Amid the striking coastal desert of Peru is the Paracas National Reserve, a protected natural area known for its wealth of marine wildlife and dramatic shoreline of wind and wave sculpted rock formations. Only a 4 hour drive from Lima, the reserve is well worth a visit and easily combined with other Peru highlights such as the Nazca Lines and Ica vineyards in 2-3 days. Below you can find 5 highlights of Paracas National Reserve and its surrounds, as well as insider tips on visiting from Aracari. 5 Highlights of Paracas National Reserve It's hard to pick our top 5 highlights of the 3,350 square kilometers (1,290 square miles) of Paracas National Reserve - Peru’s only marine protected area. Here there is a myriad of wildlife due to the cool water of the Humboldt Current favoring the growth of marine life and over 215 species of birds using the reserve as a key stopover during migration. The region teems with history and culture while the landscapes will take your breath away. 1. Boat Trip to Ballestas Islands One of the main attractions of the Paracas National Reserve are the Ballestas Islands, an archipelago rich in wildlife. The islands are riddled with arches, tunnels and other wind and sea sculptures where sea lions, seals, Humboldt penguins and turtles converge with dozens of birds, among them albatross, pelicans and various seagulls. On a boat trip you will circle the islands to visit the diverse marine life (disembarking is prohibited to protect the wildlife), and also head to Punta Pejerrey. Punta Pejerrey is the northern most point of the isthmus and the best spot for seeing the Candelabro, a prehistoric candelabra-shaped geoglyph etched onto a sloping hill above the cliffside. A tour to the islands takes approximately two and a half hours, with about 45 minutes spent watching wildlife.