A countryside break from Lima is the best kind of plan. This 5-hour outing from central Lima takes you to Casa Hacienda Los Ficus, where you can watch Peru’s famous El Paso horses in action and spend time on a working hacienda with gardens and horses up close.

Two big wins are the small group setup (max 8) and the fact that lunch on the garden terrace is fully handled for you, not something you have to hunt down afterward.

One consideration: the horse show and your riding time are short, so if you’re hoping for a long, hands-on equestrian experience, this may feel more like a polished taste than a deep dive.

Key things that make this hacienda visit worth your time

• Small group, more guide attention with a maximum of 8 travelers
• El Paso horse show plus marinera dancers at a working hacienda setting
• Short guided arena ride right after the performance
• Lunch served on the garden terrace (with water and dessert)
• Round-trip hotel transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle

A Small-Group Escape from Lima’s Noise to Casa Hacienda Los Ficus

Lima can be a lot: traffic, schedules, crowds, and that constant “where do we go next?” feeling. This tour is built to counter that. You start at 11:30am and you’re back to Lima after about 5 hours, with round-trip transfers from central Lima hotels. That means you spend your energy on the experience, not on figuring out transportation.

What I like most is the small group format, with a cap of 8 people. In practice, that usually means your guide can keep an eye on everyone, answer questions as they come up, and adjust the flow if your group needs a breather. It also tends to make the hacienda portion feel more personal, especially when you’re moving between the show space and the gardens.

You also get a working-hacienda experience, not just a staged attraction. Casa Hacienda Los Ficus is presented as a private hacienda with horses and residents, and the day is organized around that reality—views, gardens, a show, then food in the outdoor terrace setting.

One practical detail to keep in mind: the tour includes a moderate amount of walking, though there is an option to modify. If you prefer to keep it easy, tell your guide early so they can pace the garden time and reduce unnecessary detours.

El Paso Horse Show and Marinera Dancing: The Real Point of the Day

The main event here is the El Paso horse, Peru’s iconic horse known for its smooth, high-stepping “dancing” gait. The hacienda setup is meant to show you how the horses move and how the performance fits into Peruvian culture.

The show pairing matters. You’re not just watching horses in isolation. The performance concept brings together horses ridden by chalanes (Peruvian cowboys) alongside marinera dancers. That combo helps you understand the horses as more than a novelty—this is a cultural performance tradition that’s built around rhythm, control, and showmanship.

Before things get loud and energetic, you’ll typically get the feel of the place: perfectly manicured gardens, scenic views, and time to meet the horses in their real environment. Then the pisco moment lands right in the middle of it. You’ll be offered a pisco sour as part of the experience, with a non-alcoholic option that includes soda.

This drink isn’t just a bonus. It’s timed like a palate reset before the performance ramps up. If you don’t drink alcohol, you still get the same idea: a simple, included refresh while you settle into the show.

Your Short Guided Ride Around the Arena (And What It Means)

After the show, you get your chance to get on a horse. The tour includes a short, guided ride around the arena, and the experience is designed so you can participate without needing special training.

In terms of expectations, think of this as a controlled introduction. It’s not described as a long trail ride, and the duration is kept short. That’s a tradeoff: you get the thrill and the connection of riding, but the time stays focused on safety and flow. If you’re the type who wants 90 minutes in the saddle or time to practice technique, this won’t be that kind of day.

But if you want an efficient, memorable equestrian moment inside a broader hacienda visit, it’s a strong match. You’ll leave with three separate “horse beats” in one outing: seeing the El Paso show, watching riders and dancers as a combined performance, and then getting the short guided ride yourself.

You might also appreciate the human element here. Some guides you could encounter on this kind of outing are described as very knowledgeable and supportive with the day’s Lima context, and the horse handling may be led by people who are especially good with guests and introductions to the animals. The key is that the tour keeps the experience friendly and understandable, not intimidating.

Lunch on the Garden Terrace: How the Food Portion Adds Real Value

Most countryside tours in the Lima area promise lunch and then quietly hand you something average. Here, lunch is one of the reasons the tour feels “worth it,” especially at a set price of $159 per person.

Lunch is served on the garden terrace and includes water and dessert along with the main course. Additional drinks are available to purchase, but the baseline meal is planned for you. That matters for value because you’re not paying separately for food, and you’re not wasting time trying to locate a decent place once you arrive.

The tour also emphasizes that some of the meal is served up fresh from the on-site gardens. Even if you never track where your produce was grown, you can usually taste the difference when a kitchen is set up to cook with what’s right there.

One more smart detail: food and drink are timed around the show. That means you get a full day rhythm—performance, pisco sour, riding moment, then lunch. It prevents the common problem of being hungry before the show or overly full during the riding.

If you’re traveling with a mix of interests—some people want culture, some want animals—this lunch structure helps satisfy everyone.

Timing, Transfers, and Comfort: The Logistics That Make or Break Your Day

The tour starts at 11:30am and runs about 5 hours total. That timing is deliberate: late enough that you’re not eating breakfast at a chaotic pace, but early enough that you still get a proper countryside block without losing your whole afternoon back in Lima.

Transportation is handled by an air-conditioned vehicle, plus round-trip transfers from central Lima hotels. That’s a big quality-of-life upgrade if you’re staying in or near the city center and don’t want to coordinate multiple taxis or rides.

The tour is also built for a manageable day length. You aren’t signing up for an all-day commitment. You’re getting an efficient countryside experience that still feels like an escape.

Also note that the experience is described as requiring good weather. If conditions are rough, the operator may offer a different date or a full refund. Translation: the hacienda experience is meant for outdoor gardens and shows, so weather matters more here than on tours that work in museums or indoor spaces.

Pricing: What $159 Buys You (and Why It’s Not Just a “Show Ticket”)

At $159 per person, you’re paying for a bundle: transportation, entry, food, one drink, and the core activities. It’s not just a horse show price.

Here’s what you’re actually getting:

• Hacienda & gardens tour
• El Paso horse show with chalanes and marinera dancers
• One pisco sour per person (soda option available)
• Short guided ride around the arena
• Lunch on the garden terrace, plus water and dessert
• Air-conditioned vehicle and round-trip transfers
• All fees and taxes included

That combination is where the value comes from. If you were trying to replicate this on your own—booking transport, paying for a structured experience at a hacienda, and figuring out lunch—you’d likely spend both time and money. The tour removes the hassle and gives you a single plan with timing built in.

One caution on value: you’ll want to be comfortable with the “short” riding format. The horse show is the centerpiece, and your ride is the included follow-up, not a long horseback excursion. If your main goal is hours of riding, you might compare this against a longer equestrian option.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want Something Else)

This hacienda visit is a great fit if you want:

• a hassle-free countryside escape from Lima
• an animal-focused cultural show experience
• an outing that includes lunch so you don’t plan meals
• a small-group feel with personal guide attention

It also says that most travelers can participate, with a moderate amount of walking and an option to modify. So it’s likely reasonable for many visitors, especially if you’re not trying to turn the gardens into a long hike.

If you’re traveling as a couple, this is a nice “one big organized day” choice. If you’re traveling solo, it’s easier than managing transportation alone. If you’re with friends, the small group size helps keep it from feeling like a factory tour.

If you’re a serious horse person chasing technical riding skills or long riding time, you may find the ride portion too brief. But if you’re after a memorable introduction to the El Paso tradition inside a pretty, functioning hacienda with good lunch, it’s a strong match.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the countryside hacienda visit?

It runs about 5 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 11:30am.

Where is the tour located?

It takes place in Lima, Peru, at Casa Hacienda Los Ficus.

How much does it cost?

The price is $159.00 per person.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

What’s included with the price?

Lunch on the garden terrace (with water and dessert), one pisco sour per person (soda option), a short guided ride on the Peruvian El Paso horse, air-conditioned vehicle, and a tour of the hacienda & gardens. All fees and taxes are included.

Is admission included?

The admission ticket is listed as free.

Is horse riding included, or is it just a viewing?

You’ll watch the horse show and then have your turn to mount the horse for a short guided ride around the arena.

Are any drinks included besides the pisco sour?

Water is included with lunch, and dessert is included. Additional drinks are available for purchase, but soda/pop is not included.

What if the weather is poor or the minimum number of travelers isn’t met?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of travelers; if that minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Should You Book This Los Ficus Hacienda Tour?

If you want one organized day that combines Peru’s El Paso horse performance, a quick riding moment, and a real lunch in a garden setting, this is a smart booking. The mix of small group size, included meal, and round-trip transfers makes it low stress, which is exactly what you want when you’re fitting the countryside into a Lima trip.

Book it if your priority is: a fun, structured hacienda visit with horses and culture, and you’re fine with a short guided ride. Consider a different option if your main goal is spending more time on horseback or you’re expecting a longer, more hands-on equestrian session.