Paracas, Huacachina, Ica

We took a bus from Lima to Paracas, a small town on the coast which took around 4 hours. The whole town practically survives on tourism. The main attraction is the Islas Ballestas with their diverse wildlife. On the second day, we took boats out to the islands and were able to observe seals, sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, and cormorants up close. It was impressive to be able to observe these animals from so close. In the afternoon, we went go-karting through the desert of the Paracas National Reserve. Speeding through the sand with these vehicles was a lot of fun, and we also made stops at some beautiful viewpoints on the cliffs and even saw dolphins swimming in the sea.

The next day, we enjoyed the hostel pool and the sea, taking some time to relax. We then continued to the nearby desert oasis of Huacachina, which is only about 1 hour away. The oasis is really impressive, as it consists of a very small lake, a few palm trees, and houses surrounded by huge sand dunes. Later in the afternoon, we explored the sand dunes on a sandbuggy tour. These very rugged vehicles and the skills of our driver made us feel like we were on a roller coaster - with the small difference that the steep turns and jumps were real. It was extremely fun! In between, we were able to ride down the dunes on sandboards, which was also very enjoyable. Finally, we found a nice spot on a dune from where we enjoyed the sunset with a cool beer.

Finally, we didn't want to miss the nearby city of Ica. Although it doesn't have too many attractions, it is always exciting to immerse yourself in the Peruvian hustle and bustle of small shops, street vendors, and charming cafes.

Next, our destination will be Nazca, where we will see the famous Nazca Lines in the desert.