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| Title: |
SOUTHERN MYSTHERIES (03 days / 02 nights) |
| Interest: |
Culture, Family, Adventure, Ecotourism |
| Destinations: |
Ica, Paracas, Reserva Nacional de Paracas, Islas Ballestas, Líneas de Nazca, Laguna de la Huacachina |
| Trip Length: |
03 days / 02 nights |
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OVERVIEW
Ica is a beautiful city located in the southern part of Peru, in the middle of a green valley surrounded by the desert. This wonderful city stands out thanks to its warm climate, gorgeous white sand dunes, traditional vineyards located in the countryside and its beautiful lagoon. There are many theories that seek to explain the reason why ancient Peruvians created the Nasca Lines, drawings of animals (a monkey, a spider and a fish, just to name a few), geometric figures (trapezoids, a labyrinth of straight lines and triangles), and of birds that have been preserved for more than 2000 years under the harsh atmospheric conditions of the desert. The Paracas Reserve, Peru's largest coastal wildlife sanctuary, includes the Ballestas Islands, accessible from Paracas by boat. These islands are home to thousands of resident and migratory sea birds, many endemic to the Humboldt Current. In the summer, condors are also frequent visitors and flamingos occasionally pause at the bay..
ITINERARY
Day 01:
LIMA / ICA / LINEAS DE NAZCA / ICA
Early morning drive south along the Panamericana highway from Lima to Ica’s aerodrome, through arid desert and lush coastal oasis. Upon arrival, enjoy a unique flight over the enigmatic and mysterious Nazca Lines, etched into the desert by a pre-Inca civilization, between 900 B.C. and 600 A.D.. These enormous line drawings of animals, birds and geometric figures, which still remain etched in the desert, can only be appreciated from the air. Theories vary, but the most accepted belongs to German mathematician Maria Reiche, who dubbed the land the “astronomical calendar” of the ancient Peruvians. After the flight, transfer to selected hotel in Ica. Overnight in Ica..
Day 02:
ICA / PARACAS
After breakfast, at the appointed time, you will enjoy a half day guided tour to the city of Ica. You will start the tour visiting an old vineyard where local people produce the famous Pisco, a grape brandy. Here you will learn more details about this popular drink, visiting the whole vineyard, its main tasting room and chatting with the Pisco makers. After the visit you will have some time to taste the different types of piscos and wines that are produce in the vineyard. Then you will continue with the tour visiting the Regional Museum of Ica, an interesting building that houses the remains of the ancient cultures that developed on the southern coast. Finally you will head southwest towards the Oasis of La Huacachina, a gorgeous lagoon surrounded by palm trees and huge sand dunes. After the tour, transfer to selected hotel in Paracas. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a land tour through The Paracas National Reserve. First you will visit the Julio C. Tello Site Museum where you will admire fine pottery pieces and the famous polychrome textiles made by the Paracas peoples, then you will head to the reserve’s beautiful beaches. After the excursion, return transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Paracas..
Day 03:
PARACAS / ...
After breakfast, at the appointed time, enjoy your motor boat excursion to Ballestas Islands, one of the world’s most important marine reserves where sea birds, including Humbolt penguins, boobies, pelicans, cormorants, among the many other species which converge there looking for shelter should be seen. These fascinating sea birds share their home with hundreds of playful sea lions, and you may see hundreds of them lazing on the rocks or swimming around the boat. You may even catch a glimpse of the elusive condor. The huge Candelabro, a candelabra-shaped etching on the Paracas Cliffside, can also be seen as you cruise back to shore. Many people believe that this enigmatic drawing is related to the Nazca lines, while others think it is a representation of the Southern Cross Constellation, or a stylized drawing of a cactus that was used by high Inca and pre-Inca priests as an hallucinogen. In the afternoon, at the appointed time, transfer to the bus station..
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| Laguna de Huacachina / Archivo |
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| Candelabro de Paracas / Archivo |
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| Textiles Paracas / Archivo |
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| Lineas de Nasca / Archivo |
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| Museo Regional de Ica / Archivo |
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| Candelabro de Paracas / Archivo |
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