Paracas, Ica and Nazca are Peru's major coastal destinations south of Lima. Home to teeming bird and marine wildlife, lush desert oases, and the amazing Nazca line drawings, this magnificent desert environment is accessible from Lima by car in less than a day.

The best known attraction in the zone is the Nazca line drawings, etched in over 1,000 square kilometers of the sandy plains north of Nazca. Constructed from about 400 BC to 600 AD, the Nazca line drawings are geoglyphs that characterize several species of birds, a fish, a spider, a monkey, and plants within a labyrinth of straight lines, spirals, triangles, and other shapes. The Nazca line drawings are best appreciated from the air, though they may also be viewed on-site from specially constructed towers.

Ica - famous for its warm, dry and sunny climate - is the center of Peru's wine industry. Other attractions include the Huacachina oasis, with its palm-lined lagoon having medicinal sulfurous waters, and the world-class Las Dunas resort.

The nearby Paracas Bay and adjoining Paracas National Reserve are both teeming with marine and bird life. Be sure to take the boat ride out to the Ballestas Islands, where seals, sea lions, and countless bird species can be viewed in their natural habitat.

Paracas, Ica and Nazca are sunny and warm year-round. Be sure to come with your bathing suit and plenty of sun block! And for the best itinerary and accommodations - don't forget Andean Odyssey!