A long ride can still feel short. This Lima horse experience sends you from the city to Casa Hacienda Los Ficus for a real Peruvian Paso horse show, then wraps up with food and drinks back-to-back with the performance. I especially like that you get both the story of how these horses are bred and trained, and the hands-on moment of riding with a professional rider.

One thing to consider: the day is time-boxed, so if you’re hoping for a full, slow hangout at the ranch, you may want to choose the right departure time—or bring patience for a structured itinerary.

Key things to know before you go

• Real hacienda setting outside Lima: a working feel, not a staged city venue.
• Two departures, two vibes: morning focuses on tour + lunch; afternoon adds an open bar and appetizers.
• You may ride: you’ll get time on a horse with a professional rider nearby.
• Show includes dance of the chalanes and marinera norteña: entertainment tied to northern Peru.
• Small group size: maximum 15 travelers, which keeps things more personal.
• Transfers matter here: expect a long drive each way as you move from town into the countryside.

Paso horses at Casa Hacienda Los Ficus: the main idea

This is one of those tours that makes sense the moment you picture it: Lima’s traffic is one kind of chaos. Then you step onto a hacienda grounds where horses are the whole point.

You’ll start with hotel pickup in Lima. From there, you head out toward Casa Hacienda Los Ficus, where you’ll meet a guide in a colorful native costume. The plan is built around three phases: learn the basics, watch the trained performance, then enjoy food and drinks.

The best part isn’t just the spectacle. It’s the way the experience explains the Paso horse world: you’ll take a walking tour of the hacienda and learn about breeding. That helps the show click into place, because you can actually connect what you’re seeing on the arena floor with how the horses are raised for their movement and skills.

Morning vs afternoon: lunch tour or open-bar tapas

You get a real choice here: morning or afternoon. Same core idea—hacienda, Paso horses, show, and transfers. But the day format changes in ways you’ll feel.

Morning departure (tour + exhibition + lunch)

This version includes the guided tour of the hacienda, the exhibition performance, and a full Peruvian lunch. The lunch menu is specific: roasted chicken, vegetables from the farm, native potatoes, stewed beans, and a traditional Pisco sour. Dessert is also included, which is nice because lunch isn’t treated like a quick snack.

Afternoon departure (tour + exhibition + open bar + appetizers)

If you prefer a more “evening show energy” approach, the afternoon option swaps your meal structure for something lighter but drink-forward. It includes Peruvian tapas plus an open bar with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

If you’re the type who wants a proper meal and sits down to enjoy it, the morning is usually the easier sell. If you’re more into the drinks and the performance and you don’t want a heavier lunch, afternoon makes more sense.

The drive out of Lima and the hacienda welcome

The ride out from Lima takes time. Plan for it. One of the clearest notes from people who do this is that both directions are over an hour of driving, depending on traffic and where you’re staying.

Why does that matter? Because it sets your expectations. This isn’t a “quick hop out and back” experience. The value is that the long drive buys you a major change of scenery: you go from urban Lima to a countryside hacienda atmosphere where you can hear and see horses doing their thing.

When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by the guide in that colorful native costume, then you’ll walk the hacienda. This is where you get a feel for the place and the horses’ environment before you’re asked to focus on the show.

Riding the Paso horse: short, memorable, and supervised

You’ll be given time to ride your own horse—though you won’t be doing it alone. The experience notes that you ride with a professional rider accompanying you, which is the key safety detail here.

How long is the riding moment? The information you have doesn’t spell out minutes. So treat it like a “chance to ride” rather than a full lesson. Your goal is to get that physical sense of how the Paso movement feels, while the professionals handle the technique.

I like this setup because it lets horse lovers participate without requiring you to be an experienced rider. And if you’re not a rider, the tour still has plenty to offer: breeding info, stables/grounds impressions, and the live performance.

The show: chalanes, marinera norteña, and trained athleticism

The exhibition is where this experience earns its place on your Lima itinerary. You’ll watch a performance of the Paso horses’ skills, paired with dance.

Two specific elements stand out in the description:

• the dance of the chalanes
• marinera norteña, a typical dance of northern Peru

That pairing matters. It’s not just horses moving in patterns. It’s horses in a cultural performance framework, which helps you understand why the day feels more like a living tradition than a generic animal show.

The setup also focuses on training stages. Several people highlighted that the guide’s commentary connected the performance to how the riders support the horses and the beauty of the horses’ athletic ability. If you’re paying attention, you’ll get more than entertainment. You’ll get a simple mental map for what the Paso horses can do and why.

And yes, you’ll likely notice how friendly the animals seem around the facilities. There’s something calming about seeing the horses up close in the stable area before the arena routine starts.

Lunch and Pisco sour: farm-forward Peruvian comfort

Food is a major reason this tour gets such strong marks. The lunch described for the morning option is built from local ingredients and farm basics, not a generic tourist plate.

You can expect:

• roasted chicken
• vegetables from the farm
• native potatoes (served in a way that feels specifically Peruvian)
• stewed beans
• a traditional Pisco sour
• dessert included

One thing I’d call out: lunch is served right after the tour and exhibition, so you’re moving from “watch and learn” to “sit and refuel” with no long gap. That keeps the pace enjoyable instead of tiring.

If you choose afternoon, you’ll still eat, just in a different format: tapas plus the open bar. So you’re not just watching a show and then drinking. There’s food included with the late-day vibe.

Price and value: $149 for horses, food, and round-trip transfers

At $149 per person for about 5 hours, this is priced like an activity with real overhead: transportation, staff, entertainment, and a meal with drinks.

Here’s how I think about value in plain terms:

• You’re not arranging anything. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Lima. That matters in Lima, where getting out to the countryside on your own can turn into a timing puzzle.
• You get the full package. The tour includes all activities and a guided experience at the hacienda, plus lunch (morning) or tapas and drinks (afternoon).
• Small group size helps. With a maximum of 15 travelers, you’re less likely to feel like a number.

One possible cost surprise: airport or port pickups in the Callao area may involve an extra charge. The info you have says there can be an additional US$15 per person for pickup/drop-off from places not listed. If you’re starting from the airport (Jorge Chávez) or the port area (Callao), it’s smart to confirm the final transfer cost up front.

Overall, I’d call this a good value if you want a Paso horse experience with food and a cultural performance. If you’re strictly on a tight budget and would rather DIY, this won’t beat a cheaper entrance fee plus a self-planned ride. But it’s built for convenience and one-stop satisfaction.

Timing, pace, and how the day actually feels

The tour runs about 5 hours. In the schedule details, one departure plan shows pickup around 11:15 with a return drop-off around 16:00—which lines up with an afternoon-style day ending back in Lima.

That time-boxed structure is the main reason you should match the departure time to your preferences:

• Morning is better if you want lunch and a full learning-to-show rhythm.
• Afternoon is better if you want open bar plus tapas and you’re okay with a lighter meal.

Also, remember you’re commuting twice. If you’re the type who hates long drives, you’ll still enjoy the experience, but you may feel the day is “event first, rest later.” Bring that mindset.

Practical tips for an easy day in Lima’s countryside

A few practical notes will help you have less friction.

Wear comfortable shoes

You’ll do a walking tour of the hacienda, plus you’ll spend time watching from the arena area and moving between spaces.

Bring sun protection

Even though the hacienda is a different world, you’re still in Peru and you’ll be outdoors for portions of the day.

Plan your water and snacks mindset

Lunch/tapas are included, but you may still feel hungry if you eat lightly before pickup. If you’re prone to getting shaky between meals, eat something small before you’re picked up.

Pick your drink plan early

Afternoon includes an open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. If you’re thinking of trying Pisco or enjoying cocktails, it’s easier to decide ahead of time rather than waiting until you’re tired.

Confirm if a ruins stop is important to you

The itinerary text you have mentions Pachacamac Ruins as a possible stop, but there’s also a note in the experience record indicating this stop might not happen exactly as described. If Pachacamac is a must for your day, confirm directly with the provider before you lock in expectations.

Who this is for (and who should skip it)

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• want a memorable Paso horse experience without needing riding expertise
• enjoy seeing culture and performance tied to regional traditions (chalanes and marinera norteña)
• care about a complete package: transfers + show + food/drinks

It’s not ideal if you:

• hate long drives and want minimal time in a vehicle
• want lots of free roaming time on the property (the schedule is structured)
• need a highly flexible day plan you can reshape on the fly

Should you book this Lima Paso horse show?

Book it if you want a Lima escape that feels like more than a one-hour attraction. The experience is built around three things that matter: a real hacienda setting, a show that connects horses and cultural performance, and included food (morning) or tapas plus open bar (afternoon). Add in the small group size and the chance to ride with a professional rider, and you get a full, easy-value outing.

I’d hesitate only if your schedule is tight, you dislike countryside drives, or you’re expecting an unstructured all-day ranch hangout. For everyone else, this is one of the simpler ways to spend a half-day in Lima’s horse country while still leaving time to enjoy the city later.

FAQ

How long is the Lima horse show tour?

It runs for about 5 hours (approximately), depending on the departure time and the drive back into Lima.

What’s included in the price?

You get hotel pickup and drop-off, the hacienda activities and live entertainment, and a Peruvian meal setup. Morning includes lunch with dessert and a Pisco sour. Afternoon includes appetizers (tapas) plus an open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Do I get to ride a horse?

Yes. You’ll have a moment to ride your own horse, accompanied by a professional rider.

What’s the difference between morning and afternoon?

Morning includes the tour, the horse exhibition, and lunch. Afternoon includes the tour, the horse exhibition, plus Peruvian tapas and an open bar.

Is pickup available from the airport or Callao port?

Pickup and drop-off are offered, but for pickups from the airport and Callao port area there may be an extra cost of US$15 per person for locations not listed. You’ll pay this directly to the driver/guide.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.