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Itineraries

Essence of Peru 8D/7N
ESSENCE OF PERU 14D/13N
ESSENCE OF PERU 16D/15N
ESSENCE OF PERU 21D/20N

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Extensions

Tambopata Reserve 3D/2N
TAMBOPATA RESERVE and HEATH MACAW CLAY LICK 5D/4N
Northern Kingdoms (Chiclayo and Trujillo) 3d/2n
Nazca Lines and Ballestas Islands 2d/1n
Manu National Park 4d/3n - Manu Wildlife Center
Arequipa and the Colca Canyon 4d/3n
Lake Titicaca and Suasi Island 4 days / 3 nights
Homestay in Lake Titicaca 4 days / 3 nights

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Program alternatives
(no extra days needed)

SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
HIRAM BINGHAM Luxury Train Service

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Customize Your Itinerary
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Nazca Lines - Promperu / Renzo Uccelli

Nazca Lines and Ballestas Islands 2d/1n
Lima - Nazca Lines - Ica - Ballestas - Paracas - Lima

In the hot hazy desert of southwest Peru, between the Andes Mountains and the Peruvian coast, lies what many have called one of the most baffling enigmas of archaeology. Huge geometric patterns and spirals, animal figures including a monkey, a spider and an 'owl man', and thousands of perfectly straight lines are immaculately etched onto the desert's surface. Known as the Nazca lines, the drawings have mystified scientists since they were first discovered in the 1920s.

The Ballestas Islands constitute an important wildlife reserve, with over 160 species of marine birds, including Humboldt penguins, cormorants, boobies and pelicans. There is also animal life, including vast numbers of sea lions. The 335,000-hectare Paracas National Reserve is the only reserve in Peru protecting both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Two hundred thousand hectares of this reserve encompass the continental shelf, protecting one of the Humboldt Current's most productive and diverse upwellings. Located about 300 kilometers (190 miles) south of Lima, the reserve is very important for Northern, Southern, and Andean migrant birds that rest or hibernate on these lands, also protecting archaeological remains from the desert dwelling, Pre-Inca Paracas culture.

Itinerary

Day 1 Lima - Ica - Nazca Lines - Ica

We leave Lima early for a 3 to 4 hour drive through the coastal desert to the city of Ica. From Ica, we fly to Nazca in a small plane, which then takes us on a 45-minute flight over the Nazca lines, the drawings that have mystified scientists since they were first discovered in the 1920s: huge geometric patterns and spirals, animal figures including a monkey, a spider and an 'owl man', and thousands of perfectly straight lines are immaculately etched onto the desert's surface. On our return to Ica we have lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the city of Ica, famous for its wine cellars, vine growing and wine making tradition.
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Day 2 Ica - Ballestas - Paracas National Reserve - Lima

Our transport picks us up at 6.45am to take us on the one-hour trip to Paracas, where we embark upon a 2-hour boat tour of the Ballestas Islands. Along the way, we can see the Candelabra, an enormous drawing on the side of one of the immense sand dunes that run along the coast. The Ballestas Islands are a collection of rocks that break the waves and the wind. Here we can observe a seal colony in their natural habitat. We continue at around 10.30am to the Paracas National Reserve, an area constantly beaten by strong winds, which over thousands of years have eroded the stone and the sand, creating incredible formations that we can appreciate today. After the tours, we enjoy a delicious lunch with beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, before taking our transport back to Lima.
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Origin

  

This extension is available as described starting in Lima.
 

Difficulty degree of this extension

  

Low
 

Rates 2010

  

This extension is available from (*):

  • US$ 645.00 per person - Private Service
    US$ 545.00 per person - Mixed Service (**)
     
  • Single Supplement: US$ 60.00 per person

(*) Price based on a private party of four, double accommodation, 3* hotels

(**) Mixed services combine tour group services where available and private services where not available. Changes in the itinerary and services included apply. Please contact us for further information.

 

Please check Our Hotel Selection in the Travel Services section of this website for a detailed description of our recommended hotels.

However, since the price per person depends on various factors (date of your visit to Peru, number of people in your party, hotel category requested, type of service preferred, among others), please contact us or go to the Booking Online section of this website for a detailed program design and pricing of your tour. A travel consultant will contact you within a maximum of two working days.

 

Departure Dates

  

All our programs are customized; departure dates are fully adapted to your request.
 

What Is Included

  
  • Land transportation Lima - Ica - Paracas - Lima in first class tourist bus with bed seats
  • All transfers in Ica and Paracas
  • Entrance fees to all sites visited
  • Flight over the Nazca Lines from Ica in small aircraft
  • English / Spanish speaking guide. All our guides are officially licensed tourist guides trained in first aid
  • All guided excursions described in the itinerary
  • Accommodation based on double occupancy with private bath in the selected hotel category. Please contact us for further details or check our Hotel Selection in our Travel Services section of this website.
  • All specified meals. Vegetarian option is available with no extra charge
  • Flight reconfirmation
 

What Is Not Included

  
  • Airport taxes or visa fees. The domestic airport tax in Nazca is US$ 8.50 per person
  • Visit fee US$4.00 per person
  • Domestic air tickets (other than the flight over the Nazca lines)
  • Transfers in/out of the city of origin /destination
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations
  • Alcoholic beverages or bottled water
  • Snacks
  • Insurance of any kind
  • Laundry
  • Phone calls, radio calls or messages
  • Other items of personal nature
  • Tips
  • Extra expenses originated in itinerary changes or others due to force majeure or other circumstances beyond ENIGMA’s control
 

What we recommend that you bring

  
  • Clothing: long trousers, convertible pants or shorts, long and short-sleeved T-shirts or shirts, cotton socks.
  • Comfortable footwear, trekking boots recommended
  • Camera, films (ASA 50, 100 and 200 recommended)
  • Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
  • Sun block (high factor)
  • Sunglasses
  • After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
  • Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - no malaria risk has been reported
  • Personal toiletries and medications
  • Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) or water bottle to carry water on outings
  • Cash in soles and/or US$ for extras (souvenirs, beverages, etc)
  • Original passport and passport photocopies
 

Booking Online

  

If you would like to make a reservation for this program, please go directly to the Booking Online section of this website.
The Essence Collection

Customize Your Itinerary Customize Your Itinerary

ENIGMA can create a unique, custom-designed independent itinerary that is fully adapted to your needs, whether you travel solo, with family and friends, or as a group. Please click here to let us know what you are interested in adding or excluding to customize a selected itinerary or to design a completely new program just for you. A travel consultant will contact you within a maximum of two working days.