PERUVIAN TRAVEL

CONTACT US

PARACAS RESERVE, NAZCA LINES AND BALLESTAS ISLANDS 2D/1N

Considered one of the strangest and richest ecosystems in the world.

The Paracas National Reserve (340,000 hectares) was established in 1975 and is important for the protection of both bird life on the Paracas Peninsula and marine life in the sea. The Reserve is about 15km south from Pisco (not a particularly attractive place but famous for the white brandy named after the town). The entrance fee to the reserve is about US$2 per person. Places of interest within the Reserve include a visitors' center (free maps available) and an archeological museum (entrance US$1, 09:00-17:00 daily). A short walk down from the museum to the edge of Paracas Bay allows you to see several types of birds including flamingos feeding by the waterside.

The area within the Reserve played an important role in the Peruvian economy during the mid-nineteenth century. Vast quantities of 'guano' (birds' droppings) produced by the seabirds was exported to Europe for use as fertilizer. For many decades this industry was Peru's most important source of revenue.

The only marine reservation of Peru. Protection unit that has for objective the conservation of the marine ecosystem and of the characteristic formations of a portion of tropical sub desert, protection of the cultural and historical patrimony of the pre-Inca Paracas culture, and to promote the rational use of the marine resources.

From the total of its extension (335 thousand hectares), 217,594 correspond to marine waters and 117,406 to mainland.

The marine reservation has characteristic of great beauty, with average temperatures of 18.7°C (65.66°F), with sun almost the whole year and absence of rains. The wind has a speed average of 14.9 km/h (8.7 miles/h) and in some opportunities winds that reach speeds of 32 km/h (20 miles/h) that lift masses of sand which are denominated paracas.

The sea of Paracas presents small marine currents that favor the numerous presence of the plankton, origin of the marine food chain, giving place to a habitat of numerous marine species; are registered more than 250 species of algae. The terrestrial flora is almost nonexistent for the absence of rains.

Paracas Reserve

Paracas Reseve - Nazca Lines- Ballestas Islands Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: Early morning departure with private transportation from Lima to Paracas. Along the way, your guide will explain to you the traditions of the different sites we will visit such as the Pantanos de Villa, Pachacamac, Lagunas of Chillca, towns like Cañete and Chincha with a high population of afro-Peruvian people.
A visit to the castle of Unanue will sow you an impressive Moorish architecture. Upon arrival to Paracas, we board a boat for a visit to the Ballestas Islands, known also as the little Galápagos. This is where we can have close encounters with hundreds of sea lions, cormorans and abundant sea birds.
Lunch will be on your own and then we continue to the town of Nazca, where you will spend the night at the Hotel in Paracas.

DAY 2: Early morning, transfer from the hotel to the Marie Reich airport, where we will watch a video about the mysterious Nazca Lines and then take a flight in a small plane over the lines.
Later we will visit the pre -Incas tombs at Chauchillas, plus a visit to a ceramic factory and the healing waters of Laguna Huacachina.
Lunch will be on your own and afternoon return to Lima.

INCLUDES :