Ica: Desert Land Ripe with Possibilities
South of Lima is the region of Ica, an arid land with a mysterious history. Here the long-head people of Paracas developed an ancient civilization, creating hundreds of Nasca Lines more than 1500 years ago. In this beautiful land travelers can find ancient archaeological sites, interesting museums, colonial vineyards, sand dunes with oases, exciting outdoor adventures, and an exquisite coastline, habitat for a wide array of wildlife.
This region has four popular destinations which are heavily visited by Peruvians during the summer months (mid-December to Mid-March) and long holiday weekends. During the rest of the year, all these areas are fairly quiet and quite relaxing with sunny days almost all year round. These destinations offer different attractions and experiences, which are listed below.
In the town of Chincha travelers will find history, ancient sites, great food, and a large Afro-Peruvian community who were able to syncretize Catholicism with African and Andean customs and beliefs. This town boasts three great places to visit: the San Jose Colonial Farm House, a boutique-style hotel with a well-known restaurant and eighteenth century colonial ambience; the Centinela archaeological site, built by the Chincha people more than 600 years ago; and the district of “El Carmen,” where travelers can experience the customs, cuisine, and art of the Afro-Peruvian community.
In the province of Pisco, the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas Natural Reserve are the most popular destinations. A visit to the islands will allow travelers to observe penguins, sea lions, and several species of endemic birds. Travelers can also embark on an ATV tour to visit the Reserve of Paracas, where they will enjoy its beautiful bay and coastline as well as the Julio C. Tello Museum to learn about the reserve’s ecosystem and the ancient Peruvians who ruled in this area about 2000 years ago. With luck they will also observe South American Altiplano flamingo and/or Chilean flamingo. In Paracas travelers will find a wide range of accommodations. Here they can relax while enjoying the landscape with its amazing sunsets. East of Paracas, Tambo Colorado stands out as one of the most important Inca sites in the area. It’s believed this colorfully walled town, built between the Andes and the coast, was a strategic administrative site.
Another important destination is the city of Ica, located right next to the desert. Here never-ending sand dunes can be visited on one of the sand boogie tours available in the Huacachina Oasis. Sunsets at the dunes are a memorable experience. Travelers can also practice sand boarding at the oasis and spend the night there, but this site offers limited accommodation options. This city is also popular for its vineyards, where travelers can try local wines and the national drink of Peru, known as Pisco, which is also made from grapes. The most popular vineyards in the area are Tacama and Queirolo, where travelers can tour, sample the beverages, and eat lunch at a great location. At Queirolo they can even spend a night. History lovers will enjoy the Regional Museum of Ica, a small museum with a great collection of artifacts of the civilizations which inhabited the area, starting with the Paracas people. The museum also has well-preserved mummies on display.
The last destination on this list is known all around the world due to its massive ground drawings of animals as well as humanoid and geometrical figures. Three of these drawings (the tree, the hands, and a damaged geometrical figure) can be seen from a watchtower; however, a flight in a Cessna plane over the area provides travelers with an incomparable experience, allowing them to observe the most popular drawings. The same people who made the Nasca Lines more than 1500 years ago also built underground channels to obtain water from the subsoil to mass produce crops as well as an important citadel with impressive ceremonial pyramids. Travelers can take a sand boogie tour to visit the citadel as well as the tallest sand dune in the world, “Cerro Blanco.” At the main street of the town of Nasca, travelers will find several restaurants offering delicious meals, such as the Mamashana Restaurant, which offers regional and Peruvian dishes. In town travelers will find a large variety of lodges, tourist hotels, and boutique-style hotels, but none which would be considered luxurious.
By Renato Romero - Founder of My Peru Guide LLC
