Caral, The Oldest Civilization In The Americas:day Trip From Lima

Start to finish, our tour guide José and driver Antonio delivered. Exceptional service, friendly and knowledgeable. Caral was worth the effort for us. Around 120 miles from our hotel pickup location, it was a long day. Napped a bit on the way there and back, so arrive ready for dinner in good form.

Amazing guide, very uncomfortable car.

From our early start to return to my hotel 12+ hours later I had a wonderful time. Seeing outside of Lima was interesting and Jose, our guide was excellent at explaining not only the Caral site but the cultural behind it. Our stop in Barranco, with lunch at a popular seafront restaurant was a welcome addition to our time in the area. All in all no regrets- money well spent.

We booked our visit to Caral Archaeological Site with Peruna Tours - amazing! If you get a chance, visit Caral. Such an incredible site brimming with historical value. Our guide Carolina was so knowledgeable and ensured our day was special. We were picked up at our apartment in Barranco by Carolina and our driver Elvis - he was so professional and ensured a safe and comfortable journey. Highly recommend Peruna Tours and so take the time to Visit Caral.

A really rewarding day with amazing ancient ruins and a delicious lunch by the sea. It's a long day and drive so bring a book!

Although it is a very long drive it was definitely worth it. Caral is really interesting and the guide is very knowledgeable and friendly. Lunch was great by the sea. If you are interested in history definitely go for it.

It is well worth the early morning rise and the long trip there and back. You’re also seeing parts of the country.

Great to visit this ancient site. Tour is compulsory but this is good. All quite basic as an active archaeological site. Not many visitors. Road in a bit knackered. It is quite a long day from Lima. Food at lunch stop was good but watch as portions are large.

This trip to Caral and Barranca is incredible and I would definitely recommend you do this if you have the time when in Lima! José is an amazing guide: very friendly and knowledgeable about the site. Antonio was a fantastic driver, too! It seems like this tour is usually run with quite small groups so it feel very personal, which was a surprise but a welcome one! The pickup and dropoff was smooth and directly to my hotel in Miraflores. The food at Tato in Barranca is some of the best I have had in Peru and it was relatively cheap too (only 25 soles for a quite a big portion size of the tacu tatu).

Jose was a brilliant guide and Elvis made us feel very safe in the car. Caral is a fascinating place and Jose gave us lots of information and answered all of our questions. There weren't many other group tours there so it doesnt feel overun by tourists and we didnt feel rushed. We enjoyed Barranca too, the restaurant was great and the views were fantastic

A visit to Caral is a must if you have a day spare in Lima, but be warned it is a very long day (12 hrs turned into 14hrs for us). Very grateful for all the expertise our guide Jose provided while touring the Caral archeological site, such a wealth of info. Could have skipped the Barranca side visit personally, but understand why it's included, given the dining options.

Everything was excellent. The guide was extremely informative on Caral and its history and did a great job sharing his knowledge with us. The lunch at Tato’s was excellent. The ride was long and a little bumpy, but having been in Peru many times, I was expecting it. A very big thank you to our guide Jose and the driver.

It's a long day. Four hours each way but absolutely worth it. Van is very comfortable. Lunch was excellent. Nothing felt rushed. Information was superb. No reason to not do this.

The guide was great, giving all of the information in English and Spanish. The van was comfortable. It is a bit of a long drive--4 hours each way--but we stopped for bathroom breaks and snacks. I was not going to be able to see Machu Picchu on this trip to Peru, so Caral was a nice substitue.

Our guide was knowledgeable and we learned a lot about Caral and its significance in the human story.

Our guide was very knowledgeable and prompt. Although it was a long day. It was a really good one. I would recommend this to anyone.

We had our trip to Caral with Jose and Christian. I loved the experience. We got to talk and ask every question we could think of about the site but also points of interest along the way. Being the oldest site in the Americas it didn't fail to impress. I could write an essay but, you really should experience the site. Get a sense of the history, the views and even the smell of it. A civilisation of millennia past. We had some amazing food after and finished the day at Cristo Redentor de Barranca. Be sure to get Jose and Christian for an amazing day out.

Jose was an excellent guide. So informative and very friendly. We loved every minute of our time at Caral and Barranca. The recommended lunch spot was delicious. We highly recommend you book this tour. 10/10 worth the long day to the oldest city in the Americas. Christian the bus driver was also fabulous. Keeping us safe and lending a helping hand when we were stuck in traffic due to a truck accident infront of us. Both gentlemen made the day extremely enjoyable. Thank you.

Caral, The Oldest Civilization in the Americas: Day Trip from Lima. The transportation was good and the guide shared important information throughout the trip. Visiting the caral was the most interesting part of the trip. It is truly a wonderful experience to see such an ancient civilization from close quarters. The interpretation of the guide has made it easier to understand the importance and history of the ruins. The small seaside town where I stopped on the way, the atmosphere there was also very beautiful. It would have been nice to have a little longer break. All in all, it's a good day trip for history buffs.

Really interesting day visiting the Caral ruins. Also enjoyed the brief stop at the sea for lunch and viewpoints. Long day but worth it!

The trip was a wonderful experience. Johanna was extremely passionate and her guidance was impressive. She was very approachable and had a broadband of knowledge. I would recommend a tour with her to anyone.

Joana was an excellent guide and made it a wonderful visit. She told us much about the site, region, and today’s culture. Thank you.

This was the most interesting tour that I can imagine. José was very knowledgeable about the history of Caral and just a really nice person. Antonio our driver was safe and obviously very experienced. Our lunch stop was also very good. See Caral while this 5000 year old treasure is still reasonably unknown and doesn’t have the huge crowds like some other world wonders.

We had a great day with the tour. The drive to Caral is long, taking about 3-4 hours each way, but the trip is worth it. The ruins have very few visitors. It’a a hidden gem in the desert that is rich in history. Our tour guide Johanna was wonderful. We never heard of Caral prior to booking this tour, but we are so glad we decided to go!

Great experience! Johanna was informative and engaging. It was worth the full day investment.

It is a very nice and informative excursion about the oldest civilization in Americas. The site is impressive placed between a green valley and sand dunes and rocky mountains. Our guide Johanna was very knowledgeable and accommodating.

Great trip to see one of the"cradles of civilization". Our guide Johanna was friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable on the site and the culture. The lunch in Barranca was a nice touch as the day is VERY long... But who said it was going to be easy to see the cradle of civilization! The only area for improvement would be a bigger bus as it is was a long drive in a small bus. A Great day was had by all in our group

Excellent guide. Pedro the driver saw us safely there and back through chaotic traffic

How amazing it is to see the 5000-year-old Pyramids still stand in front of you. To get there is an adventure, getting in touch with nature, a trip you'll be proud to be part of it. Scientists are working there now.

Great way to begin to understand the full history of the Peru people. A very interesting experience and worth the drive to see it. Johanna, our guide, was very knowledgeable, well prepared, and patient with the whole group. Always remember sunscreen!

We had Johanna guide our experience and it was such an excellent time. Very informative. It is a long drive, but the destination is worth it.

The tour was amazing, we'll organised and on time in the morning. Our tour guide was Johanna and she was superb. I would recommand this tour to everyone. We basically had the whole place to our selfs...

This was my favorite day trip we took from Lima. The size and scale and sheer depth of time (from us today) of the Sacred City of Caral are awe-inspiring, and I enjoyed the lunch in Barranco! Johanna was an excellent guide!

If you want an archeological site that isn't crowded, this is the place to go. Only discovered 31 years ago . Finding moreGuide was great! Relatively flat. Pre-Mayan

Great tour with Johanna!! Can;t believe we practically had the whole site to ourselves.

I took the one day tour from Lima to Caral with Peruna Tours. Caral is amazing, a must-see while in Peru. But I am not sure Peruna Tours is your best option. A lot of time is spent in uninteresting places like Barranca and the Christ monument (which, by the way, stand on top of a settlement the same age as Caral and is destroying it). The van used for the trip was not in top conditions (it was dirty and poorly kept). Since the tour in Caral must be done with a local guide anyway, I'd pick a different company for the trip from/to Lima. Peruna Tours ads claim Caral is wheelchair acessible. It is NOT. Check my Caral review for details.

Our tour guide Jose was extremely kind and knowledgeable. We spent about 2 hours in the city of Caral learning about the antiquities. I was especially interested to know that Caral has only been discovered by present-day researchers since 1994 and there's still so much we don't know! On the way back we stopped at the beachside town of Barranca for lunch and also had a chance to take photos at a 20-meter Christ the Redeemer. I would recommend this trip for anyone spending time in Lima. However, I would also advise to not book anything else for that same evening as traffic can be intense going back to the city.

Great time. Experience is wonderful. Traffic was horrible. Tour guide was unbelievable. She knew the information and was enjoyable. Restaurant was great.

My day trip to the ancient city of Caral was excellent! I learned a lot about the history and significance of this beautiful city from our guide, Johanna. She was very knowledgeable, and had a passion for history and art. Her English was excellent as well. After Caral, we stopped at the coastal city of Barranco for a nice lunch at Tato. The ceviche was very good. Although the trip is very long (the traffic in Lima is terrible), a visit to Caral is worth it if you are interested in archeology, ancient cultures and civilizations. I would highly recommend the tour if you have time while in Lima.

The Caral tour experience with Johanna was fantastic. Caral is a humble but very old and worthwhile site, and getting the most out of being there requires a skilled guide who can fill in the details. Johanna was all of that and more—always willing to answer our litany of questions. Lunch in Barranca was superb as well. Highly recommend!

Johanna did a wonderful job. Very informative. Only discovered 31 years ago and very few visitors so you can see everything and take your time. Lunch with the view of the ocean was very good. Nice views from the Christ statue.

This was a very long day, but totally worth the trip. It was fascinating to see an area outside of the city on the drive, and the ruins were very interesting. Lunch was delicious, eating fresh catch of the day sitting by the ocean. Our guide, Johanna, was excellent! She was extremely knowledgeable and her English was perfect. She was friendly, a fabulous conversationalist, and she made the trip enjoyable from start to finish. I would highly recommend this tour.

The tour was very well done, and the guide, José, was very knowledgeable and attentive to the travelers. José went beyond explaining the place, sharing a wealth of general information about Peru, its food, economy, culture, and agriculture. If you take this tour, please ask for José; you won't regret it. The tour itself was an extraordinary adventure and experience. Caral is a magical place with a unique energy. An absolute must for anyone with a sensitive heart.

Great day with Johanna, a super guide who spoke excellent English and acted as a translator. She adapted the tour to take in another pre-ceramic archaeological site instead of the port. Bandurria is so different to Caral it was amazing to see and refreshing to be at the coast after a very hot morning at Caral. There is no shade so make sure you have sunscreen, hat/umbrella and plenty of water! The sites were not busy and its mind boggling more people aren't visiting as these pre date the Incas by 3500 years. Everything was taken care of from pick up to drop off - she even got me some 'off the menu' Peruvian food as I'm vegetarian. I can't recommend her enough! Have a great day! Be aware that the owners WhatsApp numbers are from abroad, I was a little worried but it's fine 🙂 Great contact from Johanna.

Great experience, 100% worth it, Caral is 3000 years earlier than the Incas! It is a must see. Jose as an excellent guide. The cherry was visiting the Cristo in Barranca after a seafood lunch.

I highly recommend this tour. It was an amazing experience with the guide Johanna, who shared her knowledge with us during the whole tour. She knows everything about the Sacred City of Caral, Barranca and Lima and it’s best places. Johanna and the driver picked me up and she was taking care of the small group of tourists. I felt really safe around her. Definitely it MUST in your Peru-trip. Hello fr Switzerland :)

We decided this was a must visit having seen this ancient city in the recent “Human” TV mini-series produced by BBC/PBS. Jose, our guide from Peruna spoke excellent English and was extremely knowledgable about the site. The hotel pickup was at 5:30 am which meant that we arrived at the site before any other groups. However we got the impression that it was not a popular tourist destination which is very surprising given it’s historical significance. Hopefully this will change as people become more aware of Caral. The information at the site is very well presented; clearly a lot of money and effort has been put into this. The only word of warning is that this is a very long day trip from Lima. We didn’t arrive back to our hotel in Miraflores until 7pm, having encountered Lima’s rush hour traffic on the return journey. Nevertheless, we would highly recommend this trip for anyone interested in how early humans lived in South America.

If you are coming to see Machu Picchu, add this to the list. A great opportunity to see a pre-Inka civilization. From 2800 BC, the pyramids and structures have amazing architecture and as well preserved. Johanna was an amazing guide with lots of information about history of Caral. The on-site facilities are impressive. An underappreciated archeological treasure the deserves more global attention.

This was an amazing tour with a wonderful company. Communication was very clear and timely (using WhatsApp) and I was able to be picked up at my airBNB on time/a few minutes early. I stayed in Miraflores and when booking there were about 12 pickup locations offered. I selected a neighborhood hotel about 12 minute walk from the AirBNB but Johanna (the guide) reached out the night before to arrange pickup at my actual address. The ride out is in a comfortable van, with AC and an experienced driver. We stopped about an hour/hour and a half into the ride for restroom and gas station snacks/sodas. Caral is an awesome place. Only discovered and excavated in the past 30+ years it’s worth a visit. There was only 1-2 other tours there at the time so we “had the place to ourselves”. You get to walk around the ruins with the guide, take photos and learn. Local people can rent a booth/set up a shop on the way in and out and small souvenirs can be had for a few dollars - probably the cheapest I’ve found yet. Magnets, keychains, flutes, mugs, etc. A nice coffee mug was $5 US for example; magnets about $1.50. The drive to lunch is about an hour and is at a very nice restaurant in Baranca. An outdoor seaside (street side) table was reserved in advance and we sat together as a group, pay for your own. Lunch runs about $25 US for ceviche. Beer or cocktails can be had and we then walked along the beach for about 20 minutes. Next stop was a Christ the Redeemer statue for photos (20 minutes) and then the long ride home (about 3.5-4 hours). I’m in Peru taking an intensive medical course and unlike when I was in college, I used the time in the van on this road trip to study on the way there and back. An awesome tour, with an awesome guide. Highly recommend if you like ruins and archeology!!!