Paracas
Paracas National Reserve declared World Heritage Natural Side by UNESCO, is located on the south coast of Peru (near Pisco) and is the home to one of the largest sea-lion colonies in the world.
History
Paracas is a Quechua name that means “raining sand”. It is located 250km south of Lima. The Paracas bay is always remembered for the landing os September 8th, 1820 of Jose de San Martin and his army to begin the battle for Peru´s independence from Spain. Paracas is the departure point to reach the Paracas National Reserve, provides a sanctuary to 74 species of plants that grow in this extremely arid area, and to 216 species of birds, 16 types of mammals, 10 species of reptiles and 193 species of fish. Only protected natural marine area, it covers 3350 square kilometres, 65% of it sea and 35% land and islands.
The archaeology also is present at this zone. In 1925 archaeology team reported the find of hundreds of mummy bundles in the Paracas peninsula area, Julio C. Tello were study the Paracas ancient culture which readiocarbon tests dated to 7000BC and a significant number of skulls that had trepanation marks.
Climate
It has a typical desert climate, where temperatures can top 30°C. Days are sunny during summer (December to March) and part of winter, when temperatures can dip at night to 10°C. In the afternoon, the area is often swept by gusting winds -known locally as Paracas.
Geography
The reason for Paracas rich wildlife is the cold upwelling of the Humboldt Current. The sharp contrast between the desert and the sea also provides a stunning landscape. These areas are considered by the geographic location one becomes strangest and richest ecosystems in the world.
National Paracas Reserve
The Paracas National Reserve was created on September 25, 1975. This is the only protected natural area in Peru with different ecosystems. In 1991 it was declared Regional Reserve for migratories birds and in April 1992 it was incorporated to the RAMSAR convention. Paracas National Reserve is located in the department of Ica, province of Pisco, district of Paracas and has a surface of 335,000 hectares, but 217,594 belong to the sea.
Ballestas Islands
Here is no doubt that the most interesting part of the Paracas national park near Pisco is the Ballestas Islands. These islands are situated off the shores of Peru's near Pisco, and many large colonies of different marine animals live on them.
The reason why so many animals live here is because of the Humboldt Current that arrives to Peru's beaches at this point, and cools the sea waters. It also brings plenty of sea food, which makes it one of the most abundant fishing areas in the world, you can see sea lions, penguins and many types of sea birds.
In order to see Ballestas islands you need to take a motor boat that goes around the islands. It is not possible to disembark the boat like you can do in the Galapagos Islands. The boat tour takes about 2 hours. Take warm close with you, since it can be very cold!
The Candelabro Geoglyph
In the ancient times, the area used to be the home of an ancient civilization called "Paracas” that existed during the pre Colombian era. The most famous remnant of this culture is the "El Candelabro" geoglyph, carved on a hillside on the way to Ballestas islands. The length of the "El Candelabro" geoglyph is 128 meters.
The amazing thing in the geolyphs of Peru is the fact that they remained through the years without getting damaged by the weather (it hardly rains in this area) or by people.
Paracas Peninsula
The Paracas peninsula is also situated in Paracas National Park. A tour of the peninsula starts with a visit to a place called "The Cathedral", where you can observe a water cave and other rock formations from a view point located above the cave (you can not go down to it).
After that, the tour continues to the museum "Museo de Sitio Julio Tello". The entrance to the museum is not included in the tour's price ). In the museum you can view findings from the Paracas era. The museum in Ica is much more impressive.
In the end of the tour, you arrive to a lagoon where you can have lunch, swim in the water and walk along the beach.
In summary, not very impressive and is worthwhile only if you don't have anything better to do but have enough money...
Señor de la Agonia festivity
The celebrations of Senor de la Agonia lasts 3 days, during that time religious parades with Christ's statues are carried along the streets of Pisco and different shows are being held.
The route where the parade passes is decorated by believers with colorful ground paintings that are painted with soil and flowers' petals. The parade goes at nights and passes over these painting.
How to get to Pisco
Pisco is located about 220km southwest of Lima. There are many regular buses that pass through Pisco on their way south to Arequipa (or north on their way from Arequipa). It is important to make sure that your bus driver knows to drop you off near Pisco, because most buses only stop near Pisco, and do not go in.
From where the bus drops you, there will be many taxis and motorbikes that will take you to the town itseld.
Fauna
In Paracas you will visit the Ballestas Islands where hundreds of sea Lions, seals penguins, and many birds live, also the Paracas National Reserve provides an opportunity to easily watch resident and migratory birds, including flamencos, red-legged cormorants, Inca terns, Peruvian boobies, Humboldt penguins, Guanay cormorant, Neotropical cormorant, Turkey vulture, etc.
The San Gallan and La Vieja Islands are the only places for the potoyunco (Pelecanoides garnottii) to reproduce in Peru. The popular penguin of Humboldt
Among the most impressive mammals living in the Paracas National Reserve it is necessary to mention the several species of seals, for example the mongler seal (Otarya bironia) and the fine seal (Arctoc phalus australis) as well as the sea cat or chigungo (Lutra felino) which is in danger of extinction.
We con also observe the coastal wolf (Pseudalopex sechurae), that sometimes you can see it walking through the desert next to the beach, bats are found in the coast too. With regard to reptiles we find lizards (Microlophus peruvianus). Some sea turtles live in the waters of the area basically during El Niño, among the turtles living there are the green turtle (Chelonia agassizzii) and the small sea turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea). Likewise the are general ecosystems like in Cerro Lechuza, Morro Quemado and San Gallán, in the sea there are seaweeds like viva fasciata and viva papenfusii.
