The Regional Museum of Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins
Dr. Cabrera's Ica Stone Museum: Where Stones Tell Stories
Oasis Huacachina
Wineries (Bodegas)
Witch Village Cachiche
Ballestas Islands and the Paracas Reserve
Nazca Lines, Palpa, and other Nazca Attractions
How to Get to Ica
Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Let me take you to the beautiful city of Ica, located on the border of the Atacama Desert on the Pacific Ocean coast, approximately 186 miles (300 km) south of Lima. This modern and lively city with a developed economy is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, earning it the nickname "Land of the Sun."
The region is almost always dry and sunny, making it an ideal place to explore and have fun. There are many places to visit and things to do in Ica, such as participating in the grape harvest festival in March, featuring wine tastings, traditional cuisine, outdoor concerts, and Afro-Peruvian dances.
If you're a history buff, you'll love the Regional Museum of Ica, which showcases remarkably elongated skulls from the Paracas culture, Nazca ceramics, and artifacts from other ancient cultures well-preserved due to the dry climate. One of the best archaeological museums in Peru, the exhibition includes well-preserved mummies, trepanned skulls from the Paracas culture, trophy heads, splendid textile samples, ceramics, and other artifacts from ancient cultures along the Pacific Ocean coast.
If you're intrigued by the mysteries of the past, make sure to visit Javier Cabrera's Stone Museum, which houses a vast collection of stones. The drawings on these stones tell a history that diverges from official scientific versions of human history, depicting people hunting dinosaurs, performing complex surgical operations, and other activities contradicting conventional views of the past.
What to explore in Ica
The Regional Museum of Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins
It is one of the best archeological museums in Peru. The Regional Museum of Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins showcases the history and culture of the region. The museum features a collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, including pottery, textiles, well-preserved mummies, trepanned and deformed skulls of Paracas prehispanic people as well as exhibits on the colonial and more recent history of Ica. It's a must-see destination for anyone interested in history or art.
Dr. Cabrera's Ica Stone Museum: Where Stones Tell Stories
This is a private museum that can be visited by appointment with the owner - the son of the museum's founder, Dr. Cabrera. Dr. Cabrera spent many years collecting his vast collection of stones. The drawings engraved on stones of various sizes, from very small to huge, tell a story that diverges from the versions of official science about the history of humanity. In the drawings, we see people hunting dinosaurs, performing complex surgical operations, and other things that contradict our understanding of the past. It is fascinating to look at this collection with your own eyes and form your own opinion about its origin and significance.
Address: Plaza de Armas, Bolivar 178b
According to legend, the oasis lagoon appeared when a princess wanted to bathe, undressed, but saw the reflection of a soldier watching her in the mirror. The princess dropped the mirror, and it transformed into a beautiful lagoon. In the 1940s, the Oasis was an exclusive and luxurious resort where people came to improve their health surrounded by palm trees and sand dunes. It was believed that the water in the lagoon had healing powers. Since then, the underground spring that feeds the lagoon has dried up, and now the water is artificially replenished. The Oasis is just 3.1 miles (5 km) from Ica, and getting there is very easy. Tourists are attracted by the opportunity for sandboarding and buggy rides - sliding on boards and driving vehicles on massive dunes. Boards can be rented right here. Make sure to catch the sunset in the dunes - it's a spectacle that will be etched in your memory for a long time!
In the Oasis, there are several first-class hotels where you can stay overnight.
Visiting the wine factories (bodegas) in Ica is an exhilarating experience. These factories, conveniently located near the city, offer a captivating journey through the traditional and modern methods of wine and Pisco production. The passionate staff will immerse you in the unique characteristics of each beverage, unveil the art of grape cultivation, and demonstrate the intricate process of wine storage. Most notably, you'll have the chance to indulge in the diverse flavors of wines and Pisco. The region is home to numerous renowned factories, including Vista Allegre, Bodega Tacama, and Bodega Ocucaje. Some of these ancient establishments still utilize channels dating back to the reign of the Inca Pachacutec for irrigation, adding a touch of history to the experience. For an even more enchanting visit, timing your trip with local festivals such as the March grape harvest, Pisco Day on June 25th, or "Ica Week" in mid-June will elevate your adventure to new heights. The rich history, coupled with the vibrant festivities, makes a visit to these wine factories an absolute delight.
If you're looking for something more mystical, visit the Witch Village Cachiche, where several women accused of being witches fled south from Lima and founded the village. The fame of the "witch village" has survived to this day, with many legends about how Cachiche witches miraculously cured the sick through magical rituals. People still visit Cachiche to consult with local healers and fortune tellers.
Ballestas Islands and the Paracas Reserve
And if you want to observe the life of penguins, sea lions, and numerous bird species, take a tour to the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas Reserve. You might even be lucky enough to see dolphins and whales!
Nazca Lines, Palpa, and other Nazca Attractions
The city of Nazca is just a 2-hour drive from Ica. You can arrive early in the morning, explore all the local attractions, fly over the Nazca Lines, and return to Ica in the evening.
Learn more about Nazca Lines, Palpa Necropolis Chauchilla, aqueducts, and ruins of Cahuachi
Ica is approximately 186 miles (300 km) south of Lima. The bus journey takes 4.5-5 hours. By car on the Pan-American Highway, you can cover the distance in about 4 hours.
Exciting, isn't it? Reach us out for an unforgettable trip to Ica!
Get in touch, and we’ll help you plan the adventure of a lifetime!
