From Paracas
to the Nazca Lines.
Three days of ocean wildlife, desert dunes, local traditions and ancient figures in the sand.
Ocean wildlife.
Golden dunes.
Desert mysteries.
Travel south from Lima to Paracas, where the desert meets the Pacific. Explore the Ballestas Islands and the protected Paracas coast, then continue to Huacachina's sand dunes, Ica's pisco traditions and the ancient geoglyphs of Nazca before returning to Lima.
From a coastal boat trip to a sightseeing flight, each day reveals a different landscape along Peru's southern Pacific route.
The moments you'll
remember most.
See remarkable wildlife offshore, cross enormous sand dunes and view ancient desert designs from the air.
Ballestas Islands
Pacific wildlife and sculpted coastal scenery.
Huacachina Oasis
A pocket of green beneath enormous sand dunes.
Nazca Lines
Giant desert figures best appreciated from above.
Three days from sea to sand.
Expand each day for the planned route, sightseeing details and photographs of the places in your itinerary.
Day 01 Lima to Paracas Lima → Paracas · Hotel pickup · bus journey · coastal arrival
Leave Lima and make your way to the coast for your first night in Paracas.
Your tour begins with pickup from your hotel in Lima and a transfer to the bus station for the journey south to Paracas.
On arrival in Paracas, transfer to your hotel. This is the arrival day; the supplied itinerary does not list additional sightseeing before the following morning.
Day 02 Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Huacachina Paracas → Ballestas Islands → Paracas Reserve → Huacachina → Ica · Wildlife · desert coast · dunes · pisco
Spend the morning with coastal wildlife and Paracas heritage, then head to the oasis dunes and Ica's local traditions.
After breakfast, transfer from your hotel to the port for a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands. From the water, look out for El Candelabro, the enormous hillside geoglyph. Around the islands, the itinerary highlights Humboldt penguins, sea lions and seabirds; actual sightings depend on conditions and wildlife activity.
Continue to the Paracas National Reserve for dramatic desert-and-ocean scenery. The original itinerary mentions La Catedral, a rock formation damaged by the 2007 earthquake; today the area's coastal viewpoint and remaining formations are the relevant sights. Visit the Julio C. Tello Site Museum, noted for archaeological finds associated with the ancient Paracas culture.
After lunch, continue to Huacachina for a sand-dune experience. The itinerary suggests sandboarding and dune-buggy rides; confirm whether these activities are included or optional when booking.
Finish with an Ica city tour and a visit to a traditional wine-and-pisco cellar, where the source itinerary describes a pisco tasting. Check your hotel and evening arrangements with the operator.
Illustrative Paracas-style textile from a separate collection; not a verified photo of the Julio C. Tello museum.
Representative image of a pisco cellar; the specific Ica cellar is not named in the itinerary.
Day 03 Nazca Lines Flight & Return to Lima Ica area → Nazca Aerodrome → Lima · Scenic flight · Nazca geoglyphs · return transfer
See the Nazca Lines from the air before returning to Lima in the afternoon or evening.
After breakfast, meet your pickup at the arranged time and travel to the Nazca Aerodrome. Watch an introductory video before boarding the sightseeing aircraft for an overflight of the Nazca Lines, weather and flight operations permitting.
Look down on the geometric figures and animal-shaped geoglyphs traced across the desert plateau, a legacy of the ancient Nazca culture. The source itinerary identifies the overflight as the principal activity of the day.
Lunch is at your own choice and expense. At the convenient arranged time, return to Lima, where the itinerary lists reception and transfer to your hotel. Confirm the long-distance road schedule and flight arrangements before travel.
A few details worth confirming.
The supplied itinerary covers the principal route. Confirm current transport, activity and booking details before departure.
Check boat and flight conditions
Ballestas boat excursions and Nazca Lines overflights depend on weather, local access and operator schedules. Ask about changes and contingency arrangements.
Ask what's included in the dunes
Sandboarding and buggy rides are suggested experiences in Huacachina. Confirm activity inclusion, any entry fees, and the pisco cellar tasting details.
Review hotels, meals and transfers
The route starts and ends in Lima. Day 3 lunch is at passengers' own expense. Confirm bus tickets, hotel nights, flight arrangements and return timing.
Ready to see
Peru's coast and desert?
Tell us your travel dates, group size and interests. Ask about the Paracas, Ica, Huacachina and Nazca tour itinerary.
Let's plan your southern Peru trip.
Request dates, accommodation details, transfers, sightseeing inclusions and pricing for this three-day tour.
Request tour details Availability, flight operations and optional activities are confirmed on enquiry.Paracas · Ica · Huacachina · Nazca · 3 days / 2 nights · Back to top ↑
Photographs from Wikimedia Commons are credited under each itinerary card. Representative images are labeled.
