Paracas

• Location: Ica Region, Pisco Province, Peru
• Official website: www.paracas.com
• Climate: subtropical
• Total area: 3350 square meters. km.
• Foundation date: September 25, 1975.
• IUCN Category: IV (protected area with managed resources, sparing use of ecosystems)
• Opening hours: 6.00 - 18.00
• Cost of visiting: 5 salts

The nature of South America is striking in its diversity: here you can find rainforests, savannas, steppes, and even salt deserts. And one of the most popular tourist places in Peru is a huge park called Paracas. Let's find out what's interesting here.

Features of Paracas National Park

The park is located on the deserted shore of the Pacific Ocean, washed by the cold Peruvian Current. The territory of this reserve is a salt desert, and millions of years ago the waves of the prehistoric ocean rolled on this place. The park includes the eponymous Paracas peninsula with all its beaches and islands.

Paracas was turned into an environmental area in order to preserve the unique marine ecosystem of the peninsula and protect its cultural heritage. The fact is that on this territory were discovered numerous archaeological sites belonging to ancient civilizations. Among them - ceramic products with colored paintings, tools of wood, bone and stone, household items, etc. Interesting tourists and local geoglyphs in the form of a giant trident, applied to the rock - Andean chandelier . It can only be viewed from the side of the bay at the northern border of the reserve.

Among other attractions of the park stands an underground necropolis, which was previously considered a natural deepening in the rocks. Along the walls of the tunnels of this ancient underground structure are still mummies that were buried here along with various items (weapons, fishing nets, ornaments, etc.). With these artifacts you can get acquainted with visiting the museum of archaeologist Sitio de Julio Cesar Tello, located at the entrance to the national park.

Flora and fauna in Paracas

Thanks to the special climatic conditions and the fact that this natural area is under protection, the park has become home to numerous species of birds and mammals. This is a huge colony of sea lions, as well as the living owls, penguins, dolphins, Chilean flamingos, pelicans, Inca tiles, Andean condors and other rare species. There are leatherback turtles, Pacific iguanas and leaf-lined geckos in Paracas. And since the park covers not only land territory, but also about 200 thousand hectares of Pacific open spaces, its fauna can be considered fish, shellfish and molluscs.

Not so long ago the paleontological expedition discovered in Parakas the remains of a giant prehistoric penguin. These birds had an increase of about 1.5 m and lived here about 36 million years ago.

The vegetation of Parakas is not so diverse. The land flora of the peninsula is formed by so-called "scrap" - desert meadows, due to their existence frequent fogs. But the flora of the underwater part of the reserve is much richer: the local waters are simply overcrowded with plankton, which is the main food for the inhabitants of the ocean waters.

How to get to Paracas Park in Peru?

Paracas is located 250 km south of the capital of Peru , Lima , and 22 km from the city of Pisco. To get to the park, you need to move along the Pan-American highway in a rented car , taxi or public transport . Another option is a flight from Lima to Ica (1 hour journey).

You can study the nature of the park both on land and from the sea. Entrance to the park will cost you 5 salts, plus the same for an opportunity to visit the islands of Balestas , where you will see real bird markets. The tour is also paid (60 salts). The administration of Paracas offers walks in the park by car or by boat, which are sent twice a day - at 8 and 11 am. If you want, you can go buggy, go diving or snowboarding on the sand.

The park operates daily and year-round, from 6 am to 6 pm. In the park there are hotels where you can stay (however, quite expensive). A budget hotel or hostel can be found in the nearby cities of Pisco , Ica and Chincha Alta .