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huacachina ica peru

The region Ica is four hours from lima ( by bus ). It borders the Pacific Ocean on the west; the Lima Region on the north; the Huancavelica and Ayacucho Regions on the east; and the Arequipa Region on the south. Its capital is the city of Ica. Its elevation ( lowest town 0 sea level ) ( Highest town 3,796m. San Pedro de Huacarpana ). The population 695, 489 ( census 2005 ) in this year 2007 the population is around 697,000. The capital of this region is the city of Ica.
The region is divided into five provinces which are composed of 43 districts. The provinces and their capitals are as fallows:
1.- Chincha ( Chincha Alta )
2.- Ica ( Ica )
3.- Nazca ( Nazca )
4.- Palpa ( Palpa )
5.- Pisco ( Pisco ). Pisco Pisco was one of the most damaged areas of the 2007 Peru earthquake, at least 80% of all Pisco was destroyed, more than 400 people died and more than 1500 were injured. The earthquake had 8.0 magnitude in Richter scale.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Huacachina Oasis. Only 5 km (3 ml) from the center of the city, it is a perfect oasis surrounded by dunes and palms in a unique landscape.
Nazca Lines. At 145 km (90 ml) south of Ica, and 303 kms. south of Lima. The Nazca Lines are gigantic geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert, a high arid plateau that stretches 53 miles between the towns of Nazca and Palpa where the mysterious lines were discovered in 1927. The real dimension of these lines can be fully appreciated by air. They represent diverse animal figures, as a spider, a monkey, a dog, a lizard, a humming bird, and a condor. The dimensions of these figures vary from 15 to 300 mt each (50 to 1,000 ft.) high.
Paracas National Reserve
Located in the province of Pisco, this reserve covers 335,000 hectares with the objective of housing and caring for several endangered species. Among these species, the sea lion, sea cat, Humboldt penguin, parihuanas or flamingos, turtles and an thousands of marine birds, as well as fish and dolphins. To cross to the Ballestas islands, a rocky formation containing a very important marine fauna, visitors start off at the beautiful Paracas beach resort.

pinguins in paracas

Bodegas Vista Alegre. Founded in 1857 by the Picasso family, it is one of the biggest wine cellars of the country, famous for its wine and pure Ica pisco production.
Hacienda Vitivinícola Tacama. Wine production hacienda acknowledged internationally.
Regional Ica Museum. It houses a great collection of fossils, mummies, Paracas mantles, Nazca ceramics, and Colonial and Republican art pieces.
Santuario del Señor de Luren. A sanctuary for the patron of the city whose venerated image is taken out in procession during Holy Week and the third week of October.
Museo Cabrera. This museum holds a valuable series of engraved stones depicting primitive life scenes. This collection makes a good summary of the origin of the Peruvian civilization before the Inca Empire.
Iglesia de La Merced is located in the main square. It is built in typical Colonial architecture, and has a gorgeous carved altar decorated in gold leaf.
Casonas or Colonial Mansions. Among the most beautiful are, the Marqués de Torre in the Plaza de Armas and Casa Mendiola in Bolívar Street.
La Achirana del Inca. It is a 500 years old irrigation channel. Legend says that Inca Pachacutec ordered to build it as a proof of love to a young girl of the city.
Cachiche. This is an old town of sorcerers and curanderos (healers), which is part of the Ica folklore. It is surrounded by huarango trees and date palms, giving a mysterious atmosphere to the place.
Los Frailes Stone Forest. At 5 km (3 ml) from the city, the strange forms of the stones in Los Frailes are the result of the erosion produced by the presence of permanent winds in this part of the country.
El Candelabro. Gigantic chandelier in bas relief located at the north of Paracas. It has an extension of 128 mt (420 ft) long, and 74 mt (240 ft) wide.
Julio C. Tello Museum. At 5 km (3 ml) from Paracas beach, it houses ceramics and textiles depicting daily life scenes, pieces that show the evolution of the Paracas culture. At a short distance, the necropolis of the Cabezas Largas is found.
Chauchilla Cemetery. At 28 km (17 ml) from Nazca, it contains graves opened by huaqueros (tomb-robbers), showing skeletons, skulls and other human remains.
Cahuachi. It is an archaeological area near Nazca. It is formed by several pyramids built with mud walls and separated by open spaces or plazas. It was a ceremonial center.
Chincha. A province located at one hour from Ica. It dates from pre-Inca time and the numerous existing huacas indicate it was a very active center location. Chincha also has a distinct black culture that emerged from the descendants of the cotton plantations slaves.