Food, history, and pisco in one long day. You’ll begin at the Surquillo market, then move straight into hands-on Peruvian cooking using ceramic pots, and finish with a classic Lima walk that hits the Cathedral and San Francisco’s catacombs. I like how the day ties ingredients to flavors, and I like the way the city stops feel like a story you can actually follow, not a checklist.

One thing to keep in mind: the schedule is packed. You’ll get plenty of great views, but many stops are short, so come with comfy shoes and a flexible pace for an ~8-hour day.

Key things that make this day work

• Market-first plan: you shop for ingredients in Surquillo before cooking
• Chef-led, hands-on cooking: chopping, prep, and then lunch in the kitchen
• Ceramic pots: a traditional cooking method meant to keep flavors natural
• Small group: maximum of 10 people, so you get real attention
• San Francisco catacombs included: one of Lima’s most memorable sights
• Old Lima photo loop: plazas, churches, and streets like Jirón de la Unión

Why this Lima tour starts with Surquillo, not a bus ride

I like food tours when they teach you something you can use again later. This one does that by starting at Market No. 2 Surquillo in the district of Surquillo. Instead of arriving hungry and hoping for the best, you’re walking the market with your chef and guide and learning what ingredients Peru uses and why they matter.

Expect a guided scan of stands, fruit and vegetables you might not recognize, and a practical shopping moment: you’re buying the ingredients you’ll later cook. It’s also one of those places where the city feels real fast. The best part is that you don’t just look—you learn what you’re going to taste.

Time-wise, this is about 45 minutes. That sounds short, but market shopping plus a plan for cooking moves quicker than you’d expect. If you want to linger in photos, you might want to do that at the end of the day on your own.

From market prep to real cooking: the kitchen class in ceramic pots

After the market run, you head to the kitchen area. The flow is straightforward: chop ingredients, prep so everything is ready, then cook. You’ll get hands-on time rather than just watching from the sidelines, and your chef Nindi (along with guide Jose) keeps the lesson grounded in technique and flavor, not vague food talk.

A standout detail here is the equipment: you cook in ceramic pots, described as a method used by ancestors. The point for you is simple. Ceramic cooking changes heat behavior, and it’s part of the traditional approach that helps dishes taste deeply flavored without relying on heavy shortcuts.

The class includes appetizers, a starter, and a main course, plus fruit for a little break in the middle. Lunch is included as part of the lesson. If you’re vegetarian, there’s an option—just tell them when you book so the menu matches your needs. And if you have any other dietary restrictions, it’s your job (and it makes sense) to flag them ahead of time.

A helpful bonus: your day has built-in snacks and bottled water, which matters in Lima, where you can feel every hour of sun and walking.

Pisco and old-city Lima: from Plaza San Martín to Jirón de la Unión

Once you’ve been fed and fueled, the tour shifts into walking and sight stories. Plaza San Martín is a calm anchor early on. Your local guide talks through the country and local life, and you get a sense of how Lima feels day-to-day: gardens, locals hanging out, and a pace that’s gentler than the city’s traffic corridors.

Then you move to Jirón de la Unión, which is one of those Lima streets where architecture does half the explaining for you. You’ll look at wooden balconies, religious altars, monumental churches, and even the texture of street life—shops, chicken spots, and local music. There are a lot of quick stops here, so don’t expect long museum-style time. Instead, think of it as a high-density orientation. You’ll leave with a mental map of where things are and what to look for later.

San Francisco monastery and catacombs: the most unforgettable stop

If you only care about one “big ticket” sight, make it this one. The Monastery of San Francisco and its catacombs are included, and the time on-site is about 30 minutes.

What makes this worth your attention is the contrast: the surface church experience is impressive, but the catacombs are the moment that sticks in your head. You’re guided through colonial-era context and the traditions of Lima’s inhabitants from the 16th through 18th centuries. This isn’t just spooky for the sake of spooky. It’s the kind of site that helps you understand why Lima’s religious power was so central for centuries.

Practical note: catacombs often mean tighter passageways and steps. You can’t assume you’ll be comfortable if you dislike enclosed spaces, uneven floors, or dim areas. Bring shoes with traction and take your time.

Presidential Palace and Palacio-area coffee-and-pisco energy

Next comes a panoramic look at the Presidential Palace (Palacio de Gobierno). You don’t stay long—about 5 minutes—but you’ll get a clear explanation of what it represents and the daily changing of the guard.

Right by the palace area is Restaurante Cordano, described as one of Peru’s oldest official bars. It has plenty of personality, not a fancy, dress-up vibe. The point of stopping here isn’t a long meal; it’s a quick cultural moment. The connection to notable writers and presidents is part of the story, including Ernest Hemingway. You’ll likely spot classic Peruvian dishes and pisco options. Tour highlights mention a pisco tasting session, and Cordano is the natural place on this route for that kind of stop—just remember alcoholic beverages are for sale, while the tour includes the structured experiences and your guidance.

If you’re the type who likes tasting a city’s flavors without committing to a full restaurant detour, this stop fits perfectly.

The Cathedral, Plaza de Armas, and the plazas that feel like the center of the world

Lima’s colonial center is heavy with symbolism, and this tour hits it with real stops, not just glances from the street.

First, you’ll view Lima Cathedral with a short, focused stop (about 5 minutes). You’ll get context on why other churches had to follow specific height rules during the colonial era and why ceremonies here mattered. For photos, the guide helps point you to the best panoramic view, which is useful because Lima’s streets can be confusing if you’re walking on your own.

Then you step into Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor), another big highlight. It’s a central square with Spanish-influenced architecture and gardens, surrounded by historic buildings that signal how Lima functioned as a colonial power center. Before arriving at the plaza itself, you walk along Ancash Street to see the Happy Inka market, where you can browse indigenous carvings and textiles and pick up a souvenir if you want one.

Time is around 20 minutes for the plaza portion. That’s enough to get the overview and take photos, but not enough to linger for hours. If you want to study carvings or jewelry, plan on returning later.

Pasaje Santa Rosa and Santo Domingo: spiritual Lima beyond the postcard

Two more stops round out the old-city loop.

Pasaje Santa Rosa is a narrow street where locals go to enjoy the day. It can feature temporary exhibitions and has an always-fresh-breeze feel, based on the tour description. The important part for you is that this place is said to hide a highly sacred rock used by still-living Indigenous communities for offerings and rituals connected to Mother Earth. This is one of those stops that reminds you Lima’s layers aren’t only colonial—they also include living traditions.

Next is the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo. The convent is described as the oldest in South America, and it’s connected to a time when it had one of the tallest towers on the continent. Your stop is mainly outside, and you’ll take a car back toward your accommodation area after this point. If the church is open, you can take a quick look inside, but don’t count on a long interior visit.

This pair of stops is short, but it gives depth. It also helps you avoid the classic mistake of seeing only churches as architecture. Here, they’re also about belief and continued practice.

How the route feels: pacing, walking, and what you’ll remember

This is an 8-hour full day that blends three styles of touring:

1) Food learning with a chef (market + cooking class)

2) Guided city orientation (plazas and streets)

3) One major cultural site (San Francisco catacombs)

Many stops are timed to the minute, with several quick photo-and-context moments (often around 5–20 minutes). That structure is good if you want value and variety without needing a whole week. It can feel rushed if your travel style is slow, museum-first, and unhurried.

For most people, the trick is to treat the short stops as picture windows. Let your guide set the context, then decide what you want to revisit later on your own. A day like this gives you your first map of Lima’s “why,” which makes independent exploring much easier later.

Price and value: why $110 can make sense in Lima

At $110 per person for a full day, this is not a budget street-food-only option. But for what you get, the value is pretty solid.

You’re paying for:

• A professional chef and guided cooking instruction
• Lunch plus snacks and bottled water
• A professional guide for the walking and history portions
• Air-conditioned round-trip private transportation
• Entrance ticket included for the catacombs

Also, the group is capped at 10, which usually means more hands-on cooking time and more attention from the guide.

If you’re planning to do just a walking tour plus a separate cooking class, you’d likely spend similar money anyway once you price in transport and paid entry. The combo format is the money-saver here.

One more thing I appreciate: you’re not only eating. You’re learning ingredients and getting the city context that makes those dishes and places feel connected.

Who should book this full-day Lima cooking + city tour

This tour is a great match if you want:

• A food-focused day that still includes major old-city Lima sights
• Hands-on cooking time with a chef (not just a meal with background noise)
• A small group format with round-trip transport
• A guided visit to the catacombs without needing to plan it yourself

It’s also a smart choice if you arrive in Lima and want an orientation day. You’ll see the Cathedral area, Plaza de Armas, and the major historic streets, so your next day of wandering becomes easier.

If you dislike structured schedules, want deep time in one single museum, or hate walking, you might find the pacing intense. But with good shoes, most people can handle it.

Should you book Haku Tours for this Lima day?

Yes, book it if you want a single day that mixes market-to-plate cooking with real old-city Lima. The chef-led class, ceramic-pot method, and included catacombs make it feel like more than a sightseeing package. The guides (Jose on the route, plus chef Nindi in the kitchen, and Filippe on the walking portion in at least one run) also make the day feel personal rather than mechanical.

Pass if you want a slow travel pace or you’d rather pick fewer stops and spend extra time alone. In that case, you might do better with a smaller, single-topic tour.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in Lima?

The tour starts at 8:30 am.

How long is the full-day experience?

It runs for about 8 hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It starts at Av. José Larco 724, Miraflores 15074, Peru, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included as part of the cooking class.

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance tickets to the catacombs (Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas) are included.

Do they offer a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available. You should advise them when booking.

What’s included in the price, and what is not?

Included: professional chef, professional guide, lunch, snacks, bottled water, catacombs entrance, and air-conditioned vehicle transport. Not included: alcoholic beverages and soda/pop (for sale).

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.