Ballestas Islands & Nazca Lines Desert Tour from Lima

See three of Peru's most remote wonders without arranging the logistics yourself

This full-day tour from Lima covers 300 km to the Ballestas Islands for a one-hour boat tour spotting seabirds, sea lions, dolphins and penguins, then a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines, and finishes at the Huacachina Oasis in the desert. Pickup from Lima is included. The Nazca flight schedule is set by the airline 24 hours before departure, which may shift the order of stops. Sandboarding at the oasis costs extra.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ballestas Islands2h · entry included
2. Nazca Lines2h

Ballestas Islands, Nazca Lines, Huacachina Oasis

• Depart Lima early morning
• Travel 300 km to Paracas Bay
• Boat tour to Ballestas Islands
• Flight over Nazca Lines
• Visit Huacachina Oasis
• Optional sandboarding or relax
• Return to Lima

The experience

The tour leaves Lima in the early morning and follows the Pan-American Highway south for around 300 km to Paracas Bay, where the boat tour of the Ballestas Islands departs. The one-hour ride takes you past sea lions, playful dolphins, Humboldt penguins and a variety of seabirds in their natural habitat. Paracas itself is an important site in Peruvian history and a natural haven for wildlife, so the boat ride is the first real payoff of the long drive.

After the islands, the day moves inland to the Nazca Lines. You'll fly over the vast Palpa and Nazca deserts in a small aircraft to see the massive figures and geometric shapes carved into the ground centuries ago: visible only from the air. The flight departs from either Pisco or Nazca Airport depending on availability, and the airline sets the schedule 24 hours before the tour, which means the order of activities can shift. This is the centerpiece of the day: the precision and scale of these enigmatic designs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are what draw most travelers to this region.

The tour ends at the Huacachina Oasis, the only oasis in South America. You'll have time to walk around the lagoon, have lunch, and relax with a Pisco Sour while taking in the desert views. If you want to try sandboarding on the golden dunes, that's available for an additional cost. The return to Lima follows the same scenic route and takes the rest of the afternoon and evening.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off in Lima.
• transportation by SUV or van.
• English or Spanish-speaking guide.
• one-hour boat tour of the Ballestas Islands.
• scenic flight over the Nazca Lines from Pisco or Nazca Airport.
• entry to the Huacachina Oasis.

Before you book

Days and timesDaily · 03:30

Ages10 to 70 years · Under 10 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Travel Buddies Peru

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Lima without a car and want to reach three remote sites in a single day: the 300 km drive and the logistics of coordinating a boat and a flight are handled, so you show up at your hotel in the morning and the rest unfolds on schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How long is the boat tour at the Ballestas Islands?

The Ballestas Islands boat tour lasts one hour and departs from Paracas Bay after the drive from Lima. You'll see seabirds, sea lions, dolphins and Humboldt penguins in their natural habitat during that time.

What exactly are the Nazca Lines and how do you see them?

The Nazca Lines are massive figures and geometric shapes carved into the desert floor centuries ago, visible only from the air. You see them on a scenic flight over the Palpa and Nazca deserts. The flight departs from either Pisco or Nazca Airport depending on availability.

What can you do at the Huacachina Oasis?

At Huacachina, you can stroll around the lagoon, have lunch, and relax with a drink while taking in the desert views. Sandboarding on the golden dunes is also available, though it costs extra and is not included in the tour price.

Does the tour include pickup from my Lima hotel?

Yes, pickup from Lima is included in the tour price. A specialist guide who speaks English or Spanish will accompany the group, and transport is by SUV or van.

Why does the order of activities change between departures?

The Nazca Lines flight schedule is set by the airline 24 hours before the tour, which can shift when the flight departs. This means the order of the Ballestas Islands, Huacachina Oasis and Nazca flight may vary from one departure to the next.

How long is the entire tour from start to finish?

The tour runs between 14 and 19 hours total, including the drive from Lima, the boat tour, the flight, the oasis visit and the return journey.