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San Martin Port

San Martin Port: Our most recommended tours and activities

From San Martin Port: 4-Hour Inca Tambo Colorado Tour

1. From San Martin Port: 4-Hour Inca Tambo Colorado Tour

Meet your guide at 9:15 AM at San Martin Port. From there you will be transferred to Paracas town, at this point, you will board our vehicle to drive towards Pisco town for a sightseeing tour. Then you will be travelling east to arrive at the well preserved Inca Fortress of Tambo Colorado. Discover an Inca settlement that was most likely built at the end of the 15th century and was ruled by the Inca Emperor Pachacutec. It was known as Puka Tampu, Pucallacta or Pucahuasi and its buildings show typical Wary (Ayacucho) and Inca (Cusco) culture influences. Walk amongst buildings including ceremonial plazas, houses, ceremonial platforms and the main building known as La Fortaleza. Learn how Tambo Colorado was used as an administrative/ceremonial and military place to control the main road from the coast to the highlands. This place served as resting place for the Inca and his army across the Inca territory. The site consists of several structure around a large central plaza. The central plaza is shaped like a trapezoid with its largest side being 492-ft (150-m) long. The main structure are grouped together in a northern and southern Palaces, plus some ceremonial platforms. Because of local environmental conditions, many of the buildings original colors have been preserved, helping experts reconstruct the site. Having enjoyed an informative guided tour you will return to San Martin Port to rejoin your ship.

Ballestas Islands and Tambo Colorado from San Martin Port

2. Ballestas Islands and Tambo Colorado from San Martin Port

Meet your guide at 9:15 AM at San Martin Port and enjoy a transfer to Paracas town. Here you will meet the rest of the group and board a speedboat to begin the adventure to the stunning Ballestas Island. On the way you will stop at the Paracas peninsula to see the enigmatic figure of the Candelabro, a stunning design drawn on the side of a hill in the Peninsula. Nobody knows for sure who did it or why. Afterwards, you'll head off to Ballestas Island, where you will see a stunning world filled with birds and sea lions. Here, visit the three islands at a distance and explore some caves, depending on the condition of the sea. On your return to the port, you drive towards Pisco town for a sightseeing tour. Then, travel east to finally arrive at the well preserved Inca Fortress of Tambo Colorado. Tambo Colorado was an Inca settlement and was most likely built at the end of the 15th century and was ruled by the Inca Emperor Pachacutec. The site consists of several structures around a large central plaza. The central plaza is shaped like a trapezoid with its largest side being 150 meters long. Because of the mild local climate, many of the buildings' original colors have been preserved, helping experts reconstruct the site. Finally you will return to San Martin Port to rejoin your ship.

From San Martin: Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve

3. From San Martin: Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve

Meet your guide at 9:15 AM at San Martin Port, from where you will travel to Paracas town to meet the rest of the group and board the speedboat to begin this adventure to the stunning Ballestas Islands. On the way, you will stop at the Paracas peninsula to see the enigmatic figure of the Candelabro, a stunning design drawn on the side of a hill in the Peninsula. Nobody knows for sure who did it or why. Some believe it is related to the Nazca Lines, but still found no proof or evidence that can define its creation.  Afterwards head off to Ballestas Island where you will enter a world filled with birds and sea lions. Here you will see the three islands and, if conditions allow, navigate in some caves. On your return to the port, you will board a vehicle towards Paracas Reserve. At Paracas Reserve you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Reserve by visiting the interpretation center, an interesting building that explains all the fauna, flora, and many other important facts about the Paracas Peninsula through photographic displays. Then you will be driven through the lifeless desert until the area where once a great natural rock formation stood, known as the Cathedral, which was destroyed during the 2007 earthquake. From this place you will have amazing views of the desert and the blue ocean and after, you will visit Playa Roja and Lagunillas beach for some refreshment. Finally you will return to San Martin Port to rejoin your ship.

From San Martin Port: 3-Hour Paracas Reserve Tour

4. From San Martin Port: 3-Hour Paracas Reserve Tour

Meet your guide at 9:15 AM at San Martin Port, where you will be transferred to Paracas town, at this point, you will board the tour vehicle to begin your group tour to Paracas Reserve. During your tour you will learn more about Paracas Reserve by visiting the interpretation centre, an interesting building that displays photos about all the fauna, flora and many other important facts about the Paracas Peninsula. Next you will drive through a lifeless desert to an area where once stood a great natural rock formation known as the Cathedral. Unfortunately, this old formation did not withstand the 2007 earthquake. At this place you will have amazing views of the desert and the blue ocean and you will see thousands of sea birds. Finally you will visit the Playa Roja and Lagunillas beach for some refreshments. Relax and enjoy the sunshine while you reflect on what you've seen. At the end of the tour you will return to San Martin Port to re-join your ship.

From San Martin Port: 2-Hour Ballestas Island

5. From San Martin Port: 2-Hour Ballestas Island

You will be met by your guide at 9:15 AM at San Martin Port, and then you will be transferred to Paracas town. At this point, you will meet the rest of the group and board a speedboat to begin your adventure to the stunning Ballestas Island. On the way, you will stop at Paracas Peninsula to see the enigmatic figure of the Candelabro, a stunning design drawn on the side of a hill in the peninsula. No one knows for sure who did it or why. There are many hypotheses regarding its origins, some believe it is related to the Nazca Lines but still have found no proof or evidence that can define its creation. Afterward, head off to Ballestas Island, where you will enjoy a stunning world filled with birds and sea lions. Here, you will visit the three islands from an allowed distance, navigating some caves (this will depend on the conditions of the sea). On your return to the port, you will board a vehicle to drive toward San Martin Port. 

Top sights near San Martin Port

Other Sightseeing Options in San Martin Port

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What people are saying about San Martin Port

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 4 reviews

Great experience. Pick up was on time and well organized. Boat driver was great maneuvering so passengers on each side had equal time viewing each site. Guide was informative and clear. Amazing to see so many birds and sea lions up close. The tour into the dessert reserve was equally enjoyable. Such desolate beauty.

Our favorite tour in Peru this trip!

Our group was greeted at the ship early in the morning with signage making the tour guides easy to find. The whole day was great. We had the most enthusiastic guide Melvin (oh I hope I got the name correct) Just a wonderful on this small group tour.