Ica – The Enigmas of the Nazca Lines – Paracas – Ballestas Islands

Departures: Daily

Itinerary

Day 01: Lima / Ica / Nazca / Ica

Departure from Lima to Ica (4 hrs). On arrival to Ica, you will board your light aircraft for the overflight of the Nazca Lines, located in the Pampas of San Jose, 25 km from Nazca, with an approx. flight time  of 1 hour and 30 minutes. The Ancient dwellers from the Nazca culture, left a valuable archaeological legacy, consisting of a huge network of lines and drawings depicting animals and plants.

Discovered in 1927 by Toribio Mejía Xesspe, they have been studied by Paul Kosok, Hans Horkheirmer and, in particular, María Reiche, a German scientist who lived in the area for more than 50 years, studying and investigating their origin. A flight over the Nazca Lines is an unforgettable experience.

Return to Ica. Overnight in Ica.

Breackfast: Not Included Lunch: Not Included Dinner: Not Included Overnight: Hotel

Day 02: Ica / Lima

Breakfast. Excursion to Ballestas Islands by boat (Regular), where sea lions, Humboldt penguins, flamingoes or pariguanas and seabirds can be closely observed. Following the coastline, you will be able to observe a Candelabra (or Cactus) engraved in a hill, also known as “Tres Cruces” (Three Crosses), and is located northwest of the Bay of Paracas, between Martín and Talpo beaches.

Return to Lima. Arrival and transfer to hotel. (B).

Breackfast: Agency Lunch: Not Included Dinner: Not Included Overnight: Hotel

Crossing the desert: Sand Dune Buggying

At a coordinated time, departure from the hotel to board your sand Buggy, to enjoy a desert safari (1 Hr.30mins).

You will be able to experience the wonderful desert of Ica with its great diversity of sand dunes. An unforgettable moment for nature lovers.

Paracas National Reserve

The only naturally protected area with marine territories and ecosystems with a surface area of 335,000 hectares

The main tourist attraction of this Reserve is the great diversity of birds. Among the most visible mammals, are the different species of sea lions, like the Southern sea lion (Otaria byronia) and the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis), as well as the marine otter (Lutra felina), which is in danger of extinction. Some marine turtles frequent the waters of Paracas, mostly during the warm seasons and during phenomenas such as El Niño, which is when they expand their range of distribution.

Within the ocean itself there is also a great diversity of flora.

Visit the Paracas National Reserve and the local Museum.

INCLUDED

• Excursions as described, transportation, entrances, specialised tour guide.
• Meals where stated (B=Breakfast /L=Lunch / D=Dinner)
• Accommodation with breakfast.
• Transportation by bus (regular service) Lima / Ica & Ica / Lima
• Nazca Overflight.

NOT INCLUDED

• Services not specified in the programme, extras and tips.