Full Day Paracas Tour from Lima

A peaceful journey in a comfortable tourist vehicle, where you can either catch up on sleep or watch as the capital of Peru, a metropolis of over 10 million people, comes to life. The first stop will be in the district of Paracas (Pisco province, Ica), located 245 kilometres south of Lima.

In Paracas (arrival time: around 9:30 a.m.), you’ll reach the artisanal port of El Chaco, where tourist boats depart (morning only) for the Ballestas Islands, a natural and marine geographical treasure.

Sailing the Pacific

One of the highlights of the Full Day Paracas from Lima is the departure from El Chaco to the Ballestas Islands, a group of rocky formations home to sea lion colonies and thousands of birds. Due to its biodiversity, this area is protected by the Peruvian government, and disembarking is not allowed in this marine sanctuary.

During the two-hour (approx.) journey, you will see the mysterious Paracas Candelabra, a geoglyph 180 metres long, estimated to be 2,500 years old. Its meaning and purpose remain a mystery. The only certainty is that it leaves a lasting impression on those who admire it.

You will be one of them. You’ll have it right in front of you as the guide explains the different theories related to this “tattoo” etched into a sandy hill in Paracas Bay. After this first stop, the tour continues. Get ready to fully enjoy a place some call the “Peruvian Galapagos.”

Whether it’s an exaggeration or reality, one thing is clear: Ballestas is a paradise of biodiversity, inhabited by dolphins, sea lions, otters, Humboldt penguins, boobies, guanay birds, red-legged cormorants, and many other species. During the journey, please remain silent so as not to disturb the wildlife.

Heading Towards the Desert

Returning to El Chaco (around 11:30 a.m.), you’ll feel satisfied by your close encounter with the biodiversity of the Pacific and your newfound knowledge about guano birds and their importance to the Peruvian economy in the 19th century. But the tour doesn’t end here. It’s time to hit the road again. Ica is your next stop.

Ica, the capital of the region of the same name, is located 71 kilometres south of Paracas. The vast desert, the miraculous agricultural valleys, and the famous wineries producing wine and pisco are what characterise this city, where you’ll recharge your energy during lunch (arrival time: around 12:30 p.m.).

Please note that lunch is not included in the price of the Full Day Paracas from Lima tour. Choose the option that best fits your budget and culinary preferences. As with the rest of the tour, your guide will be there to help you make the best decision.

What comes next is a pisco tasting – Peru’s national drink – and mistelas at Fundo Tres Esquinas and La Bodega Nietto. The roots of the Ica vineyards and wineries date back to colonial times, a long tradition that produced a grape distillate that was shipped to Spain from the port of Pisco.

The Oasis of America

After the toasts, you’ll visit the Huacachina Lagoon. Arriving at around 3:30 p.m., don’t think you’re seeing a mirage caused by too much of the famous Peruvian pisco. Not at all. You’ve arrived at the “Oasis of America,” a miracle in the desert, an underground water mirror surrounded by lush vegetation and dunes, just 5 kilometres from Ica.

Wrapped in a legendary aura, in Huacachina – a Quechua word meaning “Woman Who Cries” – you’ll calmly take in the palm trees and the greenish waters, before heading up the dunes (around 16:00). From there, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the oasis and get ready to try sandboarding.

Sliding down the sand. That’s what awaits you and what you’ll do as part of the tour. Never tried it before? No worries. It’s easy to learn. You’ll receive a quick lesson on how to “surf” the dunes before you take the plunge. If you fall, just get up, shake off the sand, and try again. You’ll quickly realise it’s a lot of fun.

That’s the final activity of the Full Day Paracas from Lima. Don’t be sad. If your holiday is just beginning, we have various itineraries that will let you explore Peru in a professional, safe, and guaranteed way, as shown by the thousands of reviews from our passengers.

Back to Lima

As evening falls, the tourist vehicle that has been with you throughout the journey will start its engines to return to Lima. On the way, we’ll make a stop in Chincha for some shopping. If you’re feeling very tired and the rest of the group is too, don’t worry – this stop is optional.

You’re expected to arrive back at your hotel in Miraflores around 10:30 p.m. (approximately). Please note that this tour begins and ends at your accommodation in the Miraflores district. If you wish to depart from another location, contact us in advance to make arrangements and offer you an alternative.

Back at your hotel, you’ll realise that the hours of sleep you sacrificed were actually hours gained in making the most of the Full Day Paracas from Lima. The route you chose allowed you to experience both the sea and desert of Ica, the “City of Eternal Sun,” and the region of the Paracas winds – all in one incredible day.

Are the visit times to the attractions punctual?

No, all visit times are approximate, as they depend heavily on road traffic, visitors’ physical condition, and the weather. If you book a private tour, the times listed in the tour description are generally followed more closely.

Where do I buy tickets to enter the attraction?

All entry tickets are purchased at the attraction’s gate on the day of the tour—just make sure to bring cash in Peruvian soles.

What are the differences between shared and private tours?

On a shared tour, you will join other tourists, with the group size typically averaging 20 people. The pick-up of tourists from the historic centre of Lima can take 30 to 40 minutes, and the guided tour is conducted in both Spanish and English.

However, if you book a private tour, it will be just for you and your travel companions (with no strangers). The pick-up will be very punctual, and once we pick you up from your hotel, we will immediately depart for the destination. The guided tour will be exclusively in either English or Spanish.

Do you have guaranteed departures every day?

Yes, we depart every day, but to ensure your spot on the bus, we recommend booking in advance.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can always cancel the tour, but there will be no refund unless you cancel at least 48 hours in advance.

How do refunds work?

You can request a refund as long as you cancel the tour 48 hours in advance.

When issuing a refund, we will deduct 5% of the total amount paid, as this is the commission charged by banks and PayPal for processing the transaction. Additionally, we do not cover the money transfer fee when issuing the refund.