Countryside Hacienda Visit

Peru’s dancing horses steal the show. This five-hour escape from Lima takes you to Casa Hacienda Los Ficus, where the famous El Paso horse performs its high-stepping gait beside traditional marinera dancers. I like the small maximum group of eight, which gives your guide room to adjust the pace, and I like that lunch, a drink, the show, a short ride, and hotel transfers are included. The main drawback is that the horseback portion is brief, and the horse-and-dance performance may feel too short if that is your central reason for booking.

This is an easy way to trade Lima’s traffic and concrete for gardens, horses, and open countryside without arranging transport yourself. The $159 price is not a bargain outing, but it covers a full half-day, an air-conditioned vehicle, food, the hacienda visit, and several activities that would be awkward to organize alone.

Key details that shape the day

• El Paso horses perform the Peruvian high step: You see Peru’s celebrated dancing horse ridden by chalanes, the country’s traditional horsemen.
• The show includes marinera dancers: The performance pairs horses and one of Peru’s best-known dance traditions.
• You get a short guided ride: After watching the show, you can mount one of the horses and ride around the arena with guidance.
• Lunch comes from the garden terrace: The meal includes a main course, water, and dessert, with some food prepared from produce grown on site.
• The group is capped at eight people: This is a more personal outing than a large coach excursion.
• One drink is included: You receive a pisco sour, or a soda if you prefer a non-alcoholic option.

Leaving Lima for Casa Hacienda Los Ficus

The tour begins at 11:30 a.m. with round-trip pickup from central Lima hotels. That timing makes the outing useful near the end of a Lima stay, especially if you want a relaxed afternoon rather than another packed morning of museums and ruins.

The air-conditioned vehicle matters here. Lima traffic can make even a short trip feel tiring, and having transportation handled lets you focus on the countryside outside the city. You do not need to find the hacienda, negotiate a taxi, or work out how to return after lunch.

The drive itself gives you a changing view of Lima and its outskirts. One account of the day specifically appreciated the contrast between ocean views, informal settlements, and the countryside, all followed by the horses at Los Ficus. Do not expect a polished rural postcard from the moment you leave your hotel. Part of the value is seeing the sharp change from city life to a private agricultural property.

With a maximum of eight people, the vehicle should feel less anonymous than a large sightseeing bus. Your guide can answer questions and help adjust the pace. Guides named in the feedback include Sergio and Marco, both praised for their friendly manner and broad knowledge of Lima and Peru. A staff member at the hacienda introduces you to the property and horses.

Walking through the hacienda gardens

Casa Hacienda Los Ficus is more than an arena. Your visit begins with a tour of the working hacienda and its gardens, where you can see the property’s horses and enjoy carefully maintained grounds.

This first portion sets up the show. You learn that the horses are not simply trained for a tourist photo. The Peruvian El Paso, also called the dancing horse, is known for its distinctive lateral movement. The animal’s legs move in a controlled, elegant rhythm, giving the impression that it is stepping to music.

The setting also provides a useful pause after the drive. You can walk through the gardens, meet the four-footed residents, and get a feel for the property before the performance begins. The tour includes a moderate amount of walking, though the pace can be modified. That makes it workable for many people, but you should still expect to spend time on your feet rather than sitting from hotel to hotel.

The hacienda is private, and the visit feels more focused than a general farm stop. You see the grounds, the horses, and the terrace where lunch is served. The appeal is simple: this is a chance to see an active rural property rather than only looking at horses in a staged ring.

Watching the El Paso horse and marinera show

The central event is the horse show. Chalanes ride the Peruvian Paso horses as they demonstrate their measured, high-stepping movement. Alongside them, traditional marinera dancers add music, costume, and movement to the performance.

I like this pairing because it connects two Peruvian traditions in one short presentation. The horse is not treated as a generic riding animal, and the dance gives the show a cultural setting. You get a visual introduction to the pride associated with the Peruvian Paso and the formal skill required to handle it.

The show is polished and entertaining, but keep your expectations in proportion. One person felt there was less horse and dance performance than expected. If you are a serious equestrian or want a long professional riding exhibition, the program may seem brief. The strength of the tour is the complete package: property, horses, dance, food, and a chance to ride, not an extended arena performance.

You receive one pisco sour during the show. This is a pleasant Peruvian touch, and it gives you something local to enjoy while watching. A soda is available instead if you prefer not to drink alcohol. Additional beverages cost extra, so do not assume every drink at the hacienda is included.

The small group should help you see and hear the presentation without the feel of a large crowd. It also makes the transition to the riding portion easier, since the staff can help a limited number of people get settled.

Taking your turn in the saddle

After the performance, you have the chance to mount a Peruvian El Paso horse for a short, guided ride around the arena. This is not an open-country horseback excursion or a long trail ride. Think of it as a controlled introduction that lets you experience the horse’s movement for yourself.

That distinction is important. You do not need to book this tour expecting hours on horseback. The ride is brief, but it gives the show a personal finish. Instead of only watching the chalanes work with the horses, you get to sit on one and follow instructions in the arena.

For a first-time rider, this can be the most memorable part of the visit. You can feel the horse’s unusual gait and understand why the breed is presented as a dancing horse. For an experienced rider, the short duration may be limiting, but the focus is on the breed and the setting rather than a long riding adventure.

The ride is guided, which makes the activity more approachable for a wide range of participants. The tour information says most people can take part, and the walking portion can be modified. Still, riding requires you to mount and sit on a horse, so you should consider your own comfort and mobility before booking.

Lunch on the garden terrace

After the horses, the group moves to the garden terrace for lunch. The meal includes a main course, water, and dessert. Some of the food is prepared with produce from the hacienda gardens, adding a direct connection between the property and what you eat.

This is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. A five-hour outing with driving, walking, and a show is much easier when lunch is already arranged. You do not lose time searching for a restaurant, and the terrace gives you a quiet place to settle after the arena activity.

The food received warm praise, though the available information does not specify the menu. You should not book this expecting to choose from a full restaurant menu or to know the exact dishes in advance. Treat the meal as part of the visit, with water and dessert included and extra drinks available for purchase.

The terrace also changes the mood of the day. The show supplies energy and color; lunch lets you slow down and enjoy the gardens. Several people described the entire outing as relaxing, which makes sense if you want a softer final day in Lima rather than another demanding sightseeing circuit.

What the $159 price really covers

At $159 per person, this tour costs more than a simple transfer to the countryside. Its value comes from combining several separate expenses and arrangements:

• Round-trip transport from central Lima hotels
• An air-conditioned vehicle
• A guide
• Entry and touring at the hacienda and gardens
• The horse and marinera show
• A short guided ride
• Lunch with water and dessert
• One pisco sour, or a soda
• All fees and taxes

I see the price as reasonable for someone who values convenience and a small group. A private rural visit, meal, performance, and guided riding experience would be difficult to piece together independently, especially if you do not speak Spanish or know the area.

The value is weaker if you care only about riding. The horseback segment is short, and the show may not satisfy someone hoping for a long equestrian program. In that case, you are paying for the full cultural outing, not simply saddle time.

The 94 percent recommendation rate and 4.8 rating from 18 ratings point to a consistently well-liked experience, though the sample is small. The strongest praise centers on the guides, the attractive hacienda, the horses, the meal, and the calm pace. One less enthusiastic assessment focused on the performance being shorter than expected. That is a fair warning and helps set the right expectations.

Who will enjoy this Lima escape most

I would choose this tour if you want to see a different side of Peru without giving up half a day to planning. It suits couples, families, and small groups who enjoy animals, gardens, food, and cultural performances more than strenuous sightseeing.

It is especially appealing after several busy days in Lima or after a longer Peru journey. The mix of scenery, horses, dance, and lunch gives you a change of rhythm. You can enjoy a rural setting without committing to a full-day excursion.

It also works well for people who want a first horseback experience. The ride is guided and contained, and the horse show lets you learn what to expect before mounting. If you are an experienced rider seeking distance, speed, or independent riding, choose another type of excursion.

The outing may also suit people who prefer a guide-led day. Sergio and Marco received praise for being personable and well informed about Lima, current events, and Peruvian history. The guide is part of the value here, not just the person who handles transport.

Practical points before you book

The tour requires at least two people per booking and accepts no more than eight. If you are alone, you cannot book it as a single-person outing under the stated conditions.

Plan for a moderate amount of walking. The pace can be adjusted, which is helpful, but the hacienda tour and gardens are not a completely seated activity. Wear something comfortable for walking and suitable for mounting a horse.

Your booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. The experience depends on good weather, and it also needs the minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the tour, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

For a normal cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the 11:30 a.m. start time to receive a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Los Ficus hacienda visit?

Book it if you want a comfortable, small-group countryside outing that combines Peru’s Paso horses with a dance show, lunch, and a little time in the saddle. The guides, gardens, meal, and relaxed pace are the best reasons to go.

Think twice if your priority is a long horseback ride or a lengthy professional performance. The riding is short, and the show may leave dedicated horse fans wanting more.

For most people, I would call this a good choice for a quieter Lima day, especially near the end of a Peru trip. You see a working hacienda, meet its horses, taste a local drink, and return to your hotel without having to manage the details yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The visit takes place at Casa Hacienda Los Ficus in the countryside outside Lima.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 11:30 a.m.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transfers from central Lima hotels are included in an air-conditioned vehicle.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of eight participants.

Is there a minimum number of people required?

Yes. A minimum of two people per booking is required.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on the garden terrace and includes a main course, water, and dessert.

What drink is included?

Each person receives one pisco sour. A soda is available as the non-alcoholic option. Additional beverages are not included.

Can I ride a Peruvian Paso horse?

Yes. The tour includes a short, guided ride on a Peruvian El Paso horse around the arena.

Is cancellation free?

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts. If poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants cancels the tour, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.