Destinations-Paracas/Nazca

In the barren desert, just 19 miles south of Nazca lies an ancient burial ground where thousands of graves have been found. In the Chauchilla Cemetery, twelve tombs have been exposed showing skeletal remains of bodies buried with garments, jewelry and pottery. A guide will take you on a tour of this fascinating site where ancient bones and mummies lie in the open.

• Included: transport/guide/entrance fees.
• Time: 2 hours.
• Type: this tour can be booked as a private tour or as a SIC service.

Located in the arid Peruvian coastal plain, some 400 km south of Lima , the geoglyphs of Nazca and the Pampas of Jumana cover about 450 square km. These lines, which were drawn between 500 B.C. and 500 A .D., are among the most impenetrable enigmas of archaeology by virtue of their quantity, nature and size, as well as their continuity. Some of the geoglyphs depict living creatures, plants or imaginary figures, as well as geometric figures several kilometers long. They are believed to have had ritual functions connected with astronomy.

• Included: flight, bilingual guide.
• Time: 30 minutes.
• Type: the plane has 5 seats.

Three hours south from Lima along the coast is Pisco, a small fishing village fifteen minutes by bus from the National Reserve of Paracas. Paracas is the largest port between Callao and Matarani and serves as an agricultural hinterland. The town was named after the famous local brandy and bars in the area serve delightful Pisco Sours. A twenty minute drive from Pisco will bring to the bay of Paracas, named after the Paracas winds. The bay region is protected in a large natural reserve covering 335, 000 ha. The reserve is one of the most significant of its kind as it is home to one of the highest concentrations of marine birds in the world. This concentration makes this region an important source for guano trade, which is used today as an organic fertilizer.

• Time: 3 hours.
• Time: 2 days/1 night or 4 days/3 nights.

The Paracas peninsula has some amazing spots to visit such as Lagunillas (a small fishing village), the Julio Tello Museum , the Mirador de los Lobos, and the Cathedral. As a result of water and wind erosion, The Cathedral is an amazing and extraordinary rock formation.

• Included: transport, bilingual guide, all entrance fees.
• Time: 3 hours.
• Type: this tour can be booked as a private tour or as an SIC (group) Tour. Note that in a SIC tour the entrance fee of 5 soles (1,80 USD) is not included.

Known by many as the "Galapagos of Peru", these small islands are nonetheless spectacular in their own right and well worth visiting. They are part of a national reserve where sea lions, seals, penguins, guano birds and turtles (rarely found at this latitude) can be seen. On the way there by boat, you will undoubtedly see the famous Candelabro (candlestick) traced in the hillside of the mainland by Pre-Inca peoples. It is at least 50 meters long and believed to be linked to the Nazca Lines. Some relate it to the Southern Cross constellation, while others say it is a drawing of a cactus, a symbol of power from the Chavin culture.

• Included: transport, bilingual guide, all entrance fees.
• Time: 3 hours.
• Type: It is best is to book this tour as a SIC tour. Private tours are possible but very expensive as one would have to charter a 20-seat boat.