CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América worth booking?
CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América is a 14-hour experience in Lima, Peru, from $229 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 66 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (15)
- Duration
- 14 hours
- From
- $229 per person
• Caral, Its considerate the mother culture in Ameríca as the first civilization in this continent • The second oldest Civilization in the world even older than Egypt • 5000 thousand years old, it has 23 pyramids als
What you get
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- All ticket entrances
- Local taxes
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
About this experience
• Caral, Its considerate the mother culture in Ameríca as the first civilization in this continent • The second oldest Civilization in the world even older than Egypt • 5000 thousand years old, it has 23 pyramids also is located in Lima. • Declared Human world Heritage by Unesco BY THE WAY THE 10 % OF YOUR MONEY OF ANY TOUR THAT YOU TAKE WITH US GO TO HELP TRADITIONAL COMMUNITIES IN LIMA - HUAYCAN.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- All ticket entrances
- Local taxes
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- All activities
Not included
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- tips (optional)
- Lunch, the meals in this region are $10.00 approximedtly
What you'll see and do
Zona Arqueologica Caral
Caral is the oldest Civilization in Ámérica, with more than 23 pyramids is the mother of all the cultures here. it is 5000 years old and you will amzed by the size and the history.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Kultour Perú
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great experience to see a time before it was recorded
Jordan (guide) and Omar (driver) were fantastic what a great day to see a unique UNESCO world heritage site. It is a long drive but the time flew by with our discussion on history, information or Peru and friendly banter. Stopped for a nice lunch and onto the location. Highly recommend. It is a long day however worth it to see the oldest civilization in the americas.
via Viator
Amazing Ruins! Great Food! Terrific Experience!
Amazing experience! Guide Jordan and driver Andres were terrific! They were waiting for us at 6a as we came out of our hotel and drove us in comfort in a minivan we had to ourselves. Jordan shared lots of information about the things we were passing, and about Peru, its culture and history, verbally, and with pictures and videos using his tablet. We stopped at the excellent restaurant, Delpino, a nondescript part of a gas station frequented by locals, both for breakfast on the way to, and lunch on the way back. Jordan's recommendations were perfect: Pan con Chicharron for breakfast, and Loma Saltado for lunch. At Caral we walked through the lovely Bosque Huarango seeing beautiful, exotic birds. Jordan translated as wizened Caral guide Armando, took us 5,000 years back in time for over 2 hours as we walked through the awe-inspiring ruins, and views of the beautiful Supe valley. On the way back, Jordan stopped at a fruit stand and had us taste a variety of local fruits we had never tasted before. All-in-all, an amazing experience thanks to Jordan, Andres, and Kultour Peru!
via Viator
REWARDING EXPERIENCE, THE MOST EXPENSIVE WITH KULTOUR PERU. 😊
It was a rewarding and very interactive visit, I loved meeting Caral, thank you for the friendly and Pro attention, Kultour Peru.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
A must see, when visiting Peru, perhaps even more worthwhile than Machu Picchu
Visiting Caral, the oldest civilization in the Americas, 7000 yrs old, older than ancient Egypt, should be on everyone's itinerary when visiting Peru. It is far more significant than Machu Picchu, but less than 100 tourists visit Caral daily. Of course, the remoteness, really bad roads (once you get off the Pan American hwy) and the cost of a day trip (about $150pp) may be a deterrent, but if people are willing to pay up to $300 to visit Machu Picchu, there should be no excuse to miss this extraordinary archeological site. The scenery around the desert is breathtaking, and the required guided tour of the site, which is only 20 sol for a group of 10 (In addition to the site admission charge of 15 sol pp) offers a refreshing perspective for understanding the unique histories of the earliest peoples in the Americas and their great accomplishments. Best way to visit and save money in the process - rent a compact 4 wheel drive (for the bad section of the road, which is the last 15 km around the site) from Lima Airport (with all insurance about $90 and about $40 in gasoline) and this way, you avoid all the horrendous driving and traffic around Lima and easily can access the Pan American highway (tolls about 20 sol each way for a car) to drive up to Caral. The 3 hr drive to Caral passes beautiful landscapes through the deserts, mountainous terrain, along the Pacific coast. For a family of 4, doing the whole day trip cost us less than what tours charge for one person to visit Caral.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Millennium Experience
We loved everything in general, as our guide along the way, explained every detail of the area and the changes that are taking place, the history of the society and the changes, the truth was quite pleasant the tour, we really liked the information and also that we went private, that gave us enough time for everything. We had breakfast tamales in the area with a very rich fruit juice and well my friends ordered Coffee, which was very good too. Caral was amazing, I am a lover of history and archaeology, and the truth was shocked, my friends also marveled, Jordan Mendieta who was our guide was very dynamic and entertaining, we enjoyed the experience and our driver Manuel also quite attentive. Lunch was based on fish and we really liked it then we returned to our hotel around 6:30pm in Miraflores. Thank you KulTour Peru for the experience and for all its team of professionals.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 14 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 2+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 66
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lima.
How much does CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América cost?
+
Prices start at $229 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Lima usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América take?
+
Plan for about 14 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Lima is not rushed.
Is CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Lima, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América suitable for kids and families?
+
The operator sets a minimum age of 2. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 14-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América?
+
Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Lima can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Lima and add a light layer if any part of the 14-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Lima within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Lima?
+
On Outty we rank every Lima experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Paracas & Huacachina Premium Experience from Lima, Day Tour From Lima: Paracas, Huacachina, Pisco Vineyard & Sunset, Premium Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip from Lima with Sunset Toast. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Lima?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Lima?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for CARAL, the Oldest Civilization in América.
Pick your date
