Peru · National Parks

Paracas National Reserve Half Day Tour

4 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Paracas. Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the dramatic desert-and-ocean landscapes of Paracas National Reserve
02 Visit scenic coastal stops including Supay Beach, Yumaque Beach, Red Beach, and Lagunillas Beach
03 See the Cathedral rock formation area and learn about its history
04 Look out for wildlife such as flamingos, seabirds, sea lions, and dolphins
05 Visit the Interpretation Room to discover the reserve’s flora, fauna, and marine fossils
06 Enjoy round-trip transfers from centrally located hotels in Paracas

Discover the striking landscapes of Paracas National Reserve on this half-day tour through one of Peru’s most remarkable coastal protected areas. Travel through a dramatic meeting point of desert and sea, where cliffs, unusual beaches, and rich marine ecosystems create unforgettable scenery.

Along the way, visit viewpoints and natural highlights including Supay Beach, Yumaque Beach, Red Beach, the Cathedral rock formation area, and Lagunillas Beach. You’ll also learn more about the reserve’s history, fossils, flora, and fauna, with chances to spot wildlife such as seabirds, flamingos, sea lions, and possibly dolphins.

Discover the striking landscapes of Paracas National Reserve on this half-day tour through one of Peru’s most remarkable coastal protected areas.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Ica, Pisco, Ballestas Islands, Paracas

Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Supay Beach

The tourstarts picking you up at the hotel at Paracas to explore the reserve located in the department of Ica, in the province of Pisco. The Ica region is a sunny destination with many tourist attractions like the Nazca Lines and archaeological sites that belonged to the Paracas culture.

The Peruvian coast is home of many kind of coastal marine species, such as the beautiful Humboldt penguin. This amazing bird lives around this area, especially at the Ballestas Islands. This place is a protected area since 1975 and it has a spectacular wildlife due to the cold Humboldt ocean current.

Make a stop at the viewpoint of Supay beach is a must. You will enjoy lovely views to the coast and its cliff. The landscape is truly amazing, you cannot miss the combination of the huge desert with the color of the sea and birds flying around. A real natural show.

The Cathedral

After a short walk, we will reach the rock formation called as Cathedral, declared World Heritage Site. This place was affected after a strong earthquake in 2007. The local flora and fauna is amazing, where mammals, reptiles, birds live in this area, such as sea lions, otters, and dolphins.

Yumaque Beach

Also, we will stroll along the Yumaque Beach, a beautiful cove with moon shape, where we will have the opportunity to see seagulls and dolphins.

Red Beach

We will pass through beautiful beaches, as the Red Beach whose reddish sand is the result of ancient volcanic eruptions, making it one of the most unusual places in the world.

Interpretation Room

The tour of the reserve continues visiting the flamingos view point, migratory birds that come to this place for seasons. Then, we will go to the Interpretation Room to learn about the importance of this reserve, as well as its history, and the local flora and fauna. Also, we will able to admire marine fossils found in this place.

Lagunillas Beach

The last stop will be at Lagunillas beach, a pretty fisherman’s bay where you will have time to taste a delicious and fresh Ceviche (optional). This is one of the most important Peruvian dishes made with raw fish marinated with lemon juice. At the end of this wonderful tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Paracas.

The route