Without a doubt, Pachacamac is one of the most important archaeological sites of coastal Peru. It contains elements dating back as far as 200 AD. Because each succeeding culture added their own temples, there are remains belonging to different ancient cultures from pre-Inca and Inca times. Today, Pachacamac shelters the remains of more than 50 temples making it the largest archaeological complex in Lima. On this Pachacamac tour, your guide will first show you around the museum with the many artefacts found during archeological excavations. Then, the driver will take you around this huge site with stops at the different sights. At some stops, you'll need to walk around a bit to have a good look at the remains of the temples. Besides the archeological remains, you will be amazed by the great views of the surrounding area including the Pacific Ocean. It is hard to believe this is so close to the metropolitan city of Lima.

After the Pachacamac tour, you'll head to a close-by local neighborhood that houses many artisans from the area of Ayacucho. These people fled the violence of the guerrilla war of the 1980’s and 1990’s by moving to the outskirts of Lima. The guide will tell you more about this terrible period in Peru. In this neighborhood, local artisans continue to make the traditional handicrafts and art from Ayacucho. Before you'll visit some of their workshops, you'll have lunch with one of these local artisan families in their home. With a full stomach, you'll visit a few workshops where they make textiles, ceramics and other beautiful typical Peruvian handicrafts. The artisans love to show you their work and explain how they make these pieces of art. In a place where the government is mostly absent, these people have built their own community and are developing and maintaining the local economy with their traditions and art. They are working hard to keep their traditions alive. Certainly, you will leave this place very inspired and perhaps even with a few authentic and fair-trade souvenirs (completely optional of course).