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Lima Cultural Experience: Immersion into Local Communities Beyond Tourist Attractions
4.9
35 Ratings
Lima
Immerse yourself in Lima's local communities and go beyond the tourist attractions. Discover unique places, meet amazing locals, and support local projects. Experience the city's history, culture, and positive initiatives firsthand.
Duration:
7 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Chorrillos - The first stop of the day is only a 15-minute drive away, the fisherman’s district of Lima. You’ll first visit a small, local artisanal fish market and its pier with a beautiful view of the coast. The guide will tell you more about the daily life of the small-scale fishermen before going on a 20-minute boat ride, weather permitting.
From the boat, you’ll clearly see the contrast between the colourful artisanal fisherman boats taken over by the pelicans and the modern skyline of the modern district of Miraflores in the background. Just a few minutes in the other direction, you will forget you’re in one of the largest cities in South America. Just the immense Pacific Ocean and a desert landscape coast, typical for most of the Peruvian coastline. In the boat, the guide will share some historical facts and stories about the places you see.
- Morro Solar - You’ll go up the Morro Solar hill where, on a clear day, you can enjoy the best view of Lima and the coast. On some days, you may experience the typical Lima fog, ‘neblina’, which is a different, but also interesting experience.
Your guide will explain to you why the Morro Solar is also one of the most important historic sites of Lima.
There’s even more to see here… The one in Rio de Janeiro might be more famous, but the Pacific version of the Christ statue upon a hill definitely has an excellent view and story behind it as well.
- Cementerio de Nueva Esperanza - After a drive through several local neighborhoods, which is anything but boring if you look out the window at the bustling street life, you’ll reach a very unique place: the second largest cemetery in the world.
It’s truly an impressive place, different than any other cemetery you have visited before. It’s located surrounded by sand hills and human settlements. You’ll have the chance to look around and if you’re into photography, you’ll be able to take man unique and artistic photos.
- San Juan De Miraflores - You’ll then head towards the human settlement where our local cook has prepared a delicious lunch for your group. These human settlements are the result of the late 20th century growth towards the hills by migrant populations in Lima. While these are the poorest neighborhoods of Lima, they’re filled with hardworking people who’re trying to provide a better life for their children. The visit focuses on hope, optimism and positive initiatives.
The aim of this part of the tour is responsible cultural immersion. You’ll visit and interact with several locals. You’ll learn more about daily life in this harsh environment but will also be introduced to some of the efforts undertaken to improve the situation. For this, we work closely together with the local community and an NGO run by locals that has several projects to improve the lives of local children, teenagers and mothers. Â
This tour is meant to be customised, for instance according to the physical abilities of your group but also according to your specific interests. On some tours you’ll visit the workshop of a group of ladies who have organised themselves into a small business. They make handicrafts that are then sold as fair trade products. On other tours, we’ll visit the so-called ‘wall of shame’ that separates one of the poorest neighborhoods of Lima from one of the richest. On all tours, there is a typical Peruvian lunch at a local family’s house. The local cook/mom also loves to learn more about where you came from and will in return share some stories about herself. The perfect cultural immersion!
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Expert local guide
- Lunch included
- Refreshing beverages
- All activities covered
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Seeking a distinctive, genuine, and grass-roots journey through Lima? Curious to explore the city’s depths beyond the usual tourist spots? This enlightening and culturally immersive quest is exactly what you need! You’ll discover exceptional locales and engage with extraordinary local residents in areas typically unseen by tourists. Moreover, your attendance aids the local initiative that you will become familiar with during your visit.
A marquee aspect of the excursion is the trip to a Lima human settlement where you’ll encounter a native craftsman, engage with a community-driven project, partake in a meal at the residence of a local family, and gain insight into the everyday strife that pervades this demanding setting. Beyond absorbing fascinating historical, political, and cultural information, your day will be enriched with conscientious and significant interactions with local denizens who are diligently striving to enhance their neighborhood. The overarching theme of the tour is to shine a light on forward-moving endeavors and a spirit of optimism.
- Itinerary can be altered because of weather conditions
- Tour can be canceled due to extremely poor weather, political situation or other unexpected events. You will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
- The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
- Not wheelchair accessible. Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
- The tour includes driving off the beaten path, including very bumpy roads. Not recommended for participants with medical conditions such as serious back or neck problems
- A small amount of walking on uneven terrain is involved. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes (no sandals)
- Most of the year (November - May), the sun is extremely strong in Lima (even when it’s cloudy). It is highly recommended to bring sunscreen, a hat and some water.
- Please let us know if you have any food or physical restrictions
- The entire tour is accompanied by a bilingual tour leader. For some parts of the tour a local guide will join.
- From June to October, it can get a bit chilly and muddy in some places because of humidity. Please dress accordingly.
- Please confirm place of pick-up as soon as possible
Location
Chorrillos
Balneario sur
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(35 Ratings)
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Bentzep
May 10, 2024
Truely authentic and alternative life in Lima - This tour company, tour and guide were 100% from start to end! The booking+payment was easy, the guide and driver arrived exactly on time (10min early) and the tour was fantastic! Truely authentic and alternative life in Lima. Alfredo the guide was friendly and warm. Along the drive to the cemetery he explained about the different neighbourhoods we travelled through and about life in Lima. The cemetery was indeed eye opening from its size to the story of how it was established. Next we went to see and learn about the human settlements which are the main part of the tour. We met our local guide, Evelyn, and then visited with 3 different woman who shared their personal story and how they formed their community and what it does. We had a homemade lunch at Ms Ninfa's home and got a chance to ask, and answer her, questions. After lunch we visited Evelyn's community centre and learnt about the amazing things it does.
If you want to experience something truely unique and authentic, this tour is for you. I had an amazing experience! Thanks Alfredo!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Avlwanderer
Feb 27, 2024
Don't miss this tour - What a wonderful day in Lima. We were so looking forward to our day here and our time with Alfredo did not disappoint. So much to see and do, from a unique (and massive) cemetery, to visiting a local artisan, to a wonderful lunch in a local home to visits within the community.
A full and rewarding day that we can heartily recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adventure53766975977
Jan 12, 2024
Really great tour!! - This is a truly wonderful tour. On this tour, you will have many experiences and encounters that you would never get by just visiting ordinary tourist spots. I wanted many people to know about this tour, so I will briefly describe the flow of my experience on the day (I will not write in detail. Please participate and experience it for yourself).
In the morning, we boarded a small boat at the fishing port and toured Lima and the surrounding area from the sea, and then drove up a steep hill near the coast to see the statue of Christ and saints at the top.
After that, in the afternoon, we headed to the San Juan de Miraflores district. I was staying in the San Isidro district, but as we drove, the atmosphere of the city changed so much that it was hard to believe we were in the same country. This district did not have running water, and trucks sold water, and people lived by storing water in tanks. On the way there, we could see the city, such as the market, from the car window, and also visited the second largest cemetery in the world.
In the same area, we visited the home of a person who was a victim of the terrorist attacks in the 1980s and heard about their devastation and hardships. It was heartbreaking to hear how difficult and painful it was. She does sewing and sells cute embroidery products that you can buy.
We had lunch at a local person's home. This person also had a very hard time, and we learned how harsh the era of terrorism by the Communist Party, such as Sendero Luminoso, was.
Finally, the tour ended with a visit to a school attended by many children.
The above is the flow of my experience on the day, but as you can see, it was really packed, and by visiting many places and meeting many people and listening to their stories, you can gain a lot of knowledge. Our guide, Alfred, was a very kind and good young man who loved and cared about his community and the Quechua people who live there. And he spoke very polished English. I am not fluent in languages, but he spoke polite and beautiful English slowly, so it was no problem at all.
Also, the main destination, San Juan de Miraflorens, is described by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and tourist guidebooks as "one of the most dangerous areas in Lima. You should never go there." However, thanks to Alfredo, I did not feel unsafe at all. Instead, I met many kind, earnest, and gentle people, listened to their current situations, learned how terrorism and social unrest cause people pain, and saw the enormous disparity between rich and poor, how that disparity divides the people, and how the wealthy even build physical walls to discriminate against others. I was able to see, hear, and learn a lot. I think this is an experience and knowledge that you can never get on a trip that just goes around tourist spots. It's a tour that you can learn and experience a lot, and I highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
636kerryy
May 14, 2023
A real adventure into the less touristy areas of Lima - I highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants to adventure into the less touristy areas of Lima and experience everyday life in Peru. The highlight for us was our lunch with señora Ninfa's house (best salsa I have ever experienced) and our visit to the education center run by a local non-profit organization Grupo Jugando Aprendo (Eveli is the coordinator is amazing, btw). Grupo Jugando Aprendo focuses on empowering and supporting child domestic workers in the area and they do an amazing job! Our tour guide, Alfredo, was also incredible and so knowledgeable. We would choose to go any tour that he is leading.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davec753
May 11, 2023
"They're just people" - My wife, Lyndall, and I are lucky. We were born in Australia to loving parents and grew up in stable families.
We have been lucky to receive a tertiary education and work in well paid jobs. And we have been fortunate to be able to travel and see some of the world with all its splendour and chaos and beauty and tragedy.
So, when Lyndall found the immersion experience we had to do it. To see how 1/3 of the world's most vulnerable live and over 1 million people in Lima.
Alfredo was an excellent guide. His English flawless and his manner courteous and respectful at all times. He politely and competently answered all our many questions and spoke with passion and sincerity about the work he was doing in the Human Settlements.
The tour encompassed the fish markets where we meet the local fishermen and took a short ride on the water where we saw sea lions, pelicans, and birds diving for fish.
From above the harbour, we got fleeting views of the rugged coast and back across the city. We also learned of Lima's dark history with invading colonists, Chili's occupation, and the late 20th century civil unrest.
Then we visited the second largest cemetery in the world. In the dank, cool mist of the morning, it's silence was broken only by the baying dogs that live among the dead.
At a house high on the slopes of the Human Settlements we met Balbina whose skill with the sewing needle was all that stood between her and desolation. Her products were made with care and love and brightly coloured in the tradition of her ancestors.
Lunch was enjoyed with the wonderfully beautiful Neffi. A lovely meal of chicken, rice and beans. Neffi's smile belied the tragic life she had led but emitted a human spirit that was infectious.
The final stop was at the after school centre which provided a safe environment for the children and helped with their homework.
The overall plight of these people is daunting and almost beyond belief. But there was also hope and joy here. And a belief in the future that was uplifting and inspiring.
I asked Alfredo "what should I take away from this experience? What should I tell the people back home? What can I learn?" Without hesitation, he turned to me and said, "remember they're all people, just like everyone else."
A great experience and one which we would recommend to anyone visiting Lima that counts themselves among the 8 billion inhabitants of this world we share!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A7719bijohnn
Apr 9, 2023
See the unexpected side of Lima. Go where you would never get to without this tour. - This tour was awesome. It definitely showed a side a Lima that the average North American tourist would not see without taking this type of tour. It was well worth the money and we would recommend it to anyone who wants to see some of the hardest working, modest and friendly people.
Alfredo was an excellent guide. His explanations were clear and he is obviously very passionate about the the people his company is trying to help.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Petar
Jan 12, 2023
Great way to learn about Lima - Very good way to see parts of Lima outside of the tourist bubble. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, and I learnt a lot more about Lima with this trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cosmopolitan642460
Dec 15, 2022
My wife and I loved this very safe and original tour full day tour. - We did not want another typical tourist tour of the City of Lima. We wanted to go where the locals were, not the rich locals, but the regular everyday working class Peruvian. I read the reviews of this tour. It sounded what my wife and I were looking for. By the way, we were visiting on a Princess Cruise that provided tours. We took one of the ship’s Lima tours. Since it was our first time to Lima, it was a good quick look at the traditional sites. Back to this tour. We met Alfredo right on time at 10am. Since the Cruise Ship Shuttles drop of at the park at Miraflores near Club Social Miraflores, we chose to meet at the JW Marriott (hotel was required for pick up on the TripAdvisor app). The Marriott is a half block from the Ship Shuttle bus drop off…super easy and there is a Starbucks there so don’t worry about needing to go into the hotel lobby. There is a driveway next to the Starbucks that is part of the Marriott. Alfredo and his driver pick you up at the driveway.
Alfredo took us first with a local fishman on his panga/boat. We went out just past the point of the harbor and he brought us back to tour the local fish market. After the boat tour we went to a high view spot overlooking the beach. We headed East to the foothills of the Andes where we visited an amazing cemetery (blew my mind with all of the colors and stores). Alfredo than took us to have lunch with an amazing woman who has a kitchen that feeds local kids. We also went to see two or three other women who are helping serve the local community. It was so encouraging.
I honestly had hoped for just a small taste of Lima, yet this tour exceeded all of my expectations. I will say this tour may not be for everyone. If you like white table clothe experiences, this is not the tour for you…unless you really want to grow and experience something new and beautiful…go for it. It was totally safe. 5 stars. I would give more if possible. One last note….there are some long stairs you may need to walk up to get to some of the families living up on the side of tall canyons.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dmchs57
Nov 22, 2022
You will remember it forever! - A.M.A.Z.I.N.G
We visited a local fishing community, the second biggest graveyard and immersed ourselves in a couple locals communities that welcome us in their home and center.
We lived a full day of humility, gratitude, curiosity and met amazing locals.
Grateful for a great day and experience that we will remember for ever. Our girls 12 and 9 had a great time, and saw how others children and communities live everyday. Don t hesitate you will love it.
Alfredo is an authentic person that cared, love his community and willing to help.
Thanks again for a memorable day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ambiver
Nov 14, 2022
A good way to learn how many of the people in Lima live outside of the tourist districts. - The tour was educational and a very good way to see and learn how many of the people in Lima live outside of the tourist districts. It is very different than the other tours that are usually offered and we appreciated this rare opportunity. The guide was very knowledgeable and clearly know and cared about the people he took us to visit.
Most of the places we went to were very high up and some of the roads were very narrow, on the edge of the mountain, and not all were paved. If you are uncomfortable with heights, this may not be a comfortable tour for you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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