Lima: Caral Tour – The First Civilization of America

Uncover the secrets of the oldest civilization in the Americas with the Lima: Caral Tour. This 12-hour adventure whisks visitors back in time to explore the Sacred City of Caral, a remarkable archaeological site that predates the Incas by over 2,000 years. Through a guided tour of the city’s 32 monumental structures, including ancient pyramids and ceremonial complexes, travelers will gain a deeper understanding of the region’s rich history, religious practices, and ingenious agricultural techniques. With personalized attention in small groups and included transportation, this immersive experience promises to captivate those eager to unveil the mysteries of humanity’s earliest settlement in the Western Hemisphere.

Key Points

• The Caral tour provides a 12-hour guided experience at the oldest civilization in the Americas, including transportation, entrance ticket, and complimentary water.
• Visitors can explore 32 monumental buildings, learn about religious practices, and understand the Quipus accounting system used by the Caral civilization.
• The tour includes a 2.5-hour van ride to the site, a 2-hour guided tour, and an optional 1-hour lunch stop in Huaral.
• Pickup is available from Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro, with an additional fee for locations outside these districts.
• The tour is limited to 10 participants to ensure a personalized and intimate experience with an expert guide.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Caral tour in Lima offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the oldest civilization in America. Priced from $195.00 per person, this 12-hour tour takes guests on a journey to the archaeological site of Caral.

The itinerary includes van rides to and from the site, with a stop at a local bakery along the way. At Caral, visitors will enjoy a guided tour of the 32 monumental buildings, including pyramids and ceremonial structures, and learn about the civilization’s religion, rituals, agriculture, and accounting system.

The tour includes an official tourist guide, transportation, entrance ticket, and a complimentary bottle of water. With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, this tour offers a flexible and comprehensive exploration of Caral’s archaeological wonders.

Itinerary and Transportation

The Caral tour in Lima offers a well-structured itinerary and reliable transportation for visitors.

The tour begins with a 2.5-hour van ride to a local bakery for a 25-minute break. Next, the van takes visitors on a 70-minute journey to the Caral archaeological site, where they’ll enjoy a guided tour for 2 hours.

An optional 1-hour lunch stop in Huaral is available for an additional fee. The return journey to the drop-off locations in Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro takes 2.67 hours.

The tour accommodates a small group of up to 10 participants, ensuring a personalized experience.

Explore the Sacred City

At the Caral archaeological site, visitors explore the 32 monumental buildings that make up this ancient civilization. From pyramids to ceremonial structures, these architectural wonders provide a glimpse into the religious practices, agricultural techniques, and accounting methods of the Caral people. Visitors can learn about the significance of the offerings made to the gods and the importance of the quipus, a system of knotted cords used for record-keeping. The tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history and cultural heritage of the oldest known civilization in the Americas.

Architectural Highlights	Key Learnings
Pyramids	Religion and Rituals
Ceremonial Structures	Agriculture and Fishing
Plazas and Courtyards	Quipus Accounting System
Residential Complexes	Offerings to the Gods
Subterranean Structures	Significance of Caral’s Civilization

Religion, Rituals, and Quipus

Visitors exploring the Caral archaeological site are invited to delve deeper into the religion, rituals, and quipus that defined this ancient civilization.

The sacred ceremonies and offerings made to the gods provide insight into the advanced spiritual beliefs of the Caral people.

Highlights include:

• Understanding the significance of the intricate quipus, a complex accounting system using knotted strings.
• Learning about the rituals and ceremonies performed in the impressive pyramids and ceremonial structures.
• Discovering how the Caral’s sophisticated religion and agriculture were closely intertwined.

These elements showcase the depth and sophistication of the earliest known civilization in the Americas.

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Pickup Locations and Additional Fees

Tour participants can select from several pickup locations in the Lima districts of Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro.

There’s an additional fee for pickups in other districts.

The tour van will first take you to a local bakery for a 25-minute break before heading to the Caral archaeological site.

The drive to Caral takes around 70 minutes.

On the return journey, the van will drop you off at your original pickup location, which takes approximately 2.67 hours.

The tour group is limited to 10 participants, ensuring a more intimate and personalized experience at the ancient Caral site.

Inclusions and Complimentary Items

The tour includes an official tourist guide who can provide information in both English and Spanish.

Plus, a professional driver and air-conditioned transportation are provided. Visitors will also receive an entrance ticket to the Sacred City of Caral and a complimentary bottle of water.

The tour includes:

• Official Tourist Guide (English and Spanish)
• Professional driver and air-conditioned transportation
• Entrance ticket to the Sacred City of Caral
• Complimentary bottle of water

Pickup and drop-off at accommodations in the specified districts are also included, ensuring a seamless and convenient experience for participants.

Preparation and Restrictions

Comfortable shoes, sun hat, and sunscreen are recommended items for the Caral tour. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, and large bags or luggage are not allowed. Drones are also prohibited on the tour.

Recommended Items	Restrictions
Comfortable shoes	No luggage or large bags
Sun hat	No drones
Sunscreen	Not suitable for pregnant women

Adhering to these preparation and restriction guidelines will ensure a smooth and comfortable experience during the Caral tour, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the ancient wonders of this captivating archaeological site.

Small Group Experience

With group sizes capped at 10 participants, the Caral tour offers an intimate and immersive experience.

This small group setting allows for:

• Personalized attention from the expert guide, ensuring your questions are answered thoroughly.
• Easier navigation through the vast archaeological site, with minimal disruption to the group.
• Opportunities for deeper discussions and a more tailored exploration of the Caral civilization.

The intimate group size creates a more engaging and collaborative atmosphere, enabling you to fully learn about the ancient wonders of Caral.

This is a unique chance to uncover the secrets of the oldest civilization in the Americas, away from the crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Languages Do the Tour Guides Speak?

The tour guides speak both English and Spanish, enabling them to provide informative commentary to participants in their preferred language during the Caral archaeological site tour.

Can I Customize the Tour to Visit Other Sites?

While the tour itinerary is pre-set, visitors can’t customize it to include other sites. However, the tour operator may be able to accommodate special requests if arranged in advance and additional fees are paid.

Is There a Minimum Age Requirement for the Tour?

The tour doesn’t have a minimum age requirement. Children are welcome to join, though parents should ensure they can handle the 12-hour duration and activity level of the tour.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

Participants can’t bring their own food and drinks on the Caral tour. The tour includes a complimentary bottle of water, and there’s an optional lunch stop in Huaral for an additional fee.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

There isn’t an explicitly stated option to extend the tour duration. However, the itinerary allows for an optional lunch stop in Huaral, which could extend the overall tour time for an additional fee.

Recap

The Lima: Caral Tour offers a remarkable opportunity to uncover the secrets of the oldest civilization in the Americas. Visitors will explore the Sacred City’s ancient pyramids and ceremonial structures, learning about the region’s rich history, religious practices, and agricultural techniques. With personalized attention in small groups, transportation, and complimentary items included, this 12-hour adventure is a must-experience for those interested in uncovering the past.

You can check if your dates are available here: