Tourist Attractions of Ica

Huacachina - Ica
Surrounded by dunes, palm trees and huarangos, small tropical American trees (Caesalpina coriaria); the Lagoon of Huacachina appears as a sort of illusion in the desert, only 5 km west from the City of Ica. In olden times, the lagoon became famous among the residents due to the medicinal properties of its filtered waters. Today it is a peaceful resort which is ideal to take a rest and enjoy the landscape.

It is impossible to take boat rides in the lagoon. Those seeking some sort of adventure can practice sand boarding on the dunes. The equipment necessary for this sport can be rented from some of the local stores.

Nazca Lines - Ica
Nazca is located 142 km from the City of Ica. It is a city which has preserved the secrets of its ancestors, great masters of ceramics and the authors of the huge and impressive system of lines and drawings dispersed over the pampas.

The Pampas of San Jose, between km 419 and 465 of the South Pan-American Highway, are the site of the famous Nazca Lines, comprised of over 70 giant figures and some 10,000 lines imprinted on the land which have been declared the Cultural Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO. Figures like those of the monkey, a humming bird, a guanay (phalacrocorax bougainvillii) and a spider amaze people who look at them from the air or from the viewpoint located opposite km 420 of the Highway.

The Pampas of San Jose, between km 419 and 465 of the South Pan-American Highway, are the site of the famous Nazca Lines, comprised of over 70 giant figures and some 10,000 lines imprinted on the land which have been declared the Cultural Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO. Figures like those of the monkey, a humming bird, a guanay (phalacrocorax bougainvillii) and a spider amaze people who look at them from the air or from the viewpoint located opposite km 420 of the Highway. (more…)

Climate of Ica

Ica is well known for its excellent climate, where the sun shines the whole year round. From December to March the temperature rises noticeably during the day, with an average of 30°C at mid-day, cooling off slightly during the evening.

In The months of July and August, temperature drops, especially at night, when it reaches a minimum of 8°C. Due to the desert type climate, rainfall is scarce and the sun is strong. For this reason, it is advisable to use some sort of sunscreen protection and hats.

With an altitude of 406m.a.s.l, Ica can be easily reached by road directly from Lima along the south Pan-American Highway, the trip takes 4 hr (the distance is 303 km). To get there by air one uses charter plane services operating from Lima. The trip lasts 1.5 hr.

History of Ica

The strong winds which so easily raise clouds of sand, locally known as Paracas, have shaped singular dunes, covering the famous Pampas of Ica with sand, jealously guarding the mysteries of old regional cultures. In spite of the shortage of water in the area,the inhabitants of Ica have achieved an admirable level of agricultural development,thanks to the design of complex irrigation canals, which took advantage of underground water filtering.

Signs of the first inhabitants of the region date back to at least 5,000 years ago, as evidence by the remains found in the Paracas Peninsula. Ica has been the development center for important cultures, like the Paracas (600 B.C. - 400A.C.) and the Nazca (200 B.C. -800 A.C.). Famous for their advanced knowledge of medicine, the Paracas were successful in brain surgery trepanation and deformation.

They also mastered the manufacturing of beautiful knits, interweaving highly colorful wool and cotton yarn, the embroidering and designs of which are still widely admired. Much later, the Nazcas left aqueducts in the pampas, some of which are still being used to irrigate de fields and impressive archaeological evidence which is still to be deciphered, such as the case of the Nazca Lines.

The region became part of the Tahuantinsuyo during the government of Inca Pachacutec, who ordered the building of an important administrative and religious center, known as Tacaraca, which is said to have been the residence of the local governor Aranvilca. (more…)

Main Attractions of Ica

Santuario del Senor de Luren . A sanctuary for the patron of the city whose venerated image is taken out in procession during Holy Week and the third week of October.

Laguna de Huacachina . Only 5 km (3 ml) from the center of the city, it is a perfect oasis surrounded by dunes and palms in a unique landscape.

Bodegas Vista Alegre . Founded in 1857 by the Picasso family, it is one of the biggest wine cellars of the country, famous for its wine and pure Ica pisco production.

Hacienda Vitivinicola Tacama . Wine production hacienda acknowledged internationally.

Regional Ica Museum . It houses a great collection of fossils, mummies, Paracas mantles, Nazca ceramics, and Colonial and Republican art pieces.

Museo Cabrera . This museum holds a valuable series of engraved stones depicting primitive life scenes. This collection makes a good summary of the origin of the Peruvian civilization before the Inca empire.

Iglesia de La Merced is located in the main square . It is built in typical Colonial architecture, and has a gorgeous carved altar decorated in gold leaf.

Casonas or Colonial Mansions . Among the most beautiful are, the Marques de Torre in the Plaza de Armas and Casa Mendiola in Bolivar street.

La Achirana del Inca . It is a 500 years old irrigation channel. Legend says that Inca Pachacutec ordered to built it as a proof of love to a young girl of the city.

Cachiche . This is an old town of sorcerers and curanderos (healers), which is part of the Ica folklore. It is surrounded by huarango trees and date palms, giving a mysterious atmosphere to the place.

Los Frailes Stone Forest . At 5 km (3 ml) from the city, the strange forms of the stones in Los Frailes are the result of the erosion produced by the presence of permanent winds in this part of the country.

Ica Region

Ica is a region in Peru. It borders the Pacific Ocean on the west; the Lima Region on the north; the Huancavelica and Ayacucho regions on the east; and the Arequipa Region on the south. Its capital is the city of Ica.

Geography

The Ica Region has a remarkable geography. It is the only region of the southern coast formed by plains also called coast plains since the Andean Cordillera is erected inside. Some geological folds have determined the formation of lands moving forward the sea which form the Paracas Peninsula while some isolated formations located at the southern part have determined the Marcona complex, a place where the biggest deposits of iron in the Pacific coast have been formed. Ica’s configuration is due to the geomorphology of its two big and unique fluvial watersheds: the Pasco watershed and Ica watershed.

Also, it has an incomplete and continuous current inadequately called Rio Grande because its short waters do not even reach the sea; its waters are mainly used for agriculture in Pampa, Nazca and Ingenio, its final watershed is dry since sand and dried lands absorb its short resources. There are extensive deserts in Ica like the Lancha Pampas before Pozo Santo and Villacuri Pampas which are extremely hot areas. Strong and persistent winds called “Paracas” are present and originate large clouds of sand.

History

Ica has a rich history. The first settlers are from 10,000 years ago, from which the Wari, Nazca, Ica and Paracas cultures developed, the latter being the most important.

The Paracas culture developed from the seventh through the second century BC. It is distinguished by its matchless textile skills, Trephinations, and the art of mummifying their dead.

The Nazca culture, on the contrary, well-known for its artistic pottery, in which colorful designs and representations excel over the form, the same as their famous lines and figures that have undergone implausible interpretations. This culture expanded from the second century BC through the seventh century AD. They have left us their wonderful aqueducts that made good use of underground water, of rivers and rain, showing a great knowledge of hydraulic engineering.

In the fifteenth century, during the Inca empire, Pachacuti incorporated the territories of Ica, Nazca and the Chincha valley.

Years later, in 1563, with the arrival of the Spanish, Jeronimo Luis de Cabrera founded the Villa de Valverde del Valle de Ica. Since then, the area became an important vineyard and cotton center.

During the independence war, General Jose de San Martin landed in Paracas and fixed his headquarters in Pisco, to start the fight for the independence of Peru.
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Getting Around in Ica

Ica is quite spread out, and getting around town will most likely involve taking inexpensive taxis, which flood the streets. (Most trips in town cost less than USD 2.) Taxis are especially useful in visiting the wineries located outside of town. There are also ciclotaxis, or bicycle rickshaws, which are cheaper still but less secure. Some visitors enjoy taking them out to Huacachina.

You can arrange Nasca Lines overflights from Ica, although it’s considerably more common (not to mention cheaper) to do it in Nasca. If you want to do it from Ica, contact AeroCondor, in the Hotel Las Dunas at Av. La Angostura 400 ; or Inca Baths Tours, Lima 171 on the Plaza de Armas . For other organized tours, contact Huacachina Tours, Av. La Angostura 355, L-47, in front of the Hotel Las Dunas , or Pelican Travel and Service, Independencia 156 and Lima 121.

Getting in Ica

There are frequent buses from Lima to Ica (4 hr.), which drop passengers in the center of town. Frequent service also connects Ica to Nasca (2 hr.) and Pisco (45 min.). Cruz del Sur, Avenida Paseo de la Republica, Lima (tel. 01/225-6163), and Ormeno, Av. Carlos Zavala 177, Lima (tel. 01/472-5000), travel between Lima, Pisco, Nasca, and Arequipa.

Soyuz-Peru Bus, Av. Carlos Zavala 221, Lima (tel. 01/428-6252), connects Ica with Lima and Pisco, and is the fastest and best (with the most frequent departures) from either city. Bus terminals in Ica are located in the center of town on or just off Lambayeque, a couple of blocks west of the Plaza de Armas.

No Wine Until It’s Time–Ica celebrates a wine-harvest festival (Festival Internacional de la Vendimia) during early March. The second Friday of the month is a major holiday throughout the Ica department. Many activities take place in the vineyards, although around town there are concerts, handicraft fairs, Peruvian caballos de paso (step horses) shows, beauty pageants, and cockfighting. (Don’t these last two always go together?) It’s a great time to get your fill of pisco. The lovely maiden chosen as the Queen of the Festival gets to doff her shoes and squish grapes in a huge wine vat, to the titillation of all.

Another date to remember: July 25 is the Dia Internacional del Pisco across Peru, and everybody gets drunk on a national scale.

Visitor Information

Direccion de Turismo (MITINCI), Av. Jeronimo de Cabrera 426, Urbanizacion Luren (tel. 056/227-287), is the main administrative office of the tourism ministry in Ica department, but it’s a hike from the Plaza de Armas. Pay a visit only if you’re in serious need of assistance.

Fast Facts

Banco de Credito, Av. Grau 109 at the corner of Callao (tel. 056/233-711), has an ATM. You’ll also find money exchangers on the Plaza de Armas.

For medical attention, go to Hospital Felix Torrealva Gutierrez, Bolivar 1065 (tel. 056/234-450), or Hospital de Apoyo, Camino a Huacachina s/n (tel. 056/235-231, or 056/235-101 for emergencies). If you need the police, its headquarters are located at Lambayeque, block 1 (tel. 056/224-553).

You’ll find a post office at Plaza de Armas (Libertad 119); it’s open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 6pm. There’s a Telefonica del Peru office at Jr. Huanuco 289 (tel. 056/217-247); it’s open daily.

Beaches in Ica

San Pedro: Visitors need to make an obligatory stop in Chincha (Km 202 along the South Pan-American Highway) to take the local bus to the town of Lurinchincha. From there it is a 10-minute walk to the beach of San Pedro, located in the department of Ica, where the sea peeps out amidst cotton plantations. Ancient temples known as huacas rear over the bright green fields, and pools of fresh water along the coast teem with clumps of junco reeds and white ibis. The sand is clean and the waves exciting enough to keep swimmers entertained.

Paracas: There is little doubt that Paracas features one of the most spectacular stretches of coast along the Peruvian shoreline. Here, the barren desert runs down to a deep blue sea, with sweeping beaches, towering cliffs and bluffs carved out by the waves.
This national reserve, which covers an area of 335,000 hectares, is one of the country’s finest beach destinations. Paracas -and the adjacent Islas Ballestas islands (a 1-3 hour trip) ideal for snorkeling, fishing, windsurfing, surfing and photography. The area teems with flocks of guano birds and sea lion colonies and is a haven for migratory birds and rare species such as the Humboldt penguin and wildcats. Visitors are advised to explore beyond the tip of the peninsula, where there are fantastic beaches. Just 7 km from Paracas, a stretch of sea has formed the beach known as La Mina.

La Catedral: The emerald sea is overlooked by a look-out point where one can gaze out over the sea lion colonies which live on tiny islands nearby. Just 14 km from Paracas, another dirt road runs above the upper reaches of the La Catedral beach, its name (The Cathedral) stemming from the bizarre shape carved out by the erosion of the wind and waves. From here one can scramble down and enter this natural dome which is battered by waves at high tide.

Mendieta Beach: Also worth a visit is the Mendieta beach, 25 km from Paracas and in front of the Isla Zarate island in the heart of the desert. The reserve and its beaches are reached by a paved road from Pisco (at Km 24 of the South Pan-American Highway). Once past the roadside checkpoint, the route turns into a dirt road. At the nearby resort of Paracas and the beach at El Chaco one can find hotels, restaurants and boat rentals. Apt for all vehicles.

Puerto Caballas: First stop is Palpa, 398 km south of Lima, before driving two hours down a sandy track alongside the Grande River down to the ocean. Visitors should travel in their own car. Punta Caballas, in the department of Ica, has no running water or hotels, and only bread and soft drinks are sold locally. One can camp out or look for a spot inside uninhabited beach houses, the remains of a long-deserted beach resort. Surfers will find excellent waves which take a long time to break as they flow against the wind. Local fishermen provide mackerel, sea bass and shellfish.

ICA The oasis of the desert

A long desert and agriculture related tradition encompasses of the City of Ica, capital of the department of the same name. From Colonial times, Ica became an important wine producing center. Tradition tells that few years after the Spanish conquest, vines brought from the Canary Island were planted in this sunny land, and everyone was surprised at how easily the plant adapted to its environment.

This not only made it possible to produce excellent wines, but it was also the beginning of the production of a grape liquor, called pisco, which conquered the taste of the Spaniards themselves and which continues to conquer all those who try it.

A long desert and agriculture related tradition encompasses of the City of Ica, capital of the department of the same name.

From Colonial times, Ica became an important wine producing center. Tradition tells that few years after the Spanish conquest, vines brought from the Canary Island were planted in this sunny land, and everyone was surprised at how easily the plant adapted to its environment.

This not only made it possible to produce excellent wines, but it was also the beginning of the production of a grape liquor, called pisco, which conquered the taste of the Spaniards themselves and which continues to conquer all those who try it. (more…)

Introducation of Ica

Ica is a city in Peru. It is the capital of Ica Department. Ica and its surroundings are the traditional source of Pisco brandy. Ica is home to Museo Regional de Ica, a local museum with many exhibits including pre-Colombian mummies with elongated heads and with evidence of trepanning as well as furniture, paintings and other artifacts from the Spanish colonial era. Also located at Ica’s north west edge is the upscale Hotel Las Dunas. The narrow desert fringe that stretches for more than 1,400 miles along Peru’s and Lima Pacific Coast, has been called the driest desert on earth. Small oasis have formed where rivers, descending from the slopes of the Andes cross the desert.

Here, people have lived for thousands of years. These valleys are very fertile land and particularly in the south, the mild sunny climatesets an ideal environment for grape crops. Ica is the wine country of Peru. Excellent wine and Peru’s very own famous “pisco”, a very strong beverage extracted from white grapes, are produced in the area.

Grape harvest in cheerfully celebrated in Ica every year in March during the National Vintage Festival. Floats parade, marching bands, wine and grape tasting as well as commercial and hand craft exhibitions take place during the festival.

Ica is the most important city on the southern coast of Peru (although it is actually 50km from the ocean), and the centre of Peru’s wine and pisco industry, producing some decent wines. The Plaza de Armas is the centre of Ica, and there are a number of churches nearby, the most interesting of which are San Francisco and the sandcastle-like El Senor de Luren, an important pilgrimage destination in October of each year. (more…)