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Paracas National Reserve

Paracas National Reserve: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Paracas: Ballestas Islands & Paracas National Reserve

1. From Paracas: Ballestas Islands & Paracas National Reserve

After a convenient hotel pickup from either Paracas or Pisco, head to the Marina Turistica to start your adventure. Board a speedboat with your bilingual, Spanish and English-speaking guide, and jet out onto the sea towards the stunning Ballestas. Along the way, stop at the Paracas Peninsula to see the Candelabro, an enigmatic glyph carved into the side of the island — whose purpose, and creator, remain a mystery to this day. Afterwards, continue onwards towards the marine sanctuary of Ballestas. Gaze upon the rocky shores, filled to the brim with sunbathing seals, and penguins diving into the turbid waters to hunt underneath the surface — all alongside other beautiful specimens, like majestic pelicans, and colorful blue-footed boobies. You’ll then return to the Marina Turistica for a drive to Paracas National Reserve. An almost alien landscape, the Paracas National Reserve is composed of vast, sprawling deserts and high sandstone cliffs directly next to the bright, blue ocean. Driving through the reserve, see the Cathedral, an area where a vast rock formation once stood before being destroyed by a cataclysmic earthquake. Your tour caps things off with visits to Playa Roja and Lagunillas Beach, two stunning maroon-sand beaches that are truly one-of-a-kind. Having seen some of the world's most unique natural features, flora, and fauna, you'll hop back in the car for a convenient transfer back to your hotel.

From Lima: Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour

2. From Lima: Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands Tour

After pickup, head to the south to discover unique landscapes where the desert, the islands and the sea all meet. Make a brief stop for a delicious breakfast and continue the journey. Then, go to Paracas dock to take a speed boat to the Ballestas Islands. Explore the rocky islands and discover the rich marine fauna. Take photos of sea lions and many types of birds such as penguins. Don't miss the enigmatic Candelabro Geoglyph, used as a navigational guide by ancient cultures. After your tour of the island, visit the impressive and isolated Paracas National Reserve. This natural reserve is part of the Guinness World Record for the driest desert on earth. Admire the stunning landscape of the peninsula. Learn all about dessert formation from your expert guide. If you are lucky you might see the great pink flamingos. Then, return to your hotel in Lima.

Paracas: Mini Buggy Ride in Paracas National Reserve

3. Paracas: Mini Buggy Ride in Paracas National Reserve

Pick-up will be from your hotel in Paracas to the tour company office. Then you will have a brief health and safety instruction about how to drive the automatic mini buggy. Afterwards, you will be given a vehicle for two persons (driver and co-pilot). Once ready, you will drive and follow the lead vehicle. As you drive along the Paracas Reserve, you will see the beauty and amazing colorful landscape, which makes it such an original place on the Peruvian Coast. You will be able to stop and see many points of interest to see the main attractions of Paracas Reserve. At the end of the tour, you will return to the company office and be transferred back to your hotel.

From Huacachina: Ballestas Island and Paracas Reserve Tour

4. From Huacachina: Ballestas Island and Paracas Reserve Tour

Start with pickup from your hotel within Ica/Huacachina and drive towards the Marina Turistica to begin your adventure. Board a speedboat with your guide, and jet out onto the sea towards the stunning Ballestas. Stop at the Paracas Peninsula to see the Candelabro, an enigmatic glyph carved into the side of the island, whose purpose, and creator, remain a mystery to this day. Continue onwards towards the marine sanctuary of Ballestas. Gaze upon the rocky shores filled to the brim with sunbathing seals, and penguins diving into the turbid waters to hunt underneath the surface. See other beautiful specimens, like majestic pelicans, and colorful blue-footed boobies. Return to the Marina Turistica for a drive to Paracas National Reserve. Discover the almost alien landscape of the Paracas National Reserve, with vast sprawling deserts and high sandstone cliffs. Driving through the reserve, see the Cathedral, an area where a vast rock formation once stood before being destroyed by a cataclysmic earthquake. Visit the stunning maroon-sand beaches of Playa Roja and Lagunillas Beach. Having seen some of the world's most unique natural features, flora, and fauna, At the end of the tour drive back to your hotel in Ica/Huacachina or in Paracas.

From Paracas: Ballestas Island Cruise & Paracas Reserve Tour

5. From Paracas: Ballestas Island Cruise & Paracas Reserve Tour

The meeting point will be at Las Adventure to begin your adventure. Board a speedboat with your guide, and jet out onto the sea towards the stunning Ballestas. Stop at the Paracas Peninsula to see the Candelabro, an enigmatic glyph carved into the side of the island, whose purpose, and creator, remain a mystery to this day. Continue onwards towards the marine sanctuary of Ballestas. Gaze upon the rocky shores filled to the brim with sunbathing seals, and penguins diving into the turbid waters to hunt underneath the surface. See other beautiful specimens, like majestic pelicans, and colorful blue-footed boobies. Return to Las adventure for a drive to Paracas National Reserve. Discover the almost alien landscape of the Paracas National Reserve, with vast sprawling deserts and high sandstone cliffs. Driving through the reserve, see the Cathedral, an area where a vast rock formation once stood before being destroyed by a cataclysmic earthquake. Visit the stunning maroon-sand beaches of Playa Roja and Lagunillas Beach. Having seen some of the world's most unique natural features, flora, and fauna, In lagunillas beach there you will have time for lunch in local restaurants, later the bus will take you to huacachina and end of the services - you will get to huacacahina or ica at around 16:30

From Paracas: Paracas National Reserve Private Tour

6. From Paracas: Paracas National Reserve Private Tour

Enjoy the convenience of the being picked up from your hotel in Paracas or Pisco and transferred to the Paracas National Reserve. The reserve was established in 1975 to protect the bird and marine of life of the Paracas Peninsula. Admire the stunning landscape of the peninsula, formed by a saline desert, islands, and the sea. See one to the largest sea lion colonies in the world. Marvel at the numerous birds along the coastline. Learn about the reserve by visiting the visitor center, which has exhibits about the local flora and fauna. Drive to an area where a great natural rock formation once stood known as the Cathedral. Unfortunately, the Cathedral was destroyed during a 2007 earthquake. Enjoy amazing views of the desert, the blue ocean, and thousands of sea birds. Visit Playa Roja and Lagunillas Beach. After your tour finishes, return to your hotel.

Ica: Ballestas Island & Paracas Reserve Private Tour

7. Ica: Ballestas Island & Paracas Reserve Private Tour

After a convenient hotel pickup, head to the Marina Turistica to begin your adventure. Board a speedboat with your guide, and jet out onto the sea towards the stunning Ballestas. Stop at the Paracas Peninsula to see the Candelabro, an enigmatic glyph carved into the side of the island, whose purpose, and creator, remain a mystery to this day. Continue onwards towards the marine sanctuary of Ballestas. Gaze upon the rocky shores filled to the brim with sunbathing seals, and penguins diving into the turbid waters to hunt underneath the surface. See other beautiful specimens, like majestic pelicans, and colorful blue-footed boobies. Return to the Marina Turistica for a drive to Paracas National Reserve. Discover the almost alien landscape of the Paracas National Reserve, with vast sprawling deserts and high sandstone cliffs. Driving through the reserve, see the Cathedral, an area where a vast rock formation once stood before being destroyed by a cataclysmic earthquake. Visit the stunning maroon-sand beaches of Playa Roja and Lagunillas Beach. Having seen some of the world's most unique natural features, flora, and fauna, hop back in the car for a convenient transfer back to your hotel in Ica or drop-off in Paracas (Hotel or bus station).

From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Museum Tour

8. From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Museum Tour

Prepare yourself for an early morning pickup from your hotel in Lima at 4:30 AM. Travel south towards the desert area and coastal region of the Paracas National Reserve. Enjoy a fresh box for breakfast and arrive at Paracas at 7:40 AM. Upon arrival at Paracas, head towards the main port to board the first boat of the day to the Ballestas Islands. Admire the scenery of the Bay of Paracas and Punta Pejerrey en route to the natural habitat of sea lions, seagulls, penguins and other wildlife species. See the incredible "Paracas Candelabra", geoglyph related to the Nazca lines. Its significance is still a mystery. Get a detailed explanation of the history and importance of the Paracas National Reserve, established in 1975 as the oldest marine reserve in Peru. Visit key attractions on the reserve such as the Interpretation Center, the Flamingo Viewpoint, the Cathedral, and beautiful beaches like Playa Lagunillas, Playa Roja, and Playa Yumaque.  Continue the tour with a guided visit to the Paracas Museum. Learn interesting facts about local culture as you explore rooms filled pottery, textiles, and mysterious elongated skulls. Finally, enjoy a fresh seafood lunch in an ocean-view restaurant before beginning your trip back to Lima.

Huacachina: Private Transfer to Paracas

9. Huacachina: Private Transfer to Paracas

You will be picked up from your accommodation in Huacachina or the center of Ica at the departure time of your choice. If there are 3 people or less in your party, you will be picked up with a sedan car, otherwise you will be picked up in a van. Once you are picked up the trip to Paracas starts. From Huacachina to Paracas the trip last 1 hour and you will travel safe thanks to the professional driver. You can choose to be dropped off in your accommodation in Paracas or in any other place such as a bus stop or next to the port in case you are taking the Ballestas islands boat tour. This transfer service is available 24/7 during the whole year.

From Lima: Ballestas Island and Paracas Reserve Private Tour

10. From Lima: Ballestas Island and Paracas Reserve Private Tour

Private pick-up from your hotel at 06:00 am in Lima, to drive towards Paracas town (3 hours drive), breakfast will be served on your arrival, then you will board our group boat tour to the stunning Ballestas Islands where you will see thousands of marine life such sea lions, penguins, pelicans, seagulls, sea otters, dolphins and many more species that can be seen during the tours as well as natural rock formation caused by the erosions of the sea. The boat will navigate around these islands at a safe distance. Return to port to visit the stunning Paracas National Reserve, one of the driest deserts in the world, you enjoy amazing views of the desert, the blue ocean, and thousands of wildlife that can be seen, Stop at Lagunillas beach for lunch (not include) at the end of the tour will head back to your hotel in Lima arriving around 19 pm.

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What people are saying about Paracas National Reserve

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 97 reviews

Thank you to William for an insightful day! It ended up being just the two of us with William as our guide and a driver in a very comfortable car! It was very well organised - we were picked up on time and the day followed well, starting with the boat tour, followed by some brief stops at the National Reserve and ending with sea view lunch (before returning to Lima). We appreciated the insights that William was able to provide and enjoyed the whole day!

Fantastic experience! Everything was perfect, from the pickup to the tour itself. The islands and the national park are stunning and even better was our guide. She was great, taking care of us during the whole tour. She gave us a lot of info and knowledge about the places but in a really entertaining and interactive way. A must to do in Paracas!

Both the boat tour and the national reserve were amazing. Unique and wonderful, uncontaminated landscapes. The private tour by car to the paracas nature reserve was very nice and interesting, the guide explained everything carefully and was very helpful. Very happy.

Super nice guide in the national park, who also gave us a lot of additional information about Peru and the culture. We were lucky and had the guide to ourselves - very cool! :)

Everything was perfect. We couldn’t expect more than that! Filipe and Eduardo were really nice Eduardo’s explanations was really interesting We recommend