Ica

Ica is known as the city of the eternal sun because mostly throughout the year the sun is always radiant, is also known for having a great historical past whose first inhabitants date back to 10,000 years ago, saw flourish cultures such as Paracas, Wari, Nasca and Ica. The city of deserts, beaches, oases and valleys is a land full of magic. Surrounded by beautiful valleys in the middle of an oasis in the desert pampas of Peru.

Photo by Lovelypeace on istockphoto

In Ica you can find impressive places like the Huacachina lagoon, which is characterized by the emerald green color of its waters, surrounded by abundant vegetation and how not to appreciate the dunes that are all around. Also in this department are the Nazca lines, pre-Columbian petroglyphs engraved in the desert sands and extend over 1,000 square kilometers and there are more than 300 different figures that include animals and plants. Some lines measure 30 m wide and extend for more than 9 km, the best view is through the air and for this reason it is said to be a mystery and a world to discover.

Photo by Lovelypeace on istockphoto

Also in this impressive place is the largest marine reserve in Peru, home to more than 200 types of birds and 300 species of fish. And among other places to discover.

This incredible city has wine cellars where the best vintages of wines and piscos are produced.

Good to know

Location

It is located in the central part of the Peruvian coast.
Altitude

406 meters above sea level.
Climate

Temperate and desert, with a high concentration of humidity in the coastal zone.
Seasons

Hot weather (mid-april to mid-november), mild (january 2 to april 12), warm (february), cool (june 15 to september 10), cold (july).
Indispensable to bring

Sunscreen because the sun is too bright, comfortable clothes for walking, sneakers, cap, sunglasses, jacket (at the time of the tour in the whale islands), identification document, and cash.
Distance to other cities

Ica - Lima: 303 km.
Ica - Nazca: 143 km.
Ica - Arequipa: 711 km.
Fun fact

It is the city with the most sunshine throughout the year.

Main tourist attractions

Paracas National Reserve

It is one of the most important and protected areas in Peru; being the only one that has a marine ecosystem with an area of 3,350 hectares. The place is a refuge for sea lions, Humboldt penguins, flamingos and other birds among others.

From the seaside resort of Paracas, in the province of Pisco, you can visit the Ballestas and San Gallán islands, habitat of sea lions, by boat. On the way you can see a figure of El Candelabro, engraved on the side of a hill.

Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines were declared a World Heritage Site in 1994. These Nazca lines were discovered in 1927 by Toribio Mejia Xexpe, studied by Paul Kosok, Hans Horkheirmer and the German doctor Maria Reiche, the Lady of Nazca, who lived in the area for more than 50 years studying and investigating their origin.

The ancient inhabitants of the Nazca culture have bequeathed a valuable archaeological monument consisting of an enormous network of lines and drawings of animals and plants in an area of approximately 350 square kilometers.

The researcher Kosok’s theory is that it is a gigantic calendar with astronomical signs, built more than two thousand years ago, but until today these traces are a mystery because their figures are so perfect and it is surprising the spectacular dimension and shape of the drawings that are located 25 kilometers from the city of Nazca, between kilometers 419 and 165 of the Panamericana Sur.

To get to know these spectacular Nazca Lines, you can fly over them and there is also a 12-meter high lookout point from where you can see the figures of “The Hand” and “The Tree”.

Huacachina Lagoon

It is one of the most beautiful places of the Peruvian coast. Located five kilometers from the Peruvian city of Ica, it is an impressive oasis of green color, abundant vegetation such as palm trees, eucalyptus and huarangos trees.

Considered the Oasis of America, its unique landscape is surrounded by impressive dunes, where you can take buggy rides and sandboarding.

Canyon of The Lost

This mysterious Canyon of The Lost is located southwest in the district of Santiago in the province of Ica, has an extension of 5 km and is located 40 km from the town of Ocucaje. The canyon is formed by the erosion of the Seco River that flows into the Ica River.

It was discovered in 2011. The name of this canyon comes from an expedition carried out by the mayor Pablo Alvites together with the villagers and the local journalist Mayco Herrera. When these groups were heading to the place they got lost for a couple of hours and finally when they arrived at the canyon the journalist decided to title his report with the name Canyon of The Lost.