Pachacamac + Barranco Excursion

The distance from Miraflores is approximately 6 kilometres. During the journey, which takes around 20 minutes, you’ll notice the contrast between the modern buildings that stand out along the boulevards of Miraflores and the stately Republican-era houses and mansions still preserved in the heart of Barranco.

Upon arriving at the park, you’ll step out of the vehicle to walk towards the Bajada de los Baños, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Chabuca Granda square. You’ll also have the chance to appreciate various street art pieces, adding a touch of creative rebellion to the district. Private tours also include a visit to the viewpoint at Salto del Fraile.

District with History

In pre-Hispanic times, the area now known as Barranco was part of the Sulco Lordship. Back then, its inhabitants engaged in agriculture and artisanal fishing. During the colonial era, this area was granted as an encomienda to the Spanish conquistador Antonio del Solar, a companion of Francisco Pizarro.

Its rural setting attracted Spaniards and mestizos who came to this place to relax in the countryside and enjoy the sea view. In the Republican era, the construction of the Lima-Chorrillos railway in 1858 sparked urban development in the area, so much so that on 26th October 1874, the district of Barranco was officially created.

This is just a part of the history of the first stop on the Pachacamac + Barranco Excursion. Along the way, your guide will share more details about this charming corner of Lima, which at night transforms into a hub of art, bohemia, and music. It’s not a bad idea to take a nighttime detour to wander through its galleries, bars, peñas (folk music venues), and pubs.

What will you see in Barranco?

The tour begins at the Plaza de Armas or Municipal Park, inaugurated on 13th February 1898. In this tranquil and monumental urban space, the statue of La Danaide stands out. Made of Carrara marble and donated by a local resident, it is a replica of a Greek-inspired sculpture found in the Vatican.

Flanked by the Municipal Library, the Church of the Holy Cross, and several Republican-era buildings, you will then walk from the square towards the Bajada de los Baños (Baths Path), a little street lined with ficus trees, bougainvilleas, colourful gardens, and family homes built in the early 20th century.

On its way to the Pacific shore, you’ll encounter the traditional Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs). Inaugurated on 14th February 1876, it was built to continue the Bajada de los Baños. During the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), it was set on fire by the invading Chilean forces.

But that was not its end. The 31-metre-long wooden bridge was restored, becoming a refuge for lovers and one of Lima’s iconic landmarks. During your visit, you’ll see the 18th-century Ermita (Chapel) and the Plazuela Chabuca Granda.

In this space, your guide will share the story of the singer-songwriter María Isabel Larco Granda (1920-1983). Born in the Pasco region, she spent part of her childhood at the Bajada de los Baños. One of her most famous compositions is El Puente de los Suspiros (The Bridge of Sighs), which she describes as “a bridge hidden among foliage and longing.“

Heading to Pachacamac

Before heading to the Pachacamac Archaeological Sanctuary, you’ll take a look at the graffiti created by various urban artists. These strokes and images show that Barranco continues to inspire, and that creativity thrives in this Lima district.

Next comes a land journey to kilometre 31.5 of the old Pan-American Highway South (approximately 20 km from Barranco). The trip to the temples and the Plaza de los Peregrinos (Pilgrims’ Square) in Pachacamac, located in the Lurín district southeast of Lima, takes around 50 minutes on a paved road.

During the journey, keep in mind that your destination “was the main sanctuary on the central coast for over a thousand years. Its temples were visited by crowds of pilgrims, as Pachacamac was a revered oracle, capable of predicting the future and controlling the movements of the earth.”

This is what you’ll find on the Pachacamac Museum’s website. It also explains that “the ancient Peruvians believed that a single movement of the oracle’s head could cause earthquakes. It was forbidden to look directly into his eyes, and even the priests entered the temple with their backs turned.”

The oracle’s brilliance remained undiminished during the Inca occupation (1470-1533 A.D). During this period, the Punchao Cancha (Temple of the Sun) and the Temple of the Moon or Mamaconas were built, sites that are part of your itinerary at the most important archaeological site in Lima and the central coast of Peru.

What will you see at Pachacamac?

Stones, adobe, and mud walls spread across 465 hectares and more than 50 monumental structures — including temples, plazas, and buildings with ramps — will take you back to the pre-Hispanic past of Lima. This ancient world of gods and oracles will be the final stop on your Pachacamac + Barranco Excursion.

During the tour, you’ll be dazzled by the Temple of the Sun or Punchao Cancha, a trapezoidal structure made of stone and adobe, with six platforms. Built by the Incas, its main section faces the sea and the Pachacamac Islands. Here stood the Pachacamac idol, which was vandalised and set on fire by the Spanish.

The Temple of the Moon or Temple of the Mamaconas was the residence of the acllas, women devoted exclusively to the worship of the Sun god. Another unmissable site is the Inca Plaza de los Peregrinos (Pilgrims’ Square), where travellers from different coastal and Andean highland regions would wait their turn to worship the Sun god and consult the infallible oracle.

Before returning, you will also visit the Old Temple and the Painted Temple. The first is the oldest, dating back to the 3rd century AD, and was built with adobe blocks by the Ichma culture. The second is a stepped pyramid adorned with murals depicting zoomorphic, geometric, and human figures.

Built by the Tiwanaku-Wari (650-900 A.D.), the painted murals in green, blue, and yellow reveal the passage of time. Despite this, their very existence speaks to the significance of the deity and oracle that were honoured at this archaeological site, facing the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.

The Return to the City

You don’t need to be an oracle to know how you’ll feel after your Pachacamac + Barranco Excursion. Our experience has taught us that our passengers return with a satisfied smile on their faces and a renewed desire to keep discovering Lima with us.

With enthusiasm and renewed energy, you’ll return to your accommodation in Miraflores, where we’ll arrive around 1:30 p.m. Just like at the start of the tour, we’ll drop you off at the door of your hotel. If you’re staying in another district of Lima, our service will end at a pre-arranged, safe meeting point.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us. If you’d like to hear reviews about our services, check out the comments from travellers and tourists who have joined us on this and other tours around the capital of Peru. If you’re looking for other itineraries, don’t worry — we’ll plan and organise them just for you. We look forward to seeing you!

Are the visit times to the attractions punctual?

No, all visit times are approximate, as they depend heavily on road traffic, visitors’ physical condition, and the weather. If you book a private tour, the times listed in the tour description are generally followed more closely.

Where do I buy tickets to enter the attraction?

All entry tickets are purchased at the attraction’s gate on the day of the tour—just make sure to bring cash in Peruvian soles.

What are the differences between shared and private tours?

On a shared tour, you will join other tourists, with the group size typically averaging 20 people. The pick-up of tourists from the historic centre of Lima can take 30 to 40 minutes, and the guided tour is conducted in both Spanish and English.

However, if you book a private tour, it will be just for you and your travel companions (with no strangers). The pick-up will be very punctual, and once we pick you up from your hotel, we will immediately depart for the destination. The guided tour will be exclusively in either English or Spanish.

Do you have guaranteed departures every day?

Yes, we depart every day, but to ensure your spot on the bus, we recommend booking in advance.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can always cancel the tour, but there will be no refund unless you cancel at least 48 hours in advance.

How do refunds work?

You can request a refund as long as you cancel the tour 48 hours in advance.

When issuing a refund, we will deduct 5% of the total amount paid, as this is the commission charged by banks and PayPal for processing the transaction.

Additionally, we do not cover the money transfer fee when issuing the refund.