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Paracas, Ica & Nazca
DESERTS, BEACHES AND ENIGMATIC GIANT FIGURES
250 km south of Lima lies Paracas. This sandstorm swept peninsula has been in former times the centre of one of Peru’s oldest civilisations. The Paracas wildlife reserve homes a great diversity of sea mammals and exotic birds such as red and white flamingos. The coloured presence of al sorts of birds gives brilliant vitality and extra life to a desert coast which is also known for the serene beauty of its beaches.
The Ballestas Islands, who are part of the reserve, and reached from Paracas by boat, are home to thousands of resident and migratory sea birds as cormorants, terns, albatrosses, pelicans, gulls and timid Humboldt-pinguins. The cosy hotel in the Paracasbay is perfect for a weekend stay.
An hour further along the Pan-American Highway, in the middle of the most dry desert of the continent lies Peru's richest vine culture region – the busy oasis of Ica. Ica, 310 km south of Lima, also houses a very fine museum filled with mummies, pottery and skulls that belongs to Paracas, Nazca- and Inca-cultures. The regional museum also holds an excellent collection of 3000 year old Paracas textile and feather.
Further south, at 444 km from Lima, lies Nazca, obligated stopover for visitors to the famous lines and for travellers on the road to Lima, Arequipa and Cusco. These world famous giant animal and geometric figures were scratched out in the desert 2000 years ago by the Nazca people. Best viewed from the air, flights over the drawings can be arranged from Ica, Nazca and Lima.
*If you are interested in one of these tours, go to our contact form
Programs
ICA 001
2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT
DAY 1 / LIMA – ICA
Drive 310 km south along the Panamerican highway through arid deserts and lush coastal oasis. Arrival at the fertile Ica Valley at midday. In the afternoon flight over the enigmatic Nazca Lines. Overnight at Ica.
DAY 2 / ICA – PARACAS – LIMA
A 60 km drive takes you to Paracas for an excursion by boat to the Ballestas Islands to observe thousands of resident and migratory seabirds and sea lions in their natural habitat. In the afternoon a relaxing drive takes you back to the hotel in Lima. (B)
*Daily departures.
*Seat in bus available with tour restrictions.
ICA 002
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
DAY 1 / LIMA - NAZCA
Drive 444 km south along the Panamerican highway through arid deserts and lush coastal oasis. Stop in Ica at midday for a visit to the Regional Archaeological museum. Overnight in Nazca.
DAY 2 / NAZCA – PARACAS
Morning flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines. In the afternoon transfer to Paracas to enjoy the rest of the day at a cosy hotel in the Paracasbay. (B)
DAY 3 / PARACAS – LIMA
In the morning an excursion by boat takes you to the Ballestas Islands to view thousands of resident and migratory birds and sea lions in their natural surroundings. In the afternoon a relaxing drive takes you back to the hotel in Lima. (B)
*Daily departures.
*Seat in bus with tour restrictions.
*If you are interested in one of these tours, go to our contact form
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