Ica is home to the Ballestas Islands (well-known for its large sea lion colony) and desert oasis Huacachina. Initially, we planned to go to Ica independently rather than booking a tour, but then we came across Peru Hop. The company was founded by two Irishmen, one of whom we met when we went directly to their office in Miraflores to enquire about the different tour options. He (Will) met a Peruvian girl while backpacking around five years ago and decided to move to Lima where he started the company.
Will is super friendly and is more than happy to answer any questions you might have with regard to the tour or Lima itself. We opted for the 3-day tour to Paracas and Huacachina. If you choose to stay in hostels, the minimum cost is US$159 pp (excluding food expenses). We paid just under US$170 each because we chose to stay in a hotel in Huacachina. The tour package includes the bus fare and guide, a tour of the Chincha caves, a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands, a dune buggy and sandboarding tour in Huacachina, and US$20 which goes towards your chosen hostels/hotels. Peru Hop is definitely cheaper than if you were to organise the trip by yourself.
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| El Curasi Hotel in Huacachina |
The Ballestas Islands were a sight I will never forget. I've seen sea lions at the zoo numerous times but to see them in their natural habitat was truly breathtaking. They might look very cute but they are so noisy! The speed boat approached them close enough to allow for some fantastic shots and it was very tempting to jump in. Some sea lions were enjoying a swim while others were busy catching up on some sleep or having a family meeting. Unfortunately we didn't see any dolphins but we did see three little Humboldt penguins and many different species of birds. Everyone was in awe at how quickly the birds would dive bomb into the sea and pick up their fish.
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| A sea lion soaks up the sun |
I think you could say that Paracas is best suited to those who are looking to relax and put their feet up, while Huacachina is perfect for adventure lovers and thrill-seekers. We were told by our guide to have a light lunch before going on the dune buggy but I didn't really see why it was a big deal. I had forgotten that Huacachina has some of the largest sand dunes in the world (and wannabe V8 Supercar drivers, as I was soon to find out). I'm glad we got the back seat because it was best not knowing what was coming. Our driver was absolutely 'loco'! Even with seat belts on we felt as though we were going to fly out. The view from the top of the dunes is indescribable. We arrived just in time to see the sunset. It's so peaceful up there and all you can here is the sound the sand makes as you slide down the dunes. I had never been snowboarding or skiing so it was a bit scary but you just have to go for it. It's something I never thought I'd do and I'm so glad I got the change to have a go.
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| Feeling on top of the world |
It was great to meet people from all over the world and to hear their stories. Ages ranged but most people were younger than 30 I would say. The great thing about Peru Hop is that you can do exactly what the name says: hop on and off where you like. The bus is very comfortable and we felt very safe because there is always a guide on board. Overall, the highlight of the tour was probably our tour guide, Carlos. A Peruvian from Lima, he was very excited to show us the wonders of his country and often made us cry of laughter.
Thanks Peru Hop for a memorable experience!
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