Ballestas Islands, Paracas National Reserve

A sanctuary for marine wildlife

Made up largely of rocky formations, the Ballestas Islands are an important sanctuary for marine wildlife, such as the guanay cormorant or the booby: the sheer number of birds is astonishing. Other notable species include Humboldt penguins, seals and sea lions, along with many other mammals: the roar of the sea lions on the islands forms a resounding chorus that can be heard across the Ballestas, blending perfectly with the wild natural beauty of the place.

The mystery of the Paracas Candelabra

Along the route to the islands, on the Paracas Peninsula, you'll come across El Candelabro (the Candelabra): a prehistoric geoglyph nearly 183 meters tall, etched into the northern ridge of the peninsula. It's believed that this mysterious geoglyph dates back to the Paracas culture of 200 BC and may have served as a landmark for sailors: the mystery of its origins remains the subject of much speculation to this day.

Tourists aren't permitted to land on the islands, in order to preserve the archaeological integrity of the area.

Paracas National Reserve

Founded in 1975, the Paracas National Reserve is Peru's oldest marine reserve. It protects and preserves unique marine ecosystems, home to a wide variety of migratory bird species, and covers the Paracas Peninsula, coastal areas and a stretch of tropical desert, totaling 335,000 hectares: 217,594 hectares of marine waters and 117,406 hectares of land.

Around 1,543 species of flora and fauna live within the Reserve: 216 bird species (native and migratory), 19 mammal species, 52 fish species and 6 reptile species. Several of these species are considered vulnerable, including the kelp gull, the skimmer and the American black oystercatcher.

The Reserve also aims to safeguard the cultural and historical heritage of the pre-Inca Paracas culture: within it lies the Pampa de Santo Domingo, where archaeologists have dated human remains as far back as 6,500 BC and discovered a decorated quena (flute), considered Peru's oldest musical instrument. Nearby, ceramic remains dating to 200 BC have also been found, likewise attributed to the Paracas culture.

The Paracas National Reserve is considered one of the richest and most unusual ecosystems in the world, and is recognized under the Ramsar Convention (an international treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands) as a wetland of international importance.