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PARACAS
ICA NASCA
 South
of Lima along the Panamericana Sur Highway we travel along the desert
coast, through fertile oases bathed by the melt waters of the
Andes. In these fertile valleys several cultures flourished,
such as the Nasca, the creators of the impressive hieroglyphics
known as the Nasca Lines.
The
plains of Ingenio and Cahuachi are covered with the
anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures, as well as geometric
patterns, which form a ceremonial centre the origins of which
remain a mystery to this day.
Close
to Ica, famous for its wineries, lies the oasis lagoon of
Huacachina, where we can enjoy fine wines under the desert
sunshine. Paracas is a peninsula between Lima and Ica, and it
has been made a National Reserve
in
recognition of both its archaeological treasures and the wealth
of
fauna in the fertile waters around the Ballestas Islands, where
hundreds of bird species, seals, whales and turtles find refuge,
making an excursion to the islands an unforgettable experience
Flight
Lima – Nasca – Lima
:
Leaving
from Lima airport by private small plane for the 500 kilometers
flight south to the Nasca plain, where for more than half an
hour we will fly over these designs etched into the desert
floor. After lunching in Nasca we make our return flight to
Lima.
Flight
Ica – Nasca - Ica
:
We leave Ica, crossing the desert where we can observe the drive
river beds left by the occasional periods of rainfall in this,
one of the driest places on Earth. We arrive in Nasca where we
will observe the famous Nasca Lines from the air. We may also be
fortunate enough to spot the Andean condor during the flight, as
they descend to the Paracas peninsula.
 Overflight
of the Nasca Lines:
From
Nasca airport we make the five minute flight to the Nasca plain,
where we will over fly the Lines and the valley for forty-five
minutes.
Paracas
- Ballestas Islands Excursión
: We
leave early from the Hotel Paracas wharf in speed boats to the
islands. On the way we will be able to observe the Candelabra, a
giant figure carved into the desert coast and facing the sea
north of the peninsula. The islands are close to the coast. They
have been guano islands since the 19th century. Among
the thousands of birds that can be seen, the most interesting
are the Humboldt penguins. The islands are also inhabited by
seals and whales roam the surrounding waters, making Paracas a
unique location for the observation of marine fauna
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