Peruvian Colca Trails - Ballestas Islands & Paracas Reserve

Join us on this wonderful nature tour of the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas National Reserve. As well, enjoy a fantastic flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines. The series of naturally formed arches and caves of the Ballestas Islands are perfect shelter for masses of seabirds and sea lions. These islands are called the “Galapogos of Peru”. Also, marvel at the abundance of wildlife including waterbirds at the Paracas National Reserve. Then come on a flight over the astonishing Nazca Lines which were created between 500BC and 500AD. This collection of geoglyphs comprises of more than 70 human figures and stylized animals. You must fly above these lines to appreciate their beauty and complexity.

Ballestas Islands, Paracas,&

Nazca Lines Overflight

ITINERARY

Day 1: Ballestas Islands Tour

Early morning transfer from your hotel to the bus station at 7:00 am and take a Royal Class bus to Pisco- Ica (3 hours). On arrival, we transfer to the hostel.

At 10.30 am we take an excursion for 2.5 hours to the Ballestas Islands. We catch a delightful tourist boat. These islands are spectacular and are eroded into numerous arches and caves, which provide shelter for thousands of seabirds, some of which are very rare, and also sea lions. These islands are known as the "Galapagos of Peru".

The island is isolated from people so as not to disturb the wild life. As the boat approaches, you get closer to the amazing inhabitants including, pelicans, penguins, cormorants, Peruvian boobies, walruses, sea lions, turtles, dolphins, whales, etc.

We return to the port of Paracas for lunch and transfer to the hotel.

In the afternoon we can arrange an optional tour for sand boarding and the Huacachina Oasis; or visit the “bodegas” (cellar), where the grapes are processed to get wine and pisco pure (liquor).

Day 2: Paracas National Reserve
At 7:15am transfer to the port where we will take a motorboat excursion to Paracas National Reserve for 2 hours. Paracas is one of the best wildlife and marine reserves in Peru, with the highest concentration of sea birds. There are over 1,800 species of plants and animals and is the habitat for resident and migratory waterbirds.

Also we pass and appreciate Paraca´s Candelabra, a mysterious ancient etching on the sandy slope, perhaps a location signal.

Then we return for lunch, check out from the hotel and transfer to the bus terminal to go to Nazca airport for a flight over the Nazca Lines. There are at least 13 giant figures etched on the sandy soil that we can only appreciate from the small plane flying over the lines. We see the monkey, spider, hummingbird, a geometrical bird, whale, tree, etc. These mysterious lines seem like an astrological calendar, but these days it is still unknown how they were made. These Lines were declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1994.

Finally, transfer to the bus station to take the Royal Class bus to Lima or Arequipa if you continue south.

INCLUDED:

· Public bus tickets Lima / Ica / Nazca / Lima

· Boats to Ballestas Island and Paracas Reserve

· Plane over Nazca Lines

· Transfers

· 1 night at hotel, including breakfast

· Tourist tickets for the area

· Guide fluent in English and Spanish

NOT INCLUDED:

· Bottled water

· Meals