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You are here: Hotels & Destinations > ICA

ICA

Ica, an esoteric land, one of profound religious faith, sand dunes, valleys, and sun, is an agricultural zone where you see interspersed among the extensive desert area fields of cotton, butter beans, asparagus, citrus tree orchards, as well as vineyards. Some of the most important civilizations of ancient Peru established themselves here like the Paracas and the Nasca who left a legacy that has endured the passage of time and the violence of the sand and wind.
The Paracas National Reserve is a must stop; this State protected natural area is, among its beaches and staggeringly beautiful rock formations, the refuge to fur seals, otters, penguins, dolphins, and more than two hundred species of birds such as flamingos, waders, and guano birds. In the province of Nasca, a little more than one hundred kilometers from Ica, there are the Nasca Lines, one of the greatest archeological mysteries of the world.
UNESCO placed this site on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1994. Formed by a series of lines and gigantic drawings traced upon the sands, the Nasca lines feature figures like a spider, a hummingbird, a monkey, etc. that can only be truly appreciated from flying above them. You can also visit the vineyards of the department, where they produce excellent piscos and wines, the Huacachina Lake, a beautiful oasis situated among the sand dunes just a few minutes away from Ica, and Chincha, the valley which gave birth to the Afro-Peruvian music.

ALTITUDE
Capital:Ica (406 masl / 1332 fasl )
Altitude:Lowest point: 2 masl / 7 fasl (Paracas)
Highest point: 3796 masl / 12.454 fasl (San Pedro de Huacarpana)

CLIMATE
The department of Ica features a varied terrain with extensive plains, deserts, and some valleys. The city of Ica has a sunny climate almost all year long with an annual average maximum temperature of 32ºC (89ºF) and a minimum of 9ºC (49ºF).

ACCESS ROUTES
By land: Lima – Ica: 303 km / 188 miles on the Pan-American Highway South (4 hours by car)
By air: There are no regular flights. Air taxi service from Lima is available.


City Tourist Attractions :

Cathedral, city of Ica
The original construction dates from the eighteenth century, but it was remodeled in 1814. The outside of the church is of neoclassical style, and inside the Baroque style prevails as seen in the pulpit and altars. Main Square. Visiting hours: Mon. - Sun. during mass times


Adolfo Bermudez Jenkins Regional Museum
It featured a collection of pieces from the Paracas, Nasca, Huari, Ica, and Inca cultures. There are also Colonial canvases and furniture and some Republican objects. Avenida Ayabaca, block 8. Telephone: (056) 23-4383 / 23-2881. Visiting Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. Sat. and holidays 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.


Marquis of Torre Hermosa House
It is one of the few examples of Vice-royal architecture that has survived earthquakes and urban growth. It possesses an exquisite Rococo façade worked in stone. It is also known as the Casa Bolivar since it lodged the Liberator during his stay in the city. Calle Libertad, block 1, Main Square.

Vista Alegre Bodega
P.M.A traditional bodega dedicated to the elaboration of wine and pisco, it still maintains characteristics of Colonial practices of grape processing. 3 km / 2 miles northeast of Ica (10 minutes). Telephone: (056) 23-2929 / 23-8735. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M., Sat. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 5:00


Tacama Vineyard
It is dedicated to the elaboration of wine and pisco. It was owned by the Jesuits during Colonial times, and the mansion and the old stables of the epoch still remain. 7 km / 4 miles northeast of Ica (45 minutes). Telephone: (056) 22-8395 7 22-8394. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Ocucaje Bodega
The bodega demonstrates long used traditional techniques of the department for the production of pisco and wine. Avenida Principa. 34 km / 21 miles southwest of Ica (45 minutes). Telephone: (056) 40-8011 (056) 40-8011 / 40-8012. Fax: (056) 40-8018. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sat. 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.


Traditional Wine Producing Bodegas
In these bodegas, they elaborate pisco in the traditional way using distillers made during the Colonial time. In the Ica Valley, there are more than 85 traditional bodegas, the most famous being Lazo, Catador, Sotelo, Alvarez, Mendoza, and Acuache.


Huacachina Lake
It is a traditional relaxation spot for the people of Ica. The lake looks like an oasis in the middle of a desert, forming a splendid landscape of dunes, palm trees, and acacias. Some people believe the water to have medicinal properties. 5 km / 3 miles southwest of Ica (5 minutes)


Town of Cachiche
The tradition says that Cachiche was famous for its witches who healed all types of diseases and undid curses. You can see the seven heads palm trees, the (popular name given to this palm tree) the trunk of which produces six further palm trees. 4 km / 2 miles southwest of Ica (5 minutes)

Los Frailes Megalith Complex
It is a group of wind eroded, strangely shaped rocks. The figures of a turtle, a monkey’s head, a toad, and an astronaut are visible. There is a natural lookout where you can see the entire city of Ica. 5 km / 3 miles east of Ica (10 minutes)

Beaches and Deserts
Area of beautiful beaches, perfect for fishing and underwater hunting. It is necessary to take full camping gear since there is no lodging. To reach the area, you must hire a guide and rent a 4 x 4 vehicle. The main beaches are El Morro, El Negro, La Hierba, Lomitas, Oyeros, Antana, Barlovento, and La Cueva. You can also practice
sandboard in the desert dunes. 60 km / 37 miles from Ocucaje (3 hours)

Distances from the city of Ica:
Chincha Alta(Province of Chincha) 100 km (62 miles) / 1 hour
Nasca(Province of Nasca) 147 km (91 miles) / 2 hours
Palpa(Province of Palpa)97 km (60 miles) / 1 hour
Pisco(Province of Pisco) 60 km (37 miles) / 50 minutes