Paracas & Islas Ballestas

"Beautiful and wholesome"

Spend the day touring the Islas Ballestas by boat to see the famous birds, sea lions, and penguins. Then, take in the spectacular landscape and archeological history of the Paracas Reserve. For lunch, eat fresh seafood in the artisanal fishing village of Lagunilla.

About the tour

Full day excursion (6 - 8 hours)
Admission fees included
We provide all the transportation for the day.
Tour guidance by a local expert
Does not include food or beverages
We encourage to bring cash for lunch, comfortable clothing, hiking shoes or sneakers, sunglasses, light jacket or sweater (for the boat tour) and don't forget your sunscreen!
Contact us and ask for a quote

Important Information

This tour might not be suitable for people with mobility impairments, people with heart conditions, or wheelchair users.

Our Commitment to Excellence

We are not your average tour agency. We are local experts committed to providing a one-of-a-kind experience when you visit Ica. We can help you design your own itinerary. An experience custom made for your interests, time, and budget. We will provide you with advice on activities, time management tips, and many other resources for free. Just drop us a line!

The fastest way to contact Luis is through Whatsapp

Meet your Tour Guide

Luis, a charismatic and passionate tour guide, is a true local gem. Coming from a family deeply rooted in the rich history of the Ocucaje desert. Luis was born and raised in Ica. From a young age, Luis’ insatiable curiosity led him to explore every part of the vast desert landscape that surrounded his home. His childhood was a tapestry of adventures, discovering hidden oasis, ancient trails, and secrets buried beneath the golden sands.

In 2014, Luis decided to share his profound love for the desert with the world. Armed with extensive knowledge passed down through generations and a genuine enthusiasm for the terrain, he embarked on a journey as a tour guide.

Over the years, Luis has become an expert explorer. His tours are not just ordinary excursions; they are immersive experiences that weave together tales of the past, the mystique of the present, and the promise of future discoveries.

Luis specializes in crafting unforgettable hiking and camping adventures, each one meticulously designed to showcase the hidden treasures only a local guide could reveal.

You can also fill out this form to contact Luis

Costumer Reviews

Fabulous stay and experience in the Ica desert!

We were a group of 5 couples and Ica was our first stop on a 2-weeks tour around Peru. Victoria and Luis opened their doors to us and allowed us to use the full property. Rooms were comfortable and clean, breakfast was fresh and delicious (even the morning we had to leave around 5 am), swimming pool was highly enjoyable,… Victoria and Luis did everything they could to make us feel at home (and they definitely succeeded!). The pisco sour made by Luis was the best (and the cheapest) we had in Peru. They also helped us with our transportation from and to Lima, and tours to Tacama, Huacachina, Paracas,… Everything was perfectly well organized from A-Z. The highlight of our stay was the private desert tour we took with Luis, THE expert on the Ica desert. We had breathtaking views, went on fabulous (short) treks, discovered whale fossils (millions of years old) and so much more… Luis even filmed us with his high-resolution drone and shared the files, at no additional cost. If you are in the area, Waranqu is the place to go! Muchas gracias Victoria and Luis!!

Bart C.

Oct, 2023

Trip Advisor

A home from home, amazing place to stay and perfect day trips

Our stay with Luis and Victoria in July was very special. A home from home.

We were picked up by Luis at the bus station, to take us to their house. The house is so beautiful, and very clean. We were offered a welcome drink, and looked at the schedule for the next couple of days. Luis would show us around the region, and you can tell that he really knows the region very well, and he is eager to share his knowledge.

Victoria provided a tasty and healthy breakfast for us, with fresh fruits and eggs made to order.

We visited Huacachina which was so much fun for us and our kids. The second day Luis took us to the Canon de les Perdidos, which was very nice. But the stop we made underway in the rocky surroundings of the desert, was maybe even more beautiful and one of the most spectacular things we’ve seen in our three weeks in Peru. Wow.

Also the luch we had in a dried out river bed was very cool, and tasty thanks to Victoria’s preparations.

The third day we went to the Ballestas Islands and Paracas, which are also very special and beautiful.

We had a little bit of a hard time saying goodbye, since we enjoyed our stay with Luis and Victoria so much. They really make you feel like part of the family.

Tomy P.

Jul.2023

Trip Advisor

A slice of heaven in the city of Ica

From the initial extremely last-minute reservation we needed, Luis was the most pleasant host and accommodated us for our two days in and around Ica.

Luis and Victoria’s home was absolutely beautiful. The shared spaced were neat and spacious, and the guest rooms were spotless and comfortable. They are taking all the right COVID precautions and we felt safe throughout.

Luis was able to arrange for a day tour to the Pisco bodegas and the Huacachina oasis where we rode dune buggies. The next day, he took us out to the Ballesta Islands and around Paracas. All the activities were coordinated through him so we did not have to navigate through your vendors separately, and all at the fairest prices.

The most enjoyable part of our stay was getting to spend some time connecting with our hosts over Pisco sours.

We felt like we stumbled upon a really special place by accident, and we will be sure to stay here next time we return!

Veloziraptor21

Oct. 2021

Trip Advisor

Casuarinas N-15, Residencial La Angostura, Ica, Peru.

+51 (56) 603469

Whatsapp: +51 958044248

Waranqu@gmail.com