On the south coast of Peru is the department of Ica, whose capital of the same name is 406 meters above sea level. In the area, you will find valleys, beaches and natural reserves populated by a great variety of flora and fauna species. Mysterious towns, home of pisco, good wine and an oasis-like Huacachina are the attractions of this region.
In the dunes of Ica you can practice sports such as sandboarding and tubular or buggy rides. While in the province of Ica you can enjoy a cultural and architectural tour visiting the Javier Cabrera Scientific Museum, which has a collection of about 11 thousand engraved stones of the Inca culture; the Casona del Marqués de Torre Hermosa, better known as Casa Bolívar for having hosted the Liberator; and the Church of San Francisco de Asís, dating from the 18th century.
When visiting this area you can not miss the Paracas National Reserve, where animals such as sea lions, Humboldt penguins, dolphins and flamingos live. Also from the bay of Paracas you can see El Candelabro, an imposing ancestral geoglyph. And if you want to live a unique experience, visit the Laguna de Huacachina Regional Conservation Area.
You can not miss the rich coastal valleys of the region, where for more than four hundred years grapes have been produced, raw material to prepare pisco distillate and different wines. Visit the wine estates where you can buy pisco and wine at good prices, as well as knowing how these alcoholic beverages are produced in the Ruta del Pisco.
When to go
The best time to go is in winter because in Ica there are still dry and sunny days, although the winter nights can be colder and go down to 8 ° C. If you love the sun and the heat, then we recommend you travel in the spring.
Avoid the summer because you can come across the presence of Paracas or strong winds, very common during these months.
Climate
The climate in Ica is a warm desert, with sunny days almost all year. The average maximum temperature reaches 32 ° C and the minimum temperature reaches 9 ° C.
Altitude
Minimum altitude: 2 masl (Paracas)
Maximum: 3.796 masl (San Pedro de Huacarpana)
Gastronomy
The typIcal dishes of the Ica cuisine are the morusa (mashed potatoes with roast beef or pork), the spicy pallares and the carapulcra (based on dried potatoes and meat) and dry soup. Ica is also known for its tiles, a traditional candy made of white delIcacy covered with sugar candy.
The most characteristic of this region is pisco, its flagship product that which is made in the city of Pisco. Another famous liquor is the cachina, made from grapes.
How to get there?
Airway: for national use, you can reach the Las Dunas Airfield, 13 minutes from the city of Ica. In this airport take off and land tourist flights to areas such as the Nazca Lines and the Huacachina lagoon. For international flights, you will arrive at Capitán FAP Renán Elías Olivera International Airport, located in the city of Pisco.
Land route: the city is connected by road to the main routes of the country. To enter Ica you must take the PanamerIcana Sur highway.
Recommendations
Do not miss the celebration of the Virgen de Yauca del Rosario, which takes place in October in Ica, specifIcally in the district of Yauca del Rosario. Also in March is the Harvest Festival, which takes place in Ica and Chincha.
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