I will be going on an OAT Tour this Saturday (Real Affordable Peru) and we have 2 full days in Lima on our own (in addition to the group City Tour).

Are there any good 1/2 day excursions outside of the city to take? Anyone know of any horseback riding or mountain biking jaunts?

Also, if you've been on the OAT tour, do you have any suggestions as what to get your host at the home meal and the school children? What usually happens?

Any tips on Lima, Cusco, MP, especially inexpensive but good restaurants would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Inka Grill and MAP cafe in Cusco. In Lima in the Miraflores area we stopped at the nicest little cafe, the name of which I simply cannot find in my files, but it was a block down the street from the Hotel Antigua Miraflores. Owned by a Peruvian woman and her Dutch husband. Very inexpensive and good. sorry to be shortchanging you by not remembering the name. I have combed the posts and cannot find it. Have a wonderful time. Peru is a beautiful country.

Restaurants:

My favorite place to eat in Cusco is la Granja Heidi. It's about halfway up the hill that climbs from the cathedral to San Blas. It's a cozy little cafe owned and operated by a German couple. Lots of vegetarian dishes and soups and pastas and quiches. It's a nice place to spend a chilly evening, of which there are many in Cusco. It's pretty reasonably priced.

In Aguas Calientes, near Machu Picchu, I like El Indio Feliz. It's just off the town's main plaza. It's owed by a French-Peruvian couple and has a French bistro atmosphere with a menu to match. It's a little more expensive, but I think definitely worth it. The most reasonable way to order is one of the prix fixe menus, and they are a good value. Most of the other restaurants in Aguas Calientes cater to tour groups and have everything set up buffet style. There's nothing wrong with them, but there's nothing too special about them either. (One of those may already be included in your tour price.) El Indio Feliz is the excepption and is special.

Thank you both for your suggestions! It's always nice to know of some "tried and true" places before venturing out.

Cheers!

The extensive Inca ruin site of Pachacamac is a half hour or so down the coast from Lima and is interesting, if you have not overdosed on ruins already.

I hope you have not yet left on your trip, but if so you are checking on this thread at your hotel or internet cafe.

The cafe that cmfong spoke of in the Miraflores District of Lima is called "Vincent Cafe". It is at Grau 120, as he said about a block from the Hotel Antigua, almost at the corner of Jose Pardo.

It is very small, the food is outstanding, and the owners are usually sitting at a table in the room. They have an absolutely adorable daughter. It is like having dinner at a friend's house, which friend happens to be an extremely good cook.

Oh, if you are still here, I think I have a website...try www.vincentcafe.tk.

ttt