Peru - Lonely Planet Publications [67]
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TOURS & GUIDES
For guided tours of Lima and nearby archaeological sites such as Pachacamac, as well as trips around Peru, try the following companies. In addition, travel agencies (Click here) organize local, regional and national tours.
Aero Condor Perú (421-3105, 421-7014; www.aerocondor.com.pe; Av Aramburu 858, Surquillo) Day-long tours to the Nazca lines start at US$391. The company also offers overview flights from Nazca and Ica, which are cheaper.
Aventours (Map; 444-9060; www.aventours.com; Av Arequipa 4799, Miraflores) Private tours, guided trips and treks throughout the country.
Condor Travel (Map; 615-3000; www.condortravel.com; Blondet 249, San Isidro) Recommended for top-end touring and custom itineraries throughout the Andes.
Ecoaventura Vida (461-2555; www.ecoaventuravida.com) Focused on sustainable travel throughout the country, Ecoaventura organizes a number of trips that include homestays with Peruvian families.
Explorandes (Map; 715-2323; www.explorandes.com; Aristides Aljovín 484, Miraflores) Outdoors travel is the focus, with a specialty in trekking, biking and adventure sports.
Lima Vision (Map; 447-7710; www.limavision.com; Chiclayo 444, Miraflores) Lima Vision has various four-hour city tours (US$28), as well as day-long trips to the ruins at Pachacamac.
Peru Expeditions (Map; 447-2057; www.peru-expeditions.com; Colina 155, Miraflores) Books trips and organized tours around the region and beyond, and also specializes in 4WD excursions.
Peru Hands On (446-9672; www.peruhandson.com; No 401, Av La Paz 887, Miraflores) A locally run agency specializing in standard and custom itineraries around Peru.
The following guides are registered with Agotur (446-3765), the Peruvian guide organization. Telephone numbers are for Peruvian daytime use only.
Arturo Rojas (99-738-9276; www.limatastytours.com) In addition to regular guide services, he can arrange gastronomic tours; speaks English.
Mónica Velásquez (99-943-0796; www.monicatoursperu.com) Reader recommended; speaks English.
Tino Guzman (420-1723, 99-909-5805) Speaks English; member of SAE.
Toshie Matsumura de Irikura (225-6518, 99-757-3924) Speaks Japanese.
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FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Click here for major festivals and special events, and Click here for national holidays. For other events, see local newspapers or visit The Peru Guide (www.theperuguide.com). Holidays specific to Lima:
Festival of Lima Celebrates the anniversary of Lima’s founding on January 18.
Feast of Santa Rosa de Lima Held on August 30, this feast has processions in honor of Santa Rosa, the venerated patron saint of Lima and the Americas.
El Señor de los Milagros (Christ of Miracles) The city drapes itself in purple during this massive religious procession on October 18 in honor of the Christ from the Nazarenas church; smaller processions occur other Sundays in October.
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SLEEPING
From diminutive family pensións to glassy hotel towers armed with spas, Lima has every type of accommodation imaginable. It is also one of the most expensive destinations in the country (other than the tourist mecca of Cuzco).
The favored traveler neighborhood is Miraflores, where you’ll find a bounty of hostels, inns and upscale hotel chains. In recent years, similar spots have started opening up in the burgeoning seaside community of Barranco. More upscale – and generally more tranquil – is San Isidro. The best values can be found in Central Lima, though it is at a remove from the city’s hopping restaurants and nightclubs.
If arriving at night, it’s worth contacting hotels in advance to arrange for airport pickup; even budget hostels can arrange this – sometimes for a few dollars less than the official airport service.
Central Lima
The city’s congested historic heart generally offers the best deals on lodging – and proximity to some of the most storied attractions. The roar of traffic begins early, so