Journey Along the Mysterious Coast
3 Days / 2 Night

TOUR DESCRIPTION

This premium tour package provides an extraordinary amount of adventure, natural beauty and historical mysteries in just three days, all at a relaxed pace that allows you to soak in the local culture, food and scenery.

DAY #1
On your first day we'll pick you up at your hotel in Lima and drive along Peru's scenic southern coast, until we arrive at the small fishing town of Paracas. There, you will enjoy a private tour of the Paracas National Reserve, a national park with beautiful red-sand beaches, dramatic cliffs, and desolate coastal dunes. If you wish to eat fresh seafood for lunch, there is a restaurant inside the reserve that cooks fish that was caught the same day. That night you will sleep at a hotel in Paracas. Luxury 5-star resorts and mid-range hotels are available.

DAY #2
The next morning, we will pick you up after breakfast and transport you one hour to the south, to the regional archaeology museum in Ica. There, you can see mummies that were preserved by the dry desert air, beautiful ceramic dishes and bowls, and fragile Paracas fabrics that have miraculously survived to the modern era.

Then we'll take you to the nearby airport in Ica, to experience a fantastic 70 minute flight over the Nazca Lines onboard a 12-passenger Cessna Grand Caravan. Every passenger is guaranteed a seat with a window, and you will see 12 of the Nazca Lines. An advantage of flying in a 12-seat plane is that it is larger and more stable than the small Cessnas in Nazca.

After your flight, you can eat lunch before we head to the wineries, to learn and experience how the Peruvians make red wine and a potent grape brandy called Pisco. During this tour we will visit a large, industrial winery and a smaller family-run winery that uses techniques introduced by the spanish colonists. At both wineries you are welcome to taste the wines and pisco.

Finally, we will take you to the nearby desert oasis 'Huacachina' where you will explore the beautiful and dramatic scenery of the desert in our dune buggy tour. This region of Peru has gigantic sand dunes which are similar in size to those of the Sahara Desert in Africa, and the dune buggies will drive up and down the dunes so that you can experience this breathtaking and otherworldly scenery. This tour can be fast and thrilling, like a "rollercoaster in the desert" or it can be slow and relaxing.

Either way, you will have a chance to take plenty of photos, and even try sandboarding down the dunes, an unforgettable adventure!

After your tour is over, we will drive you back to Paracas for your second night at the hotel.

DAY #3
We will pick you up at 7:40 AM from your hotel for your two hour boat tour to the Ballestas Islands. During this tour, which is completely onboard a boat, an english-speaking tour guide will teach you about the mammals that live in this biodiverse nature reserve. You will come face-to-face with endangered Humboldt penguins, colonies of sea lions, and huge flocks of seabirds. Don't worry - the animals here are accustomed to seeing humans, and you won't disturb or annoy them at all.

After the boat returns to the port in Paracas, you can grab a quick snack and then we will drive you back to the your hotel in Lima. You will arrive with a huge smile on your face, and your memory card full of amazing images to show to your friends and family.

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OPTIONAL TOURS

These tours can be added to your tour package, to enhance your vacation even more. They are optional, and they have an additional cost. If you wish to reserve them, you must let us know during the reservation process.

TAMBO COLORADO: Explore one of the only Incan ruins located on the coast of Peru (most ruins are in the highlands, like in Cuzco). This well-preserved Inca site is located just north of Pisco, and its purpose remains unknown. Cost: $40 USD per person (minimum two passengers)
PHOTOS   FULL TOUR PACKAGE ITINERARY

HACIENDA SAN JOSE: Explore a fascinating but tragic side of Peru that very few people know about: the history of black slaves who were forced to work in sugarcane plantations on the coast of Peru. This is a short but very interesting tour to visit the mansion at a former slave plantation, including the tunnels and passages beneath the mansion. Cost: $40 USD per person (minimum two passengers)
PHOTOS   FULL TOUR PACKAGE ITINERARY

TOUR ITINERARY

Your tour will follow the approximate itinerary listed below.

FIRST DAY

9:30 AM - 1:00 PM + Private transport from Lima to Paracas
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM + Paracas National Reserve tour
Sleep in Paracas

SECOND DAY

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM + Private transport to Ica
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM + Visit archaeology museum (optional)
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM + Flight over the Nazca Lines from Ica
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM + Winery tour, lunch
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM + Dune buggy tour of the desert, with option to try sandboarding
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM + Private transport back to hotel in Paracas
Sleep in Paracas

THIRD DAY

7:40 AM Pickup at your hotel
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Ballestas Islands boat tour
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM + Private transport back to Lima, end of tour

HOTEL OPTIONS

This tour package does not include the hotel fees, because our clients often inform us that they prefer to choose their own accommodations. Some travelers like to stay in luxury resorts, while others enjoy cozy bed and breakfast lodges.

Five-Star luxury hotels in Paracas include Doubletree by Hilton Paracas, and Hotel Paracas, both of which are beautiful properties where the service is excellent. Four-star hotels nearby include Aranwa and Hacienda Bahia Paracas. And 3-star hotels include San Augustin Hotel and Hotel Gran Palma

TOUR MAP

Curious about where these places are located in Peru? A map of this tour can be downloaded by clicking on the following link: Tour Package #4 tour map: