Arequipa, Nazca, Ballestas, Lima 3D/2N

Day 1: Bus Cruz del Sur Arequipa – Nazca

Transfer from your hotel in Arequipa to the bus station, in a First Class bus we will go towards Nazca.

Day 2: Overflight of Nazca Lines

In Nazca City you will be led up to Maria Reiche Airport, where we are boarding the plane to the Nazca Lines. The flight takes about 35 minutes, during which time you observe some perfect representations of huge animals such as birds, including a condor, a hummingbird, a pelican, and a parrot among others. As for the other species, you will see a big monkey, a spider, a whale, a lizard and famous design known as the astronaut. Apart from the designs you will also observe hundreds of lines that run throughout the desert and large geometric shapes which resemble huge runways. Afterwards, we will visit the Pre-Inca cemetery of Chauchilla where we will see many tombs containing ancient pottery and humans remains. You will also enjoy a beautiful desert landscape surrounded by colourful hills. After touring around Chauchilla, we will go back to Nasca to visit a ceramic studio, where a craftsman will give us a good explanation about the Nazca ceramics. Here we will be able to learn step by step all the process involve in the elaboration of Nazca vessels, as well as purchase some Nazca ceramics and others souvenirs.
To finish off our tour, we will also visit a local place where miners are working hard in order to extract gold. Here there will be a miner who kindly will explain the old method they use to get the gold out of the rocks.
Return to the bus station to take the bus to Paracas.

Accommodation in Paracas

Day 3 – Ballestas island, Paracas reserve and bus to Lima (Breakfast)

08:00am – Tour Ballestas: During our boat excursion to the Islands you will see many attractions, among them, stands out a huge design etched on the slope of hill, known by the local people as The Candelabro. This is an enormous figure that can be seen clearly from the sea. Our local guide will explain the most important theories concerning this drawing. Afterwards, we will continue our excursion around the Ballestas Islands, where you will see hundreds of birds flying (Peruvian Bobbies, Inca terms, Pelicans, Cormorants and others) above the Islands, as well as dozens of sea lions on the shore of the beaches, and if you are lucky you also can see the famous Humboldt Penguins and dolphins swimming nearby. It is not allowed to land on the Islands, which means you will spend all the tour on the boat.

11:00a.m – Paracas reserve: This is a marine sanctuary located at the shore of the Pacific Ocean. We will drive across a yellowish desert, following a dirt road till the cliff where once stood the gorgeous natural rock formation known as the Cathedral. Paracas Peninsula offers the perfect scenery for photographers, especially for birdwatchers as there are various spots where one can find types of birds such as Inca terns, flamingoes, eagles, pelicans, cormorants, and many others. By exploring the Paracas National Park by land you will not only enjoy a gorgeous landscape, but also will learn about the ancient Paracas Culture that lived there between the desert and the sea about 2000 years ago. Paracas is also one of the best places to enjoy great Peruvian food.
Return to the bus station to take the bus to Lima (First Calss bus) arriving at aprox 9:00pm aprox. End of the service.

What is included:

• Pick up from your hotel in Arequipa and transfer to the bus terminal.
• Bus Cruz del Sur Arequipa  to Nazca / Nazca to Paracas / paracas to Lima.
• Overflight of Nazca Lines 35 minutes and city tour.
• Voyage boat to the Ballestas Islands
• Tour Paracas reserve.
• Local guides.
• One night accommodation

What’s not included:

• Food
• Airport taxes $12
• Extras and gratuities

What to bring:

• You must carry your original passport for the flyover of the Nazca lines
• A small day pack with water to drink
• Sunscream, sun glasses
• Money for souveniers and drinks
• You will of course have your entire luggage travelling with you so please ensure that all valuables are kept in your hand luggage while on buses.

Note:

• The exact departure would depend on weather conditions & air traffic.
• Passengers exceeding 90kg, must pay an aditional seat for the overflight.
  
• The overflights are in Modern aircraft Cessna Grand Caravan and Cessna 207, 208, piloted by captains with years of experience in the field.
  
• You will of course have your entire luggage travelling with you so please ensure that all valuables are kept in your hand luggage while on buses.