Ica
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  About Ica
 
Ica and its surroundings are the traditional source of Pisco brandy. 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.

 
  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.

The Lord of Luren Sanctuary
A Neoclassical church. The Lord of Luren is considered the patron saint of the city. During the Holy Week and the third week of October, thousands of believers gather to follow his statue in a procession.

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.

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.

Vista Alegre Bodega
A traditional bodega dedicated to the elaboration of wine and pisco, it still maintains characteristics of Colonial practices of grape processing.

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.

Ocucaje Bodega
The bodega demonstrates long used traditional techniques of the department for the production of pisco and wine.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 
   
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