Overview
The Nazca Lines, huge geometric designs and figures etched into a bleak, barren plain inland from the coast (4 hrs’ drive from Paracas and 7 from Lima), were carved around 2,000 years ago, possibly as an astronomical calendar. Close to Paracas is the port Pisco, from which you can take a light aircraft flight over the Nazca Lines.
The Paracas Nature Reserve on a rocky desert peninsula and the guano-rich Ballestas Islands just off the Pacific coast, a short drive from Lima, are often visited en route to the Nazca Lines and Arequipa, but for wildlife lovers they are a real treat in their own right. Sealions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, terns, cormorants and flamingoes thrive here, and the marine life is equally prolific, with dolphins, sharks and whales.
Between Paracas and Nazca, the town of Ica is the centre of Peru's pisco industry and viticulture. It sits in a fertile valley close to towering sand dunes, 50km from the sea. There's an interesting museum but the main reason for a visit is to discover the bodegas, or wineries, one or two if which offer delightful accommodation. A few km from the town is an oasis with a palm-fringed lagoon at the summer resort Huacachina.
Holidays Paracas, Ica and Nazca
From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.
Private Journeys
Peru
A Taste of Peru
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Private Journeys
Peru
Peru Odyssey – 21 Days of Discovery
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Things to do
Discover things to do in Paracas and Nazca, on foot, by boat or by air. Book your guided tour of Peru with Journey Latin America now.
Accommodation
Examine hotels and other first class places to stay in Paracas and Nazca. Book your accommodation for Peru with Journey Latin America now.
Where to go when - our guide to Paracas, Ica and Nazca
The weather in Paracas, Ica and Nazca is wide and varied
The cold Pacific current keeps the rain away and a misty sun is out here most of the year round, and temperatures are mild. The wildlife is abundant all year round; flamingoes are present July to November.
View our Paracas, Ica and Nazca weather guidePapagaio
Your edit for Latin American inspiration
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
View Extraordinary Inspiration
