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Wildlife birds

Sea Lions and Sand Dunes

Bite-sized trip

  • Itinerary:
    Lima - Islas Ballestas - Huacachina - Arequipa
  • Duration:
    3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
  • Price:
    From £ 432.- pp (excluding flights)
Sleep on the edge of a surreal desert lagoon, hurtle down giant sand dunes and sail around islands crammed with sea lions. Welcome to the curious, otherworldly coastline of Peru. Machu Picchu, the Andes and the Amazon might take all the glory, but this area of Peru takes the biscuit when it comes to bizarre. Travelling by private car and sleeper bus over 3 days, you can soak up the strange scenery at your own pace.
Seals Ballestas Island Peru
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Day 1 – Lima – Islas Ballestas – Huacachina

This morning you’ll be picked up at your hotel in Lima by your private driver for the day, ready to set off along the atmospheric coastal road, often shrouded in an eerie sea mist. When you reach the small harbour of Paracas, you’ll hop on a boat bound for the Islas Ballestas. As you approach the islands you’ll be hit by a wave of barking noise and a serious whiff of sea lions. It’s a wildlife assault on the senses.

Peru’s answer to the Galapagos, these tiny islands are completely overrun by animals, from seals to iguanas and from pelicans to penguins. A riot of noise, activity, splashing and earthy smells, the islands are protected by law and reserved wholly for the wildlife. You’ll circle them by boat, passing just metres from basking sea lions. It’s a wonderful way to spend a morning.

Peru’s answer to the Galapagos, these tiny islands are completely overrun by animals, from seals to iguanas and from pelicans to penguins. A riot of noise, activity, splashing and earthy smells, the islands are protected by law and reserved wholly for the wildlife. You’ll circle them by boat, passing just metres from basking sea lions. It’s a wonderful way to spend a morning.

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Day 2-3 – Huacachina – Arequipa

You’ll have most of your second day free to explore Huacachina, sand-boarding down dunes or visiting the archaeological museum. For something different, drop in on the wineries and pisco-producing factories of Ica, just 4km up the road, and sit back with the national drink of Peru. When late afternoon rolls around, you’ll be transferred to nearby Ica, where you’ll board the overnight sleeper bus to Arequipa.

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Accommodation

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Sea Lions and Sand Dunes

For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options

Garden balcony accommodation exterior
Double bed accommodation Huacahinero
Bathroom sink accommodation interior
Option
1

Upgrade to our In Style accommodation

  • Travel sum:
    From £ 453.- pp (excluding flights)
  • Included:
    In Style accommodation, excursions, transport and meals as described above

For this bite-sized trip we have an alternative option available for your accommodation. Our In Style version is something a bit more special or unique but still with lots of local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your accommodation for this bite-sized trip select our In Style option below.

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This bite-sized trip can be combined well with

Peru Lima Yellow Building
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  • 3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
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Tourist leaning on a monastery wall in Arequipa, Peru
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Culture and Cookery in Arequipa

  • Arequipa
  • 3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
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Andean Condor Flying
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Condors in the Colca Canyon

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  • 3 days / 2 nights
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Amazon river Peru sunset
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Into the Amazon – Jungle Lodge

  • Puerto Maldonado - Tambopata National Reserve
  • 4 days / 3 nights (flexible)
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