The Paracas National Reserve, created in 1975, is a natural area to protect one of the rarest ecosystems in the world that includes one of the driest deserts on the planet, an area of ​​immense marine biological richness and areas with ancient archaeological sites giving protection to diverse species of flora and fauna that live in that area. In this fascinating marine area live animals such as sea lions, Humboldt penguins, dolphins, flamingos among others. The Paracas National Reserve is one of the two categorized Natural Protected Areas, which protects representative samples of our marine-coastal ecosystems. Its importance in fact is that it protects a great biological diversity essential for the maintenance of various biological cycles that guarantee the conservation of the species, as well as generating economic income for thousands of people. In addition, the Paracas National Reserve is included in the list of wetlands of international importance of the Ramsar Convention. It is located in part of the districts of Paracas and Salas, belonging to the provinces of Pisco and Ica respectively, in the department of Ica. Its extension is 335,000 hectares, of which 35% belong to the mainland and islands and 65% to marine waters. Average temperatures of 19 ° C, with sun almost all the year and absence of rains. In the archaeological zone, the necropolises and the archaeological centers of "Cabeza Larga" and the "Pampa of Santo Domingo" stand out. You can make several visits in the reserve that has numerous natural and archaeological attractions in its 335,000 hectares, besides enjoying its beaches, bird watching and adventures in the desert. One of its attractions is the Candelabro, a geoglyph of more than 120 meters that can be better seen from the sea, on the way to the Ballestas Islands. There are impressive rock formations, such as "La Catedral", which although suffered severely by the earthquake of August 2007, still offers a unique geological landscape. The natural beauty of the Paracas National Reserve is complemented by a good gastronomic offer, mani people said that the cuisine of Paracas is irresistible, not only because it is on the Pacific coast, but it also allows us to take advantage of the hydrobiological resources for the preparation of dishes such as ceviche or fried fish, but also because it has an authentic and traditional cuisine with dishes as: carapulcra with dry soup. Also beaches are the perfect landscape for your vacations or your travel, we are talking about the famous beaches as La Mina, Mendieta and Lagunillas, where it is usual to camp and practice sport fishing. You can camp after coordination with the area's Headquarters. A few kilometers away are the city of Pisco and El Chaco where it is possible to spend the night and also undertake other activities such as visiting the Ballestas Islands. The Interpretation Center offers an interesting explanation of the biodiversity and the dangers facing the area. The Julio C. Tello Site Museum permanently exhibits pieces of the Paracas culture found in the cemeteries of the place.
06:00 Pick up from your hotel
10:00 We arrive to Paracas, a beautiful little town by the sea.
10:00 Boat tour of the Ballestas Islands (2 hours)
01:00 Direct bus from Paracas to Huacachina
02:15 We arrive to Huacachina, a small natural oasis within the desert in Ica.
04:00 Climbing with the sandboxes and sandboard down the largest dunes in South America (2 hours)
06:30 Bus back to Lima.
23:45 We leave you at the door of your hotel / hostel
The Paracas Culture was an important society in the history of Peru, well known for its textile art, its mummies and for cranial trepanation to be able to cure fractures and tumors in the skull. They arose approximately between 700 a.C. and 200 d.C, with extensive knowledge of irrigation and water management. Most of our information on the life of the inhabitants of the Paracas culture comes from the excavations in the necropolis of Paracas, first investigated by the Peruvian archaeologist Julio C. Tello in the 1920s. The necropolis of Wari Kayan consisted of in a multitude of large underground funerary chambers, with an average capacity of about forty mummies. It is suggested that each large chamber could have been owned by a specific family or clan, which they use for many generations. Each mummy was tied with rope to keep it in place, and then wrapped in many layers of intricate textiles, ornamentals, and fine tissue. These textiles are now known as some of the best ever produced by Andean pre-Columbian societies, and are the main works of art for which the Paracas culture is known.
On this first day, we will pick you up from your hotel at 6:00 a.m to start our full day tour. We will visit the Bay of Paracas, the largest marine reserve in Pery and the second in South America.Then we will board the famous Sliders that will take us to the Ballestas Islands. On the way we will se El candelabro, similar to the Nazca Lines. The Ballestas Islands are natural rock formations that harbor an important marine fauna, where large colonies of guano, guanay, piquero, pelicano cormorán, tendrils etc. live.Continuing with our tour, we will return to Chaco port to lunch. We will continue towards the Huacachina Lagoon, listen to its legend and we will go on to practice Tubular sports through the dunes and Sandboarding. Finally at 6:30 p.m.we will return to the City of Lima, where we will arrive at approximately 23:00 p.m
The Huacachina has emerald green waters. Some studies have discovered that it arose due to the outcrop of underground currents and around it there has appeared an abundant vegetation composed of palms, eucalyptus and the typical guarangos, which serve for the rest of the migratory birds that pass through this region. All this contributes to make Huacachina one of the most colorful and beautiful places of the Peruvian coast. It is the main pride of the city of Ica, its high dunes have always challenged visitors and residents, who have been establishing as a typical activity of the place to slide on them on pieces of wood, surfboards and even water skis. The visitor can camp, practice sand or sandboard, rent tubular dune cars, practice trekking along the lagoon and there are people who take a dip in its waters.
During the summer its charms shine more, but in fact any time of the year is good to know the Huacachina Oasis, rest in its ample hotel complexes or to cross the dunes. The most popular season is that of the grape harvest, between February and March, when the so-called Grapes Festival is organized.
Ica is full of legends and myths that try to explain the cultural and environmental wonders that count. One of these is known as the Oasis of America, referring to the Huacachina. Lagoon that has calm waters in the middle of a silent environment, barely disturbed by the birds and the sometimes strong wind, characteristics that became famous after the diffusion of the myth of the princess that was immersed in her. The landscape is even more spectacular because it is cradled between huge sand dunes. The Hacachina Oasis attracts thousands of visitors each weekend to enjoy its warm, green waters. The Huacachina has managed to no longer be considered interesting only for its mythical lagoon, in which you can take relaxing boat rides, but also for its sharp and perfect peaks, up to 250 meters vertical risk. Nowadays it is a coveted destination for national and international sandboarding competitions, its dunes, as well as the most renowned ski slopes in the world, have their own names: La Catedral, Santiaguillo, Orovilca, Norte Orovilva and Saraja.
