12:08 | Paracas (Ica region), Nov. 29.
Located in Pisco province of Peru's southern Ica region, Paracas National Reserve is one of the most popular destinations among Peruvians, and there are good reasons for that.
The place is known for its natural beauty, as well as diverse animal and plant life.
The delightful seaside town of Paracas will take special shape at this time of the year as host of the 55th Annual Conference of Executives (
CADE-Executives 2017).
Participants are privileged as they will enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Reserve.
Established as a natural protected area by Peru's Government on September 25, 1975, the
Paracas National Reserve has a total area of 335,000 ha.
It is important because it contains representative samples of Peru's marine-coastal ecosystems. Likewise, it is a major source of income for thousands of locals.
Situated 260 km south of Peru's capital city, the reserve is one of the natural areas protected by State-run Sernanp. The ocean and desert create a unique landscape and its area is home to nearly 1,543 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish.
Northern Circuit
The Circuito Norte (Northern Circuit) includes 12 tourist stops with facilities to make visitors' journey a worthy one.
Foreigners can enjoy huge sand dunes and the Pacific's cold water. Plus, the place is
ideal for adventure sports like paragliding and diving.
The circuit's tourist infrastructure includes control posts, restrooms, lookout spots, relaxation areas and parking lots on Yumaque, Playa Roja, Raspon, La Mina and La Plaza beaches.
Karwas Beach
Hosted by Paracas Reserve, Karwas Beach is a must-see due to its white sand and clear waters.
Thanks to newly opened spots like Karwas Beach, around 15,000 visitors visited the reserve during 2016's major national holidays: New Year, Holy Week, and Independence Day.
Biodiversity
Paracas Reserve is a privileged place on the Peruvian coast for nature tourism since it hosts a great biological diversity, especially marine-coastal species.
The area is home to nearly 216 species of birds, 36 of mammals, 10 of reptiles, 168 of fish and a large number of invertebrates, which are at the bottom of the trophic chain in this important place.
In addition to unique birds like the Humboldt penguin and the Andean condor —that occasionally descends to the coast in search of rich pickings— visitors can watch large populations of sea wolves and otters.
Other fascinating specimens seen in the surroundings include the humpback whale, the common bottlenose dolphin and the dusky dolphin.
The vegetation is scarce, but a few coastal hills can be seen at the highest elevations, providing a habitat for several animal species.
Paracas National Reserve is situated at km 245 of the Panamericana Sur Highway and can be reached in approximately four hours by car.
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Published: 11/29/2017