Lima-Paracas-Nazca-Huacachina-Lima (bus/drive)
 

Hi,

How does the following sound:
- 3.40am bus from Lima
- 7.20am arrive in Paracas
- Visit Islas Ballestas
- Rent a car
- Drive to Nazca
- Overflight over the Nazca Lines
- Drive back to Paracas, with a stop in Huacachina
- 8pm bus back to Lima

Is this at all feasible in a day? I know it's a stretch, but this is all the time I have before going to Cuzco.

Thank you very much in advance.

Kat

I think this is difficult. You are probably not going to be able to do all three in one day.

The Paracas boat tours get you back around 11 am to noon. Timing isn't precise. It takes 3 hours to drive to Nazca. So if you are lucky you can get on a flight around 3pm. But the flight will take about an hour, so you won't be able to make it back to Ica in time to go on one of the sandboarding tours (since they leave at 4 pm).

Also doing Nazca in the afternoon can be an issue if it's windy.

Thanks mlgb!

We don't care about the sandboarding tour as much in Huacachina, more about seeing the oasis.

The wind is a very valid point. Other than that, is the road between Paracas and Nazca ok to drive?

The Panamerica is a big highway with lots of trucks and buses. But Huacachina requires a drive thru Ica. I doubt it will be worthwhile as it looks pretty much like a green pond surrounded by hostels,

Btw, Did you even find a car rental agency in Paracas?

I think you really need to consider picking either Paracas or Nazca and taking a bus or tour

I haven't found a car rental in Paracas online, but I was thinking of just going there to see if there are any.

In the end we will definitely do Paracas and Huacachina, the question is whether we'll have the time to to do Nazca.

Okay, so have a backup plan. Because I would be surprised if you found one there, or even in Pisco.

Indeed, as a backup we'll try to do the overflight to Nazca starting at Pisco, which comes at a higher price, but you don't waste all those hours on the road (bus or car).

Your other option is to rent the car from Lima together with a driver for the day (ie a taxi). It might work out to be a cheaper option than flying from Pisco depending on how many in your party.

The other thing is, that this is really one of the most boring drives in Peru after about two hours.