The Poor Man’s Galapagos Islands Tours

The wildlife-rich Ballestas Islands, near the coastal town of Paracas in Southern Peru, is a wonderful option for nature lovers who are in the region and unlikely to reach Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.

It is for this reason that the islands have become popularly known as the Poor Man’s Galapagos.

But you won’t just be saving money - tours to the islands are much quicker than cruises to the real thing.

Unlike with the lengthier Galapagos Islands tours, travelers can organize three hour tours to the Ballestas Islands right from the small port town of Pisco; departure point for many boats.

Alternatively, you can embark on slightly longer excursion, accompanied by a naturalist guide, by choosing a tour offered by a Peru vacation package provider. The islands are reached in about an hour, depending on sea conditions, and passengers are also treated to magnificent views of the enormous El Candelabro: Geoglyph etched mysteriously into a sandy hillside by pre-Colombian peoples, not unlike the well known Nazca Lines further down the coast. Just over an hour is spent circling the islands themselves.

The Ballestas Islands are located just north of the Paracas National Reserve, Peru’s only marine reserve. While the islands are not yet included within this protected area, disembarking is prohibited in an attempt to minimize impacts on wildlife. Nonetheless, the speedboats which are used for these tours always maintain a distance that provides close views of the broad range of animals that frequent the islands.

Over 150 species of sea birds are found here, including the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, boobies and pelicans, not to mention perhaps the most charismatic visitors: barking sea lions, dolphins and occasionally whales. The cacophony of literally thousands of birds, both nesting and circling overhead, is as impressive as it is deafening. Some sea lions drape themselves lazily over rocks that jut out of the water, but most pile on to the available beach space; frisky pups herded by ever-watchful females, who is turn are jealously guarded by a simply enormous male.

The Ballestas Islands were once the source of great wealth for the national economy, due to the vast quantities (literally several yards deep) of bird droppings. Built up over centuries, this nutrient-rich substance, used as excellent fertilizer and a key ingredient in the manufacture of explosives, was collected with fervor and exported throughout the world during the early nineteenth century and even became one of the motives of war during the infamous War of the Pacific between Chile and the Peru-Bolivia alliance.

The development of artificial fertilizers at the end of the 19th century ultimately led to a sharp fall in the worth of this unexpected gift from nature, and today the islands’ treasure is harvested on a much smaller scale, primarily for national agricultural use, and confined to defined periods of the year. The rickety wharves and temporary dwellings used by collectors are plainly visible, and their faded and somewhat derelict appearance is an undeniably surreal image amongst the throngs of squawking seabirds.

Tour Tips For The Islas Ballestas

- Book in advance with a tour operator to guarantee yourself a professional, bilingual naturalist guide.
- Protect yourself from the weather: Hat and sunglasses for the strong sun, windbreaker or similar for the infamous winds (Paracas means strong winds in Quechua)
- Binoculars will greatly enhance wildlife observation.
- The boats are small (for around 35 people) and the seas can get choppy, so don’t forget seasickness medication if you are prone to feeling ill.

About the Author
This guide on excursions to the Ballestas Islands, as a replacement for Galapagos Islands tours was written by a Peru travel fanatic at Peru For Less, specialists in customizable, excellent value Peru vacation packages.