Lima to Paracas: Ballestas Islands, Slave Tunnels & Desert Reserve

Sea lions, penguins, and desert cliffs in one long day from Lima

You board a luxury Peru Hop bus in Lima and spend the day on a Ballestas Islands wildlife cruise, making Pisco Sour in Paracas, touring the desert-ocean cliffs of Paracas National Reserve, and walking through the historic Chincha Slave Tunnels. Lunch is on your own in town. The bus returns you to your hotel late evening, with Wi-Fi and comfort for the long ride back.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. Miraflores4h
2. Ballestas IslandsEntry included2h
3. Paracas National ReserveEntry included1h 30m
4. Marcahuasi4h

Lima to Paracas wildlife and history tour

• Early hotel pickup in Lima
• Travel to Paracas by bus
• Boat cruise at Ballestas Islands
• Make and taste Pisco Sour
• Lunch overlooking Paracas harbor
• Guided tour of Paracas National Reserve
• Visit Chincha Slave Tunnels
• Return to Lima by bus
• Hotel drop-off in Lima

The experience

"The penguins don't care if you're tired," our guide said as the boat cut toward the Ballestas Islands, and he was right. You leave your hotel in Miraflores, San Isidro, or Barranco early. The Peru Hop bus has reclining semi-bed seats and an onboard restroom, which matters because the drive to Paracas takes a few hours along the Pan-American Highway. The bus itself is the difference here: it's the only luxury coach on this route. Most operators use small vans that turn the long ride into something you endure instead of something you settle into.

The Ballestas Islands speedboat tour lasts two hours, and you're scanning for sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and seabirds the whole time. The boat passes the Candelabra geoglyph (a massive etched figure on the cliff face that nobody fully understands), and then you're close enough to the rock arches to feel the spray. Sightings vary by season, but the skipper keeps distance so the animals behave naturally. After that, you make your own Pisco Sour in a hands-on class overlooking Paracas harbor, then you have free time for lunch at one of the restaurants facing the Pacific. It's not rushed.

The Paracas National Reserve is where the desert actually meets the ocean: red-sand cliffs, wind-carved headlands, turquoise water. You're on a guided bus tour with short walks to lookouts, and the views are the kind you photograph and then just stand there. Then comes the Chincha Slave Tunnels at a historic hacienda. The passages are narrow and have low ceilings, so you need to be comfortable in tight spaces, but your guide walks you through the history. This was the slave-trading era, and the tunnels are part of that story. It's heavy, and it's important.

The return drive to Lima takes the evening and most of the night. You're back on the luxury bus with Wi-Fi, so you can upload photos or just sleep. Drop-off is at your hotel around 11:30 PM to midnight, depending on traffic and sea conditions. Hotel pickup and drop-off, all entrance fees, the guided tour of Paracas, the Ballestas boat, the Pisco Sour class. It's all included. No surprises at the end.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Miraflores, San Isidro, or Barranco.
• round-trip transport on a luxury air-conditioned Peru Hop bus with onboard high-speed Wi-Fi and restroom.
• a 2-hour guided Ballestas Islands speedboat tour with wildlife viewing.
• a hands-on Pisco Sour class in Paracas.
• free time for lunch at local restaurants.
• a guided tour of Paracas National Reserve with short walks to scenic viewpoints.
• and a guided visit to the Chincha Slave Tunnels at a historic hacienda. All entrance fees and taxes are included.

Before you book

Lasts 18h, runs every day at 05:30, from US$ 89.10 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Peru Hop

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Ballestas Islands, Paracas desert cliffs, and the Chincha Slave Tunnels in one day without arranging separate transport, tickets, or timing: the luxury bus and fixed itinerary handle all of it, and the long return drive is built in so you arrive back at your hotel rather than having to navigate Lima late at night.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How long is the Ballestas Islands boat tour?

Two hours. The boat departs from Paracas and passes rock arches, the Candelabra geoglyph, and wildlife areas.

What time do you get back to Lima?

Around 11:30 PM to midnight, depending on traffic and sea conditions. Downtown drop-offs may arrive slightly later.

Is lunch included?

No. You have free time in Paracas to eat at one of the local restaurants overlooking the Pacific. Cost is on your own.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, all entrance fees, the Ballestas Islands boat tour, the Pisco Sour class, the Paracas National Reserve guided tour, and the Chincha Slave Tunnels visit. Transport is by luxury air-conditioned bus with Wi-Fi and onboard restroom.

Are the Chincha Slave Tunnels difficult to walk through?

Some passages are narrow with low ceilings. You should be comfortable in enclosed spaces. Moderate physical fitness is recommended for the day overall.

Can infants go on this tour?

Yes, but they must sit on an adult's lap. Minimum age for independent travelers is 8 years old with parental permission.

What should I bring?

Trekking or tennis shoes (no flip-flops), sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, drinking water, a windbreaker jacket, and warm clothes for the evening bus ride.

Is this tour available on holidays?

Yes, but with slight adjustments. During Easter weekend and Peru's Independence Day (July 27-29), pickup is one hour earlier than usual.