"Dear Hot Expeditions, greetings from England and thank you very much for the days in Ica, Nazca Lines and Paracas National Reserve. James and I enjoyed the time under your guidance and keep fond memories of our visit to the central coast of Peru. Many thanks to Hot Expeditions!"
It is located in the central coast of Peru, department of Ica,
260 km (162 miles) S of Lima and 75 km (47 miles) NW of Ica, very close to the Pan-American Highway, with a total area of 335 ha, or 14,504 km² (5,600 mile²). Is about 2/3 ocean. Inside the Paracas National Reserve found the Paracas Bay and Peninsula, along with the small Ballestas Islands, a place of gorgeous unpopulated beaches, strange desert vistas, and spectacular wildlife. Established in 1975, Paracas is the primary marine conservation center in Peru, and considered one of the strangest and richest ecosystem in the world, which can be visited year-round.
"Paracas" means "Lluvia de arena" (sandstorm) because of the local atmospheric phenomenon that can be reach even more than 36 km/h; the wind gets up every afternoon. Dirt roads crisscross the Paracas Peninsula, and a paved road goes around it, out toward Punta Pejerrey, near the Candelabro, traced in the hillside, at least 50 long, best seen from the sea.
The dirt roads are the most interesting, reaching minuscule fishing villages such as attractive Lagunillas and a cliff-top lookout point, Mirador de los Lobos, with views of the ocean and lots of sea lions.
Sadly, the August 2007 earthquake destroyed the famous Cathedral rock and cave formation, one of the National Reserve's great attractions.
Museo de sitio "Julio C. Tello" named for the Peruvian archaeologist credited with uncovering many of the mysteries of the ancient Paracas culture, the museum is located just past the entrance to the Paracas National Reserve, 5 km (3 miles) from Paracas beach. It contains a small but instructive exhibit of ceramics and textiles that depict the evolution of the Paracas culture. The Paracas were experts at mummifying their dead; in the mummies, you can see the peculiar practices of cranial deformation and cranial trepidation, or brain surgery. The Paracas also admired trophy heads, and warriors often attached the heads of defeated foes to their armor to instill fear into their opponents. Near the museum is the Paracas Necropolis (100 B.C.-A.D. 300), comprising the archaeological sites of Cabezas Largas and Cerro Colorado. First explored in the 1920s, it is the oldest discovered site in the region.
About 270m (886 ft.) toward the bay is a viewing tower, constructed to allow viewings of the dozens (or hundreds) of pink flamingos often gathered on the beach (usually July-Nov only). This natural habitat is a haven for flamingos, pelicans, penguins, dolphins, sea lions, and an infinite variety of fish and crustaceans. An hour away by boat to the northwest lie the captivating Ballestas Islands, a protected area of cormorants and sea lions.
