TOUR TO THE BALLESTAS ISLANDS AND NAZCA LINES FROM LIMA
Experience the Ballestas Islands and Nazca Lines from Lima on a private full-day tour. See sea lions, penguins, and fly over Peru's mysterious UNESCO-listed Nazca geoglyphs.
Trip essentials
Duration
1 day
Tour Type
Archaeology
Travel Style
Comfort
Physical Rating
Easy
Starting from
TOUR TO THE BALLESTAS ISLANDS AND NAZCA LINES FROM LIMA
Experience the Ballestas Islands and Nazca Lines from Lima on a private full-day tour. See sea lions, penguins, and fly over Peru's mysterious UNESCO-listed Nazca geoglyphs.
“From the Marine Life of Ballestas Islands to the Ancient Nazca Lines”
Real Destinations, Real Experiences
“From Candelabra to Sea Lions: Experience the Magic of Ballestas Islands”
Discover the breathtaking Ballestas Islands on an unforgettable boat tour that showcases the natural beauty of Peru’s coast. First, marvel at the enigmatic Candelabra, a giant geoglyph etched into the hillside and visible only from the sea. Then, as you cruise around the islands, you’ll encounter a vibrant array of wildlife, including playful sea lions, charming Humboldt penguins, and flocks of seabirds. Additionally, enjoy stunning marine vistas and the pristine, rugged landscape that make the Ballestas Islands a must-see destination.
“Spot Humboldt Penguins: A Unique Adventure on the Ballestas Islands”
Experience the thrill of spotting Humboldt penguins in their natural habitat during our Ballestas Islands boat tour! First, see these charming black-and-white birds as they waddle along the rocky shores or swim gracefully in the sea. Additionally, while you cruise through the pristine waters, keep your eyes peeled for these delightful penguins and, consequently, witness their playful antics up close.
“From Astronomical Calendars to Alien Theories: Unravel the Mysterious Purpose of the Nazca Lines”
The purpose of the Nazca Lines continues to be one of history’s greatest enigmas. Despite extensive research and numerous theories, the exact reason behind these vast and intricate geoglyphs remains elusive. Scholars have proposed various explanations, ranging from their use as astronomical calendars to align with celestial events, to serving as pathways for religious rituals and ceremonies. Some even speculate that these colossal designs could have been created as symbolic markers or possibly even as landing sites for extraterrestrial visitors. The multitude of theories only adds to the allure and mystique of the Nazca Lines, which are now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
“Marvel at Ingenious Construction”
The Nazca Lines are a masterpiece of ancient engineering wrapped in enigma. To begin with, the builders used a fascinating technique to create these colossal and intricate geoglyphs: they meticulously removed the top layer of reddish-brown pebbles, thereby revealing the lighter-colored earth beneath. This method was not only ingenious in its simplicity but also crucial in preserving these designs for centuries. Furthermore, the striking contrast between the dark surface pebbles and the lighter ground beneath allowed the lines to stand out with remarkable clarity.
“A Mystical Masterpiece Visible Only from Above”
The full extent and intricate details of the Nazca Lines can only be appreciated from the air, making a flight over the plateau an essential experience for truly understanding the scale and artistry of these ancient creations.
“Additional Viewing Opportunities”
To enhance your adventure, our tour includes a visit to the iconic metallic observation tower in the Nazca desert. Firstly, this strategically positioned tower offers a unique vantage point, revealing not only beautiful geoglyphs but also huge geometric forms. As you climb the tower, you will, in turn, gain a deeper appreciation of the immense scale and complexity of the Nazca Lines. Moreover, this included stop adds a valuable dimension to your journey, allowing you to connect more intimately with the mysteries of these ancient geoglyphs.
You’ll be picked up from your Lima hotel at 4:30 AM and travel to Paracas Bay by private transport. Board a speedboat to explore the Ballestas Islands, spotting the famous Candelabra figure, diverse marine life, and Humboldt penguins. After the boat tour, head to Nazca for an aerial view of the Nazca Lines via a small plane, with a detailed video briefing beforehand. Enjoy lunch in Nazca before returning to Lima, with a stop at the Nazca Lines Metallic Tower to view additional figures. Arrive back in Lima by evening.
- Starting PointYour hotel in Lima.
- Durationfull day
- Departure4:30 AM
- Languageenglish
Part I: Journey Along Peru’s Spectacular Pacific Coast
04:30 h. You will be picked up from your hotel in Lima and then will travel by private transportation to the Paracas Bay (the private transportation is shared with other tourist). The car ride to the Paracas Bay lasts about 3 hours. Upon arrival in Paracas you will be met by our local guide at the port and afterwards you will be led to the local dock of El Chaco where you will board a speed boat to visit the Ballestas Islands.
Part II:Explore the Ballestas Islands and Encounter Extraordinary Wildlife
During our boat excursion to the Islands, you’ll see several attractions, including the massive Candelabra design etched into a hillside, clearly visible from the sea. Our guide will explain its key theories. We’ll then explore the Ballestas Islands, where you can observe various birds like Peruvian Bobbies, Inca Terns, Pelicans, and Cormorants, along with sea lions on the beaches. If you’re lucky, you might also spot Humboldt Penguins and dolphins. Note that landing on the islands is not permitted, so the tour will be conducted entirely by boat. Afterward, we’ll return to the mainland and continue our journey to Nazca.
Part III: Fly Above the Mysterious Nazca Lines
Once in Nazca, you’ll head to the local airdrome for a small plane flight over the Nazca Lines. Before boarding, you’ll watch a 40-minute video about the Nazca Lines and their archaeological significance. Then, you’ll board a Cessna aircraft with room for five, each with a window seat. During the flight, you’ll see notable figures like a monkey, whale, spider, hummingbird, parrot, condor, and geometric shapes. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Nazca, visit the Nazca Lines Metallic Tower, and then return to Lima, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel.
End of our service.
What's Included
- Pick up from your hotel in Lima.
- Transportation: Lima – Paracas – Nazca – Lima.
- Boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands. (Group service).
- Classic Flight over the Nazca Lines + Airport taxes (Group service)
- Visit to the metallic tower of the Nazca Lines on route.
- Drop off at your hotel in Lima at the end of the trip.
What's Not Included
- Mealsm extras and gratuities.
Sea Transport
"Speed Boats"
Ballestas Islands Boat Tour
Comfortable and safe coastal navigation
What to expect:
Comfortable speed boat for marine excursions.
Professional local captain and crew.
Panoramic views of the Ballestas Islands.
Life jackets provided for all passengers.
Nazca Lines Aircraft
"From the Nazca Airport"
Cessna Airplanes
Last Generation Aircrafts
What to expect:
6 passenger capacity.
All seats offer window views.
Highly qualified pilots.
Nazca Lines Map for orientation.
Important Weight Limit Notice
For your safety on the Nazca Lines flight, please note the airline weight limit is 90 kilograms per passenger. Notify us via email if your weight exceeds this limit before booking. Additional fees may apply if an extra seat is needed.
Passport Required
It’s crucial to have your passport with you for the Nazca Lines flight. Boarding the plane requires your passport as identification. Without it, you won’t be permitted to participate in this unforgettable aerial adventure.
Download Tour PDF
Download this tour PDF brochure and start planning offline
Kass B. Boca Raton / USA
“I cant reiterate and verify every good thing that has been said about this company, Enrique took care of us like we really mattered to them and my friends and I are thankful. Their pricing is great, service, excellent, no regrets at all and I consider myself to find anything to comment on. Thank you guys.”
Tania C. Vancouver / Canada
“Peru is an incredibly beautiful and interesting country, one that you need to visit several times. On my most recent trip to Peru I booked a full day trip to the Nazca Lines with Mystery Peru. All arrangements were made on-line and via e-mail from Canada. Our guide spoke excellent English”
Select the day you would like to enjoy this experience.
Selected: June 26th, 2026
