South Coast
A trio of special attractions, including the famous and jaw-dropping Nazca Lines, awaits visitors along the southern Pacific coast of Peru in Ica, Nazca, and Paracas. While Nazca has long been an itinerary staple, adventures on the South Coast don’t have to end there: from dune-buggying on some of the world’s tallest sand dunes to tastings in Peru’s “wine country,” this comparatively well-developed region isn’t short on natural wonder or culture.
Nazca Lines
Known by professionals as “geoglyphs,” the Nazca Lines always provoke a strong reaction in visitors to the area. Giant illustrations of plants and animals spread out over 280 square miles (450 km) of desert plateau in Peru’s southern lowlands. No one has yet proposed a compelling explanation for their placement or their location. There are approximately 70 designs—the most famous and frequently photographed of these designs are the monkey, the spider, and the hummingbird. Other illustrations depict fish, killer whales, lizards, and sharks. Some of the designs have dimensions as large as 660 feet (220 m).
Explore PlaceQueirolo Vineyard
The Queirolo Vineyards are located outside the town of Ica. Set at the foot of the Andean mountains some 1,380 feet (420 m) above sea level, these vineyards are located in an ideal climate for growing grapes.
Explore PlaceBallestas Islands
The Ballestas Islands have been called the “poor man’s Galapagos,” though the islands are impressive enough to be more accurately considered “the mini-Galapagos of Peru.” Exploring them by boat will give visitors the chance to see over 160 different species of marine birds and the islands’ famous sea lions.
Explore PlaceParacas
The word Paracas means "rain of sand," named after the sandstorms found in this coastal part of Peru. Hidden beneath the sand is a rich history that merits The Paracas National Reserve, a marine wildlife and historical destination.
Explore PlaceNazca
The south coast of Peru was home to extraordinary pre-Columbian civilizations, including the Nazca, who are best remembered for their cryptic geoglyphs: huge line pictures of animals, etched across 190 square miles (500 sq km) of desolate desert land. The Nazca lines can be seen via a plane tour, or in part from nearby hills.
Explore PlaceTravel Guide to South America - Ica, Peru
The Ica Valley, located between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is a desert landscape known for its vineyards and sand dunes. It has become a popular destination for wine-lovers, amateur archaeologists, and anyone who wants to try new outdoor activities in the shifting sands of a prehistoric desert.
Explore PlacePisco
Situated on the western coast of Peru’s lowlands, Pisco started out as a fishing village. Nowadays, it’s best known for its vineyards, growing the grapes that make up the main ingredient in pisco, Peru’s famous grape brandy. Peruvians have strict rules when it comes to the harvest of grapes and the preparation of the liquor. Pisco is a cherished recipe, and has become increasingly popular all over the world. If you want to sample the national beverage, get it from the source. Pisco is also a perfect base camp for exploring the nearby Paracas National Reserve, and its stunning variety of birds and other animals.
Explore PlaceChincha
Chincha is a hub of Afro-Peruvian culture. You can see this influence in the handicrafts that locals sell and in the music scene. Sample sugarcane juice while you’re here, as well as fresh seafood.
Explore PlaceMore about South Coast
The Southern Pan-American Highway runs all the way from Lima to the Chilean border on the long southern coast of Peru, an area that boasts some very interesting attractions. Most famous are the Nazca Lines and Paracas National Reserve, but this region is also known for pisco (authentic Peruvian brandy) and the Spanish Haciendas where Afro-Peruvian music and dance were born.
Off the coast, there's the Ballestas Islands, often called “Lima’s Little Galapagos”, for their unique wildlife and astonishing scenery. For the adventurous traveler there are also extreme activities like diving, sandboarding, and off-roading in high-speed dune buggies to the desert oasis of Huacachina.
Drier and warmer than the rest of the country, the South Coast is becoming a region rivaling any other in Peru.
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The VIP Experience in Peru
I really could not be happier. The Anywhere Team made me feel like a VIP my entire time in Peru. The hotels were very nice & safe. The food was fantastic. Transportation was smooth, nice trains, safe airlines. I recommend Peru to all travelers!
Amazing Peaks and Majestic Ruins
PERU! is getting there. There are several areas where, for instance plastic bottles can be reused, by hotels providing large dispensers to refill existing bottles.
We Experienced Peru's Diversity
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A Family Journey of a Lifetime
Anywhere made this so easy! No glitches in our travels at all. From the hike to Machu Picchu to speeding through sand dunes in a buggy, the entire experience was out of this world.
First Class Family Adventure in The Andes
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