STYLE: Extension package
Trip Code: PETSLSO
DIFFICULTY RATING: 1 (easy adventure)
Start: Lima, Peru
Finish: Lima, Peru
Peru
Daily
5 Breakfasts (B)
Private Arrival/Departure Transfers in Lima, Nazca & Paracas; Shared Tourist Buses from Lima to Nazca, Nazca to Paracas & Paracas to Lima
Hotel
Nazca – Half day Nazca Archeological Tour & Antonini Museum; sightseeing flight over the UNESCO World Heritage listed Nazca Lines
Paracas - Ballestas Islands Boat Tour & Paracas National Reserve Tour
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Discover the mystery that lies hidden within Peru’s desert and southern coastline with this Chimu Adventure tour to Nazca and Paracas. Departing from Lima, Peru’s capital, you will travel to Nazca where you will take an archaeological tour to unearth the many secrets of this region. Visit the Aqueducts of Cantalloc and the Paredones Ruins before enjoying a bird’s eye view of the Nazca lines with a flight over the UNESCO World Heritage listed site. You will then travel to Paracas to cruise to the Ballestas Islands and see the Candelabra of the Andes before exploring the unusual desert coastline of the Paracas National Reserve.
On this all-encompassing personalised itinerary, Chimu will provide travel logistics for your travel party for the duration of your journey, plus expert guides for all the major sightseeing as per itinerary. Each night you will stay in superior accommodation, handpicked by our experienced team for their creature comforts, convenient locations, and impeccable service.
Welcome to Lima, the capital of Peru. The city hasn’t always held this title, taking the reins from Cusco in 1535 during the Spanish Conquest.
Francisco Pizarro and his conquistadors sought a new location closer to the coast and originally named their capital the City of Kings, or Ciudad de los Reyes. However, this title didn’t stick and instead the city name resembles what the Inca’s originally called the area, ‘Limaq’.
Spend your day exploring Lima’s various sites such as Museo Larco (which houses a collection of pre-Columbian art), the Larcomar Shopping Centre (where there are spectacular clifftop views of the Pacific Ocean), Huaccu Pucllana (a massive adobe and clay pyramid built between 200 and 700 AD) and Lima’s Plaza de Armas (where you can see the Government palace, the Archbishop’s Palace of Lima, the Municipal Palace, the Palace of the Union and the Cathedral Basilica of Lima).
You will depart Lima’s sprawling metropolis and travel by luxury coach to Nazca. Situated in the desert off the southern coastline of Peru, Nazca is famous for being home to the Nazca Lines, a series of geoglyphs and lines etched into the desert floor. During your stay you will uncover the great mysteries behind the Nazca lines and learn about the culture of the Nazca people, who thrived in this area between 100 and 800AD.
Today you will tour two of Nazca’s key archaeological sites and a museum. Your first stop is the Aqueducts of Cantalloc, an underground irrigation system built by the Nazca’s using river stones called ‘Laja’ that dates back to around 300AD. There are 46 aqueducts in total, 32 of which are functioning and still used by farmers today. You will then head to the Paredones Ruins, a small administrative centre built by the Inca’s in the 1400’s that provided a link between the coast and the highlands. Finally, we’ll visit the Antonini Museum, which houses and conserves a collection of ceramics, mummies, trophy heads, textiles and other items from the Nazca culture.
This morning take a flight over the UNESCO World Heritage listed Nazca Lines.
These famous lines and geoglyphs are spread over an area of 50km2, with individual image designs measuring between 400 and 1,100m. Therefore, the best way to see them is from the air.
The majority of the lines are believed to have been created by the Nazca people between 200BC and 500AD. However, recent discoveries using drone technology have brought new evidence suggesting some geoglyphs might have been created even earlier by the Paracas and Topara people.
Theories for the reasons why the lines were created vary, with some believing they were symbols the Nazca used to help guide them with agricultural crop cultivation and others consider them to be a giant astrological calendar of the stars.
During your flight you will travel over the better known geometric shapes and designs such as the monkey, the spider, the condor, the hummingbird and a tree.
Afterwards we will depart Nazca to head toward the coastal port town of Paracas.
The town of Paracas, which means ‘sand rain’ in Quechuan, is our departure point for today’s tour of the Paracas National Reserve. In the morning you will board a small speed boat at the port and cruise to the Ballestas Islands. While these islands are not part of the Paracas National Reserve, they are rich with bird and sea life. In the air you’ll spot cormorant, Peruvian booby, pelican and possibly Inca terns while in the sea you’ll see sea lions and sometimes Humboldt penguins and dolphins. The cruise will pass the Candelabra of the Andes, a famous three pronged geoglyph carved into the hillside of the mainland at Paracas Bay. Standing more than 150m high and 50m wide, this geoglyph dates back to approximately 200BC.
In the afternoon we will tour the Paracas National Reserve. Spanning 335,000 hectares the reserve encapsulates the Paracas peninsula, the Independencia Islands and the San Gallan Islands. You will visit Playa Roja, Yumaque and La Aguada beaches, taking the chance to see flamingos at the latter. We will also take you to the Interpretation Centre of the Paracas National Reserve. There, you will be captivated by photos of the region’s flora and fauna.
You will return to Lima from Paracas by luxury bus.
In the evening why not head to one of Lima’s many restaurants and try ceviche. Lima is considered the gastronomical capital of the Americas and ceviche is the country’s national dish. Be sure to also order a Pisco Sour, Peru’s national cocktail, to wash it down.
You will return to the airport for your onward flight.
Fly over the Nazca Lines and uncover the theories behind their significance
See the Candelabra of the Andes while cruising the Ballestas Islands
Tour the beautiful desert and coastal landscape of Paracas National Reserve
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service
6 Days FROM USD 1,470 Enquire NowTried & tested upmarket properties with above average facilities and service
6 Days FROM USD 1,760 Enquire NowLuxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
6 Days FROM USD 2,105 Enquire NowPrices are based on per person, twin share.
Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time.
All entrance fees are subject to change without prior notice.
Inclusions
Private airport transfers
Bus transfers between listed destinations and pick up/from off from hotels
Accommodation with breakfast daily
Other meals where stated
Sightseeing with local English-speaking guide as detailed in the itinerary
Exclusions
International and internal flights not indicated
Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable)
Travel Insurance
Beverages
Personal expenses
Gratuities for tour guides/drivers
Any items not mentioned as included
A single supplement surcharge applies and is subject to availability. Please contact us for more information.
Seasonality and availability at time of booking.