Lima: Premium Peruvian Horse Show with Lunch & Transfers

Beautiful horses, a quiet hacienda, and lunch await. This five-hour outing gives you a welcome break from Lima’s traffic and city streets, taking you to Casa Hacienda Los Ficus for a close look at Peru’s graceful paso horses. I like the small-group setting, limited to 15 people, and the way the visit combines horse breeding, a riding experience, music, dance, food, and drinks rather than offering only a staged show. I also like the included hotel pickup and drop-off, since the hacienda is about an hour outside Lima.

The main drawback is the drive. You can spend more than two hours on the road round trip, depending on traffic and your pickup location. Also, the published description refers to Pachacamac, but the actual experience described here focuses on the hacienda and horse show. If seeing the archaeological site is important to you, confirm that point before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Peruvian paso horses up close: Learn about breeding, watch training and performance, and see the horses in the stables.
• A supervised horseback ride: You get a turn on a horse with a professional rider accompanying you.
• A full cultural program: The exhibition includes chalanes, the traditional riders, plus the marinera norteña, a dance from northern Peru.
• Two versions of the visit: The morning option includes lunch, while the afternoon option includes Peruvian tapas and an open bar.
• A strong food component: Roasted chicken, farm vegetables, native potatoes, stewed beans, dessert, and a Pisco sour are part of the daytime meal.
• Convenient transport: Round-trip hotel transfers are included for listed Lima locations, with an extra charge for airport and Callao-area pickups.

Why this horse show feels different from a standard performance

The Peruvian paso horse is known for its distinctive smooth movement. This visit gives you some context before the performance, so you are not simply watching riders circle an arena without knowing what to look for.

Your guide introduces the hacienda and explains how the horses are bred and trained. The program then moves from the stables and grounds to the riding portion and formal exhibition. That progression matters. You see the animals as working horses first, then watch the control and footwork that make the display special.

I especially like that the horses are not treated as distant props. You can see them in the stables, and the riding portion brings you closer to their size, temperament, and movement. The supervised ride is brief rather than a long trail excursion, but it gives you a personal connection before the show begins.

The setting also helps. Casa Hacienda Los Ficus is described as an old, classic hacienda outside Lima, with peaceful grounds and attractive facilities. After Lima’s dense streets and constant traffic, the change can feel dramatic. One practical note: the countryside does not begin immediately. Allow about an hour each way for the drive.

The ride from Lima to Casa Hacienda Los Ficus

Pickup begins at your hotel lobby. The exact time depends on the option you reserve, with morning and afternoon departures available. One listed schedule gives an 11:15 pickup and a return around 4:00 p.m., but you should check the departure shown for your selected booking.

Transport is by private minivan or SUV. This is useful if you want door-to-door service and do not want to arrange a taxi to a rural property. The driver takes care of the route while you watch Lima gradually give way to less urban surroundings.

The transfer is also the part most likely to test your patience. Reports of the ride taking more than an hour each way are realistic, especially when Lima traffic is heavy. I would not book this as a quick add-on between a morning museum visit and an evening reservation. Give the experience the full half-day it needs.

Airport and Callao-area pickups require special attention. Pickup and drop-off from Lima Jorge Chavez Airport, the Port of Callao, and nearby Callao hotels carry an extra charge of US$15 per person, paid directly to the guide or driver. Listed Lima hotel and apartment pickups are included.

Walking through the hacienda and stables

A guide in colorful traditional clothing welcomes you at the property. The walking tour introduces the hacienda and the work behind its paso horse program.

You learn about breeding and training, then visit the horses in their stable area. This is one of the quieter and more appealing parts of the outing. The animals are close enough to observe without the noise and rush of a large attraction, and the facilities provide a better sense of daily care than a performance alone could offer.

The guide’s role is important here. Alejandra is specifically praised for explaining the ranch and the horses clearly while also being warm and accommodating. Alexandra is also noted for giving focused explanations about the riders’ skills and the horses’ movement. The name spelling varies in the supplied information, so your guide may be listed differently, but the point is clear: expect a personal presentation rather than a recorded talk.

You should ask questions during this part. The show moves quickly once it begins, so the stable visit is your best chance to understand the animals and the training methods in a relaxed way.

The supervised horseback ride

At some point during the hacienda visit, you get a chance to ride one of the horses. A professional rider accompanies you, which makes this suitable for people who want a taste of horseback riding without signing up for an advanced riding excursion.

Keep your expectations in line with the format. This is not described as a long countryside ride or a private riding lesson. It is a short, supervised turn connected to the presentation. The value is the chance to sit on a Peruvian paso horse and feel its movement after learning why these animals are prized.

If you love horses, this may become the most memorable part of the day. If you are nervous around large animals, the professional supervision gives you support, though the supplied information does not specify riding requirements or whether all physical needs can be accommodated. The minimum age is 18, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

The performance: riders, horses, and marinera norteña

The main exhibition shows the horses’ skills with their riders. The chalanes, traditional Peruvian horsemen, appear as part of the display, linking horsemanship with local dress and customs.

The program also includes the marinera norteña, a northern Peruvian dance. This combination gives the show more cultural depth than a technical horse demonstration alone. The horses move while the riders display control, and the dance adds music, movement, and regional character.

I would pay attention to the riders’ posture and the horses’ footwork. The smooth gait can be easy to miss if you watch only for speed or dramatic jumps. The pleasure comes from precision, balance, and the unusual rhythm of the paso horse.

The show can also feel almost private. One account describes only three people attending, with the host taking time to explain the horses’ training and different steps. Group size can reach 15, but a small attendance may create a more personal atmosphere.

The entertainment is live and included in the price. That is useful for visitors who want an introduction to Peruvian traditions without spending a full evening at a separate cultural performance.

Lunch with native potatoes and Pisco sour

The morning experience follows the exhibition with a Peruvian lunch. The stated meal includes roasted chicken, vegetables from the farm, native potatoes, stewed beans, dessert, and a traditional Pisco sour. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included.

The food receives unusually strong praise. The tiny native potatoes with yellow dipping sauce are singled out as a favorite starter, and the lunch is described as one of the best meals of a longer South American trip. That makes the meal more than a basic tour buffet. It is part of the reason the outing works as a complete half-day experience.

The menu also connects the meal to the setting. Farm vegetables and native potatoes give you a taste of ingredients associated with Peru, while the Pisco sour adds a familiar national drink to the table. If you do not drink alcohol, non-alcoholic beverages are included as well.

The afternoon option changes the meal format. Instead of the full lunch, it includes Peruvian tapas, an open bar, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. I would choose the morning departure if food is a major reason you are booking. Choose the afternoon if you prefer a lighter meal and a more social drinks-based finish.

What the $149 price includes

At $149 per person, this is not Lima’s cheapest half-day activity. The value depends on how much of the package you would otherwise arrange yourself.

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the ride to and from the hacienda, the walking tour, the horse activity, live entertainment, the exhibition, food, dessert, and drinks. You are paying for a managed rural excursion rather than only admission to a horse show.

That bundle works well for you if you want convenience. The private vehicle removes the need to find Casa Hacienda Los Ficus independently, and the guide provides context throughout the visit. The food and drinks also prevent the cost from growing through separate meals and transport.

The value is weaker if your main goal is simply to watch horses for an hour. You will spend a substantial part of the day in transit, and the program is best for someone who wants the entire package: countryside, hacienda, horses, culture, lunch, and a ride.

The average booking lead time is about 37 days. That suggests planning ahead is sensible, particularly if you need a specific morning or afternoon departure. The group maximum of 15 keeps the program from feeling like a large coach excursion.

The Pachacamac question you should settle first

The itinerary information includes a stop titled Pachacamac Ruins, but the detailed description does not provide a visit to the ruins. Instead, it describes the drive to Casa Hacienda Los Ficus, the hacienda walk, horse ride, exhibition, and meal.

This is not a small distinction. Pachacamac is an archaeological attraction, while the horse farm is a rural cultural visit. Do not assume you will see both simply because Pachacamac appears in the schedule information.

If the ruins are a priority, ask Vista Adventures to confirm the exact route and inclusions before booking. If your main interest is the Peruvian paso horse experience, the hacienda program itself remains clearly described and well supported by the details provided.

Who will enjoy this Lima experience most

I would recommend this outing first to horse lovers, couples, and visitors who want a slower rural day outside Lima. It also suits anyone who enjoys food and local performance but does not want to organize several separate activities.

The experience works particularly well near the end of a longer Peru or South America trip. It is easy to reach through hotel transfers, and the relaxed setting provides a change from museums, churches, traffic, and city tours.

It may be less suitable if you have only one day in Lima and want to focus on major city sights. The drive takes time, and the program should not be treated as a short excursion. It may also be a poor fit for someone seeking an extended horseback ride, since the riding portion is a supervised turn rather than a long trail outing.

The age rules are worth noting. The minimum age is 18, while children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not explain specific mobility arrangements, riding limits, or dietary substitutions. Ask before booking if any of those points affect you.

Booking, timing, and cancellation advice

The activity operates Monday through Sunday, with listed hours from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Morning and afternoon departure choices are available, but the food and drink format differs between them.

Confirmation is received at booking. Pickup is included for listed Lima accommodations, while airport and Callao-area service costs an extra US$15 per person.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached and the operator cancels, you can receive a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Peruvian Paso horse show?

Book it if you want an easy, polished introduction to Peru’s paso horses with a real meal and cultural entertainment included. The best parts are the close look at the horses, the professional supervision during the ride, the graceful performance, and the excellent local lunch.

I would choose the morning option for the full food experience and the afternoon option for tapas and an open bar. Before paying, confirm your pickup location and ask specifically about Pachacamac, since the supplied details do not clearly promise a ruins visit.

Skip it if your Lima schedule is tight or if you want a serious riding expedition. For everyone else, especially horse lovers, the $149 price is reasonable for a five-hour private-transfer outing that combines transport, instruction, performance, food, and drinks in one well-organized package.

FAQ

How long does the Peruvian horse show experience last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours. One listed schedule runs from an 11:15 a.m. pickup to hotel drop-off at about 4:00 p.m.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Lima are included. Pickup from Jorge Chavez Airport, the Port of Callao, and nearby Callao hotels costs an additional US$15 per person.

What is included in the morning departure?

The morning option includes the hacienda tour, horse exhibition, supervised horseback ride, live entertainment, Peruvian lunch, dessert, and drinks.

What is included in the afternoon departure?

The afternoon option includes the hacienda tour, horse exhibition, supervised horseback ride, live entertainment, Peruvian tapas, and an open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Is lunch included?

Yes, with the morning option. The meal includes roasted chicken, farm vegetables, native potatoes, stewed beans, dessert, and a traditional Pisco sour.

Is the Pachacamac archaeological site included?

The supplied schedule contains a stop titled Pachacamac Ruins, but the detailed program describes only the drive to Casa Hacienda Los Ficus and activities at the hacienda. Confirm this directly before booking if you want to visit the ruins.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.