Lima to Paracas: Islands, Slave Tunnels & National Park in 1 day!
Description
Make the most of a full day from Lima: cruise the wildlife-rich Ballestas Islands on a guided boat tour to look for sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and soaring seabirds, then continue into the dramatic Paracas National Reserve where desert drops into the Pacific. Close the day with a powerful visit to the historic Chincha Slave Tunnels. • Full-day tour from Lima: Ballestas Islands cruise & Paracas Reserve • Wildlife viewing opportunities - sea lions, penguins, and seabird cliffs • Iconic desert-meets-ocean viewpoints inside Paracas National Reserve • Guided visit to the Chincha Slave Tunnels; hotel pickup and drop-off included
Tour Options
Itinerary
Begin with an early pickup from your hotel in Miraflores, San Isidro, or Barranco. Board your Peru Hop bus with onboard high-speed Wi-Fi and settle into a premium, air-conditioned coach with reclining semi-bed seats and an onboard restroom. Your friendly Peruvian host shares stories and tips as you trace the scenic Pan-American Highway toward Paracas, a peaceful fishing town on the Pacific.
Board a fast, comfortable boat for a 2-hour wildlife cruise. Skim past towering rock arches and the mysterious Candelabra geoglyph while watching for sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a kaleidoscope of seabirds - and, with luck, playful dolphins. Skippers keep a respectful distance so you can enjoy natural behavior (wildlife sightings vary seasonally).
Enjoy a hands-on class where you’ll make, taste, and enjoy your very own Pisco Sour, Peru’s national cocktail, with views over the Paracas harbor.
You will have ree time to have lunch in one of the many restaurants of Paracas overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Join a guided bus tour inside one of South America’s largest protected desert reserves. Photograph red-sand cliffs, wind-carved headlands, and sweeping Pacific views where dunes meet turquoise water. Short walks to lookouts are rewarded with unforgettable panoramas.
Travel north aboard your Peru Hop bus to a historic hacienda to explore its underground tunnels, once used during the slave-trading era. Your guide shares context and stories that bring this difficult history to life. Some passages are narrow and have low ceilings; guests should be comfortable with enclosed spaces.
Relax aboard your comfortable Peru Hop bus with onboard high-speed Wi-Fi for the drive back to Lima - ideal for sharing your best Ballestas and Paracas photos on the way. Enjoy direct drop-off at your hotel in Miraflores, San Isidro, or Barranco. Typical arrival is around 10:30 PM (traffic and sea conditions can affect timing; Downtown drop-offs may be slightly later).
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
View the pickup list when booking to see if your hotel is included among the pickup points. If it is not on the list, choose “I'll decide later" or "My hotel is not on the list" and after booking let us know where you are staying. We will inform you whether we can pick you up directly at your hotel, or the nearest alternative. -Pick ups from hotels/hostels in San Isidro: between 4:50 am and 5:00 am -Pick ups from hotels/hostels in Miraflores: between 5:00 am and 5:40 am -Pick ups from hotels/hostels in Barranco: between 5:45 am and 6:00 am
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The bus will arrive back in Lima around 11:30 pm - midnight
- The Only company with Luxury Buses for the long journey, others use small vans
- Minimum age: 8 years old – Must have parents permission
- Recommended: Treking or tennis Shoes (no flipflops allowed), Sunglasses, Hat, Sunscreen, Drinking water, Windbreaker jacket & warm clothes.
- The tour runs with slight adjustments during the following holidays: Easter weekend (April 2-5) and Peru's Independence Day celebrations (July 27-29). The pick-up time will be 1 hour before the usual time.
Reviews(815)
We had an excellent day with Peru Hop. The timing was perfect and accurate to the itinerary. Our guide, Luis, was very kind and knowledgeable. The wifi on the bus was also appreciated.
Ouf guide Luis was Perfect. He explains cleary and was always smile. Thank you for this trip !
Great experience, great guide (Luis)
Luis was a great guide, very informative & accommodating
Overall a great experience. Very well organised trip! Very timely, all extra experiences are well scheduled also. Great tour guide, Miguel! Fantastic visit to Hacienda with a very educational tour by our guide through the slave tunnels. I have no minus’s to this tour! My personal highlight was the dune buggy in Huacachina!
Hi Antonia, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic and well-organized day with us. It’s wonderful to know that the punctuality, planning, and coordination of the activities helped you enjoy every part of the experience. We especially appreciate your kind words about Miguel. It’s great to hear that his guidance during the Hacienda visit, including sharing the history of the slave tunnels, added even more value to your journey. His knowledge and passion for sharing Peru are exactly what help create memorable experiences for our passengers, and we’ll be sure to share your message with him. We’re also happy to know that the dune buggy adventure in Huacachina was the highlight of your day! It’s always amazing to hear when our passengers enjoy the unique experiences that make this tour so special. Thank you for choosing Peru Hop! We hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures and discoveries throughout Peru.
Boris is the best person among all in Peruhop. He won't let you disappoint when he is around. I enjoyed his communication skills throughout the journey from Lima to Paracas. He is the G.O.A.T of Peruhop.
Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We're so glad to hear that Boris made a significant impact on your journey from Lima to Paracas. His commitment to customer satisfaction is something we deeply value. Thank you for choosing us!
Tunnel of slaves was quite an interesting piece of Peru's history
Hi there, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed discovering this fascinating part of Peru’s history. The Slave Tunnels are a unique place that offers an important connection to the country’s past, and we’re happy to know that it added something special to your journey. Thank you for traveling with us, and we hope to welcome you back for more meaningful experiences and adventures through Peru!
Amazing! Not too rushed and plenty of time to relax. Very comfortable buses.
Hi there, Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the pace of your journey and had the chance to relax while exploring Peru. It’s wonderful to know that the comfort of our buses helped make your travels even more enjoyable. Creating a smooth and comfortable experience where passengers can discover Peru without feeling rushed is something we always aim for, and we’re happy to hear that this was your experience. Thank you for traveling with us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure through Peru!
Ana is a very kind guide. Everything was perfect.
Hola, ¡Gracias por tomarte el tiempo de compartir tu experiencia con nosotros! Nos alegra mucho saber que tuviste una excelente experiencia y que todo salió perfecto durante el tour. Es maravilloso saber que Ana hizo que tu viaje fuera aún más especial con su amabilidad y dedicación. ¡Gracias por elegir Peru Hop y esperamos recibirte nuevamente para otra aventura por Perú!
We didn't really know what to expect when starting our journey with Peru Hop, and we're pleasantly surprised with how organized and fun everything was. Our guide, Nina, went above and beyond, from messaging us consistently about organizing our pickup in Lima, to making every step of our journey through Paracas worth remembering. We were super happy we chose to book with Peru Hop. If you come to Peru, traveling with them is a must in our book. Thank you Nina!
Hi there, Thank you for your review. We are so happy to hear that your first impressions of Peru Hop exceeded your expectations and that you enjoyed the organization and experience throughout your journey. We will make sure to share your special thanks with Nina. It is wonderful to know that her communication, support, and dedication helped make your trip through Paracas such a memorable one. We truly appreciate your recommendation and would be delighted to welcome you back for another Peru Hop adventure in the future.
