Set off on an unforgettable journey along the coast of Peru with this 2-day, 1-night tour to Paracas, Huacachina and the Nazca Lines. On this adventure, you'll combine nature, history and adrenaline: from the marine treasures of the Ballestas Islands to the mystical Ica desert and the enigmatic Nazca geoglyphs.
Boat trip around the Ballestas Islands, home to sea lions, penguins and a wide variety of guano birds.
Visit to an artisanal winery in Ica.
Adventure in the Huacachina oasis, with a dune buggy ride.
Flight over the Nazca Lines, a unique experience to see from the air the ancient figures drawn on the desert.
| Duration | 2 days and 1 night. |
|---|---|
| Starting point | Lima. |
| Service | shared. |
| Type | adventure. |
| Arrival in Lima (day 2) | scheduled for 10:00 p.m., subject to traffic conditions. |
We'll set off very early from your hotel in the districts of Miraflores or San Isidro; if you're staying in another district, we'll give you a nearby meeting point. During the drive of about 4 hours, we'll stop at a traditional roadside inn to enjoy a coffee and the famous wood-fired stuffed breads, freshly baked in artisanal ovens.
We'll reach the port of Paracas, El Chaco, where we'll board a shared boat to the Ballestas Islands. On the way, we'll see the Candelabra, a mysterious geoglyph 180 m long and 1.2 m deep, visible only from the sea or the air. At the Ballestas Islands, we'll witness incredible rock formations and marine wildlife: guano birds, Humboldt penguins, sea lions and, with a bit of luck, dolphins. The tour takes place entirely from the boat, letting you watch the animals in their natural habitat; it's common to spot a variety of species, although their presence depends on natural factors in their environment.
After the boat trip, we'll taste the famous chocotejas, a typical regional sweet made with pecans and manjar blanco, and you'll have a few free minutes to explore Paracas Bay. In the exceptional case that the tide is high and the boat can't sail for safety reasons, we'll visit the Paracas National Reserve, an area of 335,000 hectares known for its unique landscapes and its history as an ancient marine area.
We'll continue to the city of Ica, where we'll enjoy a traditional lunch included in the tour. Ica is known for its Creole dishes: we'll offer you four traditional regional dishes to choose from, served with a starter. After lunch, it'll be time to taste the famous Peruvian pisco: we'll try artisanal, locally made wines, piscos, pisco creams and mistelas, along with funny sayings typical of the region. Depending on the group's dynamics, lunch may take place before or after the visit to Huacachina.
Then we'll head to the Huacachina oasis, a paradise in the middle of the Ica desert. Here the adventure begins with a thrilling high-speed shared dune buggy ride across the dunes. We recommend that older people, pregnant women and people with heart conditions don't take part in this activity, as it involves the sudden, demanding movements typical of off-roading. You can also try sandboarding: the activity includes a special board for sliding down the dunes sitting or lying down. If you'd prefer to sandboard standing up, you can choose our tour with private transport and add this activity as an extra.
After a day full of adventures, it'll be time to rest at your hotel in Huacachina. Keep in mind that vehicle access in Huacachina is limited, so the shared transport will drop you off at a nearby access point from where you can walk to your hotel.
We'll leave from your hotel in Huacachina in private transport. Since flights in Nazca are usually scheduled early, pickup is at approximately 6:30 a.m., adjusted to the confirmed flight slot.
You'll enjoy a unique experience viewing from the air the enigmatic figures drawn in the desert, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The flight is shared. Because of the plane's maneuvers to show each figure, some people may feel airsick; if you're prone to motion sickness, we recommend asking your doctor about taking pills to prevent it.
After the flight, we'll return to Huacachina in private transport. You'll have free time for lunch in the area (not included) and to enjoy the oasis. Later, we'll return to Lima in shared transport: departure is scheduled between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. (we'll confirm the exact time and meeting point) and, after a drive of about 4 hours, you'll arrive at your hotel in Miraflores or San Isidro.
The tour starts early in the morning on day one and ends in the late afternoon on day two. Arrival in Lima on day 2 is scheduled for 10:00 p.m., subject to traffic conditions.
The flight departs from the Nazca airfield, a few hours from Huacachina. The transfer is included in the day-two itinerary.
The flight lasts approximately 30 to 35 minutes. During the flight, you'll see figures such as the hummingbird, the monkey, the astronaut, the spider and more.
Small planes designed for scenic tourist flights: every seat has a window, and headphones are provided so you can follow the pilot's commentary during the flight.
We recommend light, comfortable clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen and a jacket for the morning or the flight. Also bring your passport and your camera.
In the exceptional case that the tide is high and the boat can't sail for safety reasons, we'll visit the Paracas National Reserve.
Since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and daylight. Every visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique, unrepeatable ways.
