Legend of Huacachina

Have you ever heard about the legend of Huacachina? Here we tell you what it is all about.

The Huacachina is an oasis located in the desert of Ica, in southern Peru. It is a body of water surrounded by palm trees and sand dunes, which has become a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and legendary history.

The oasis is small, only 200 meters long by 100 meters wide, and is located about 5 kilometers from the city of Ica.

Huacachina is also known for its sand dunes, which are ideal for adventure sports such as sandboarding or desert buggy rides. In addition, in recent years, the oasis has become a popular destination for young people looking for fun and nightlife in the desert.

Let’s know the legend of Huacachina

The legend of Huacachina is a very popular story in Peru, which tells about the origin of a beautiful oasis located in the desert of Ica, in the south of the country.

According to legend, Huacachina was a beautiful Inca princess who used to bathe in the waters of the Ica River. One day, while bathing, she was surprised by a hunter, who was spying on her on the sly. The princess, feeling ashamed, ran away and dropped her mirror, which became the oasis of Huacachina.

After this event, the princess decided to live in the oasis and became a beautiful mermaid who enchanted travelers who approached her. It is said that the princess lived for many years in the oasis, until one day, a young fisherman fell in love with her and decided to take her to live in the sea.
Since then, it is said that Huacachina became a magical and mysterious place that attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Another versions of the Legend of Huacachina

In addition to the main story of the Inca princess that gave birth to the Huacachina oasis, there are other versions of the legend that are also very popular in Peru:

One of these versions tells that Huacachina was created by a goddess named Huacca China, who lived in the mountains near the oasis. According to this version, the goddess used to bathe in the waters of the Ica River and, in doing so, dropped her feathered headdress, which became the oasis.
Another version of the legend of the Huacachina tells that the oasis was created by a healer who, tired of the dryness of the desert, decided to make an offering to the gods to ask for water. According to this version, the healer dug a well in the desert sand and, after a long ceremony, he saw how the waters gushed out of the well and became the oasis.

In any case, the legend of the Huacachina is a fascinating story that has been passed down from generation to generation in Peru, becoming a symbol of the beauty and magic of the Ica desert.

Facts you should know about Huacachina

The oasis of Hucachina is most know for it natural beauty and tranquility, but also for its lively nightlife. In recent years, the oasis has become a popular tourist destination for young people seeking fun and adventure in the desert.
The name Huacachina comes from Quechua and means “woman who cries”. It is believed that the name refers to the Inca princess who wept for her lost love, or to the Chinese goddess Huacca who wept for the dryness of the desert.
In addition to the practice of adventure sports such as sandboarding or dune buggy rides, Huacachina offers other activities such as gastronomic tours, bicycle rides through the desert, or visits to the region’s wine and pisco cellars.