From Humbolt penguins diving in the waters, sea lions bathing in the sun, flamingos dancing at the beach, and much more, you will have an unforgettable experience of an abundant marine life, only here on the Ballestas Islands!
With our full-day tour, we will arrange for you all the logistics so that you don’t have to worry about anything and can better enjoy this fantastic spectacle of wildlife in its natural habitat. We will cruise by boat through the many little caves, cliffs, and rock formations so that you can get some of the best views and see all the best spots of these wonderful paradise-like islands.
Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Book your trip to the Peruvian Galapagos with our full-day tour of the Ballestas Islands.
Duration: 1 Day | Max. Altitude: 50 m / 164 ft |
Difficulty: Easy | Season: All year |
Itinerary
We will pick you up from your hotel around 7:45 AM and drive you to the artisanal fair “El Chaco” from where you will take a boat towards the Paracas reserve.
On the boat trip towards the Ballestas Islands, we will make a quick stop to appreciate the enigmatic “lámparas de araña” translated meaning “spider chandeliers”, which are impressive designs on the surface of the Paracas bay. Up to this day, it is unknown who or why someone made these astonishing figures. However, some hypothesis hint at a similar origin related to the Nazca lines that are located some 21 km / 70 mi away. Other hypotheses suggest that these are ancient marks of pirates that used them for navigation purposes.
Whatever the origin of these unusual landmarks, our guide will give you some thought food whilst our captain will continue the journey towards the Ballestas Islands.
Ballestas Islands
Once we enter the Paracas National Reserve, you will be surrounded by an impressively abundant biodiversity, which is the reason why many refer to this fascinating place as the Peruvian Galapagos. From sea lions bathing in the sun to birds flying through the sky, you will see a real-life spectacle of a vibrant and flourishing biodiversity.
From the boat, you will have the best seats to observe and take some amazing photos. We will drive you around these islands, through caves, and along impressive rock formations in order for you to be able to spot as much varied marine life as there is in this place.
Please note, that due to its semi-tropical location and being on open water, there is a lot of sun so we recommend wearing sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from sunlight.
After cruising by boat through this gorgeous paradise, we will return to the Chaco pier.
Important: The exact time schedule of the tour will be confirmed in a previous briefing.
Included
TOUR INCLUDES
- Transportation roundtrip from & to your hotel in Paracas
- Tourist mobility
- Entrance Tickets
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Services not mentioned in the program
- Tips & Extra Money
RECOMMENDATIONS
- For this boat trip, you need to bring a jacket or windbreaker, as it is windy when the boat’s engine starts.
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- Camera
- Extra money
CONTACT US
More Information
Ica
The city of Ica is known as the city of the eternal sun. This city is located in the province and in the department of the same name, and is the capital of the department in which it is located. ica peru
Among the different tourist attractions found within the city of Ica, there are places such as the Plaza de Armas, which is the oldest architectural structure in the city. Around this square are important buildings, such as the Cathedral of the region.
The Cathedral of Ica, which is a construction dating from the 18th century, suffered serious damage during the last earthquake that occurred in Ica, which is why, only in 2012, the authorities of the region saw the need to restore the same, to restore its former splendor. huacachina peru
Other attractions that share the surroundings of the main square of Ica, are a series of large houses, among which the Marques de Torre Hermosa house stands out, which is one of the few colonial houses that has survived the constant earthquakes that have been unleashed. in the place.
The building is also known by the name of “Casa Bolívar”, and the structure highlights the beautiful stone façade that it presents.
Likewise, there are a number of important museums in the city, among these is the Museum of Engraved Stones, which is located in front of the Plaza. This museum exhibits, as its name indicates, different stones that depict different scenes on its body.
Another museum that is located in the city is the Regional Museum of Ica, which is in charge of exhibiting different archaeological finds that have been discovered in expeditions in the region. peruvian desert
Weather
Ica has a warm and dry climate, with an average temperature of 27 ° C in summer and 18 ° C in winter. Normally, the maximum temperature does not exceed 30 ° C and the minimum does not fall below 8 ° C. A characteristic of its climate is related to the strong winds called “paracas”, which usually raise large clouds of sand.
Top attractions in Ica
- Tacama – Vineyards with wineries.
- Huacachina Oasis.
- Huacachina Lagoon.
- Canyon of the Lost.
- El Catador – Vineyards with wineries.
- Regional Museum
- Main Square.
- Cachiche Witches Park.
Paracas National Reserve
Recognized worldwide for the richness and diversity of species that inhabit the sea that bathes its desert coasts and for the number of its own and migratory birds, which during some months of the year come to Peru fleeing the cold.
This protected area also has a whole area of wetlands, where birds such as flamingos, seagulls, penguins nest, it is even possible that you see the flight of a condor. Famous for the presence of sea lions of various types. peru desert
What animals can be observed in the Paracas National Reserve?
- The flamenco,
- The white sandpiper
- The fishing eagle,
- The Pelican
- The guanay or our favorite,
- The Peruvian pikeman.
The Ballestas Islands
The Ballestas Islands are located in front of Paracas, and are three small islands, Ballestas Norte, Ballestas Centro and Ballestas Sur; each has an area of approximately 0.12 km². The islands are located outside the Paracas National Reserve area.
The Ballestas Islands are made up of rock formations where there is an important marine fauna with guano birds such as the guanay, the booby and the tendril mainly, the North, Central and South Ballestas Islands stand out.
Why are they called the Ballestas Islands?
The Ballestas Islands are a group of small islands located off the Paracas peninsula. They are also known as “the Galapagos of Peru” due to their abundant fauna and the impressive landscape they offer to visitors. peru desert oasis
Who administers the Ballestas Islands?
It is administered by SERNANP in total it administers 22 islands, islets and points that are part of the National Reserve System of Islands, Islets and Points of Guaneras.
Marine biodiversity in the Ballestas Islands
The Ballestas Islands are a refuge for colonies of sea lions. Likewise, different species of guano birds fly between the islands, such as the guanay, the booby, the tendril and the pelican, reaching the nests of some of these species on the rocks.
Price
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
We have price alternatives that accommodate all budgets, prices per person, expressed in US Dollars.
Make your quotes and reservations by email [email protected], you can also communicate with one of our sales executives at the telephones detailed below, we will be happy to assist you.
Phone – WhatsApp: +51 969 787 221
Phone – WhatsApp: +51 986 994 218
HOW TO BOOK THE TOUR?
To start the reservation process, please send us the following information:
- Name and surname:
- Passport number:
- Nationality:
- Date of Birth:
- Phone:
- Very important – We need the address and information about the hotel that you are staying at, in the city of Ica, to be able to pick you up at the time when the tour starts
To confirm reservations it is required to pay 50% in advance and the other 50% can be paid upon arrival at your destination.
PAYMENT METHODS
- IZIPAY
- PAYPAL
- WESTER UNION
- MONEYGRAM
- TRANSFER TO OUR BANK ACCOUNT PERU
GENERAL CONDITIONS
- All rates for our Peru Packages are expressed in US dollars (subject to currency exchange rates) and are priced per person
- The rates for Peruvians only include VAT
- All our rates are subject to availability and circumstances
- Children under 2 years and 11 months are considered INF (babies) and are not permitted on this tour
- Children from 3 to 10 years and 11 months are considered DCC (child) and thus eligible for special rates and obliged to share the room with their parents
- Children over 11 years old are considered adults
- Minors must travel with an identity document
- Rates do not apply to holidays, Easter, long weekends, national holidays, Christmas, or New Year