Why travel?
PARACAS:
The desert and the sea come together in spectacular fashion in Paracas, in the department of Ica, just a few hours south from the city of Lima. The cliffs that fringe the beaches are teeming with life: millions of birds that live here year-round, and thousands of others that fly from the Northern Hemisphere and from further south, ranging from guano birds to Humboldt penguins. The region boasts a breathtaking seaside, sunny climate, and varied marine wildlife that you can admire in the National Reserve of Paracas or during a boat tour around the Ballestas Islands. For a relaxing beach getaway with plenty of sunbathing, Paracas cannot be beat.
Just 9 miles (15 km) from the port of Pisco is the Paracas Natural Reserve, which covers more than 335,000 hectares of land and water. The reserve is home to one of the largest sea lion colonies on earth as well as an immense concentration of marine birds (over 220 species) and other wildlife.
The Ballestas Islands, an oasis of rocky islands located just offshore of Paracas Bay, are characterized by natural arches and caves that are home to hundreds of sea lions and unique bird species. Bird lovers will have the opportunity to observe and admire rare species such as the Humboldt penguin, Peruvian booby, guanay cormorant, Inca tern, and seaside cinclodes, a land bird.
A Paracas tour also includes attractions for history and archaeology lovers. The Paracas culture arrived to Paracas Bay as early as 1,300 BC and established fishing villages that still exist today. The Inca Empire conquered the region in the 16th century but the Paracas people left behind some of Peru's most advanced weavings, ceramics, stone carvings, and metal jewelry, as well as eerie cemeteries in the desert.
NAZCA
Nazca is situated in the Ica department along the southern coastal valleys of Peru, six hours by bus from Lima, is the quaint, colonial-style town of Nazca. Home to an impressive pre-Inca underground aqueduct system and the mysterious Nazca Lines. The Nazca Lines, discovered in 1927, are the most extraordinary legacy left by a culture that flourished in 300 BC. The lines are a series of complex designs, some up to 300 meters long which can only be seen in their true dimension from the sky, from an altitude of at least 1,500 feet. The Nazca culture is not believed to have been capable of manned flight. But the question remains as to how they crafted the drawings, what technology they used and what purpose the lines served.
Nazca’s extraordinary geo-glyphs are the main attraction. The lines are thought to have been created by three different waves of pre-Inca cultures: the Paracas people (900-200 BC), the Nazca civilization (200 BC - AD 600), and the Huari (AD 630). These immense representations of animal, human, and geometric shapes are spread across more than 200 square miles between the Nazca and Ingenio Rivers.
The incredible stylized drawings have been the subject of countless studies and several theories abound as to their purpose and method of construction. Whatever their origin, the collection of shapes can be appreciated with a flight over the Nazca Lines, enabling you to see what the creators probably never did.
What to do in?
PARACAS
The desert and the sea come together in spectacular fashion in Paracas, in the department of Ica, just a few hours south from the city of Lima. The cliffs that fringe the beaches are teeming with life: millions of birds that live here year-round, and thousands of others that fly from the Northern Hemisphere and from further south, ranging from guano birds to Humboldt penguins.
Boats set out from the port to tour the Ballestas Islands, giving visitors a chance to gaze at the sea lion colonies. By car, one can reach the port of Punta Pejerrey, from where one can look out across the hillside at the candlestick-like figure of the Candelabro, carved into the sand with a similar technique to the Nazca Lines, although possibly of a different origin: theories range from pirates marking a treasure hiding place to soldiers fighting for Latin American independence from Spain.
Back on the traditional circuit, the road leads to the on-site museum and the ruins of the burial grounds of the Paracas culture (700 BC), whose weaving skills have been admired the world over. A trail leads down to a protected bay, the natural habitat of flamingoes, the scarlet-and-white birds that inspired the colors of the Peruvian flag. They are not to be disturbed. Further south lie the striking natural rock formations of the Cathedral and Mendieta. At sunset, the Paracas coast spins through a range of colors, the signal for nostalgic visitors to return to the city.
Visit Ballestas Islands Tour.
Paracas is known for its extraordinary marine wild life and wonderful natural setting. Enjoy a boat tour, lasting approximately 2 hours, around the Ballestas Islands, where you can observe countless species, including the world’s largest sea lion colony. You can also view seals, penguins, turtles, albatrosses, pelicans, and seagulls.
Candelabro, a well-known geoglyph, is carved into the coastal sand dunes and is visible from the boat when you take a tour to Ballestas Islands. Various theories exist as to its purpose. Some claim that it marked a treasure hiding place for soldiers fighting for independence from Spain, others believe that the drawing is part of the Nazca series.
Visit Tambo Colorado Archeological Remains
It is a very well preserved Inca urban center, possibly built during the time of the Inca Pachacutec as a lodge for soldiers and high-level authorities.
Visit Paracas National Reserve.
If your tour to Islas Ballestas doesn't satisfy your yearning to see marine critters, then a trip to the spectacular National Reserve of Paracas might do the trick. Named after the blustering paracas (sandstorms) that buffet the west coast each winter, the Paracas National Reserve is Peru's first park for marine conservation. This stunning coastal reserve, located on a peninsula south of Pisco, is chock full of pelicans, condors, and red-and-white flamingos; the latter are said to have inspired the red-and-white independence flag designed by General San Martín when he liberated Peru.
On shore you can't miss the sound (or the smell) of hundreds of sea lions that congregate here, while in the water you might spot penguins, sea turtles, dolphins, and manta rays. Walking along the thin dirt tracks that crisscross the peninsula, you’ll pass beautiful sheltered lagoons, rugged cliffs dotted with caves, and small fishing villages. You can easily stroll from the bay to the Julio C. Tello Museum, and on to the fishing village of Lagunilla farther across the neck of the peninsula.
Travelers looking for still more adventure can continue their hike toward Mirador de Lobos (Sea Lion Lookout) located at Punta El Arquillo. Carved into the highest point in the cliffs above Paracas Bay you will see the grandiose Candelabra of the Andes, large enough to be seen from 12 miles out to sea.
NAZCA
Visit Nasca Lines.
Pampas of San Jose. 25 km / 16 miles from Nasca (15 minutes). Kilometer marker 149 of the Pan-American Highway South It is a vast network of lines and drawings of animals and plants credited to the Nasca culture covering an area of approximately 350 km2 / 135 miles2. Some of the best drawn figures are the hummingbird, the dog, the monkey, and the long-tailed mockingbird. The German, Maria Reiche, devoted 50 years of her life to studying and researching the area and came to the conclusion that it was an astronomical calendar. From a 12 meter / 39 feet lookout, you can partially observe the shapes of the hand and the tree. However, in order to appreciate the drawings fully, it is recommended to fly over the area in a small airplane. The Nasca Lines were placed on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1994. To see and get a better view and a more unique experience with a Nazca fly over. You can book a flight either from Nazca or from Pisco if you are based in Paracas.
Visit Antonini Didactic Museum
Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. A collection of archaeological pieces of the different stages of the Nasca culture as well as trophy heads, musical instruments like pan flutes, textiles, mummies, etc. are exhibited in this museum. These discoveries are the result of the excavations done in “Cahuachi”, the largest mud maid ceremonial center in the world. The museum also provides the chance to see the Bisambra canal, which shows the magnificent hydraulic engineering work of the Nascas.
Visit Cantalloc Aqueduct
4 km / 2 miles from Nasca (15 minutes)
It is an aqueduct built by the Nasca culture which still works today. Flagstones and acacia trunks were used to build it and they have resisted the march of time.
Visit Paredones
Kilometer marker 1 of the Nasca-Puquio Highway (5 minutes from Nasca)
It is an archaeological site that probably was an Inca administrative center. Formed by numerous rooms, terraces, and patios, its buildings have stone foundations and adobe walls.
You can also visit the Chauchilla cemetery, dating back to 1,000 AD, where mummies rest in open tombs in the ground.
Visit Cahuachi Ceremonial Center
30 km / 19 miles western of Nasca (30 minutes)
This complex of truncated adobe pyramids built by the Nascas features a patio and a wide terrace with covered rooms. On top of the main temples, huge rooms with dozens of columns were found. The majority of these pyramids were abandoned during the fifth and sixth centuries A.D.
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