TRAVEL AND TOURS

Desert and sea, dry golden dunes, crystal clear sea waters, puzzling and inscrutable markings; all this is Ica, an oasis of contrasts and contradictory landscapes, with myths and legends which relate the rise and fall of peoples who persevered against the hostility of the desert, to construct their towns and civilization.

Ica, land of cotton, wine and pisco, a liquor with a pleasant, aromatic, grape bouquet, is full of history. In its desert plains, ancient Peruvians wove splendid robes of cotton of naturally different colors; mummified their dead with remarkable skill; and drew lines and gigantic figures in the desert as homage to water or to trace the paths of the Sun, the Moon and the Stars.

In 1820, when cries for independence could be heard throughout the whole continent, it was on the coast of Ica that General Jose de San Martin chose to land his expedition to help Peruvians free themselves from Spain.

Capital city of the department of the same name - Ica is sited 303 kms. south of Lima. It was founded by the Spanish captain Jeronimo Luis de Cabrera, Count.of Chinchón on June 17th, 1563. In this valley surrounded by the desert we can see traces of the Paracas (700 - 200. BC) and Nazca (200.BC -700 AD) cultures. Inca ruins mixed with Spanish architecture and the desolate beauty of the desert encircling it all.

To walk around an oasis surrounded by sand dunes and palm trees; to stroll along the paths of an pre-Inca cemetery; to study the mystifying designs of the Nazca Lines, to enjoy the sea lions as they play on the Ballestas Islands; to feel the roughness of the sand and the beating of the wind in Paracas National Park, all are part of the same adventure: to come face to face with the land of cotton, wine and pisco.

The city of Ica is a wonderful place to visit due to the silence of its streets, its enchanting people and its lovely sunrises and sunsets. Consequently many travellers decide to come back before they even leave the city, so they can listen once again to the stories of the old Peruvians and visit the dunes, the desert and the sea.

If you visit Ica you should see the following places:

The Huacachina Lagoon is surrounded by Royal Palms, Date Palms, enormous huarango trees, and sand dunes. The Lagoon, with its emerald colour waters, is located five kilometres from the city. A local legend tells us that when there is a full moon you can hear the mournful weeping of a woman who decided to drown herself when she found out her fiancé had been killed at war.

The "Achirana del Inca" is an irrigation channel built during the era of Inca expansion, around 500 years ago, which still provides water to an area which otherwise would be a desert.

Cachiche is a settlement known for its "quacks and witches" who are supposed to be able to solve any kind of love problem. A quiet town located about four kilometres from the city; it has a famous chapel built in 1856 with some symbols related to the "santeria" (witchcraft) on its façade.

Other interesting attractions: We recommend Ica's Cathedral, the Sanctuary of the Señor de Luren, Patron of the city, and the Spanish-style-houses of the old "haciendas" where you will be able to visit their wine and pisco cellars such as Vista Alegre, Tacama and Ocucaje.