dwdvagamundo

Hmm--the Amano Museum and Caral are two good reasons to return to Peru!

mlgb

dwdvagamundo, have you are done Hwy 8B between Celendín and Leymabamba across the Marañon? Spectacular!. Cajamarca was a bit of a letdown, and Chachapoyas was a mess, roads torn up. I think both are hurting. I liked Celendín, with a good Sunday market scene (also nearby Encañada).

WWanderer

Still musing about this Palomino Island idea. Never did answer your comment mlgb,

"I just meant, if you've been out at sea, for a while on a cruise, it didn't make much sense to me to turn around and go back out, to where you'd just come from!"

We'll be on land the day before, on an excursion, in the afternoon. On our ship, Seven Seas Mariner, excursions are included. If they weren't, I'd try book the Palomino trip for that afternoon, but I hate wasting money, lol. The excursion we've chosen visits Huaca Pucllana and Huaca Huallamarca.

Having been on the ship for 18 days, we won't have been in the water since leaving the Caribbean I suspect. On land some days, on the ship other days. We both love wildlife. I love the water, although I'm not at all sure I'd actually get into the water on that trip, even if I was wearing a wetsuit.

WWanderer

Okay, so I'm working with a private tour company, Peruvian Local Friend, so construct an itinerary for our 4 days in Lima. So far they are being very helpful and the prices seem very reasonable, considering they are private.

First day off the ship we'll do a half-day tour, mostly Centro and Barranco, then drop us off to check in to our hotel in Miraflores.

Second day Pachacamac Tour + Hacienda Mamacona Horse Lunch & Buffet Lunch

Third day 5hrs Walking & Car Tour including: Local Market + Miraflores + San Isidro + Larco Museum (hoping to end at Larco so we can try the restaurant afterwards

Fourth day, Palomino Islands!!

Most of these are half-day trips, so we will have plenty of time to explore Miraflores and hopefully Barranco.

Do you think we need our guide in the Larco? Are there English descriptions on things? We like to wander on our own, but sometimes you learn so much from a guide, especially a private one. If one other museum, which would it be: Museo de la Nacion , Museo Nacional de Arqueoloia, Antropologia... (most descriptions in Spanish only I've read) or MALI? We are interested in history, archaeology, anthropology, art in general.

mlgb

Larco has English descriptions and also offers their own English speaking guides, I believe. For your second museum I would suggest Museo Amano.Since the redo it has upped the quality of interpretation displays. MALI sometimes has specialized archaeo exhibits but not always.

dwdvagamundo

I love the MNAAH. And it's within walking distance of the Larco. Last time I was there, you could follow a path painted on the sidewalk between the two.

Although descriptions are in Spanish, the exhibits are arranged chronologically and by area so you won't get too confused. The two stelae at the outset of the exhibit are worth the price of admission IMO, as well as the idol from Pachacamac, which you will appreciate having seen the site.

WWanderer

Thanks, so we added the MNAAH to the itinerary, which is now pretty finalized with Peruvian Friends.

We've shortened the Pachamac day to just this, we'll do the Paso Horse show in another city from the ship.

Any tips on tipping guides? We'll be seeing a lot of these people for 4 days, presumably one person most of the time. And drivers too I presume.

WWanderer

Another question that perhaps someone might be able to answer.

I just realized that we'll be in Lima for the Superbowl. Any chance of finding a sports bar in Miraflores that might broadcast it? We have that afternoon and evening off, and I know my husband would love to sit in a bar and watch it. Perhaps there are expat bars where Americans hang out (we're Canadian, but.)

mlgb

This is one possibility. I would expect some of the hotel bars to show it (why not write to the hotel you have booked)

https://www.facebook.com/thecornersports

WWanderer

Thanks, I had spotted that one on google maps! We arrive the day before, I can just ask at the hotel. Not a big deal, he's missed it before!