Cieneguilla:
Many locals look to escape Lima while seeking nature and relaxation from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life. Just a little bit outside Lima is where one will find the suburban district of Cieneguilla. The highway from La Molina District is the primary way to reach this district. The appeal to Cienguilla is the lush landscapes surrounding the area and the Lurin River valley that Lima's overcrowding has not influenced. Nature abounds in this region with wildlife, green valleys, and beautiful scenery to inspire even the best city dwellers.
Cieneguilla is a popular destination for locals and tourists thanks to the scenic landscapes and outdoor activities.
How to get there:
Private Car or Taxi: You can easily hire a taxi or use ride-sharing services like Uber or Beat to take you directly to your destination in Cieneguilla. The travel time will depend on traffic conditions, but it's generally around 45 minutes to an hour from central Lima.
Public Bus: Look for buses that are heading to Cieneguilla or Chosica, as some buses pass through Cieneguilla on the way to Chosica. You can catch these buses at designated bus stops or terminals in Lima. Keep in mind that the journey may take longer due to stops and traffic.
Combis (Shared Vans): Combis are shared vans that operate on specific routes. They are a popular mode of transport in Lima and can take you to Cieneguilla from various points in the city. Look for combis that have "Cieneguilla" displayed on their windshield or ask locals for directions to the nearest combi stop.
Chosica:
Chosica, another quaint town nearby Lima, is frequently visited by those looking to find peace. Chosica is a popular destination for day trips and weekends, offering a pleasant climate and beautiful natural surroundings, making it a great escape from the city.
Located in the Lurigancho District, Chosica has breathtaking views and is located only a short distance from the central point of Lima. Many people prefer to frequent this small town and enjoy some of the natural sunlight unaffected by Lima's overwhelming fog. Chosica is a great place to take some time for rest or indulge in other leisure activities.
The Trans-Andean railroad that was built back in the 19th century also adds to the allure of this charming spot. Known as the "Villa of the Sun" for its dry and warm weather, spectators can relax and take in the majestic mountains' views before returning to the city. This is a great day trip for those looking to reach out to the natural surroundings.
How to get there:
Train: The Ferrocarril Central Andino operates a train service from Lima to Chosica. The train journey offers a scenic route through the Andes Mountains, passing through beautiful landscapes. You can catch the train from the Desamparados Station in Lima, and the journey takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the train schedule and stops.
Public Bus: Taking a public bus is a common and economical way to travel from Lima to Chosica. Look for buses that are headed to Chosica or Huaycán. You can catch these buses at designated bus stops or terminals in Lima. The travel time usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Combis (Shared Vans): Look for combis with "Chosica" displayed on their windshield, and you can find them at various locations in Lima. The journey time is similar to that of public buses.
Private Car or Taxi: hire a taxi or use ride-sharing services like Uber or Beat to take you from Lima to Chosica. This option provides flexibility and convenience, and the travel time will depend on traffic conditions.
Pisco
Pisco is a city in the Ica Region of Peru, the capital of the Pisco Province south of Lima. With a population of about 116,000, this large city rests about 9 meters above sea level. Originally the villa of Pisco was founded in 1640, close to the indigenous emplacement of the same name. Pisco is a Quechua word that means "bird." This town prospered due to the local vineyards and is the namesake of the Peruvian grape liquor, Pisco.
The concentration of birds and marine animals at the Paracas National Reservation or the Peruvian Galapagos is a grand attraction that brings in tourists and locals. The reserves at the Ballestas Islands are closed to the public, but boat tours to get close. The Chincha islands are also relatively nearby, where tourists can spy on many bird species, including pelicans, penguins, cormorants, Peruvian boobies, and Inca terns. There are sea lions, turtles, dolphins, and whales that are a great appeal while visiting.
An additional allure to the area is the Paracas Candelabra, a giant lamp dug in the rough sand in the method used by the creators of the Nazca Lines. There are unknown reasons, and the theories vary as to why they were created. There is division as to the authenticity of the lines.
The Paracas culture was one of the major ancient civilizations in Peru and greatly influenced Pisco's origin. Due to its locations and easy access to the crossroads in the Andes, Pisco was almost named the capital before Lima.
The Plaza de Armas of Pisco is located in the center of the city, where many people hang out and buy local delicacies such as tejas, pecans, and assorted dried fruits. Surrounding the Plaza are monuments such as the statue of Jose de San Martin, the mansion he lived in, and the Municipal Palace. Pisco is a charming city with much to offer to those looking for culture and charm.
Ica
A bit further to the south you find Ica, the capital of the Ica Region, located in the southern area of Peru. Founded in 1563 by the Spanish conquistador Geronimo Luis de Cabrera, it has grown over the centuries, reaching about 219,000 people. In 2007, a large earthquake hit the region, and Ica suffered greatly extensive damage and loss of life. The surrounding areas outside of Ica are the traditional source of the Pisco brandy. The Museo Regional de Ica, a local museum, is an excellent attraction with many fascinating exhibits. One attractive display is the pre-Columbian mummies with elongated heads bearing evidence of trepanning.
Many artifacts date back to the Spanish colonial era, with furniture and paintings reflecting the culture then. This region is significant for its agriculture and the growth of grapes, cotton, asparagus, olives, and other produce. Known as the land of the sun to the locals, the warm, dry climate brings a summer feeling all year round. Ica is a lovely town with beautiful weather and charming culture.
One of the major attractions if Ica is the oasis Huacachina, located in the desert nearby Ica. The Huacachina Lagoon is surrounded by palm trees and green waters that are believed to have therapeutic properties. The shore of the lagoon is full of bars and nightclubs. The main tourist attraction of Huacachina is the sand dunes that can be lowered in a buggy or sandboard. The buggies travel through the high and undulating dunes that surround the town.
Nazca
Nazca (sometimes also spelled Nasca) is the name of a system of valleys strewn out through the southern coast of Peru and the name of the region's largest existing town. The Nazca culture also reigned over the region between 300 BC and 800 AD. This culture is responsible for the Nazca Lines and the fascinating ceremonial city of Cahuachi. This fantastic culture was also responsible for the system of underground aqueducts that are still in working function today.
Since 1997, Nazca has been the location of a major Canadian gold mining operation. For the previous 2000 years, the people living on the land did not have actual titles and were displaced without legal problems. Since then, there have been several attempts to legalize poor citizen's ownership of their land and property.
The biggest draw to the town of Nazca is the intriguing Nazca lines that can be found throughout the region. The Nazca Lines are an engima. No one has proof of who built them or why. Since their discovery, the Nazca Lines have inspired fantastic explanations from ancient gods, a landing strip for returning aliens, or a celestial calendar created by the ancient Nazca civilization. Historians think that between 200 BC and 600 AD, the Nazca culture began these designs. Various designs appear to consist of animal figures, flowers and plants, objects, and anthropomorphic figures of colossal proportions made with well-defined lines. The best way to see the designs is from the air. Chartered aircraft take tourists up to gaze at this ancient mystery.
How to get there?
To travel from Lima to Pisco, Ica, and Nazca, you have several transportation options. Here's how you can get to each destination:
By Bus: There are regular bus services from Lima to Pisco Ica and Nazca. Buses depart from various terminals in Lima, such as Plaza Norte, Javier Prado, or Terrestre Plaza, and the journey takes around 3 to 4 hours, depending on the bus and traffic conditions. A good reliable company is Cruz del Sur.
By Car: If you prefer driving, you can rent a car in Lima and take the Pan-American Highway southbound to Pisco. The drive takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to Pisco, 4-5 hours to Ica and 5-6 hours to Nazca. There are also regular buses between the cities.
Huaraz:
Huaraz is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts, offering stunning landscapes, hiking opportunities, and access to the Huascaran National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Huaraz, the capital of the Huaraz Province and the Ancas Region, has a population of 100,000. The seat of the regional government of Ancash is found here in Huaraz. With a location in the country's central-northern part, it lies at an altitude of 3052 meters and about 420 km north of Lima. Located at the foot of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, Huaraz provides beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains that can be seen nearby. The highest mountain in Peru, Huascaran, is in this mountain range. This lovely village was founded in 1574 by Alonso de Santoyo and is filled with narrow streets and large adobe casinos roofed with tiles. In the main square, only one principal structure survived the major earthquake of 1970.
The earthquake killed 10,000 people, destroying many houses and smaller local structures. Huascarán National Park is a popular destination for tourism and trekking. Huaraz is a frequent base for expeditions to the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash. In the streets surrounding the farmers' market, the 'paraditas' (street markets) of local sellers offer craft products such as alpaca textiles (carpets, sweaters, etc.), 'cuarteados' (a typical dessert from Caraz made by mixing manjar blanco and fruit cake), boxes of manjar blanco, butter, cheese, honey, smoked and salty hams, etc.
How to get there:
To travel from Lima to Huaraz, you have several transportation options:
Bus: Taking a bus from Lima to Huaraz is one of the most common and economical ways to travel between the two cities. There are several bus companies that operate daily services from Lima to Huaraz. The journey takes around 7 to 9 hours, depending on the route and the stops the bus makes along the way. Buses usually depart from Lima's major bus terminals, such as Terminal Terrestre Plaza Norte or Terminal Cruz del Sur.
Flight: If you prefer a faster option and want to avoid a long bus ride, you can take a domestic flight from Lima to Huaraz. The Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani Airport in Huaraz receives flights from Lima. The flight takes approximately 1 hour, providing you with the opportunity to enjoy aerial views of the stunning Andean landscapes.
Private Car or Taxi: The travel time between Lima and Huaraz by private car will depend on traffic conditions and the route you take, but it usually takes around 7 to 9 hours.
Ayacucho
Ayacucho is a city rich in history and culture, known for its colonial architecture, vibrant festivals, and traditional arts and crafts. Located in the province of Huamanga, you will find the city of Ayacucho. With a population of 93 033 in the town and an additional 140 230 in the surrounding area, the beautiful city of Ayacucho is most famous for the number of towering churches and religious celebrations during Holy Week. The festivities include horse races and the traditional running of the bulls.
About 25 km north of Ayacucho is the cave site of Pikimachay. Vestiges of human settlements that are more than 15,000 years old were found here. During the 6th and 12th centuries, the Huari Culture came to occupy the region and soon expanded the empire known in the Andes before the Incas.
The history of Ayacucho is quite interesting. The Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro led a battle and the modern colonial establishment soon took over the town of Ayacucho. The Incan rebellion against the Spanish did little to stop Pizarro from conquering the area and populating the region with a small number of Spaniards brought over from Lima and Cusco.
On May 17, 1544, by Royal decree, Ayacucho received its title of "La Muy Noble y Leal Ciudad de Huamanga," and on February 15, 1825, by decree of Simón Bolívar, the city's name was changed to the original "Ayacucho".
The city is named after the historical Battle of Ayacucho when upon seeing so many casualties on the battlefield, the settlers called the area Ayakuchu, aya meaning "soul" or "dead" and 'kuchu' meaning "corner" in the Quechua language. This was the last intense fight between the Spanish and the local patriots during the Peruvian War of Independence.
The handicrafts of Ayacucho, some of the best in Peru, are admired worldwide. Its reredoses with every-day-life scenes are popular (made of alabaster with lime figures), the wooden crosses with the symbols of the passion of the Christ, the delicate weaving of alpaca and vicuña wool, the stone sculptures of Huamanga, and the jewelry in silver filigree
How to get there:
Bus: There are several bus companies that operate daily services from Lima to Ayacucho. The journey takes around 8 to 10 hours, depending on the route and stops the bus makes along the way. Buses usually depart from Lima's major bus terminals, such as Terminal Terrestre Plaza Norte or Terminal Terrestre Javier Prado.
Flight: If you prefer a faster option and want to save time, you can take a domestic flight from Lima to Ayacucho. The Maria Reiche Neuman Airport in Ayacucho receives flights from Lima. The flight takes approximately 1 hour
Chiclayo
Chiclayo, is the nice capital city of the Lambayeque region in northern Peru. Located 13 kilometers inland from the Pacific coast and 770 kilometers from Peru’s capital it is easy to access for a weekend getaway by both bus and airplane.
Chiclayo, founded in the 1500’s was given its title in 1835 by president Felipe Santiago Salaverry. This beautiful region claims Chiclayo as one of the most important urban areas of Peru. Currently, it is the country’s fourth largest city after Lima, Arequipa and Trujillo. With a population of over 545,000 people, this city is quite modern and is ideal for tourists.
Avenida Jose Balta is the main thoroughfare of Chiclayo. The avenue is the place to be in order to take in and enjoy the city. There are restaurants, bookstores, cafes and bars in order to keep you entertained all through the day.
If history is one of your passions, The Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum, located about ten minutes from Chiclayo, offers an impressive collection of artifacts from the Mohican Culture. The Bruning Archaeological Museum, named after the German architect that begun excavating the museums contents, has over 1500 artifacts on display. The Sicán National Museum, which is around 25 miles away from Chiclayo, has various displays that showcase Sicán way of life and culture.
Mercado Modelo is quite an entertaining place and another fantastic spot to check out while in Chicalayo. It is northern Peru's liveliest and largest daily market. Yes, it has the usual endless aisles of everything - party decorations, underwear, costume jewellery, fireworks, etc., but what is most interesting are the herbalists and alchemists who sell alternative medications and “ magical potions, “ to interested tourists.
How to get there:
There are multiple flights per day from Lima to Chiclayo and from Chiclayo to Lima (1 hour and 10 minutes). There are also buses from Lima (12 hours), leaving hourly from Transportes Linea.