Attractions in Pisco

Ballestas Island:
These islands are Peru’s own version of the Galapagos. The Paracas Peninsula and the nearby Ballestas Islands make up the most important wildlife sanctuary on the Peruvian Coast. You will have the chance to see Candelabro (or Candelabra), a giant figure in the style of the Nazca drawings etched into the coastal hills. Enjoy the many different kinds of marine birds; the most frequently seen birds are the Guanay cormorant, Peruvian booby, and Peruvian pelican. You may even catch a glimpse of the Humboldt penguins and Chilean flamingos.

Nazca Markings and Regional Museum of Ica:
The Nazca Lines are still one of the world’s most impressive ancient mysteries. Approximately 200 miles south of Lima and stretching for more than 30 miles along a flat, arid desert plateau, the Nazca lines consist of a series of enormous and intricate drawings of birds, animals, and geometric figures. The figures were scratched into the desert crust about two millennia ago.

Regional Museum of Ica:
This building holds and guards a vast collection of Paracas, Nasca, and Inca cultural artifacts: mummies, ceramics, textiles, trepanned skulls, counting strings (quipus) and clothes made from feathers.

Huacachina Lagoon:
An attractive oasis with its palm-fringed lake amid amazing sand dunes.

Tambo Colorado:
This well-preserved adobe and stone structure, was built probably over an ancient fortress of the pre-Inca culture of Chincha, was adapted and transformed by the Inca Pachacutec in the 15th century, as a deposit of grains and as an administrative and military center. This continues to be the most interesting testimony of the Inca culture on the Peruvian coast. There is evidence that the site was used to worship the sun and to study astronomy and everything related to agriculture.

Hacienda San Jose:
A well-preserved 17th-century ranch house. Enjoy the folklore show, the beautiful

chapel and visit the catacombs. There is still a labyrinth of tunnels believed to link up with other ranches in order to facilitate the contraband trade in black slaves from Africa. From here return to Pisco.