This 2-day tour from Lima has it all. The ancient Nazca geoglyphs, the Huacachina dunes, and the Ballestas Islands, teeming with wildlife. All for $660. We’ll pick you up at your hotel at 4:00 a.m.
We’ll depart in a private van. You’ll fly over the monkey and hummingbird islands in a small plane, drive dune buggies through the desert, and spot sea lions resting on the rocks. I’ve taken trips like this, and believe me, there are plenty.
Bring water and a good camera! First, you’ll go to Huacachina for sandboarding; falling is half the fun. Then, to Paracas for a boat ride to see penguins and that eerie chandelier carved in the sand. Then, to Nazca, with a flight over those mind-blowing lines. In the Paracas Reserve, we’ll be able to observe a wealth of wildlife and a multitude of birds. You’ll stay in a hotel in Ica after the first day, probably exhausted but excited.
4:15 AM: Let’s hit the road!
We grab you from your hotel or Lima’s airport and head to Huacachina. It’s about a 4-hour cruise down the Panamericana Sur. Pro tip: bring a neck pillow; the road’s smooth but long.
8:00 AM: Huacachina arrival.
Check into your hotel, drop your bags, and get ready for some dune action. We’ll hop on buggies and try sandboarding—honestly, it’s a blast, but falling’s part of the fun!
12:00 PM: Lunch break (on your own).
Ica’s got some solid spots for ceviche or lomo saltado. Ask the guide for recs; they know the good joints.
2:00 PM: Head to Paracas (1-hour drive).
We roll into Paracas, meet your guide, and head to the dock.
3:00 PM: Ballestas Islands boat trip (2 hours).
This is wild—think sea lions chilling on rocks, Humboldt penguins waddling, and tons of birds flying everywhere. You’ll also spot the Candelabro, a massive geoglyph carved into the hillside. Nobody knows its deal, which makes it kinda spooky.
5:00 PM: Paracas National Reserve tour.
This place is a nature nerd’s dream. Over 200 bird species, crazy desert-meets-ocean views, and a peek into the Paracas people’s past—those elongated skulls are freaky but fascinating.
Evening: Back to Huacachina for the night.
Crash at the hotel. You’ll need the rest after today’s chaos.
7:00 AM: Drive to Nazca (2.5 hours).
Early start, but the desert views are worth it. Maybe catch a nap or stare at the endless sand.
9:30 AM: Maria Reiche Aerodrome.
Your guide gives a quick history lesson before you board a small plane for a 30-minute flight over the Nazca Lines. You’ll see stuff like the Whale, Monkey, Hummingbird, Dog, Spider, Condor, Frigate Bird, Parrot, Tree, Hands, and the freshly fixed Lizard. It’s mind-blowing how these are even here.
12:00 PM: Lunch in Nazca (not included).
Grab some local food—maybe try anticuchos if you’re feeling brave.
Optional Add-On:
Check out the Cantalloc Aqueducts or Chauchilla Cemetery (2 hours, $30 extra per person). The aqueducts are ancient engineering genius; the cemetery’s a bit eerie with mummies just sitting there. Your call.
3:00–4:00 PM: Head back to Lima.
We roll back, arriving around 5:00–6:00 PM. Traffic can be a pain, so times might shift.
Our clients trust us, and their glowing reviews on TripAdvisor speak for themselves. Discover why so many travelers choose us for unforgettable experiences in Cusco.
“MACHUPICCHU PERU TRAVEL” is a 100% Peruvian local company and tour operator in Cusco, with many years of experience in hikes, adventure tours, and travel packages. We are a 100% local company.
Our dream as a local company is to offer personalized travel and hiking experiences, operated solely by local professional staff, focusing on a PERSONALIZED and HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel operating agency, in addition to practicing RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE actions with the environment and local people.
We consider our staff as family and guarantee them a fair salary. We are very proud of our team! Without their support, we could not offer the quality of service that hundreds of our travelers have enjoyed.
At “MACHUPICCHU PERU TRAVEL,” we are aware that our reputation and what our passengers say are crucial for our travelers to trust their next vacations; you can check the reviews our travelers leave on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google; in an honest and reliable operator to create your adventure in Peru.
To offer a more personalized service at “MACHUPICCHU PERU TRAVEL,” we maintain a limit of 8 people for each of our groups. This distinguishes us from other companies that operate with larger groups.
We are very proud of our guides. They are experts and professionals, fluent in English. They are experts and knowledgeable about the routes, and they are passionate about Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to their continuous personal and professional development, researching to offer you accurate and recognized theories about Inca and Andean culture. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with degrees in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “MACHUPICCHU PERU TRAVEL” is an uplifting experience, we prioritize your comfort and enjoyment throughout the hike, and you will have the assistance of our porters. You will interact with local people, explore incredible sites, and rediscover ancient Inca ancestral towns. Our porters carry your gear, prepare your meals, set up our camp tents, and take care of you while you relax.
We provide our porters for free with: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable travel bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. All are hired from isolated communities, improving their economic circumstances and supporting the education of their children. We treat all our porters like family!
Our team (guides, cooks, porters, muleteers) and our equipment make “MACHUPICCHU PERU TRAVEL” stand out among our competitors. On our adventure hikes, we include:
At “MACHUPICCHU PERU TRAVEL,” we have always believed in giving back to isolated local communities. As part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we carry out various social projects and always hire local people.
We are very proud to support our local people. We not only employ them but also support their families, contributing to a holistic approach with our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones.
Get Ready to Explore? With your booking confirmed, all thats left to do is pack your bags and get ready to explore. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first journey, well be with you every step of the way. At Machu Picchu Peru Travel, we believe that every journey begins with a single step. So why wait? Start your adventure today and let the world be your guide.
Machu Picchu Peru Travel it’s the people who make a difference. Our travel experts craft the perfect trip for every traveler through our award-winning customer service. Real people helping real people. Beside you every step of the way.
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