Tour Overview
The cryptic Nazca Lines attract many people to Peru's southern coast. Depart by private car from Lima and stop at the Regional Museum in Paracas which holds a vast collection of fossils, mummies, robes and Nazca pottery. Then, experience what is sure to be the highlight of the extension- an overflight of the mysterious lines at Nazca. The fact that the lines could only be seen and appreciated from the air has led to many theories, some of which can at best be described as very wild. Also see the Ballestas Islands- Peru's Galapagos! Here, sea lions, seals, penguins and turtles rarely found at this latitude converge before you. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of almost virgin beaches and discover all the surprises the Paracas National Reserve will offer you.Day by Day Itinerary
Option 1: The Nazca Lines & Islas Ballestas from Pisco:Day 1: Lima- Paracas
Transfer from your hotel in Lima to the train station to board the Royal Class bus service to Paracas. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the hotel’s many amenities.
You will be confirmed for two nights at the Libertador Paracas Hotel in a standard room with breakfast included. The Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort sparkles like a jewel in the Paracas Bay, its dazzling architecture in perfect step with the lovely surrounding nature. Guests may enjoy 120 comfortable rooms, a restaurant, a trattoria, a bar-lounge, a luxury spa, conference rooms and all types of activities available.
Libertador Paracas Hotel- Standard Room Day 2: Paracas
Today is the highlight of the extension- a 35-minute flight over the Nazca Lines. Sixty years ago Nazca was like any other small Peruvian town with no special claim to fame, except that is was necessary to cross one of the world’s driest deserts to reach the town from Lima. But it is that desert- a sketchpad for ancient Amerindians- that has since drawn thousands to this sun-bleached town of 30,000 and made the pampa (plain), north of the city one of the greatest scientific mysteries in the New World. The Nazca Lines are a series of drawings of animals, geometric figures, and birds ranging up to 1,000 feet in size, scratched onto the arid crust of the desert and preserved for about 2,000 years (it is estimated) owing to a complete lack of rain and winds that cleaned- but did not erase- the surface of the pampa. The Nazca Lines are giant etchings in the desert, created by removing rocks from the sand and piling them up to created vast shapes. These include long, straight lines, running for kilometers, triangles and zigzags, as well as the better-known zoomorphic lines, such as the spider, monkey and hummingbird. Impressive enough as giant desert artwork, it is the mystery behind the lines that gives them their enduring appeal (as well as providing documentary makers with a constant supply of film? the BBC seems to have a Nazca special every couple of years!).
The lines were begun over 2,500 years ago, and the Nazca people probably continued to etch them for hundreds of years. However, modern knowledge of the lines only emerged in 1926 with the first flights over the area by Mejía Jespe. The fact that the lines could only be seen and appreciated from the air has led to many theories, some of which can at best be described as very wild. Judge for your self today as you experience a once in a lifetime flight over these mysterious lines.
This afternoon, visit the Paracas National Reserve. On the south coast of Peru is the Paracas National Reserve (near Pisco), the home to one of the largest sea-lion colonies in the world. Just offshore are the Ballestas Islands, an excellent place to see marine and bird life. These spectacular islands, eroded into many caves and arches, provide shelter for thousands of seabirds and hundreds of sea lions. Although the islands fall just outside the Paracas National Reserve they are protected by separate legislation. The islands are home to over 150 species of marine bird including the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, boobies and pelicans. Even condors have been known to visit. On the shores can be seen large numbers of sea lions and in the sea it is possible to encounter dolphins and even whales. Visitors are not allowed onto the islands but views of the wildlife from the boat are usually excellent. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of almost virgin beaches and discover all the surprises of the Paracas National Reserve may offer you.
Breakfast
Libertador Paracas Hotel- Standard Room Day 3: Paracas- Ballestas Islands- Lima
This morning after breakfast, depart for an excursion to the Ballestas Islands- Peru’s Galapagos. On the south coast of Peru is the Paracas National Reserve (near Pisco), the home to one of the largest sea-lion colonies in the world. Just offshore are the Ballestas Islands, an excellent place to see marine and bird life. These spectacular islands, eroded into many caves and arches, provide shelter for thousands of seabirds and hundreds of sea lions. Although the islands fall just outside the Paracas National Reserve they are protected by separate legislation. The islands are home to over 150 species of marine bird including the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, boobies and pelicans. Even condors have been known to visit. On the shores can be seen large numbers of sea lions and in the sea it is possible to encounter dolphins and even whales. Visitors are not allowed onto the islands but views of the wildlife from the boat are usually excellent. The tours also pass the 'Candelabro' - a 50m candelabra-shape traced in the desert hillside overlooking the sea. There are numerous theories as to its origin (best left to the guides to explain some of them).
Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of almost virgin beaches and discover all the surprises of the Paracas National Reserve may offer you. This afternoon return to Lima by bus and transfer to your hotel in Lima. (Hotel in Lima not included)
Breakfast Option 2: The Nazca Lines & Islas Ballestas from Ica:
Day 1: Lima- Ica
Transfer from your hotel in Lima to the train station to board the Royal Class bus service to Ica. In the afternoon, stop and tour the Regional Museum, one of Peru’s most interesting small regional museums. But even more interesting are exhibits of mummies, ceramics and skulls from the Paracas, Nazca and Ica cultures. On display are a number of quipus, the mysterious knotted strings believed to have been used to keep calculations, records, and historical notes for the Incas, who had no system of writing. The Regional Museum also has an excellent collection of Paracas textiles and feather weavings. And most visitors fins their curiosity piqued by the rehydrated mummy hand on display- a must see for those who think they have seen everything! Overnight at Las Dunas Hotel. The desert, the sun, an oasis. Three ponds. Total rest. Lots of fun. You are at Las Dunas Sun Resort Hotel. Here, the sun always shines providing a setting and a special atmosphere for everything you are about to experience. Your senses will be exposed to everything. Communication with the real world will be broken. Get ready to enjoy days and nights out of the ordinary. Las Dunas offers you the possibility of being very active and restful at the same time, of enjoying the contact with nature while you stimulate your taste buds. An unforgettable experience awaits you in this desert.
Las Dunas Hotel- Standard Room Day 2: Ica- Paracas
Today is the highlight of the extension- a 35-minute flight over the Nazca Lines. Sixty years ago Nazca was like any other small Peruvian town with no special claim to fame, except that is was necessary to cross one of the world’s driest deserts to reach the town from Lima. But it is that desert- a sketchpad for ancient Amerindians- that has since drawn thousands to this sun-bleached town of 30,000 and made the pampa (plain), north of the city one of the greatest scientific mysteries in the New World. The Nazca Lines are a series of drawings of animals, geometric figures, and birds ranging up to 1,000 feet in size, scratched onto the arid crust of the desert and preserved for about 2,000 years (it is estimated) owing to a complete lack of rain and winds that cleaned- but did not erase- the surface of the pampa. The Nazca Lines are giant etchings in the desert, created by removing rocks from the sand and piling them up to created vast shapes. These include long, straight lines, running for kilometers, triangles and zigzags, as well as the better-known zoomorphic lines, such as the spider, monkey and hummingbird. Impressive enough as giant desert artwork, it is the mystery behind the lines that gives them their enduring appeal (as well as providing documentary makers with a constant supply of film? the BBC seems to have a Nazca special every couple of years!).
The lines were begun over 2,500 years ago, and the Nazca people probably continued to etch them for hundreds of years. However, modern knowledge of the lines only emerged in 1926 with the first flights over the area by Mejía Jespe. The fact that the lines could only be seen and appreciated from the air has led to many theories, some of which can at best be described as very wild. Judge for your self today as you experience a once in a lifetime flight over these mysterious lines. Return to Ica and transfer (about 1 hour) to Paracas, where you’ll check into your hotel and then enjoy an afternoon visit to the Paracas National Reserve. You will be confirmed for tonight at the Libertador Paracas Hotel in a standard room with breakfast included. The Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort sparkles like a jewel in the Paracas Bay, its dazzling architecture in perfect step with the lovely surrounding nature. Guests may enjoy 120 comfortable rooms, a restaurant, a trattoria, a bar-lounge, a luxury spa, conference rooms and all types of activities available.
Breakfast
Libertador Paracas- Standard Room Day 3: Paracas- Ballestas Islands- Lima
This morning after breakfast, depart for an excursion to the Ballestas Islands- Peru’s Galapagos. On the south coast of Peru is the Paracas National Reserve (near Pisco), the home to one of the largest sea-lion colonies in the world. Just offshore are the Ballestas Islands, an excellent place to see marine and bird life. These spectacular islands, eroded into many caves and arches, provide shelter for thousands of seabirds and hundreds of sea lions. Although the islands fall just outside the Paracas National Reserve they are protected by separate legislation. The islands are home to over 150 species of marine bird including the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, boobies and pelicans. Even condors have been known to visit. On the shores can be seen large numbers of sea lions and in the sea it is possible to encounter dolphins and even whales. Visitors are not allowed onto the islands but views of the wildlife from the boat are usually excellent. The tours also pass the 'Candelabro' - a 50m candelabra-shape traced in the desert hillside overlooking the sea. There are numerous theories as to its origin (best left to the guides to explain some of them).
Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of almost virgin beaches and discover all the surprises of the Paracas National Reserve may offer you. This afternoon return to Lima by bus and transfer to your hotel in Lima. (Hotel in Lima not included)
Breakfast Day 4: Depart Lima
This morning you will be driven to the airport from your hotel in Lima to catch your international flight.
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