Paracas National Reserve: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Paracas: Ballestas Islands & Paracas National Reserve

1. From Paracas: Ballestas Islands & Paracas National Reserve

After a convenient hotel pickup from either Paracas or Pisco, head to the Marina Turistica to start your adventure. Board a speedboat with your bilingual, Spanish and English-speaking guide, and jet out onto the sea towards the stunning Ballestas. Along the way, stop at the Paracas Peninsula to see the Candelabro, an enigmatic glyph carved into the side of the island — whose purpose, and creator, remain a mystery to this day. Afterwards, continue onwards towards the marine sanctuary of Ballestas. Gaze upon the rocky shores, filled to the brim with sunbathing seals, and penguins diving into the turbid waters to hunt underneath the surface — all alongside other beautiful specimens, like majestic pelicans, and colorful blue-footed boobies. You’ll then return to the Marina Turistica for a drive to Paracas National Reserve. An almost alien landscape, the Paracas National Reserve is composed of vast, sprawling deserts and high sandstone cliffs directly next to the bright, blue ocean. Driving through the reserve, see the Cathedral, an area where a vast rock formation once stood before being destroyed by a cataclysmic earthquake. Your tour caps things off with visits to Playa Roja and Lagunillas Beach, two stunning maroon-sand beaches that are truly one-of-a-kind. Having seen some of the world's most unique natural features, flora, and fauna, you'll hop back in the car for a convenient transfer back to your hotel.

From Paracas: Ballestas Island Cruise & Paracas Reserve Tour

2. From Paracas: Ballestas Island Cruise & Paracas Reserve Tour

The meeting point will be at Las Adventure to begin your adventure. Board a speedboat with your guide, and jet out onto the sea towards the stunning Ballestas. Stop at the Paracas Peninsula to see the Candelabro, an enigmatic glyph carved into the side of the island, whose purpose, and creator, remain a mystery to this day. Continue onwards towards the marine sanctuary of Ballestas. Gaze upon the rocky shores filled to the brim with sunbathing seals, and penguins diving into the turbid waters to hunt underneath the surface. See other beautiful specimens, like majestic pelicans, and colorful blue-footed boobies. Return to Las adventure for a drive to Paracas National Reserve. Discover the almost alien landscape of the Paracas National Reserve, with vast sprawling deserts and high sandstone cliffs. Driving through the reserve, see the Cathedral, an area where a vast rock formation once stood before being destroyed by a cataclysmic earthquake. Visit the stunning maroon-sand beaches of Playa Roja and Lagunillas Beach. Having seen some of the world's most unique natural features, flora, and fauna, In lagunillas beach there you will have time for lunch in local restaurants, later the bus will take you to huacachina and end of the services - you will get to huacacahina or ica at around 16:30

Paracas: Mini Buggy Ride in Paracas National Reserve

3. Paracas: Mini Buggy Ride in Paracas National Reserve

Pick-up will be from your hotel in Paracas to the tour company office. Then you will have a brief health and safety instruction about how to drive the automatic mini buggy. Afterwards, you will be given a vehicle for two persons (driver and co-pilot). Once ready, you will drive and follow the lead vehicle. As you drive along the Paracas Reserve, you will see the beauty and amazing colorful landscape, which makes it such an original place on the Peruvian Coast. You will be able to stop and see many points of interest to see the main attractions of Paracas Reserve. At the end of the tour, you will return to the company office and be transferred back to your hotel.

Lima: 3-Day Tour to Paracas, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina

4. Lima: 3-Day Tour to Paracas, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina

Day 1: Lima - Paracas Pickup from your hotel or hostel in Lima, and stop for the chance to try a unique breakfast straight from the bread ovens of Mirasur. Then continue to Paracas, a small beach town, where you will have the rest of the day to explore. Overnight in Paracas. Day 2: Paracas - Ballestas Islands - Huacachina Leave your hotel and embark on a 2-hour boat tour to the Ballestas Islands. These islands are known to be a smaller version of the Galápagos, and you will have the chance to see sea lions, penguins, birds, and even dolphins up close in their natural habitats. After the boat tour, go on a 2-hour tour of the Paracas National Reserve, which is one of South America's largest protected desert regions and home to more than 400 species of flora and fauna. Discover a stunning landscape where the vast desert meets the Pacific Ocean.  After that, it's time to head to Huacachina, the only desert oasis in South America. Experience 2 hours of exhilarating dune buggying and sandboarding on some of the continent's highest sand dunes. Overnight in Huacachina. Day 3: Huacachina - Pisco Vineyard - Lima Join a 2-hour vineyard tour and see how Pisco, Peru's national drink, is made. Follow the process from grape to bottle and try different samples of Pisco. After, you will have the whole day to explore the desert oasis of Huacachina. Later travel by bus back to Lima. 

From San Martin: Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve

5. 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.

Paracas: Paracas National Reserve Half Day Tour

6. Paracas: Paracas National Reserve Half Day Tour

The tour starts picking you up at the hotel at Paracas to explore the reserve located in the department of Ica, in the province of Pisco. The Ica region is a sunny destination with many tourist attractions like the Nazca Lines and archaeological sites that belonged to the Paracas culture. The Peruvian coast is home of many kind of coastal marine species, such as the beautiful Humboldt penguin. This amazing bird lives around this area, especially at the Ballestas Islands. This place is a protected area since 1975 and it has a spectacular wildlife due to the cold Humboldt ocean current. Make a stop at the viewpoint of Supay beach is a must. You will enjoy lovely views to the coast and its cliff. The landscape is truly amazing, you cannot miss the combination of the huge desert with the color of the sea and birds flying around. A real natural show. After a short walk, we will reach the rock formation called as Cathedral, declared World Heritage Site. This place was affected after a strong earthquake in 2007. The local flora and fauna is amazing, where mammals, reptiles, birds live in this area, such as sea lions, otters, and dolphins. We will pass along the beautiful coast looking for beautiful beaches, as the Red Beach whose reddish sand is the result of ancient volcanic eruptions, making it one of the most unusual places in the world. Also, we will explore the Yumaque Beach, a beautiful cove with moon shape, where we will have the opportunity to see seagulls and dolphins. The tour of the reserve continues visiting the flamingos view point, migratory birds that come to this place for seasons. Then, we will go to the Interpretation Room to learn about the importance of this reserve, as well as its history, and the local flora and fauna. Also, we will able to admire marine fossils found in this place. The last stop will be at Lagunillas beach, a pretty fisherman’s bay where you will have time to taste a delicious and fresh Ceviche (optional). This is one of the most important Peruvian dishes made with raw fish marinated with lemon juice. At the end of this wonderful tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Paracas.

From Paracas: Paracas National Reserve Private Tour

7. From Paracas: Paracas National Reserve Private Tour

Enjoy the convenience of the being picked up from your hotel in Paracas or Pisco and transferred to the Paracas National Reserve. The reserve was established in 1975 to protect the bird and marine of life of the Paracas Peninsula. Admire the stunning landscape of the peninsula, formed by a saline desert, islands, and the sea. See one to the largest sea lion colonies in the world. Marvel at the numerous birds along the coastline. Learn about the reserve by visiting the visitor center, which has exhibits about the local flora and fauna. Drive to an area where a great natural rock formation once stood known as the Cathedral. Unfortunately, the Cathedral was destroyed during a 2007 earthquake. Enjoy amazing views of the desert, the blue ocean, and thousands of sea birds. Visit Playa Roja and Lagunillas Beach. After your tour finishes, return to your hotel.

From San Martin Port: Ballestas Island & Paracas Reserve

8. From San Martin Port: Ballestas Island & Paracas Reserve

Discover the marvelous National Reserve of Paracas in an exciting half-day tour that starts early in the morning, departing from Puerto San Martín. Our tour transport will take you to the picturesque traditional pier of El Chaco, where we will meet the rest of the group and board a speedboat. Get ready for a fascinating adventure! We will sail towards the Ballestas Islands, first passing by the enigmatic Candelabro. This mysterious geoglyph, with a length of 180 meters and an age of approximately 2500 years, has puzzled experts, and its exact purpose remains unknown. Some studies suggest that it is related to the famous Nazca Lines. Once on the beautiful Ballestas Islands, you will witness an impressive natural reserve with stunning geological formations and abundant wildlife. You will be able to spot boobies, pelicans, sea lions, and the adorable Humboldt penguins, among other species that inhabit this archipelago. These islands host an extraordinary number of birds, including migratory birds, and are famous for being the home of the world`s best natural fertilizer: guano. You will have the opportunity to observe guano birds such as the Peruvian booby, the Peruvian diving-petrel, and the Guanay cormorant, among others, while marveling at their natural environment. After returning to the pier and disembarking, we will continue our journey to the Paracas National Reserve. In the interpretation center, you will discover the secrets of flora and fauna of the reserve, as well as marine fossils that tell ancient stories. We will traverse the spectacular Paracas desert until we reach a viewpoint from where you can admire the remains of the iconic rock formation known as the Cathedral, declared a World Heritage Site. Although it suffered damage in an earthquake in 2007, it remains an impressive testament to the force of nature. Don`t miss the Red Beach, a unique place in the world with its surprisingly reddish sand, the result of ancient volcanic eruptions. We will also make a stop at the charming Lagunillas Beach, a picturesque fishing resort that will captivate you with its natural beauty. After this incredible experience, we will take you back to Puerto San Martín so you can continue your journey on a cruise, carrying amazing memories of the Paracas National Reserve and its natural wonders.

From Lima: 2 Day Tour Paracas, Ballestas Island & Huacachina

9. From Lima: 2 Day Tour Paracas, Ballestas Island & Huacachina

Day 1: Lima - Paracas Start with an early pickup from your hotel in Lima or meeting point. We stop for the chance to try a unique breakfast straight from the bread ovens of Mirasur – Enjoy some of the freshest baked bread in Peru and watch the local horses as they show the traditional dance of Caballos del Paso – yes, the horses dance! (breakfast not included) Then, travel to Paracas on a 4-hour journey and upon arrival, explore the small beach town which is a popular vacation destination for Peruvians. Free time to walk by the ocean, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant or simply relax in your accommodation before turning in for the night. Day 2: Paracas - Ballestas Islands - Huacachina - Lima Leave your hotel and embark on a 2-hour boat tour to the Ballestas Islands. These islands are known to be a smaller version of the Galápagos, and you will have the chance to see sea lions, penguins, birds, and even dolphins up close in their natural habitats. After the boat tour, go on a 2-hour tour of the Paracas National Reserve which is one of South America's largest protected desert regions and home to more than 400 species of flora and fauna. Discover a stunning landscape where the vast desert meets the Pacific Ocean. After that, it's time to head to Huacachina, the only desert oasis in South America. Experience 2 hours of exhilarating dune buggying and sandboarding across some of the highest sand dunes. You will later travel by bus back to Lima, and get dropped off at your hotel or the original meeting point.

From Lima: Paracas Tour & Ballesta Islands Private Transport

10. From Lima: Paracas Tour & Ballesta Islands Private Transport

The Ballestas Islands Afrter picking you up from Lima, we will go to Paracas to take a speed boat to the Ballestas Islands reserve, rich in marine life with animals such as sea-lions, birds and even cute penguins. Also, observe the mysterious “Candelabro geoglyph”, made by the ancient Paracas civilization 2000 B.C. Paracas National Reserve After your tour around the islands, your expert guide will explain you here about the desert formation. Have the chance to see the landscapes where many migratory birds stop. The highlight here is the stunning contrast of the desert right together with the ocean and the beautiful sceneries that this creates. Finally, we go back to Lima City and drop you off al your hotel.

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Paracas National Reserve

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What people are saying about Paracas National Reserve

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 97 reviews

Thank you to William for an insightful day! It ended up being just the two of us with William as our guide and a driver in a very comfortable car! It was very well organised - we were picked up on time and the day followed well, starting with the boat tour, followed by some brief stops at the National Reserve and ending with sea view lunch (before returning to Lima). We appreciated the insights that William was able to provide and enjoyed the whole day!

Fantastic experience! Everything was perfect, from the pickup to the tour itself. The islands and the national park are stunning and even better was our guide. She was great, taking care of us during the whole tour. She gave us a lot of info and knowledge about the places but in a really entertaining and interactive way. A must to do in Paracas!

Both the boat tour and the national reserve were amazing. Unique and wonderful, uncontaminated landscapes. The private tour by car to the paracas nature reserve was very nice and interesting, the guide explained everything carefully and was very helpful. Very happy.

Super nice guide in the national park, who also gave us a lot of additional information about Peru and the culture. We were lucky and had the guide to ourselves - very cool! :)

Everything was perfect. We couldn’t expect more than that! Filipe and Eduardo were really nice Eduardo’s explanations was really interesting We recommend