Paracas, Ica, Nazca: 3 Days, 2 Nights (Land Tour)

DAY 1

The tour begins with pickup at the Paracas bus station, where our driver will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name to take you to our office.

The tour begins with a visit to the Ballestas Islands. Our first stop will be the Candelabro, located on the Paracas Peninsula, then we’ll continue to the islands, where we’ll be able to admire the rock formations while the guide explains the local flora and fauna. You’ll be able to spot animals such as sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and various bird species, including boobies, guanay, cormorants, and zarcillos, among others. At the end of the tour, we’ll return to the starting point in the Chaco.

We’ll have about an hour of free time, which you can use to stroll along the Chaco Boulevard, where you’ll find many craft shops. Afterward, we’ll meet back at the Paracas Explorer office for the tour of the Paracas National Reserve.

In the Paracas National Reserve, we’ll visit the Peninsula’s Isthmus—definitely one of the best spots in the Reserve, as it offers a fabulous view of places like Lagunillas, Playa Roja, and La Mina. After visiting the Isthmus, we’ll continue on to Playa Roja, where we’ll make a short stop to enjoy the scenery. This beach is famous for its distinctive red sand—it’ll leave you spellbound! We’ll continue on to La Mina Beach, where you’ll have some time to enjoy the beach. Finally, our last stop will be at Lagunilla, a “fishing cove,” where you’ll have the chance to sample the delicious dishes offered by the restaurants before returning to the starting point.

Day 2

The next morning, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy breakfast at the hotel (we recommend 8:00 a.m.). This way, you should be ready by 11:45 a.m. to continue with the itinerary; the next place to visit is Ica.

Ica is located 1 hour and 20 minutes from Paracas. Upon arrival, you’ll begin the city tour, which includes a visit to a winery where you’ll learn a bit about the production of wine and pisco. You’ll then continue to the Plaza de Armas in Ica, where you’ll see the two beautiful obelisks representing the two great cultures that flourished in the department of Ica, as well as the Luren Sanctuary (Panoramic view) Finally, we’ll continue the tour to the Huacachina Oasis, a beautiful lagoon steeped in history and traditions that will surprise you. You’ll undoubtedly enjoy the stunning scenery, and if you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is your chance to experience the fun of sandboarding and dune buggy rides. Once the tour is over, we’ll take you to the bus station so you can board your bus to Nasca.

You will be met at the bus station by one of our representatives, who will take you to your chosen accommodations so you can rest after a long day.

Day 3

The next morning, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy breakfast at the hotel (we recommend 8:00 a.m.), as you’ll need to be ready for your next adventure: a visit to the metal observation deck overlooking the Nazca Lines, where you can see some of the figures—these geoglyphs include animals and plants.
We will then continue to the Chauchilla Cemetery, located about 30 km from the city of Nazca on the right bank of the Las Trancas Valley. It is the only cemetery in Peru where you can view mummies in their original tombs, which have made it possible to reconstruct the history, atmosphere, daily life, and pantheistic customs of this civilization swallowed up by the sands of the Peruvian desert. You’ll see both individual and collective tombs; we’ll observe the mummification process that the ancient Nazca people used to preserve the bodies.

Afterward, we’ll visit the Textile Workshop, where you’ll be able to see how Nazca artisans still use their ancestors’ techniques to weave with fine threads. There will be time for lunch, and finally, you’ll be taken to the Nasca bus station.