Clean Cruising

Cruises visiting Pisco (San Martin) & all Pisco (San Martin) cruises for 2013 - 2014

Pisco is a city located in the Ica Region of Peru is the capital of the Pisco Province, and is served by the port of San Martin which is named after the liberator General San Martin. This area is significant in Peruvian history as the birthplace of Peru's struggle for independence. Pisco is also the gateway to the ruins of Machu Picchu. From Pisco, explore the Paracas Peninsula, sail to beautiful Islas Ballestas, fly over the famed Nazca Lines, or travel by land to Lima, Cuzco and Machu Picchu. Another attraction in the area is El Candelabro, a giant lamp dug in the rough sand in the method used by the creators of the Nazca Lines.

The area is normally visited because of the concentration of marine animals and birds at the Paracas National Reservation, or the Peruvian Galapagos. At the reserve there are the Ballestas Islands that are off limits to visitors, but boat tours can get close. The Chincha Islands are also near its coast. On the islands there are many birds, including pelicans, penguins, cormorants, Peruvian boobies, and Inca terns. There are also sea lions, turtles, dolphins, and whales.

The city was very near the epicentre of the devastating 8.0-magnitude earthquake which struck south central Peru on Wednesday August 15, 2007. Eighty percent of the city was destroyed, including the central San Clemente Cathedral of Pisco, in which a service was being held at the time of the earthquake. As many as 100 deaths were reported within the cathedral. The church in Plaza de Armas was also destroyed during the earthquake while a service was in session killing nearly 150 people. Several 100s more were killed throughout the city. Till today, the city is still recovering from the damage done during the earthquake.