Ica, Paracas and Nasca

 

Cradle of ancient civilizations and unfathomable mysteries

It is said that the astonishing south begins in Ica, and that would seem to be true, for here the geography suddenly transforms itself into an immense desert. On the Nazca plains of the Ica region ancient cultures have left us the enormous figures known today as the Nazca Lines. Today, the Ica region is home to the white grape brandy known as pisco, Peru’s national drink, a rich Afro-Peruvian culture with its own music and colorful festivities, vineyards that produce Peru’s best wines, and oases such as Huacachina, where life is able to flourish amid imposing desert dunes.

 

Hotels

Temperatures

Max 28ºC / 82.4ºF

Min 13ºC / 55.4ºF

Useful tips:

  • The summer season is from November to April.
  • Paracas was the place chosen for the disembarkation on September 8th 1820 of the troops led by General José de San Martín, the liberator of Peru.
  • The department of Ica is also home to the Paracas National Reserve, the habitat of seals, Humboldt penguins, sea otters, flamingoes and many species of seabirds.
  • An excursion no visitor to Peru’s Pacific coast should miss: The Ballestas Islands. During the boat trip to the islands, visitors can see an enormous design etched onto the sand and rock of the Paracas peninsula. Known as the «Candelabro», the origin of this gigantic artwork remains unknown. The Ballestas Islands are home to large colonies of seals and thousands of seabirds.
  • The cuisine of Ica is notable for its ancestral African heritage, which has produced delicious dishes such as carapulcra and sopaseca. The varied range of regional desserts includes chocolate tejas and frejol colado.