World Heritage Natural Side - A Half Day Tour
Paracas is a Quechua name, means “raining sand”. It is located 250km south of Lima. The Paracas bay is always remembered for the landing os September 8th, 1820 of Jose de San Martin and his army to begin the battle for Peru´s independence from Spain. Paracas is the departure point to reach the Paracas National Reserve, provides a sanctuary to 74 species of plants that grow in this extremely arid area, and to 216 species of birds, 16 types of mammals, 10 species of reptiles and 193 species of fish. Only protected natural marine area, it covers 3350 square kilometres, 65% of it sea and 35% land and islands. The Paracas National Reserve provides an opportunity to easily watch resident and migratory birds, including flamencos, red-legged cormorants, Inca terns, Peruvian boobies, Humboldt penguins, Guanay cormorant, Neotropical cormorant, Turkey vulture, etc.
The archaeology also is present at this zone. In 1925 archaeology team reported the find of hundreds of mummy bundles in the Paracas peninsula area, Julio C. Tello were study the Paracas ancient culture which readiocarbon tests dated to 7000BC and a significant number of skulls that had trepanation marks.
PARACAS NATIONAL SEA RESERVE GUIDED TOUR ITINERARY
At 8AM, 11AM or 2PM pick up from your hotel and then go by tourist bus to Paracas National Reserve, declared World Heritage Natural Side by UNESCO. The reason for this rich wildlife is the cold upwelling of the Humboldt Current. The sharp contrast between the desert and the sea also provides a stunning landscape. The tour begins with the excursion to this reserve of Paracas, Julio C. Tello Museum, continues the visit to the Cathedral and La Boveda, where we do short walk around the sea going in to the cave, several viewpoints of Wolves and Lagunillas beach, where it will be possible to be enjoyed the sun and the sea having lunch. These areas are considered by the geographic location one becomes strangest and richest ecosystems in the world.
The entire trip takes around 4 hours and ends with drop off at your hotel or bus station in Paracas/Pisco.
BEST TIME FOR PICTURES
All the year, to get the best picture of the sea wildlife is better to go early morning or late afternoon. Dont forget to test the Ceviche, one of the most pupolar food of the Peruvian cuisine.
