Itinerary:
Depart 8,30 am From Miraflores or San Isidro Hotels, to Down Town Lima, destination: Plaza de Armas (Main Square) The tours begins (9,00 am). People lodging at Down Town Lima, can choose to go walking till The Main Square, previous arrangement is required. Main Square (Plaza de Armas) The History and tales about Peru and specially Lima, will be presented to you, during the visit of the different monuments and important places you will see. Most of them are open to the public, if this is the case, we visit them. We start walking by Santa Rosa street; the City Hall (Municipalidad) to the Peru Postal Services) today transformed into a Philatelic and Postal Museum, we’ll walk in for a short visit and see the interesting architecture, proceeding to (La Alameda) the River Side Walk to listen about the famous Spanish song: “La Flor de La Canela” and the Stone Bridge tales. Continuing on Fish Market Street will see (Palacio de Gobierno) the Government Palace, also Presidential residence and the history about the important buildings around the area, such as (Palacio Azobispal)Cardinal and Bishops Palace(El Club de La Union) the Union Club, till our next visit (Estación de Desamparados) the Train Station from October 2009 transformed also in The House of Peruvian Culture.
Entering now at the (City..Of business, Banks, Lima Stock & Exchange) also the Colonial district of the authentic Spanish buildings and extraordinary balconies you will wetness, almost everywhere!!!; We offer as a courtesy, one snack stop at the oldest Hotel probably in all South America, dating from 1838 and still in business today the Maury Hotel, while we enjoy the snack we’ll tell you some secrets about the hotel. Just one block ahead it’s (San Pedro) St. Peter Church for many of us, the most beautiful Church in Lima. Fascinating is the splendor of the many golden altars around, and the building history through various Lima earthquakes. Next will be the Torre Tagle Palace, today Peruvian Foreign Ministry Building, not visit allowed, but from time to time, we get a picture at the gorgeous colonial patio entrance. Next door we have The Aspíllaga House, Garcilaso de La Vega Art Center, whatever is open to the public we’ll visit it. Always guest different art collections and it is also a music saloon. Now a charming place; the former Federal Reserve or Central Bank of Peru, today a beautiful, very interesting and complete Art Museum. We’ll have the opportunity to see not only Peruvian art, but some important Inca Pottery Collection and from even before the ancient civilizations on the country, many of them made of gold. We depart on the way to the Cathedral (La Catedral) every day, except Sundays, we’ll visit an amazing Museum about the Catholic art and influence in the culture of Lima and Peru, finishing the second part of the walking tour.
Last portion of the morning tour; We return to the Rimac River to visit the Wall Park, as many cities Lima has a Fortress Wall around to protect and control who get in, trough different door entrances. Reminds some parts recovered from the 1868 demolitions. Last monument is San Francisco Church, detailed and expert guide visit will be accompanied including the Catacombs the largest in S. America and Lima first cemetery. (People who took half day tour will depart to their hotels or stay on their owns) The rest of us, will go back to The Main Square to have lunch at El Gaucho y La Vaca Restaurant, we`ll enjoy an international and Peruvian meal. (Lunch 1.30 pm to 2.45 pm aprox.)
After Lunch, we’ll board our transportation for a few blocks to, Lima China Town, the most important in South America and the Central Market we cross at a glance; Groceries and goods from the farms to the Peruvian tables, and part of the folklore in doing so, very interesting ended. Continuing to Cercado de Lima (literally within walls) the oldest neighborhood, we’ll offer some references about its falls and revival of the last years; On board again passing by the National Congress and (La Casona de San Marcos) originally site of the first University in Lima, San Marcos University on the way ,..San Martin Square, France Park etc. Leaving behind the Colonial City, and getting into Lima of our days. We’ll stop at the Exposition Park, and the Museum Park will walk through its magnificent Japanese Garden to see monuments such as, The China Fountain, the small auditorium, two wonderful pavilions belonging to the 1872 International Exposition , plus the MALI the Lima Art Museum and the Italian Art Museum, at the end of this walk will have the opportunity to appreciate an impressive building, the National Court House, the almost finish underground construction, the Metropolitan Central Station, a well organized Bus System integrating far away neighborhood; will provide commuters with a comfortable transportation till Chorillos, south of Miraflores; This complex and the recent opening of a big Shopping Mall, Plaza Real at the Civic Center it´s our most cosmopolitan post card we present to the outsiders, showing how Lima is facing the XXI century. Now will exit from the Mall through Arequipa Avenue, probably a very good example of what we talk today about Peruvian education, business and the way we behave and face the future. Some embassies on the way, nice parks, and modern residential areas will appear. San Isidro it’s a top residential upper class area, plenty of space, green corners, parks, squares as the curious Olives Park and the Golf Park will go through to the beaches. This is where Lima meets the Pacific Ocean; to complete the fantastic collage you have already about our city. Restaurants, large beaches, some sport Clubs…, along and beside the ocean road. Almost at the end of the tour, if time allow us, will make a panoramic brief circuit through Barranco, once bohemian and artistic district on the way to Miraflores; The Kennedy Park, The City Hall, some city monuments before we finish at your hotels. About 6 pm.
Some comments about the tour: Our groups are always the same family or people related in some way, we don´t mix languages and 6 (six) is the maximum of participants per tour guide, to ensure control and security during walking. The effort it’s minimum, because will walk a few blocks around the Main Square down town Lima and plenty of stops for visiting places as well as the complementary snack we provide relaxing the second part of the walk. The area is totally safe and very well controlled by Lima P.D. Never the less, you will be advised what to wear to make you feel really comfortable during the tour with our special tips. Our guides are very professionals and specially instructed to no over react in teaching Peruvian History !!! and dates about this or so….we believe traveling is a form of pleasure; And in this mood we feel very happy if you return home, with a nice experience about the Peruvian People its history, traditions, cuisine and rich culture in your mind ….enough to make you comeback.!!***Departures: Daily, except Monday*** ***Languages: English, French Spanish.***
