ICA - NAZCA - PARACAS

ICA
The Southern coastal strip offers an ideal opportunity to all visitors to enjoy the magnificent view of extensive desert Pampas running between the Cordillera de los Andes and the Pacific Ocean: between white-sand dunes and small valleys where cotton, grapes, asparagus and fruits fields are abundant. Located on the desert coastline, Ica is the most important wine producing area in Peru, specially known for its Pisco brandy; it was inhabited by the Incas who used the waters from the Andean peaks for irrigating the valley. At only 5 Km (3 miles) from the city, the Huacachina Lagoon offers a romantic atmosphere, an oasis surrounded by white dunes; Ica has an outstanding archaeological museum which houses a collection of mummies, textiles and ceramics from the Paracas and Nazca cultures; its "a must to all visitors. (Open daily except Sundays). For travelers who are short of time to see the Nazca lines and designs, there are commuter flights from Ica to Nazca.

PARACAS
Located in a lovely beach peninsula accessible by road along the Pan-American Highway at 248 Km south (153 miles), Paracas was home of a civilization famous for their textiles in cotton, feathers and wool and surgical techniques (cranial trepanation) done for magic / ritual reasons as well as for medical treatment. At the present the Peninsula and the islands near the coast have been declared a National Reserve due their natural resources, an habitat for thousands of sea birds, pink flamingos, sea lions, Humboldt penguins, etc. The highlight of the visit to Paracas is the cruise excursion to the Ballestas Islands which takes approximately two and a half hours. This excursion is provided only in the mornings in two shifts, one at 8 am and the second at 10 am. Climate in this area is sunny and warm all year round except for some days in August when fog and humidity shroud the coastline.

NAZCA
450 Km (278 miles) south of Lima, the city of Nazca emerges in the middle of the inland desert. The area was occupied by the pre-Inca Nazca civilization 1500 years ago; they were excellent engineers and many of the aqueducts built at that time are still in use today. Nazca is also world famous for the immense lines and designs etched on the Pampa de San Jose, studied by the German mathematician Mario Reiche in the early 50s, the lines are best seen from the air. A humming bird, a spider, a monkey, a tree, a lizard, even on astronaut is some of the drawings. Nazca is the mandatory stopover for those traveling from Lima to Arequipa by car/bus. Climate: sunny and warm all year round, temperature range between 30 / 10 C (88 / 50 F), windy and foggy at early morning from July to September.

SUGGESTE PACKAGES

NAZCA / PARACAS 3 days, 2 nights
Day 01 : Departure from the hotel in Lima along the Pan-American Highway to lca. Stopover in Pachacamac to visit the temple dedicated to Pachacamac "the God, Creator of the World" (closed on Mondays). On arrival in lea a guided visit to the site Museum and time free for lunch. Early afternoon continue the trip to Nazca. Upon arrival transfer to selected hotel

Day 02 : Morning over flight of Nazca Lines (40 minute flight). PM Head off to the Peninsula of Paracas

Day 03 : Morning cruise to Ballestas Islands. On the return trip the famous Candelabra can be seen at a distance. Time to relax around the swimming pool until departure time to Lima Arrival in the evening and transfer to selected hotel

Price per person: Contact Us

ICA AND PARACAS 2 days, 1 night

Day 01 : Departure from the hotel in Lima along the Pan-American Highway to Ica. Stopover in Pachacamac to visit the temple dedicated to Pachacamac "the God, Creator of the World" (closed on Mondays). On arrival in Ica, check-in at selected hotel and immediate transfer to the air strip for the 130 minute flight over the Nazca plains. In the afternoon a guided visit to the site Museum and the Huacachina Lagoon.

Day 02 : Departure to the Peninsula of Paracas for the cruise to the Ballestas Islands. On the return the famous "Candelabra" can be seen from the distance. Afternoon, departure to Lima, arrival in the evening and transfer to selected hotel

HOW TO GET THERE
By land: The city of Ica is linked with Pisco, Nazca, Lima, Arequipa and Cusco by the Pan-American Highway, has a terrestrial terminal.

Price per person: Contact Us