PARACAS NATIONAL PARK

Travel along the Peruvian coast from Lima to Ica. The Ica region also holds the Paracas National Reserve (22 km south of the city of Pisco, at km 261 on the south Pan – American Highway). This rich coastal eco-system covers an area of 335,000 hectares (827,450 acres), that includes deserts, beaches, islands, cliffsides and ocean. Take a slider (fast boat) to visit this natural habitat of flamingoes, pelicans, penguins, dolphins, sea lions, sperm whales and an infinity of fish, crustaceans and more than 60 species. Locally known as aves guaneras for their production of guano – droppings used as fertilizer, which constitute the habitat to large concentrations colonies in their natural environment. You will pass near the Candelabro (another ancient sand design). Visitors can sail northwest for an hour to reach the beautiful Ballestas Islands, a protected area of cormorants and sea lions. Paracas has a good location, due to peculiarities of climate. A short ride away, lay the cities of Ica and Pisco, wine center and home to Peru’s national drink respectively.

NAZCA LINES

These Nazca Lines consist of furrows some 20 centimeters deep (8 inches) drawn in the shape of animals. We board a Grand Caravan airplane, seating 12 passengers to overflight of the Nazca and Palpa Lines discovered in 1927, a immense Pre-Incan astronomical calendar, a series of crafted drawings that extends for over 500 meters (1640 feet) long. The figures, of animals and plants, total 32. As mammals (whale, monkey, dog and two llamas), birds (heron, stork, pelican, gull, fisher bird, humming bird, parrot and others that are repeated), reptiles (crocodile, lizard, iguana and what looks like a snake), fish (two unidentified ones) and invertebrates (spider and snail). The figures of plants represent a huarango tree (carob), a cassava root, fresh-water weed and seaweed. The Nazca lines were edged in the desert sands around 600 B.C. and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. This would be the biggest calendar in the world. Furthermore we visit Ica, land of cotton and wine is full of history, in its desert plains, ancient Peruvians wove splendid robes of varied colors; mummified their dead with singular skill.

GENERAL INFORMATION OF PARACAS & NAZCA
PARACAS & NAZCA	ALTITUDE	Paracas 2 m / 7 f Nazca 520 m / 1,705 f
	WEATHER	Dry and temperate climate
	POPULATION	Paracas 7,500 Inhabitants Nazca 27,00 Inhabitants
	ACCESS ROUTES	By plane & bus (Tourist & local transportation)
	HOTELS	In Paracas, Ica & Nazca
	TOURS / EXCURSIONS	Paracas (by slider) Group tour Nazca (by plane) Shared basis
	CLASSIC TOURS / MAIN ATTRACTIONS	Ballestas island, Paracas National Reserve, Nazca & Palpa lines, Chauchilla preinca cemetery
	OTHERS	Vineyards, Museums and Sandboarding