Ballestas & Tambo Colorado
Ballestas Islands & Tambo Colorado: From Ocean Wonders to Inca Secrets
Embark on a thrilling full-day adventure that blends nature, history, and culture! Start your journey with a boat tour to the breathtaking Ballestas Islands, home to playful sea lions, curious Humboldt penguins, and stunning rock formations. Witness the enigmatic Candelabra geoglyph from the sea, then continue inland to explore Tambo Colorado, one of the best-preserved Inca archaeological sites along the Peruvian coast. This unique tour offers an unforgettable contrast between the rich marine wildlife of the Pacific Ocean and the architectural genius of the Inca Empire. Perfect for history lovers, nature enthusiasts, and travellers seeking authentic Peruvian experiences.
Top Highlights
- See sea lions, penguins, and the Candelabra geoglyph on a scenic Ballestas Islands boat tour
- Explore Tambo Colorado, one of the best-preserved Inca ruins on Peru’s coastal desert
- Enjoy a full-day cultural and wildlife experience from Paracas to the desert interior
- Ideal for history lovers and wildlife enthusiasts looking for an authentic Peruvian adventure
- Private or group options available with expert guides and flexible departure times
Tour Level: Easy – suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Service: Mix Tour service, group and private tour.
Departure: From Paracas at 8:00am | 9:00am | 10:00am
Duration: 6 hours.
Tour Type: Cultural & Nature Expedition.
Your adventure begins with a hotel pick-up at the scheduled time, followed by a shared boat tour to the stunning Ballestas Islands, where you’ll admire the iconic Candelabra geoglyph, colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, marine birds, and dramatic coastal rock formations during a two-hour guided excursion. Upon returning, enjoy 30 minutes of free time to relax or explore the Paracas waterfront. The journey then continues to Tambo Colorado in private vehicle, located around 1 hour away, through scenic desert landscapes. Along the way, we’ll make short stops at viewpoints and local sites. At Tambo Colorado, one of the most preserved Inca archaeological complexes on the Peruvian coast, you’ll explore ceremonial plazas, ancient adobe structures, Inca murals, and learn about the region’s cultural legacy. The tour ends with a comfortable return to your hotel, making this a perfect blend of nature, history, and culture in one unforgettable day.
Book now for an eco-tourism experience you won’t forget!
Included:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Paracas.
- Shared boat tour to the Ballestas Islands.
- Professional bilingual tour guide (English/Spanish).
- Private transport to Tambo Colorado.
- Guided visit to Tambo Colorado.
- Scenic stops along the route.
- Bottled water on board.
- Travel assistance during the tour.
Not Included:
- Meals and personal snacks.
- Entrance fees to the Ballestas Islands and Tambo Colorado (22 soles or 7 USD per person)
- Tips for guides and drivers.
- Travel insurance.
- Extra activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Optional entrance to other nearby attractions.
Note:
The entrance fee to Ballestas Islands and Tambo Colorado is not included in the tour price and must be paid directly in cash or card at the control point, in Peruvian soles.
✅ Allowed:
- Photography and video for personal use.
- Bringing reusable water bottles and snacks.
- Wearing hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals.
- Eco-friendly behaviour and respect for nature.
❌ Not Allowed:
- Littering or removing natural elements (e.g. shells, rocks).
- Drones (without prior permit).
- Loud music or disruptive behaviour.
- Smoking in protected areas.
- Feeding or disturbing wildlife.
🎒 What to Bring:
- Cash in soles for entrance fee.
- Sunglasses, hat, and high-SPF sunscreen.
- Comfortable clothes for warm and windy conditions.
- Refillable water bottle.
- Camera or smartphone.
- Light snacks (optional).
- Windbreaker or light jacket (optional – coastal breeze).
Pick up will be at your hotel, where our staff will welcome you and assist you. Please be ready at your hotel lobby at least 20 minutes before your selected departure time to ensure a smooth and timely start.
Please note that the Ballestas Islands boat tour is subject to weather and sea conditions. In the event of cancellation due to bad weather or port closure (as determined by the local harbour authorities), we will offer you the following options:
Reschedule the tour for another available day
Take an alternative land-based tour
Continue only with the Tambo Colorado land tour and receive a partial refund
Cancel the full tour and receive a full refund
Your safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding.
All travellers must provide a valid WhatsApp number during booking or confirmation so we can stay in touch for any last-minute updates, meeting instructions, or emergencies.
This tour is not suitable for cruise ship passengers arriving at San Martín Port, as the timings and logistics do not match cruise schedules. Please note that this is a land-based tour with fixed departure times and we are unable to offer custom pickups from the port.
For the best experience, we recommend this tour for visitors who are staying overnight or arriving independently in Paracas.
Your tour is confirmed immediately upon booking, and you will receive an official confirmation by email or WhatsApp. We accept all major credit and debit cards and offer secure online payment options for your convenience.
You may cancel or reschedule your tour up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time at no additional cost. If you fail to show up on the day of the tour (No Show), no refunds or rescheduling will be offered.
We are committed to providing flexibility and transparency, ensuring your experience in Paracas is enjoyable, safe, and fair under all circumstances.
Why Book This Tour
Why Book With Us?
Ballestas & Tambo
From $70 USD per person
Free Cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
To see more Tours in Paracas
To see more Tours in Peru
What Our Customers Say
Our clients consistently praise our tours for their professionalism, punctuality, and exceptional service. Many highlight the knowledgeable bilingual guides, the comfort and safety of our boats, and the unforgettable wildlife sightings. With thousands of positive reviews, travellers recommend us as the top choice for Paracas tours, ensuring a memorable and hassle-free experience every time.
Posted on Ainsley Gaudet31 December 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jose, was very accommodating to us when we decided we wanted to switch to a buggy rather than a scooter. Meant so much to us & we had a phenomenal time. The ladies that assisted us were helpful and very sweet. Great communication all in all, everyone we spoke to answered our questions to the fullest. Totally recommend booking with JD Adventures.Posted on K.C. Worrall3 December 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our experience with JD Adventure Travel was terrific! We were met exactly on time and in the right place and whisked away without a moments' loss. Our guide, Olenka, stayed with us the entire tour and was delightful! She was very knowledgeable and also knew how to get the best out of every situation. We could not have been more pleased with the whole tour, and highly recommend JD Adventure Travel to everyone!Posted on Marta Iwanicka15 November 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Super wycieczka, polecamPosted on 岡安尚子1 November 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ベルーのカヤオ港からクスコとマチュピチュを観光する2泊3日のツアーでした。 23人という大人数でしたが、余裕を持ったスケジュールで、何の心配もありませんでした。各地を堪能し、楽しむことができました。ツアーガイドもマチュピチュの日本語ガイドも素晴らしかったです。Posted on Ignacio Cabrera26 October 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Muy buena experiencia! La recomiendo 100%.Posted on Pablo Galofré20 October 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excelente experiencia con la scotter por Paracas, y gracias a las recomendaciones de José, un gran día!Posted on Daniel George18 October 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. "Absolutely fantastic experience with Peru Sights! Their team was professional, friendly, and very knowledgeable. The tour of Machu Picchu was seamless and truly awe-inspiring.Posted on tim breidbach16 October 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nice experience, super easy communication beforehand. We did the 3pm bufggy tour through the nature reserve and had to take the 5:40 Pm back to Lima. The crew made sure everything is on time and we had a nice closing of our paracas experiece. Would definetly recommend.Posted on Marly Rocha7 October 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nos gustaría agradecer a Jorge por su atención y cuidado. Fue brillante.Posted on 李賦庭6 October 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The agent was super helpful! They gave me traffic information from Ica and answered all my questions. They keep following my traffic condition and successfully took me on the flight, even though there was traffic jam. The flight was wonderful! Highly recommended.
Posted on Tom KVerified Boat and Buggy tour This was brilliant. We did a boat tour to the islands to see Seals, Penguins and birds. Then had an hour break before going on a buggy tour through the national park visiting multiple beaches and driving the buggy through the desert. Completely safe, follow a private guide and see many incredible sights. Worth doing!Posted on SidRamageVerified Great views of the amazing Nazca Lines! Plane left punctually, flies for about 40 minutes to Nazca, spends 40 minutes there then flies back. The views of these extraordinary features were wonderful with every chance to take photos as the pilot made sure that passengers on both sides of the plane got excellent views of everything. Compared to a long drive to visit on foot (which would not allow you to properly see the full scale of the images) this is a must.Posted on Denise DVerified Two sites, one good tour. The weather was beautiful to visit the Ballestas Islands for the boat ride. Fabio was a wonderful guide, very animated. He explained all of the important information for Tambo Colorado as we walked through the ruins. I would recommend Fabio and JD Travel for your next tour to Pisco port.Posted on James HVerified First Class Excursion We benefited from a well organized and well informed excursion. The Paracas National Reserve is stark and dramatic with awesome sights. The team led by Jose did everything possible to ensure that saw and understood the key elements and they were diligent in keeping us safe at all times.Posted on jkedzufVerified Boat and bus tour from Pisco. The combined boat and bus tour was great. Our tour guide was Olenka and she did a very nice job discussing and answering questions from the group of about 25. We saw numerous penguins and sea loins.Posted on Luigia CVerified Top experience We did an amazing experience in Ballestas islands and the natural reserva in Paracas!!We enjoyed and Olenka has been a lovely guide for our trip!!! Amazing time!! I will recommend for surePosted on Gudrun KVerified Great - gladly again Everything worked great (advance contact, pick-up and return information, briefing at the airport) and to top it all off there was a very pleasant flight!