Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Discover Nazca, Arequipa & the South
At a Glance
»
Pisco & Paracas
Side-by-side desert settlements abut coastal wildlife reserves.
»
Nazca
(
Click here
)
Home to some massive, mysterious desert glyphs.
»
Huacachina
(
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)
A diminutive oasis, popular with sandboarders.
»
Arequipa
(
Click here
)
Graceful colonial architecture in a picturesque highland city.
»
Cañón del Colca
(
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)
One of the world's deepest canyons.
Pisco & Paracas
056 / POP 58,200
An important port situated 235km south of Lima, Pisco and the nearby town of Paracas are
generally used as bases to see the abundant wildlife of the Islas Ballestas. Pisco also shares
its name with the national beverage, a brandy that is made throughout the region. The area
is of historical and archaeological interest, having hosted one of the most highly developed
pre-Inca civilizations - the Paracas culture - from 700 BC until AD 400.
Though Pisco was crushed by a powerful 2007 earthquake, its spirit was not - and the
city has begun to rebound. Paracas village lies 17km to the south. Its real name is El Chaco,
but most people refer to it simply as 'Paracas.' It stands at the entrance to the Reserva Na-
cional Paracas, an important wildlife reserve, and has a motley resort strip that attracts
everyone from youthful backpackers to moneyed
limeños
(inhabitants of Lima).
The area is spread out, but it's easy to get around.
Sights
RESERVA NACIONAL DE PARACAS
(admission S5; 7am-6pm)
This vast desert reserve occupies most of the Península de
| Nature Reserve
