Peru Paracas The Paracas peninsula located 235 kilometers south of the City of Lima, is the most important coastal formation in Peru.
An unspoiled natural paradise where the desert sands reveal treasures of ancient civilizations. The Paracas National Reserve is the first marine conservation center of the country and one of the most important in the world. Established in 1975, it covers a total area of 335,00 ha. from which 117,406 are on land and 217,594 are in the ocean. With beautiful beaches, ideal weather an impressive scenery it is a place that can be visited all year round.
The San Gallan and La Vieja Islands are the only places for the potoyunco (Pelecanoides garnottii) to reproduce in Peru. The popular penguin of Humboldt (Spheniscus Humboldt) and the potoyunco are in danger of extinction. We con also observe the condor (Voltur gryphus).
Among the most impressive mammals living in the area it is necessary to mention the several species of seals, for example the mongler seal (Otarya bironia) and the fine seal (Arctoc phalus australis) as well as the sea cat or chigungo (Lutra felino) which is in danger of extinction.
We con also observe the coastal wolf (Pseudalopex sechurae), that sometimes you can see it walking through the desert next to the beach, bats are found in the coast too. With regard to reptiles we find lizards (Microlophus peruvianus) . Some sea turtles live ion the waters of the area basically during El Niño, among the turtles living there are the green turtle (Chelonia agassizzii) and the small sea turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea). Likewise the are general ecosystems like in Cerro Lechuza, Morro Quemado and San Gallán, in the sea there are seaweeds like viva fasciata and viva papenfusii.
The biggest attraction in Paracas is hopping on a boat to visit the Islas Ballestas or the Reserva Nacional de Paracas. Most people visit the area on a day trip from Pisco with one of the numerous tours. From USD 7, they are pretty good value. You´ll see plenty of sea lions, guanay cormorants, pelicans and some penguins. The sea lions seem to be as interested in the tourists as vice versa.
Most tours offer a motor boat trip to the Islas Ballestas, passing on the way the Candelabro, a giant figure etched in the desert, similar to the ones found around Nazca. Around lunch time, you´re either taken back to Pisco, or you can go on an afternoon trip around the coast of the Reserve, visiting some archeological points of interests, seeing lots of birds and go for a swim. A combined tour should get you a reduction, so bargain. There is an excellent small museum at Paracas, with examples of some of the oldest textiles in the world. It also has some quite amazing deformed skulls.