A charming getaway to experience the natural wonder of the Ballestas Islands and the breathtaking Canyon of the Lost—often referred to as Peru’s mini version of Arizona’s Grand Canyon.
2 days / 1 night
Ica
All year
Easy
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Day 1: Transfer Lima – Paracas + Paracas Reserve Tour
Scheduled bus ride from Lima to Paracas. Upon arrival at the hotel, we’ll drop off our luggage and begin the first day of touring.
Duration: 4 hours travel, 4 hours tour
11:00 AM – Paracas National Reserve Tour:
We’ll visit the Flamingo Viewpoint (Parihuanas), admire “La Catedral,” a unique natural rock formation shaped by wind and sea erosion, explore Playa Roja—one of the only red-sand beaches on the Peruvian coast—and see marine fossil remains.
The tour concludes at Lagunillas Beach, where you’ll have time for lunch and to enjoy the ocean.
3:00 PM – Return from the tour and overnight stay at the hotel
Day 1
Hotel pickup at 4:00 AM
On the way, we’ll stop for breakfast featuring coffee, fresh juices, artisanal breads, and crispy pork (chicharrón).
9:30 AM – Arrival at “El Chaco” artisan dock
We’ll pass through the SERNANP checkpoint and wait for clearance to board our boat to the Ballestas Islands. Once aboard, we’ll enter the spectacular marine world for approximately two hours.
Our first stop is the famous geoglyph “El Candelabro,” etched into the sand. Your guide will share the various theories behind its origin and purpose. We’ll continue cruising with the refreshing ocean breeze until we reach the islands, surrounded by abundant marine life. Expect to see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, countless seabirds, and—if we’re lucky—a curious dolphin. You won’t want to put your camera away!
Next, we head to the city of Ica, a one-hour drive, where we’ll arrive at the “Cultur Pisco” restaurant and vineyard. Here, we’ll enjoy lunch, tour the vineyard, and take part in a delightful tasting of local wines and piscos.
Our final stop is the stunning Huacachina Oasis. We’ll hop into dune buggies for an exhilarating ride across the endless sand dunes of Ica. You’ll also get to try sandboarding down the tallest slopes of the desert.
After this adrenaline-filled adventure, you’ll have time to stroll around the oasis, take photos, and shop for souvenirs.
5:00 PM – Transfer back to your hotel
Day 2: Ica – Canyon of the Lost – Lima
Breakfast. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and head toward the district of Santiago de Ocucaje, where we’ll take a detour onto a dirt road leading to the “Mouth of the River” in the village of Callango. This desert journey takes about 2 additional hours, and along the way, we’ll admire the vibrant colors of the surrounding hills.
As we go deeper into the landscape, we’ll witness the beauty of the Peruvian coastal desert. Upon arrival, we’ll hike toward the canyon, where local guardian birds will greet us. From the upper rim, we’ll take in sweeping views of the entire canyon and its stunning surroundings. Then we’ll descend to explore its depths and capture unforgettable photos.
In the afternoon, we return to Ica for lunch, and between 4:00 and 5:00 PM, we begin our journey back to Lima. Arrival is expected around 10:00 or 11:00 PM.
Included
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Not included
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