Walk for hours through a sea of sand, rest beside a lagoon with green waters, celebrate the date harvest, admire the Paracas mummies at the Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins Museum… A brief stay in the city of Ica will fill your mind with unforgettable images! With 300,000 inhabitants, Ica is the capital of the Peruvian province of the same name. There's nothing quite like this wild, desert landscape for experiencing a true adventure in southern Pérou. The city's appeal lies in its coastline, brilliant sunshine, and vast desert that attracts sandboarding enthusiasts. Ica is also the region that produces pisco, the country's emblematic spirit, which brings to mind Captain Haddock from The Adventures of Tintin.

History

Legend has it that long ago, Incan emperor Pachacutec fell in love with a maiden in the valley of Ica. When the young woman refused to return his affections, the emperor decided to give her a parting gift. He mobilized 40,000 men for 45 days to dig the main Achirana canal and bring water to his beloved's village. Today, this canal continues to irrigate the valley, which has become a truly flourishing oasis not to be missed on your journey through Pérou.

In the early days of colonization, the Ica valley was exploited by Spanish monks for winemaking purposes. The ancient monasteries that produced wines at that time have transformed into modern wineries and prestigious hotels.

Ica, its pisco, and the Stones of Ica

Ica ranks among the 12 largest cities in Pérou with 290,000 inhabitants. Thanks to fertile soil and efficient irrigation, the valley is home to rich agricultural estates. You'll delight in crossing fields of asparagus, tomatoes, and cotton as far as the eye can see, with streets lined by avocado and date palms. The mild climate is a significant asset for development, both agricultural and tourism-wise. With temperatures ranging between 12 and 32°C, the Ica territory is ideal for fruit cultivation such as citrus, mangoes, and grapes.

Beyond its agricultural vocation, Ica is renowned for its pisco, Pérou's national spirit, which is primarily produced in this region. Pisco is made from the distillation of grapes shortly after harvest, and contains between 30 and 45 percent alcohol. Unlike brandy and cognac, it is marketed immediately without aging in wooden barrels. The preparation requires egg white, crushed ice, sugarcane syrup, and lime juice. This distinctive spirit will delight your palate.

While Ica is inseparable from pisco, the mysterious Stones of Ica also contribute significantly to the city's renown. Discovered around 1960, these stones are magnificent works featuring 15,000 engraved andesite pebbles. You'll notice engravings depicting fantastical animals and dinosaurs coexisting with humans.

What to See in Ica?

Ica Cathedral

The first site to visit is the famous cathedral of the city, built in the 18th century. This beautiful colonial structure combines two distinctive styles: the baroque that characterizes its pulpit and altars, and the neoclassical that predominates on the exterior.

Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins Regional Museum

For a cultural tour of Ica, the Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins Regional Museum is an excellent destination. Opened to the public in 1947, the establishment features two sections: anthropology and bioanthropology. Discover a unique collection of artifacts related to the Ica, Inca, Paracas, Nasca, and Huari cultures. The second section houses human skeletons with deformed or trepanned skulls and unusual hairstyles. It appears that the peoples of Ica made cranial surgery a ritual of tribal distinction. The museum also displays numerous colonial furnishings, ceramics, various paintings, and republican-era objects. A must for archaeology enthusiasts!

Artisanal Wineries

The Ica valley boasts 85 artisanal wineries. Discover colonial-era still installations, learn the pisco-making process from grape harvesting to barrel storage, passing through fermentation and distillation, and finish with a tasting session… The atmosphere is guaranteed! The region's best-known wineries are Lazo, Catador, Sotelo, Álvarezn, Mendoza, and Acuache.

Huacachina Oasis, Ica's Must-See

The Huacachina lagoon, surrounded by sweeping sand dunes, palm groves, and acacias, appears as a true oasis in the middle of the desert. Discovered by archaeologists around 1940, the village charms visitors with its lagoon and is filled with restaurants, vacation villas, and luxury hotels. The Huacachina oasis is the perfect place to rest peacefully and lounge in the shade of fig and poplar trees. A haven of relaxation just 5 km from Ica's city center.

Other tourist attractions await you in Ica. We'll mention Ica's main palace, the Sanctuary of Señor de Luren, Casona Bolivar, and the Casona of the Marquis of Torre Hermoza.

What to Do in Ica?

Have fun differently at Ica's tourist destination, where sand dunes replace high waves for surfing and desert for skiing.

Sandboarding on Ica's Sand Dunes

Experience new sensations by sandboarding on Ica's sand dunes, particularly near the Huacachina oasis. You can stand, sit, or lie down as you wish. This activity is usually included in the rental fee for buggies to explore the sand dunes. Go ahead and try it.

Desert Buggy Ride

This desert ride will do you a world of good. A chance to forget the asphalt of big cities. This immense sea of sand promises true escape. You can choose between private buggies or group buggies. Expect the driver to give you some thrilling moments on the high sand dunes.

A True Gastronomic Journey During Ica's Festivals

The Harvest Festival is celebrated from February 23 through mid-March. Wineries and surrounding towns honor the crowning of the Harvest Queen. There will be pisco and wine tastings.

Don't miss the Ica Tourist Week between late November and early December either. This festival brings together a wealth of cultural activities such as the "Ica Puro Sabor" gastronomic festival, marinera contests, wine tastings, cockfights, and the election of the region's queen.

Climate

Ica enjoys a desert climate particularly suited for adventure vacations. Most tourists come to Ica for the lagoon and desert hiking. It's essential to know the weather conditions to enjoy a trouble-free stay. You can visit the city at any time of year. The annual temperature ranges between 25 and 28°C. Ica receives very little rainfall, averaging 199 mm. If your goal is to conquer the sand dunes, plan your trip for winter, between May and November. This will spare you the relentless, scorching desert sun. On the other hand, for a leisure trip where you want to stay on the lagoon and celebrate, the best time is summer. From December through March, you'll enjoy warm and pleasant weather (23°C on average).

You can take a flight to land at Lima airport. From there, you can take a bus or rental car to reach Ica in about 4 hours of driving.