Hola todos! For today’s installment I will go over the main attraction of Paracas; Las Islas Ballestas, Also known as the ‘Mini Galapagos’ of Peru
So through @peruhop I was able to book onto this tour through their partner app for about £15. It is a two hour tour around these Islands. You can do a 7.40 or 9.40 tour. Being a bit tired from the travel day and tour yesterday I opted for the later slot. Good job as I nearly overslept my alarm.
0940 comes round and we are soon taken onto our boat. It’s a bit bigger than the typical small boats they do on these tours which is pretty nice. First it’s about a half hour boat ride past the peninsula where we hikes last night. The sea is pleasant and there are some nice views heading to the Islands.
On the way we Briefly stop to see the ‘Candelabro of Paracas’. This formation in the sand has been here for over 2000 years yet nobody knows who made this and why the sand simply does not bury it. After this brief stop we were over to the Islands.
Once we get there we are greeted by the sight of Penguins on the cliffs along with lots and lots of sea lions on the shores. Our guide tells us it is mating season for them and yes it is, you can see hundreds of them including baby ones once we loop round to the other side.
There is also a sort of factory here where every so many years they harvest bird shit here to make fertilizer – it is the best in the world apparently and there is no shortage of bird shit – there are loads of birds here including pelicans and these native ones to this place which have this white mark on their heads.
After about an hour going around the Island it is a short half hour ride back to port. After we get back to port I decide to go for a swim in the sea. Despite how hot this place gets in the day the water is quite cold – circa 16-18 grados I recall someone saying. Not quite West Wales but you feel the chill getting in. Still was a good way to pass the afternoon without spending more money.
The evening later was quite uneventful. Tomorrow we are back on the road and heading to Huacachina, the desert Oasis 🏝️
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