The Paracas region is one of the most sought after travel destinations near Lima since it holds a great variety of activities including a magical place where marine wildlife overflows each and every corner.
The Ballestas Islands are one of the best things to do in Paracas, which is why we have prepared the best itinerary for you!
Sail across the vast pacific ocean until you find a group of small islands and rock formations covered entirely by beautiful exotic birds, sea lion colonies and much more. The ‘Islas Ballestas’ tour will take you through the most biodiverse place in the coast of Peru.
In case you haven’t read our Ballestas Islands guide, you must know that the visit is an easy trip from Lima since they are located a few kilometers away from there. These rocky islands are recognized for being a natural reservoir of guano and especially for holding over 100 animal species.
Dare to explore a natural scenery yet unknown to many during your trip! The so-called Peruvian Small Galapagos will provide a unique experience through the beautiful coastside of Paracas and its surroundings. Continue reading and get to know everything about this excursion!
The Ballestas Islands tour starts early in the morning, at 08:00 a.m. to be exact. Once you’ve had breakfast, our team we’ll pick you up to take you to the pier, where we’ll start our adventure towards this ecological reserve.
Please follow the safety instructions upon boarding the boat and make sure to always wear your lifevest. The tour will take about two hours, where you’ll be able to explore several islands and rock formations by boat.
Before going there, we’ll make a stop along the way to appreciate one of the most intriguing mysteries of the Paracas peninsula. If you’ve been following our Paracas Travel Guide then you surely know about this ancient sign, ‘El Candelabro’ is an enormous figure carved into a hill in Paracas, the geoglyph hasn’t been traced to any culture though it may be older than the Nazca Lines.
Continuing with the itinerary, we’ll start getting closer to the Ballestas Islands. Remember to be aware of your surroundings, If you’re lucky enough you’ll get to see a dolphin!
Arriving at the Ballestas Islands, you’ll notice a lot of seabirds swirling around the area, maybe some shy Humboldt penguins in the distance, and some sea lions sunbathing at the shores of the islands.
As we get closer to these rocky islands, we’ll get to see a large colony of sea lions just chilling and climbing their way up to the islands. Get your camera ready since we’ll get closer and closer to these magical creatures!
Our guide will give you all the details about these beautiful animals, including the guano bird, a species almost lost due to guano mining in the mid 1900s. After visiting several islands and rock formations, we’ll continue back to the town of Paracas.
Quick Tip: The Paracas National Reserve is just in front of the Ballestas Islands. If you wish to see the place where the desert meets the sea, make sure to add it in your travel itinerary!
As you already know, the Ballestas Islands are located in the Paracas region, a few kilometers from the city. For that reason, it is an easy day trip from the Gastronomic Capital of Peru. We highly recommend going on a guided tour so you don’t miss all the important details of this attraction.
Luckily for you, our excursion will take you through the most beautiful natural scenery of the region, to later explore this mystical place.
To book the Ballestas Islands tour, you just need to contact our team. We will optimize your time and adventure with a tailored-made travel itinerary for you.
Likewise, we care to provide the best experience to each and every one of our passengers, which is why we count with certified drivers, professional guides, and an all-time monitored car fleet with GPS tracking.
General Information:
- Duration: 2 hours approx.
- Entrance: Already included in the travel package.
- Included: Transport, english speaking guide, pick up at the hotel.
Would you like to know more about Peru? Here you’ll find all the information you need for your trip. Our local expert team has prepared the most complete informative guides for you!
Also, if you’re eager to know Peru at its fullest, check our travel packages and live an authentic experience with Viagens Machu Picchu.
