A virtually unknown coastal oasis — like an undiscovered Paracas — lies hidden across a wide stretch of desert sands from Nasca. There, in total privacy, you can view communities of sea lions, seals, penguins, aquatic birds and desert rarities such as guanacos, congregating in a beautiful bay along a stretch of undeveloped coastline. But the highlight of San Fernando is the high probability to observe Andean Condors beside the ocean, nearly impossible to view in the coast.

The incredible trip to San Fernando is a huge part of the adventure: the only way to get there is via an adventurous and hugely scenic 7-hour roundtrip in a specially equipped dune buggy or 4x4 truck across the undulating, seemingly unending desert sands.

Visiting these 3 sites incorporates a scenic trip through the desert and along the dry valley of the Nasca river, which remains littered with textiles and ceramics from pre-Inca burial grounds. As the birthplace of some of the Nasca and Paracas cultures, the desert coast offers a wealth of opportunities to experience the legacy of Peru’s rich cultural heritage.

Cahuachi, the pyramid ruins (still being excavated) of the largest adobe ceremonial center in the world, is a seminal Nasca cultural complex (4th c. B.C. to 4th c. A.D.). Nearby Estaquería, where Nasca grave sites were marked by rows of huarango trees, and ancient, still-functioning aqueducts are also visited. Top off your exploration of the desert with a visit to the unique Museo Antonini, with a superb selection of Nasca ceramics, warrior’s trophy heads, and even well-preserved mummies.

The Nasca culture is rightly famous for its ceramics and textiles, elements of a sophisticated and highly creative culture. At a ceramics workshop run by a family of master ceramicists, learn how the Nasca employed mineral elements from the rich desert soil and natural plant pigments, experiment with their time-honored technique, and discover the secrets behind the myriad figures, symbols and mythological elements seen in Nasca ceramics.