Paracas National Reserve – Peru

About

Paracas National Reserve is a protected area located near Pisco city on the south coast of Peru in the Ica region. The reserve is a conservation area for desert and marine ecosystems in order to keep them sustainable. There are even more than 100 archaeological sites with remains of the Paracas culture still here, as well as other prehistoric fossils. The area covers 335,000 hectares and a large portion of this is marine area. The reserve is a dry area in the desert, with little humidity but strong winds called Paracas, which can come up to 32 kilometers per hour. There are incredible rock formations that have been shaped by the winds and waves of the ocean. The reserve is known as Peru’s greatest wildlife destination, perfect for nature photography. It is home to a wide variety of plants (including many flowering plants), mammals (including the endangered Killer Whale), fish, and birds. Visitors can take a boat trip to the nearby Ballestas Islands, where there is an abundance of sea mammals and birds to be seen. There are many beautiful beaches across the reserve, including Mendieta beach, which is a true haven for birds, making it a breathtaking place for nature photography. There are at least 215 different species of birds here. Some of the birds visitors may see include the Many-colored Rush-tyrant, Least Sandpiper, Wren-like Rushbird, Greater Yellowlegs, and even the rare Blue-footed Booby and near-threatened Inca Tern and Andean Condor. Owen visited Paracas National Reserve in February 2018.