FD Flavours of Lima Itinerary

FD Flavours of Lima
Duration: 1 day
Highlights: Plaza Mayor, Cathedral, Church of San Francisco, San Isidro, Miraflores, Barranco, Chorrillos, Gold Museum.
Full day sightseeing tour of Lima.
Itinerary
FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
The city of Lima was founded by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 5, 1535, the eve of the Epiphany of the Magi – from which it derived its evocative
original name of La Ciudad de los Reyes or “The City of Kings.” It is a city of rare fascination and unexpected pleasures. Lima has decaying colonial splendour and the
teeming vitality of an oriental bazaar; melancholy cloudy winters and warm breezy summers; impoverished urban sprawl and quiet elegant corners among ancient buildings
where the night air is scented with jasmine.
This morning you will embark on a city tour beginning with a visit to the Plaza Mayor, official centre of the city and the original site upon which Lima was founded. You will visit
the historic Cathedral, built in 1534 and an architectural masterpiece. From the Cathedral, you will walk past the Presidential Palace where the soldiers guarding the palace
offer an excellent photo opportunity, and on to the Church of San Francisco with its library and collection of fine paintings and frescoes.
After your trip to the historic center, you will be driven across modern Lima through the trendy, vibrant districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, Barranco, Lima’s bohemian
After your trip to the historic center, you will be driven across modern Lima through the trendy, vibrant districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, Barranco, Lima’s bohemian
quarter, and on to Chorrillos, where you will stop at the workshop of Esther Ventura. One of Lima's best-known jewellers, Esther produces products based on pre-Inca
designs, as well as more original creations; she will personally give a brief explanation on the origin of her exclusive designs.
Afterwards, head back to Miraflores for a buffet lunch at the Brujas de Cachiche Restaurant. Serving Peruvian food, the restaurant is stylishly decorated with Peru’s diverse
cultural history in mind.
After lunch, head east for Lima’s Gold Museum. Probably Lima’s most famous museum, this remarkable collection is home to a fascinating array of armory as well as, of
course, gold Inca, pre-Inca and European artifacts, including Francisco Pizarro’s sword!
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Begin exploring “The City of Kings” with a visit to its historic centre, the Plaza Mayor. Heading out to the trendier districts of modern Lima, make a personal visit to the
workshop of a well-known jewellery designer, followed by a stylish lunch including Peruvian specialties. Conclude the day ogling the treasures of Lima’s famed Gold Museum.
TIMING BREAKDOWN
00:00 - 00:35 Drive from pier to Lima’s historic centre
00:35 - 01:10 Tour of Lima’s Cathedral; Bathrooms available
01:10 - 01:15 Cross Plaza de Armas by foot to see outside of Presidential Palace (distance approx. 100 yards)
01:15 - 01:25 Walk from Plaza de Armas to San Francisco Church; Distance approx. 275 yards
01:25 - 02:05 Tour of the Church of San Francisco; Bathrooms available
02:05 - 02:40 Drive to Chorrillos; Brief photo stop in Barranco
02:40 - 03:25 Tour of Esther Ventura’s workshop; Bathrooms available
03:25 - 04:40 Drive to Miraflores
04:40 - 06:10 Lunch at Brujas de Cachiche; Bathrooms available
06:10 - 06:45 Drive to Gold Museum
06:45 - 07:45 Tour of Gold Museum; Bathrooms available
07:45 - 08:30 Drive back to pier
Approximate duration: 8½ hours
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- Some leisurely walking involved
- Some steps to negotiate in the Cathedral, San Francisco and the Park of Love make this tour unsuitable for guests in wheelchairs
- The Cathedral may be closed on Sundays and can be replaced by a visit to the Santo Domingo Convent
- The lower floors of the Gold Museum are accessed by stairs only and are thus unsuitable for wheelchairs
- The chronological order of this tour is subject to change
- Activity level is Easy