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Blog - Jim's Thoughts

Peru Tours and Travel

Suggested Packages / Amazon / Cusco / Lima / Lake Titicaca / Arequipa / Nazca
Trujillo & Chiclayo / Chachapoyas / Trekking / Multisport / Rafting / Biking

PISCO-NAZCA-PARACAS TOURS

Pisco gives its name to the white grape brandy produced in this region - the famous PISCO SOUR" cocktail is known worlwide. It is fairly important port of about 82,000 inhabitants and lies some 283 Kms south of Lima. We use Pisco as a base with economical hotels to see the wildlife of the nearby Ballestas Islands and Paracas Peninsula but the area is also of considerable historical and archeological interest.
The resort village of PARACAS is about 15km south of Pisco, with an attractive hotel with accommdations better than Pisco but also more expensive.

THE PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE
The Paracas National Reserve encompasses land and sea and the most important wildlife on the Peruvian coast. The area is particulary known for its bird and marine life. The birds nest on the offshore islands in such numbers thar their nitrogen-rich droppings (guano) collect in quantities large enough to be commercially exploited for fertilizer. This practice dates from at least Inca times. The most common guano-producing birds are the Guanay Cormorant, Peruvian Booby and the Peruvian Pelican. These are seen in colonies of several thousand birds. Less frequently seen but of particular interest, are the Humboldt Penguins on the Ballestas Islands and the Chilian Flamingos in the Bay of Paracas. The Andean Condor occasionally comes down to the coast and may be seen gliding majestically on the cliff thermals of the Peninsula.

BALLESTAS ISLAND CRUISE
Cruise around the Ballestas Islands to see plenty of birds and marine life like sea lions lying on the rocks or swimming around the boat. Some species like penguins are less visible. En route we'll see the giant figure etched into the coastal hill called Candelabra similar to the figures of the Nazca Lines.

ICA
Ica Is a pleasant colonial town of about 150,000 inhabitants 306 Km from Lima. The PanAmerican Highway heads inland from PISCO, rising gently to 420 meters above sea level at ICA. Because of this, the town is high enough to rise above the coastal garua (sea mist) and the climate is dry and sunny. The desert surrounding Ica is noted for its huge sand dunes and deserts, abundant "HUARANGOS", palms trees, cotton and grapes. Ica is also Peru's chief wine centre, some Bodegas can be visited, it is a Pisco destillery with ancient grape press made with huge tree trunks, out of town is the Huacachina Lagoon, surrounded by sand dunes. The Regional archeological Museum with magnificent collection of ceramics, skulls, and the Cabrera museum with collection of engraved stones are also main atractions.

NAZCA
NAZCA, 141km south of Ica and 443km from Lima at 619m is a town with 30,000 people, set in a green valley amid a perimeter of mountains. Its altitude of 619 meters puts Nazca just above any fog which may driff in from the sea, the sun blazes the year round by day and the nights are crisp.

The Nazcas had a highly developed civilization which reached its peak about AD 800. Their decorated ceramics, wood carvings and adornmentsof gold are on display in many of Lima's museums.

The valley about 35km south of Nazca is full of ruins, temples and cemeteries where mummies, bones, pottery shards and scraps of textiles may be seen lying in the desert sun, although the best pieces have of course been taken by grave robbers and archaeologists. More cemeteries are being found all the time.

At the edge of the town is the water reservoir taken by the Nazcas through underground aqueducts (many still in use) to water the land.

About 22km north of Nazca along the Pan-American Highway, are the famous Nazca Lines, Cut into the stony desert are large numbers of lines, not only parallels and geometrical fugures, but also some forming the shape of a dog, an enormous monkey, birds, a spider and a tree. The best way to fully appreciate the giant archaeological mystery is to take a flight over the lines that are huge geometric designs drawn in the desert and visible only from the air. Flights are taken in light aircraft.

Sample Itineraries

#1 - Nazca-Ica-Paracas
Day 1 Lima - Ica - Early morning transfer to the bus station. Take the Royal Class special bus to the city of Ica (308 Km/191 miles South of Lima). Bus will leave passengers at Las Dunas Hotel. In the afternoon take a small (one engine) plane to Nazca and fly over the mysterious Nazca lines, which is the only way to see them. These are drawings made in the sand over 2,000 years ago, that time and weather have not eroded. You will see gigantic geometrical lines resembling a landing field and over 32 figures including a monkey, a spider, a condor, a reptile, a fish, a bird, etc. The biggest figures are the reptile (180 mts/590 ft long) and the monkey (90mts/295 ft.)

Day 2 Ica - Paracas - Lima Breakfast. Transfer by private car (1 hour) to the Bay of Paracas for a cruise out to the Ballestas islands (90 mins.), where you will see sea lions, penguins and more than 60 species of sea birds and wild life. On the way you will also see the "Candelabra" a huge sand design on the hilly coast, only seen from the sea or sky. Afternoon return by Royal Class bus to Lima. Meet on arrival and transer to your hotel.

2010 Price per person in US$: $724 single, $555 per person double, $504 per person triple
Includes all transfers, transportation, hotel with breakfast, Nazca overflight, cruise.

#2 - Nazca-Ica-Paracas
Day 1: Lima - Ica - Nazca - Early morning transfer to the bus station. Take the Royal Class special bus to the city of Ica (308 Km/191 miles South of Lima). Bus will leave passengers at Las Dunas Hotel. Upon arrival, transfer by private car to Nazca. During the afternoon visit the main attractions of Nazca : Maria Reiche Museum, Lookout of the Lines, Weaving figure, Cantalloc Aqueducts and Paredones.

Day 2: Nazca - Ica - Paracas - Breakfast. During the morning, take a small (one engine) plane to Nazca and fly over the mysterious Nazca lines, which is the only way to see them. These are drawings made in the sand over 2,000 years ago, that time and weather have not eroded. You will see gigantic geometrical lines resembling a landing field and over 32 figures including a monkey, a spider, a condor, a reptile, a fish, a bird, etc. The biggest figures are the reptile (180 mts/590 ft long) and the monkey (90mts/295 ft.) After lunch private transfer to Paracas, stopping at Huacachina Oasis in Ica.

Day 3: Paracas - Lima - Breakfast. Early morning cruise to the Ballestas islands (90 mins.), where you will see sea lions, penguins and more than 60 species of sea birds and wild life. On the way you will also see the "Candelabra" a huge sand design on the hilly coast, only seen from the sea or sky. Afternoon return by Royal Class bus to Lima. Meet on arrival and transer to your hotel.

2010 Price per person in US$:

Includes all transfers, transportation, hotel with breakfast, Nazca overflight, cruise.

Also see Added Value Tours