OERFLIGHT NAZCA LINES FROM LIMA (FULL DAY: Lima - Nazca – Lima)
At morning, transfer to Lima Airport to take the flight to ICA. Upon arrival, change to a smaller high-wing light aircraft for over flight of the mysterious Nazca Lines, enormous line drawings of animals, birds and geometric figures, which have remained etched in the desert for millennia and which can only be appreciated from the air.
After lunch in Ica, visit the Regional Museum of Archaeology and the Huacachina Lagoon (time permitting). In the afternoon, return flight to Lima.
*Service ends at airport.
PARACAS
Paracas Peninsula The Paracas peninsula has some amazing spots to visit such as Lagunillas (a small fishing village), the Julio Tello Museum , the Mirador de los Lobos, and the Cathedral. As a result of water and wind erosion, The Cathedral is an amazing and extraordinary rock formation.
Ballestas Islands
Known by many as the "Poor Man s Galápagos," these small islands are nonetheless spectacular in their own right and well worth visiting. They are part of a national reserve where sea lions, seals, penguins, guano birds and turtles (rarely found at this latitude) can be seen. On the way there by boat, you will undoubtedly see the famous Candelabro (candlestick) traced in the hillside of the mainland by Pre-Inca peoples. It is at least 50 meters long and believed to be linked to the Nazca Lines. Some relate it to the Southern Cross constellation, while others say it is a drawing of a cactus, a symbol of power from the Chavin culture.
ICA
Huacachina Oasis
This beautiful oasis is located at 5 Km from Ica city, place in the desert with a small lagoon and is surrounded by sand dunes, palms and huarangos (carob tree) and beautiful houses around the shore.
Huacachina characterizes by the medical properties of its water and sand of the lagoon.
Buggies and sandboarding has become popular on the sand dunes near Huacachina, an ideal area to take to the steep sandy slopes of the desert.
Museo Regional de Ica
It has a big collection of archaeological pieces from the regional cultures Nazca, Paracas and Inca. Out stand funeral mummies and looms from Paracas, skulls with presence of surgery and deformed skulls, this remains show the high technology in surgery reached by the ancient Peruvian civilizations. It also has collections from the colony, independence and republican times.
Wine and Pisco Cellars
Ica is very famous because of its pisco (grape liquor) and wine; a good alternative for your trip could be a visit to the wine cellars of La Caravedo, Vista Alegre, Tacama, Ocucaje and the artisan ones. In these places you will be able to learn all the process of the pisco and the wine
Cachiche
Famous town located at 4 km of Ica, it is well known because of the witches that cure illnesses from popular believes. If you visit Cachiche do not forget to see the statue of a witch laid on a Huarango tree. This circuit features the best of Perus Afro-Peruvian culture, where one can savor distilled aguardiente and fermented grape musts which are typical of the area. There are also interesting pre-Hispanic archaeological sites in the area.
NASCA
Aqueducts of Cantayoc
Archaeological remains of the Nazca culture, it shows the high development reached in hydraulic engineering, complex of underground aqueducts and reservoirs.
Located at 4 Km of Nasca (15 minutes)
"Paredones" (walls)
Archaeological site that probably was an Inca administrative center. It has numerous rooms, terraces and yards. Their base was made with stone and their walls was made with “adove”
Located at 2 km (1.24 miles) East of Nasca.
Chauchilla
It is located at 28 km (17.4 miles) to the south of Nazca.
Chauchila is shaped by 13 original tombs of Nasca Culture that were found intact and inside them, were found mummys, textiles and ceramics.
Planetarium Maria Reich
There you can be able to have a naked-eye view of the constellations and bright stars of the season along with telescope, observation of the moon, planets, and other celestial marvels.
Cahuachi
Archaeological center of the Nazca culture, main cultural urban center, built with great urban sense. The citadel is built in adobe, ceremonial pyramids. Attached to this town were also discovered (1980) a group of lines traced on the floor in form of trapezes and serpentines that embrace 1 square km. It is located at 27 km (16.77 miles) of Nazca.
Reserva Nacional de Pampa Galeras
(National Reservation of Pampa Galeras)
Located in the province of Lucanas, in the Ayacuchos department.
Conservation unit and protection of species of the fauna and regional flora; it constitutes the intangible area of more extension for the protection of the vicuña, species in danger of extinction.
Beautiful landscapes in an Andean plateau and the best place to know to the vicuñas in wild state.
Their access and visit is advisable from the city of Nazca (90 km)
No additional services at this moment.
ABOUT NAZCA - PARACAS
[Click on map to see large version]
The Nazca Lines, discovered in 1927, are the most extraordinary legacy left by a culture that flourished in 300 BC. The lines are a series of complex designs, some up to 300 meters long which can only be seen in their true dimension from the sky, from an altitude of at least 1,500 feet; they were presumably made by a culture in the Stone Age, but what would have been their purpose? Scientists yet do not know
About Paracas, we can say that is an excellent nature and biodiversity destination for the nature and water sports lovers.
Paracas bay is the only marine area protected in Peru. This bay is the refuge for diverse species such as sea lions, penguins, whales, dolphins even for hundreds of resident and migratory sea-birds.
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