Paracas and Nazca 2 Days
Ballestas Islands, Paracas National Reserve, Huacachina Oasis, and Nazca Lines
Explore some of the most breathtaking landscapes along Peru's southern coast on this 2-day adventure that combines wildlife, nature, desert scenery, an oasis, and one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries: the Nazca Lines.
This tour is perfect for travelers who want to visit Paracas, Huacachina, and Nazca at a comfortable pace, enjoying each destination with more time and flexibility than a typical one-day trip from Lima.
On the first day, you'll visit the famous Ballestas Islands, home to sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a wide variety of marine birds. You'll then explore the Paracas National Reserve, where the desert meets the Pacific Ocean, creating some of the most unique coastal landscapes in South America. Later, you'll travel to Huacachina, a spectacular desert oasis surrounded by towering sand dunes, where you'll enjoy an exciting dune buggy and sandboarding adventure at sunset.
The second day takes you to Nazca, where you'll have the opportunity to experience the famous Nazca Lines flightseeing tour and admire enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert more than a thousand years ago. You'll also discover some of the region's most important cultural attractions before returning.
This experience combines adventure, history, nature, and some of Peru's most remarkable landscapes in a perfectly organized 2-day journey.+
- Location: Paracas, Ica, Huacachina, and Nazca – Southern Coast of Peru.
- Tour Type: Nature, adventure, archaeology, and scenic landscapes.
- Ideal For: Couples, families, groups of friends, photographers, and first-time visitors to Peru.
- Difficulty: Easy. Includes short walks and optional desert activities.
- Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night.
- Languages: English and Spanish.
- Service Type: Small Group or Private Service.
- Accommodation: Hotel in Nazca or Huacachina depending on availability and selected category.
- Transportation: Tourist transportation throughout the entire tour.
Tour Highlights
- Cruise to the Ballestas Islands and observe marine wildlife.
- Visit the Paracas National Reserve.
- Explore Red Beach and dramatic coastal desert landscapes.
- Discover the Huacachina Oasis.
- Enjoy an exciting dune buggy and sandboarding adventure.
- Watch the sunset from the desert dunes.
- Fly over the world-famous Nazca Lines.
- Experience some of the most spectacular landscapes on Peru's southern coast.
- Enjoy a complete 2-day adventure with accommodation included.
Why Choose This Tour
Many travelers want to visit Paracas, Huacachina, and Nazca, but organizing each destination separately requires more time, planning, and transportation. This tour combines the most famous destinations on Peru's southern coast into one seamless experience, allowing you to maximize your trip while enjoying a unique combination of nature, adventure, and history.
Unlike one-day excursions, this experience includes an overnight stay, allowing you to explore each destination at a more relaxed pace without spending long consecutive hours on the road.
What Makes This Experience Special
What makes this journey truly unique is the incredible variety of experiences you'll enjoy in just two days. One moment you'll be cruising alongside sea lions and Humboldt penguins at the Ballestas Islands, and just a few hours later you'll be racing across massive sand dunes in off-road buggies while watching the sunset over the desert.
The following day, you'll discover one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries as you fly over the Nazca Lines, gigantic figures that continue to intrigue archaeologists and researchers from around the globe. It is a rare combination of adventure, nature, culture, and history that is difficult to find anywhere else in South America.
Best Time to Travel
This tour can be enjoyed year-round.
Peru's southern coast enjoys relatively stable weather conditions throughout most of the year, with very little rainfall. Between December and April, visitors typically experience sunnier days and warmer temperatures, making it an excellent time to enjoy Huacachina and outdoor activities.
From May through November, temperatures are cooler, but conditions remain excellent for visiting Paracas, Nazca, and taking the Nazca Lines flight.
Who Is This Tour For?
This experience is ideal for travelers who want to explore several destinations in a short amount of time without sacrificing comfort.
It is perfect for couples, groups of friends, families with older children, photographers, nature lovers, and travelers interested in the history of ancient Peru. It is also an excellent option for those looking to combine adventure and culture in a single trip.
Included
- Pickup from hotels or designated meeting point in Lima.
- Tourist transportation throughout the entire tour.
- Boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands.
- Life jacket during the boat tour.
- Guided visit to the Paracas National Reserve.
- Visit to the Huacachina Oasis.
- Dune buggy adventure through the desert.
- Sandboarding activity.
- 1 night accommodation in Nazca.
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Nazca Lines flightseeing tour.
- Transfers between the hotel and Nazca airfield.
- Professional guide during excursions.
- Assistance before and throughout the entire journey.
- Return transportation to Lima.
Not Included
- Lunches and dinners.
- Nazca airport tax (if applicable).
- Nazca Lines tourist tax (if applicable).
- Travel insurance.
- Beverages and snacks.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips for guides and drivers.
- Services not specifically mentioned in the included section.
Day 1: Lima – Paracas – Ballestas Islands – Paracas National Reserve – Huacachina – Nazca
Your adventure begins with hotel pickup in Lima at approximately 4:00 AM. From there, we travel along Peru's southern coast toward Paracas, a charming seaside town known for its incredible biodiversity and marine wildlife.
Upon arrival at the Paracas port, you'll board a tourist boat for an excursion to the famous Ballestas Islands. During the cruise, you'll see the mysterious geoglyph known as El Candelabro, a giant figure etched into a hillside overlooking the ocean. As the journey continues, you'll explore the islands, home to sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and numerous seabird species living within this protected natural reserve.
After the boat excursion, we continue to the Paracas National Reserve, one of the most extraordinary landscapes on Peru's coastline. Here you'll witness the dramatic meeting point of the desert and the Pacific Ocean, creating unique scenery of beaches, cliffs, and geological formations. Highlights include Red Beach and several scenic viewpoints offering spectacular coastal views.
Following the reserve visit, we travel to Huacachina, a natural desert oasis surrounded by massive sand dunes in the heart of the Ica Desert. You'll have time to explore the oasis, take photographs, and enjoy the unique atmosphere that has made Huacachina one of southern Peru's most popular destinations.
In the afternoon, you'll experience one of the most exciting parts of the trip as you ride across the dunes in specially designed dune buggies. During this adventure, you'll also have the opportunity to try sandboarding and witness one of Peru's most spectacular sunsets from the top of the dunes.
After the activity, we continue our journey to Nazca. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and have time to relax before the next day's adventure.
- Meals: Not included.
- Accommodation: Hotel in Nazca according to the selected category.
- Difficulty: Easy.
- Approximate Altitude: Nazca is located at 520 m / 1,706 ft above sea level.
Day 2: Nazca Lines Flightseeing Tour – Return to Lima
After breakfast at the hotel, we head to the Nazca airfield for one of the most anticipated experiences of the trip: the flight over the world-famous Nazca Lines.
Before the flight, you'll receive a brief safety orientation and learn about the history of these mysterious geoglyphs. You will then board a small aircraft for an unforgettable aerial view of some of the desert's most famous figures, including the Hummingbird, Monkey, Spider, Condor, Whale, and many other designs created more than a thousand years ago.
For approximately 30 to 35 minutes, you'll enjoy a unique perspective of one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries. Your pilot and guide will help identify the figures as you fly over the vast Nazca Desert.
After the flight, you'll have free time to relax, explore part of the city, or enjoy lunch on your own before beginning the return journey to Lima.
In the afternoon, we travel back along the Pan-American Highway, enjoying the coastal scenery once again. Arrival in Lima is expected in the evening, marking the end of this unforgettable two-day adventure through some of southern Peru's most fascinating destinations.
- Meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
- Difficulty: Easy.
- Flight Duration: Approximately 30 to 35 minutes.
- Maximum Altitude: Scenic flight over the Nazca Desert.
What to Bring
We recommend bringing:
Original passport or valid identification document.
Small backpack.
Comfortable walking shoes.
Lightweight and comfortable clothing.
Light jacket for the early morning hours.
Sunscreen.
Sunglasses.
Hat or cap.
Reusable water bottle.
Camera or smartphone.
Cash for personal expenses.
Personal medications if necessary.
Important
Your passport or valid identification document is mandatory for boarding the Nazca Lines flight.
The experience lasts approximately 2 days and 1 night, including transportation, accommodation, excursions, and the Nazca Lines flight.
Yes. The Nazca Lines flightseeing tour is included in the program. Depending on current regulations, certain airport taxes or fees may need to be paid directly at the airfield.
Yes. Flights are operated by authorized companies supervised by Peruvian aviation authorities. Aircraft receive regular maintenance, and pilots have extensive experience conducting sightseeing flights over the Nazca Desert.
Yes. All passengers must present their original passport or valid identification document before boarding the aircraft.
Depending on operational conditions, you may observe the Hummingbird, Monkey, Spider, Condor, Dog, Whale, Astronaut, and several other figures etched into the Nazca Desert.
Yes. The tour includes the boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands with wildlife observation accompanied by a professional guide.
Common sightings include sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, boobies, cormorants, and a variety of marine bird species.
Yes. The Huacachina experience includes a dune buggy ride across the desert dunes as well as sandboarding.
No. The activity is designed for beginners and requires no prior experience.
The program includes one night of accommodation in Nazca. Depending on availability and preferences, upgraded lodging options can also be arranged.
The standard package generally includes tourist-class accommodation with a private room, private bathroom, and breakfast. Upgraded hotel options are available.
Yes. It is an excellent experience for families, couples, and groups of friends who want to combine nature, adventure, and history in a single trip.
There are generally no specific age restrictions; however, we recommend consulting in advance if traveling with very young children, individuals with heart conditions, or travelers who are highly sensitive to motion.
Yes. We can organize this experience as a private tour for travelers seeking greater flexibility, personalized service, and customized schedules.