Paracas to Nazca, Peru
The drive to the south of Peru provides a wide variety of activities and sites that make the long stretches between stops absolutely worth it. The first major stop is Paracas, with a visit to the Islas Ballestas National Reserve a must. Boat tours can be organised from Paracas and will take about half a day. The islands offer access to an array of seabirds and animals as well as seeing some of Peru's amazing coastal scenery. A trip to the nearby National Reserve of Paracas is also recommended for those who love the out doors.
Not far from Paracas is the city of Ica, a typical Peruvian mid sized town with a number of fascinating sites to visit. The road to Ica passes by a number of Peru's Pisco wineries and many offer a great variety of local cuisines and wines, they also are a good spot for lunch. Ica also has a colorful history with many stories of witches, local guides will only be to be happy to show you around.
Near Ica is the oasis of Huacachina, a small oasis settlement in the heart of the desert. A trip up into the dunes on dune buggy's and a spot of sand boarding is must, and if possible try and watch the sunset from up in the dunes.
After leaving Ica head south to the town of Palpa to visit the Palpa Lines, Nazca is only an extra thirty minutes away. These lines pre-date those at Nazca, and it's very interesting to compare and contrast the designs! There is a four-story tower you can climb that costs two soles per person, but it's entirely worth it! These lines are easier to see than those at Nazca, and the history behind these lines is very interesting. A small museum at the base of the tower provides some information about the site.
South to Nazca and the Nazca Lines and the Cahuachi Pyramids. The Nazca Lines can be seen either by plane or by climbing the 4 story tower at the sight. The Nazca Lines are one of the most intriguing mysteries of the world, they are a set of ancient geoglyphs (a large design created on the ground) in the Southern Nzca Desert. The shapes of the designs include very complex figures such as animals, people, and plants. Some of the designs are hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, fish, whales, humans, monkeys, and lizards. These complex shapes would have taken very organized and detailed planning and management.
Naerby Nazca is the Cahuachi Pyramids which was a major ceremonial center of the Nazca culture based from 1 AD to about 500 AD in the coastal area of the Central Andes. It overlooks some of the Nazca lines and contains over 40 mounds topped with adobe structures. The huge architectural complex covers 1.5 square kilometers.
The Journey
If you are not driving yourself, the best way to start the Pisco to Nazca road trip is to catch is catch the bus from Lima to Pisco or Paracas. The buses run between all the major stops on our journey and you can use local tour companies or taxi's to visit the key sites.
The entire drive from Lima to Nazca follows the Carr. Panamericana Sur/Route 1S and you only need to deviate to visit sites along the journey.
The drive from Lima to Pisco takes between 3 4 hours. But if you have a car you may also choose to co straight to Paracas. There is a range of accommodation types in and around Paracas.
From Paracas, head inland to the city of Ica, the drive is about 50 kilometers and will take about 45 minutes. The Oasis of Huacachina is a must see, it is about 15 minutes outside of central Ica.
From Ica head to Palpa about 110 kilometers or two hours south along the Carr. Panamericana Sur/Route 1S.
From Palpa head south to Nazca about 50 kilometers and should take around 45 - 60 minutes. Once in Nazca you can take side trips to the Nazca Lines and the Cahuachi Pyramids.