Countryside Hacienda Visit

This countryside hacienda visit is interesting because it mixes a working ranch setting with a front row view of Peruvian Paso horse culture. I love the small group size, which keeps the day from feeling rushed. I also love that you get the full show experience and then get to mount and ride in the arena, not just watch. One possible drawback: plan for some walking on uneven garden grounds, and the tour depends on good weather.

You start at 11:30 am and get round-trip transfers from central Lima hotels in an air-conditioned vehicle. Then you step into Casa Hacienda Los Ficus, where manicured gardens, Marinera dancers, and El Paso horses all share the spotlight. If you want a long, high-adrenaline riding adventure or a huge, museum-style day, this is more of a relaxed, well-paced hacienda escape.

Key highlights at a glance

• Casa Hacienda Los Ficus: a working hacienda setting with iconic El Paso Paso horse culture
• El Paso horse show + Marinera dancers: chalanes (Peruvian cowboys) and performance in one place
• Your short guided arena ride: you get a turn after the show
• Lunch on the garden terrace: water and dessert included, plus a pisco sour (or soda option)
• Max 8 travelers: more personal time with your guide
• Round-trip transfers: hassle-free pickup from central Lima hotels

A fast escape from Lima, with real hacienda energy

This is a good choice when Lima starts to feel like nonstop traffic and tight schedules. In about 5 hours, you trade city noise for a working hacienda atmosphere, green gardens, and a horse show that is actually part of the property’s daily life.

The day stays friendly and human. With a maximum group size of 8, you do not get shuffled like luggage. Your guide can answer questions while you walk between garden spots, before the show, and again when you’re getting ready for the short ride.

Also, it’s not just sightseeing for sightseeing’s sake. Casa Hacienda Los Ficus is set up so you can watch, learn, and then participate. That matters because you leave with a memory that is more than photos of a pretty place.

Price and what makes it feel fair at $159 per person

At $159 per person, you’re not paying for a bare-bones transfer and ticket. You’re paying for a compact half-day package that includes several parts that would add up on their own in Lima.

Here’s what that price is really buying:

• Round-trip transfers from central Lima hotels in an air-conditioned vehicle
• Lunch served on the garden terrace, plus water and dessert
• One drink per person, a pisco sour by default, with a non-alcoholic soda option
• Horse show entertainment tied to the hacienda experience
• A short guided ride on the Peruvian El Paso horse
• Tour of the hacienda and gardens, plus included fees and taxes

That drink and that ride are the two value multipliers. A lot of “horse experiences” stop at watching. Here, you go from spectator to rider, even if it’s a quick arena loop.

The only “watch your wallet” point is that additional beverages beyond that one included drink cost extra, and soda/pop is not included beyond what’s offered as the alternative to the pisco sour.

Casa Hacienda Los Ficus: gardens, horses, and the El Paso tradition

Your day focuses on one main stop, Casa Hacienda Los Ficus, and it’s a strong way to do it. Instead of hopping between multiple sites and losing time to travel, you settle in and enjoy the hacienda rhythm.

You’ll start with a tour of the working hacienda and its gardens. The gardens are part of the show vibe, and they also set expectations for the property. Think manicured grounds and a clear sense that this is a real place where horses and people are active, not a staged background.

The star is the El Paso horse, the iconic “dancing” style associated with Peruvian Paso horses. This kind of horse is known for its distinctive high-stepping movement, and at the hacienda you get to see it in its element, guided by the chalanes (Peruvian cowboys).

In some recent experiences, people mentioned guides like Marco or Sergio, and they also called out support staff with roles around the horses, including Alejandra. Names can vary by date, but the takeaway is consistent: the people running the show usually have a clear job and are ready to help you feel comfortable.

Practical tip: if you’re taking photos, you’ll want to have your camera ready right when you move from the garden areas into the performance zone. That’s where you tend to get the best angles.

The pisco sour moment before the performance

The pacing includes a built-in pause that makes the whole day feel calmer. Before the show, you’re offered a pisco sour and you take in the atmosphere.

That sip matters because it helps shift you from Lima pace to hacienda pace. It’s also a nice cultural touch since pisco sour is a classic Peruvian drink and it’s presented as part of the day, not stuck on at the end.

If you prefer non-alcoholic, you can choose a soda option instead of the pisco sour for your included drink. Just remember, additional drinks are available to buy, but they are not included.

Horse show seats to short guided ride: the two-part structure works

This is where the tour earns its high ratings. You get two moments of horse time, one as a spectator and one as an active participant.

First comes the spectacular: Peruvian Paso horses stepping alongside Marinera dancers, while chalanes ride and guide the horses. The mix of horse movement and dance is what keeps it from feeling repetitive. It’s also a reminder that horse culture in Peru is not separate from other traditions.

Then, after you’ve watched the show, you get your turn. You mount the Peruvian Paso horse for a short, guided ride around the arena.

A few honest expectations:

• The ride is short. This is not a long trail ride.
• It’s guided, so you don’t need to worry about route finding.
• It’s set in an arena, which usually makes it less intimidating than open terrain.

If you’ve been afraid to ride, this is still one of the gentler ways to try. You get the feeling of being on a Paso horse without committing to a full-day excursion.

Lunch on the garden terrace, served in a relaxing setting

Lunch comes right after the horse entertainment, in a garden-terrace setting. That timing helps. You’re not hungry from spending the morning in transit, and you’re not rushing off to the next stop right after the show.

The lunch includes a main course plus water and dessert. Additional drinks can be purchased if you want something beyond your included one.

One detail I like about this setup is that some of what you eat may come from on-site gardens. Even without turning it into a food-lecture, it adds a sense that this lunch belongs to the hacienda, not to a random restaurant stop.

Food practical tip: since additional drinks cost extra, it can be smart to focus on water with lunch, then use your included drink earlier or alongside the show.

Getting there smoothly from central Lima

The logistics are designed to keep your day low-stress. You’re picked up and dropped off with round-trip transfers from central Lima hotels in an air-conditioned vehicle.

The start time is 11:30 am, and the total duration is about 5 hours. That means you still have time to do dinner in Lima after, without feeling like you vanished for a whole day.

Because it’s a small group and you’re not changing vehicles or stops, the schedule feels tight but not frantic. You’re basically getting one “anchor” experience, then leaving.

Also, you should know this is a weather-dependent experience. The hacienda show and the outdoor feel are the core of the tour, so if conditions are poor, the operator may shift plans or offer another date, or refund. That’s exactly the kind of thing you want to see when the key activities are outdoors.

Walking and how to make it easier on your body

You should expect a moderate amount of walking. The tour moves between garden viewing areas and the show space, then continues toward the terrace for lunch.

Good news: there is an option to modify. If you need slower pacing or fewer steps, you should say so early. Since the group is small, it’s usually easier for the guide to adjust how you move.

If you’re prone to knee issues or you dislike uneven paths, wear shoes with grip. In garden settings, the ground can be charming and slightly irregular at the same time.

Who this tour is best for

This is a great fit if you want:

• A half-day break from Lima that feels like a real place, not just a drive-by
• Horse show entertainment combined with a real chance to ride
• A small-group setup where you are not repeating questions five times
• A lunch experience in a scenic setting, with dessert included

It’s especially good for couples, friends, and solo travelers who want structure. You get the guide, you get the timing, you get the included meal and drink, and you get a clear activity arc from show to ride to lunch.

It might be less ideal if you want:

• Long riding hours or trail riding
• A more academic focus, like deep historical lectures (this day is action-first)
• An experience that is fully hands-off, because you do mount up for the short arena ride

Should you book the Countryside Hacienda Visit?

If you like horses, you like gardens, and you want an easy Lima escape with good value for a package deal, I’d book this. The combination of horse show + pisco sour + lunch on the terrace + your short guided ride is the reason it works. It gives you multiple ways to participate without eating your whole day.

Book it especially if you’re on a schedule and you want one high-quality stop outside the city. You’ll be back in Lima with dinner plans still intact, and you’ll have a story that is more than another photo stop.

Only skip if you know you cannot do moderate walking, or if you are traveling at a time when weather often fails. Otherwise, this is the kind of Peru day that feels fun, approachable, and genuinely different from what you do in town.

FAQ

How long is the Countryside Hacienda Visit?

It runs about 5 hours.

What is the price of the tour?

The price is $159.00 per person.

What is included with the $159 price?

It includes lunch, one drink per person (pisco sour or a soda option), a tour of the hacienda and gardens, a horse show, and a short guided ride. Round-trip transfers from central Lima hotels and all fees and taxes are also included.

Is lunch included, and where do you eat?

Yes. Lunch is served on the garden terrace and includes water and dessert in addition to the main course.

Do you ride the horse, or do you only watch the show?

You get both. You watch the horse show, and then you get your turn to mount the Peruvian El Paso horse for a short guided ride around the arena.

Is the group large?

No. The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

What about drinks like soda or pop?

Your included drink is one pisco sour per person, or a non-alcoholic option that includes soda. Additional beverages are available to purchase, but soda or pop beyond that included option is not included.

Where do you get picked up from?

The tour includes round-trip transfers from central Lima hotels.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance, and the tour can be rescheduled or refunded if poor weather affects it.