Discovering Caral, The Oldest Civilization In America
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 37 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Discovering Caral, The Oldest Civilization In America worth booking?
Discovering Caral, The Oldest Civilization In America is a 16-hour experience in Lima, Peru, from $115 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 37 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (37)
- Duration
- 16 hours
- From
- $115 per person
Descubre la cuna de la civilización en un emocionante tour de día completo a Caral y Bandurria desde Lima. Explore the ancient city of Caral, the oldest civilization in the Americas, with its impressive monumental archit
What you get
- Lunch (✅Included in Premium)
- Tourist transport with air conditioning
- Breakfast (✅Included in Premium)
- Entrance ticket to Bandurria (✅Included in Premium)
- Official Tourism Guide
- Entrance Ticket to Caral
About this experience
Descubre la cuna de la civilización en un emocionante tour de día completo a Caral y Bandurria desde Lima. Explore the ancient city of Caral, the oldest civilization in the Americas, with its impressive monumental architecture and pyramids. Continue your journey to Bandurria, an archaeological site located by the Pacific coast, known for its ancient temples and fascinating history. Immerse yourself in Peru's pre-Inca heritage as you uncover the mysteries of these two remarkable archaeological treasures in a single day!
What's included
Included
- Lunch (✅Included in Premium)
- Tourist transport with air conditioning
- Breakfast (✅Included in Premium)
- Entrance ticket to Bandurria (✅Included in Premium)
- Official Tourism Guide
- Entrance Ticket to Caral
Not included
- Personal expenses
What you'll see and do
Miraflores
San Isidro – Miraflores – Downtown Lima – Barranco: We begin our adventure by picking up each traveler from their Hotel or Airbnb at 6:00 am in the morning according to our included pick-up points (1 day before we will confirm the pick-up time according to the location of their Hotels) .
10 minutes here · Admission included
Zona Arqueologica caral
09:00 AM – 09:30 AM: Welcome and Orientation in Caral Upon arrival in Caral, you will be welcomed by our specialized guide. You will receive a detailed introduction to the history and archaeological significance of Caral before beginning your exploration. 09:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Tour of the Caral Archaeological Complex Explore ancient pyramids, plazas and archaeological structures dating from approximately 3000 BC to 1800 BC Discover the rich culture and architecture of this pre-Inca civilization.
240 minutes here · Admission included
Caral
06:30 AM – 09:00 AM: Road Trip to Caral Enjoy a comfortable trip as you travel from Lima to the archaeological complex of Caral. Along the way, you'll be able to appreciate the changing landscape and learn about the history of the region.
240 minutes here
Huacho
12:30 PM – 02:00 PM: Lunch at a Local Restaurant Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, where you can taste Peruvian cuisine and rest before continuing your day (Lunch not included).
60 minutes here
Lima
03:30 PM – 07:00 PM: Return to Lima Begin the journey back to Lima, reflecting on the richness of history and culture you have experienced in Caral. 07:00 PM: Arrival at your Hotel in Lima Conclude your day with arrival at your hotel in Lima, with your mind full of knowledge about the amazing civilization of Caral. This itinerary provides a complete experience, allowing you to explore the archaeological treasures of Caral in a single day from Lima.
240 minutes here
Bandurria
Explore the ancient archaeological site of Bandurria, located on the Peruvian coast. Discover its impressive pyramids, ceremonial structures, and learn about one of the oldest settlements in the Americas while enjoying views of the Pacific Ocean.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Miraflores
Return to your hotel in Miraflores, Barranco or San Isidro.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Premium - Caral and Bandurria
Visit two archaeological jewels: Caral, the oldest civilization in America, and Bandurria, a millennial site. Nutrition Pickup included
Essential - Full day Caral
Enjoy a complete experience visiting the oldest civilization in America. ❌DOES NOT INCLUDE food Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Inca Trilogy Tours S.A.C
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- From 5 years they pay the full rate
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 37 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
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
37 verified traveler reviews for Discovering Caral, The Oldest Civilization In America. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The Sacred City of Caral-Supe
Seeing what the oldest civilization in the Americas built, and being at site with all their pyramids was amazing! The long drive from Lima was well worth it. Benjy, our driver, knew the roads so well. Jose was a good guide & answered all of our questions too. I’m thankful that this tour was available.
Response from the operator: We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed learning about the history and impressive structures of Caral, the oldest civilization in the Americas. We sincerely appreciate your trust in Inca Trilogy for this unforgettable experience, alongside our team members Benjy and José. Thank you for choosing Inca Trilogy.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing trip to Caral and Bandurria.
Amazing trip to Caral and Bandurria, exploring the ruins of one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Our guide, Noemí, was fantastic — she gave us a complete and insightful background on the history of these ancient civilizations and of Peru.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much, Schneider! 🌟🙌 We’re delighted you enjoyed discovering Caral and Bandurria with Noemí — her passion for history truly brings these ancient civilizations to life 🏛️✨ Thanks for choosing Inca Trilogy Tours! 💛
via Tripadvisor
Beautiful excursion to Caral and Bandurria
A great tour that allowed us to learn about the earliest known civilization in the Americas. Ricardo provided an excellent, professional, and attentive guide, with great assistance from Benami as our tour driver.
via Tripadvisor
Avoid booking this tour from Lima when the Rio near Caral is flooding
The site should not be visited from Lima when the Rio near Caral is flooding. Our car trip from Lima, in a small vehicle with ordinary suspension, took 14 hours. Of these 14 hours, about 10 were spent on the road, and of these 10 hours 3 were spent on a tedious and unkempt dirt road that now serves chicken farms. We were the only tourist party on the road. These three hours were not only tedious but they were excruciating because my wife suffers from severe back pain and the bumpy drive triggered an inflammatory crisis. She will have to spend time in bed to recover. The company, Inca Trilogy Tour, told us that the new road currently used to access Caral could not be taken because of the Rio's flooding. We would have liked to have been told of the fact when we booked the tour. POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS, BE SURE TO CHECK THE ITINERARY OF THIS TOUR BEFORE BOOKING a Caral tour with it. We suggest that the tour not be offered when the Rio is flooding.
Response from the operator: First of all, we apologize for the inconvenience caused to you and your wife, we will take your opinion into account to improve so that it does not happen again. Thank you very much for your comment!
via Tripadvisor
tour operator that does not maintain its vehicles, exposing customers to inconvenience and insecurity on high-speed high
We do not recommend the tour operator Inca Trilogy Tours. They use poorly maintained and destroyed cars to run the tour. First, the car's power source, which was needed to charge the cell phone, was broken. Second and worst, the car's gears got stuck and the driver was unable to unlock it. So we were stuck driving in 2nd gear for several kilometers on the Panamericana until we stopped and they tried to get us a taxi. After waiting for more than 3 hours and they were unable to find anything, they did not solve the problem. We had to find a gentleman who took us back to Lima for a fee. Absurd
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We regret that the issue with the vehicle at the end of the tour caused you any inconvenience. We want to clarify that, despite this setback, the activity proceeded as planned, including all the visits to the tourist sites and the provided meals. The vehicle problem was an unforeseen circumstance that we addressed as quickly and efficiently as possible. We are pleased to know that the tour itself met your expectations and that we managed to resolve the issue without significantly impacting your experience. We are committed to providing quality service and regret if the incident has led to a negative perception. We appreciate your comments and will take them into account as we continue to improve. If you have any further concerns or wish to discuss this matter in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 16 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $115 to $390
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 13
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Inca Trilogy Tours S.A.C, who run 17 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.6 and 2 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Inca Trilogy Tours S.A.C runsWhy this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Discovering Caral, The Oldest Civilization In America: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lima.
How much does Discovering Caral, The Oldest Civilization In America cost?
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Prices start at $115 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 Discovering Caral, The Oldest Civilization In America take?
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Plan for about 16 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 Discovering Caral, The Oldest Civilization In America worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 37 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 Discovering Caral, The Oldest Civilization In America?
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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 Discovering Caral, The Oldest Civilization In America suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 16-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Discovering Caral, The Oldest Civilization In America?
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Around 13 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?
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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 16-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Discovering Caral, The Oldest Civilization In America start and how do I get there?
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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?
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On Outty we rank every Lima experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting, The Complete Lima Experience: History, Culture & Flavors, #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!. 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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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