Once reputed to be the most beautiful city in all of Spanish America, Lima today can be something of a challenge. It is, however, brimming with heritage and a worthwhile stop for a night or two.
The main attractions are those that remain of the colonial and Republican era, such as the bustling Plaza de Armas with its grand Presidential Palace and cathedral where the remains of Francisco Pizarro, who conquered the Inca Empire for the Spanish, are thought to be interred.
Exploring Lima
The museums are particularly worth exploring and it is here that Lima comes into its own as an informative and entertaining city, as you learn about the fascinating cultures whose remnants you will see later on your trip.
The Inca and pre-Inca ceramics at Larco Herrera and the amazing collection of weapons and jewellery at the Gold Museum are not to be missed, and a meal at the Huaca Pucllana restaurant, which overlooks the site of a major pre-Inca archaeological dig, is recommended.
Train journeys
Lima is also the starting point for the recently restored train service to Huancayo, the world’s highest passenger railway and an engineering masterpiece.
The train picks its way out of Lima before climbing a breathless 4,829 metres in six hours, and then threads its way through a plateau of glacial lakes, mining towns and fertile valleys on its way to Huancayo. Please contact us for departure dates of this train.