Paracas & Nazca Tour: The Enigma of the Nazca Lines

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Tour Highlights

• Nazca Lines
• Ballestas Islands

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Trip Style

• Culture / History
• Nature

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Physical Difficulty

• 1-Easy

• Peru tour package to Paracas & Nazca
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The mystery of the Nazca Lines, south of Lima, has captivated the imaginations of scientists for years. Spread across 280 miles (450 km) on the Pampas de Jumana between the Nazca and Ingenio Rivers are several immense representations of animals, humans, and geometric shapes. With incredible precision, the ancient people of Nazca carved these symbols into the arid, rocky ground and some experts consider them to have astronomical significance.

On this tour you will take an hour-long flight over the Nazca Lines to view the entirety of this World Heritage Site. You will also spend a day on the sandy beaches of Paracas Bay. From here, you’ll embark on a thrilling boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, where you can see the huge Candelabra glyph on the mainland, thought to be connected to the Nazca Lines.  You will also have an opportunity to spot the diverse sea mammals and coastal birds that call these islands home.

Day 1 : Arrival to Paracas & Nazca Lines Tour
Day 2 : Ballestas Islands Tour & Departure from Paracas

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Day 1 : Arrival to Paracas & Nazca Lines Tour

• Upon arrival to Paracas, you will be greeted at the bus station and taken to your comfortable Paracas hotel.
• After you drop off your luggage at your hotel, you’ll head to the nearby Pisco airport to take off on an exciting tour of the Nazca Lines. Built between 500 BC and 500 AD, the Nazca Lines are a World Heritage Site whose significance continues to perplex researchers despite a half century of careful study. Many scientists believe the lines had some astronomical function for the Nazca civilization, although other more colorful theories abound. During your hour-long flight, you will see famous glyphs such as the condor, the hummingbird, and the monkey. See our Nazca Travel Guide for more in-depth information on the Nazca Lines.
• After you touch back down to earth, you’ll be taken back to your Paracas hotel, where you can relax and ponder the mysterious Nazca Lines as you enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Paracas Bay.

Note: Flights from Pisco to Nazca require a minimum of two passengers.  Please contact your travel advisor for single passenger inquiries.

Due to the relatively small size of planes operating Nazca Lines tours, restrictions apply for clients who are 100kg (220lbs) or over.

Day 2 : Ballestas Islands Tour & Departure from Paracas

• Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing on an adventurous boat trip to the Ballestas Islands. Here you can spot sea lions, seals, penguins, guano birds, and turtles (rarely found at this latitude). The boat trip is approximately 2 hours in duration.
• On the way to the islands, you will also see the Candelabra, a 165-foot (50-meter) long candlestick-shaped symbol sketched into the rocky soil, which some experts believe is connected to the Nazca Lines. Debate with your companions whether the Candelabra formation represents a cactus (a symbol of power in the ancient Chavin culture) or perhaps the Southern Cross constellation.
• After your boating excursion, you may wish to have lunch in the desert oasis town of Huacachina before going to the bus station to continue on with your Peru vacation.
• See our Paracas Guide for more information about the area or read more about Paracas attractions. 

Top Pick Paracas Hotel

Hotel Libertador Paracas 5*

Avenida Paracas 173, Paracas

Soak up the luxury and splendor of the lavish Hotel Libertador in Paracas, one of the first “It” hotels on the glittering Peruvian coast. Leave your bags with the porter and your cares at the door. Inside the plush, aquatic-hued Libertador, a soothing, slowed-down world of total relaxation awaits. Ideally located on the Paracas Bay in front of the Natural Reserve of Paracas, Hotel Libertador Paracas is one of the Peruvian coast’s most spectacular deluxe hotels. Five-star amenities and highly personalized service are combined to make this resort-spa a blissful haven of sensual delight.

Restaurant Internet Swimming Pool

Hotel Libertador Paracas Photos & Info »

Doubletree Hilton Paracas 4*

Lote 30-34 Urbanizacion Santo Domingo, Paracas

The Doubletree Paracas Resort by Hilton Peru, which opened in March 2009, is a luxury resort that allows visitors to take advantage of comfortable and relaxing accommodations surrounded by stunning views, while they explore the natural splendor and archaeological wonders of Paracas Bay. The spacious suites are spread throughout the 2-story hotel, and feature private terraces with views of the bay or the hotel's gardens. The two-room suites offer a variety of amenities for those accustomed to the best international hotels. On your Peru vacation, let yourself be enchanted by the magnificent service and 8,000 square foot swimming pool with views of Paracas Bay.

Restaurant Room Service Laundry Service Parking Internet Swimming Pool Spa Gift Shop

Doubletree Hilton Paracas Photos & Info »

La Hacienda Bahia Paracas 3*

Urb. Santo Domingo Lote 25, Paracas

This understated hotel offers comfortable accommodations in the spectacular seaside setting of Paracas, a town just a few short hours from Lima and on the way to the Nazca Lines. Spacious guestrooms, suites, and bungalows are all tastefully decorated in a minimalist style combining the earthy tones of polished wood and brick tiling with white-washed walls and contemporary furniture. Each room has a bathtub and a private terrace, while the hotel's grounds boast a luxurious spa, swimming pool, bar, and restaurant.

Restaurant Parking Internet Swimming Pool Spa Gift Shop Gym

La Hacienda Bahia Paracas Photos & Info »

See all Paracas hotels

• 1 night in Paracas in a hotel based on US standards
• All tours stated in the itinerary with expert English-speaking guides
• All transfers and entrance fees
• All breakfasts

Additional Services in Paracas

Additional Services in Paracas

• Paracas Bay Half-Day Tour
• Dune Buggy & Sand Boarding Tour
• Chauchilla Cemetery Tour

Paracas Bay Half-Day Tour

On this half-day Paracas Bay tour, you will discover the wonders of the natural reserve that protects the Paracas Bay area. With extraordinary marine wildlife and spectacular deserted landscapes, this national park is one of the most impressive in Peru. With your expert guide, you’ll explore the reserve in search of bird species, and you’ll also get some time to relax on the sandy beaches.

Dune Buggy & Sand Boarding Tour

You will be picked up from your Ica or Paracas hotel and driven to the desert oasis of Huacachina. From here you will board a dune buggy and head west on an 18-mile circuit to explore some of the most spectacular dunes in the region.  Similar to a roller coaster ride, the buggy soars up and down 45 degree inclines while your driver expertly navigates the dunes’ twists and turns. 

You will pause periodically so the more adventurous can sand board down the increasingly steep hills. Those who opt against participating can photograph the views of the vast desert and admire the pattern the wind makes in the sand. For pictures and a more detailed description, read our blog article about the Huacachina Oasis. This highly recommended 90 minute dune buggy and sand boarding tour is perfect for all ages and fitness levels.  All gear is provided.

*Price based on 2 person group

Chauchilla Cemetery Tour

In the barren desert, just 19 miles south of the town of Nazca, is an ancient burial ground where thousands of graves have been found. Here in the Chauchilla Cemetery twelve tombs have been exposed to reveal skeletal remains of bodies buried with garments, jewelry, and pottery. Private transportation and a local guide will take you on a tour of this fascinating site where ancient human remains and mummies await your exploration.

The tour will begin with the history of the ancient Nazca culture and current day-to-day life in this well-known province famous for its rich history and the mysterious Nazca Lines. Arriving at the pre-Inca Chauchilla Cemetery, there will be time allotted to appreciate the vast cemetery. In the quaint on-site museum you will see 1,500 year-old mummies. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the importance of ancient Nazca ceramics by visiting a working pottery shop. Finally, you can witness the process of gold extraction as local miners work to obtain the precious metal.

Additional Services in Paracas