Ballestas Islands Tour Description:

The Ballestas Islands are located about 30 minutes off the Peruvian Coast, and are inhabited by an amazing marine life, with over 200 types of migratory and resident birds, including Peruvian Pelicans, Belcher’s gulls, Humboldt penguins, guanay cormorants, red-legged cormorants, Inca terns, Peruvian boobies, turkey vultures, among others. In addition you can find around the Islands hundreds of sea lions resting at the beaches, sleeping on the rocks or swimming nearby. Our excursion to the Ballestas Islands starts with the collection of each of our customers at their hotels (between 7:15 am and 7:30 am). Afterwards we will drive to the south of the city along the shore of the Pacific Ocean. On the way our local guide will give us a brief introduction about the City of Pisco and the economical importance of its port. Once we have arrived at the Paracas harbour we will board our small speed boat that will take us to the Ballestas Islands (please bring along warm clothing, as it gets very windy once the boat is in motion). Along the way we will see the enigmatic figure known as El Candelabro, a huge designed etched onto the slope of a hill that resembles a candle stick or candelabra. No one knows who made this figure or why. There are actually many theories concerning this strange figure; some believe the figure is connected with the Nazca Lines, and others believe the figure was made by ancient sailors to use it as a navigational guide, due to the constant fog in the area. Here our boat driver will stop the boat in front of the figure and our local guide will explain the most popular theories about it. Afterwards we will continue our boat journey till the Ballestas Islands. At the islands visitors are not allowed onto it, so you will remain seated on the boat observing the marine life from your place. The views around the islands are spectaculars; you will enjoy a nice tour cruising from one island to another, passing gorgeous beaches, rock arches, and stunning rock formations. Since the boat does not have a cabin, you must bring your sun cream protection, as well as a hut, as it is not rare that some birds flying by may drop their droppings onto your head (remember that most of the birds inhabiting these islands are guano producers).

End of the tour.

Tour Duration: 2 hours.

Included:

• Pick up from your hotel in Pisco or Paracas.
• Transfer from your hotel to the Paracas Harbour.
• Boat Transportation.
• Professional English speaking guide.
• Entrance fees.

No included:

• Extras & gratuities.
• Accommodation in Pisco or Paracas.

Departures: From Pisco 07:15 h / From Paracas 07:45 h.

Price: Available upon request. Send us an e-mail to info@mysteryperu.com and we will reply as soon as possible or within 24 hours at the most.

Recommendations:

• On this tour you must bring warm clothing or just a wind breaker, as it gets very windy once the boat gets in motion. Bring sun block to avoid sun burning, sun glasses and a cap.

Additional information:

• All your personal information is required at the moment of your booking.
• Confirmation of the excursion will be received at time of booking.
• All tours are operated in English unless otherwise stated.

Travel voucher:

• You will receive an electronic voucher via e-mail once your booking is confirmed.
• For every confirmed booking you will be required to print your electronic voucher for presentation at the moment we start the excursion. The electronic voucher acts as a confirmation for all the services you have requested.

Local Operator Information:

• We will send you complete operator information, including phone numbers at your destination.
• Our Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

Accommodation in Pisco or Paracas:

• In order to meet you easily in the city of Pisco or Paracas, we might book also a hotel or hostel for you depending on your budget and preferences. We have especial deals with hotels and hostels in Pisco or Paracas. Do not hesitate to contact us.

Paracas Land Tour Description:

The Paracas National Reserve is a huge protected area located to the south of the city of Pisco. The word Paracas comes from the Quechua language, that means “Sand Storms”, it was probably called this way due to the heavy winds that appear sometimes in the afternoons. The Paracas Reserve covers an area of 335.000 hectares, and it is part of the one of most important ecosystems in our planet. The reserve is also one of the richest fishing grounds in the Pacific Ocean, as provides Lima and many other cities with fish and seafood.

Our tours start at 10:30 AM; our clients are collected from their hotels, or after they return from the Ballestas Islands tour. During our land excursion to the Paracas Reserve, visitors will be able to see some groups of flamingos feeding at the shore of the Ocean. In order to have a better view of them, we will have a short walk to a little tower, from where is possible to see them better. According to some scholars, the colours of these beautiful birds inspired the general Don Jose de San Martin (the man who set us free from the Spanish crown and declared our independence) to create our red and white Peruvian flag when he landed at the Paracas bay. Later on we will visit the centre of interpretation of Paracas, an interesting building that displays through pictures and scale models, all the fauna, flora, and many other important facts about the Paracas Peninsula. In addition to the fauna and flora, at the Paracas Reserve we will visit the Museum Julio C. Tello, which displays an array of ancient remains found at the zone. According to the archaeologists the first inhabitants of Paracas showed up around 7000 years ago, as they discovered old tombs in the place, containing vegetables, fruits and even a music instrument made of human bone. In addition visitors can also see at the museum strange human skulls deformed intentionally by the Paracas people around 500 BC, as well as old cranial surgery practiced by ancient healers. Afterwards we will continue our excursion at the Paracas peninsula; we will drive across a yellowish desert, following a dirt road till the fishing village of Lagunillas, a nice place where we will enjoy a good lunch at the shore of the Pacific Ocean (meals are not included). After lunch we will return to the city of Pisco.

Tour Duration: 2 hours.

Included:

• Pick up from your hotel in Pisco or Paracas.
• Private transportation.
• Professional English speaking guide.
• Entrance fees.

No included:

• Extras & gratuities.
• Accommodation in Pisco or Paracas.

Daily departures: 10:30 h.

Price: Available upon request. Send us an e-mail to info@mysteryperu.com and we will reply as soon as possible or within 24 hours at the most.

Recommendations:

• Bring sun block to avoid sun burning, sun glasses and a cap.