape is sparser but the views remain unobstructed.

The trek itself is the core of the day. You're moving uphill on foot with your guide, who points out the plants and animals that make this ecosystem distinct — the Amancaes flower, stick insects, snails, vizcachas and hawks among them. The trails are established and well-marked, so the walk is steady rather than technical. What makes the summit worth the climb is the view: from the top, the northern part of the Lima region spreads out below, and on clear days the perspective shifts how the city looks from ground level.

At the summit, a picnic is set up and served. This is where the trek ends and the day settles into rest before the drive back to your hotel. The whole outing, from pickup to drop-off, takes around 9 hours.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Lima accommodation.
• a 3-hour guided trek to the summit with a live guide in English or Spanish.
• a picnic meal served at the top of the mountain.
• access to the Lomas de Lachay reserve and its marked trails.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Vista Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling solo or with one other person and want a full day centered on a 3-hour trek rather than a quick nature stop—the guide leads both the walk and transport from Lima.

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Top questions

What animals and plants will I see on the Lomas de Lachay trek?

The reserve is home to vizcachas, foxes, hawks, stick insects and snails, along with plants including the Amancaes flower, Tara, Mito and Lucumo. The vegetation is fullest during the winter months (June to October), when the reserve is covered in greenery.

How long is the actual trek to the summit?

The trek from start to finish takes around 3 hours. The trails are well-marked and the walk is steady uphill, with the guide sharing information about the landscape and ecosystem as you move.

What's included in the day trip price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the 3-hour guided trek, a picnic served at the summit, and the guide's commentary on the reserve are all included. Walking sticks and gratuities are optional.

When is the best time to visit Lomas de Lachay?

The reserve is covered with vegetation during the winter months (June to October), which offers the fullest landscape. Outside those months, the vegetation is sparser but the views and trails remain accessible.

Is this trek suitable for someone who is not very fit?

The trek is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It's a steady 3-hour walk uphill on marked trails. If you have spinal injuries, are pregnant, or have cardiovascular concerns, this trek is not recommended.