11 Best Things To Do in Ica

You will realize your travel and you don’t even know what to do in Ica? Here we gonna show a list of the 11 best things to do in Ica that you need to realize during your visit to Ica.

11 Best Things To Do in Ica Peru

The City of Ica is also called the region of sand and sea, of oasis and valleys. It’s located on the south central coast of the Peruvian coastline, 267 km from Lima, and has an altitude of 406 m.a.s.l. According to history, Ica was the center where the important Nazca and Paracas pre-Inca civilizations developed.

This wonderful city is one of the main favorite destinations for visitors. Therefore, we leave you a list of the best things to do in Ica and some places where you can go.

Ica is an incomparable destiny of experiences. The geographic limits make the dunes of Huacachina into the Paracas National Reserve part of the city, where the desert is located with the sea in a fusion of charm more natural.

1. Visit the Huacachina Oasis

One of the most curious things to do in Ica, and that makes it an attraction for visitors is the Huacachina Oasis, which is located right in the middle of the desert. It’s also a good option to spend the night, because it is one of the camping sites in Ica, or you can choose some of the nearby hotels.

Huacachina is a unique oasis in the South American desert and it’s only 10 minutes from the city of Ica. Located around imponent dunes, this place offers more than a beautiful landscape. You can be part of the adventure in this place with activities like tubing, sandboarding, and quad bikes. All in the desert! In your list of things to do in Ica, visiting the Huacachina Oasis needs to be included.

2. Flight Over the Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines are atypical geoglyphs that have been captured with enormous dimensions that can be seen throughout the Nazca desert. and are located 463 km from Lima, in Ica, and is a fertile hill surrounded by several of the most protective deserts in the world.

In this desert, the geoglyphs of the hummingbird, the monkey with nine fingers, and a strange figure known as the owl man that some people identify with the silhouette of an astronaut are striking. In 1994, UNESCO declared the Nazca Lines and geoglyphs a World Heritage Site.

This incredible discovery is located in the same desert as Nazca and is inside the cultural experience that was offered by Ica. So inside your list of things to do in Ica, visiting the Nazca lines should be part.

3. Do a Tour in El Cañón de los Perdidos (Canyon of the Lost)

The Cañón de los Perdidos (Canyon of the Lost) is a natural formation 5 kilometers long, located in the Gamonal pampas, almost 80 kilometers from the city of Ica. It’s an ideal place to adventure in trekking, among its deep gorges and caves, preferably for services contracted by travel agencies in Ica.

The tour al cañón de los perdidos starts with the from your hotel in Huacachina or in the center of Ica heading to Ocucaje. First, you gonna visit the small square where you can take a lot of photos with a monument of “Megalodón, then visit the Pampa de Piedras and finally the Cañon de los Perdidos where you can take fantastic photos and descend into this immense crevice.

4. Visitar the Paracas National Reserve

The Paracas National Reserve is considered one of the natural attractions of Ica. It is the only protected area in Peru that has a marine ecosystem. You can access the reserve and navigate its sea to learn about the diversity of species that inhabit it.

By boat, you can visit the Ballestas and San Gallán Islands which are part of this attraction. Among the fauna present here, the sea lion, the traditional otter, the Humboldt penguin, the flamingos, and thousands of migratory birds stand out.

In addition, on the road, you will find “El Candelabro de Paracas”, an enigmatic geoglyph traced on the hillside, adding a touch of mystery to your trip.

5. Visit the Catedral of Ica

This is one of the monuments of the Society of Jesus (Sociedad de Jesús). The original building dates back to the mid-18th century, but was modernized in 1814. Its surface is of neoclassical design, while the outstanding design inside is Baroque, mainly the gallery and the altars.

6. Travel to Cachiche “The Town of Witches”

Cachiche is a village that is among the places to visit in Ica during the day. It is located south of the homonymous department and is known as the Town of Witches because according to its inhabitants, it was the meeting place for women who possessed supernatural powers.

Here in Cachiche, the mysticism that surrounds this park includes spells, legends, and curses, which are part of the popular beliefs of this town. It’s located 4 km from the Plaza de Armas of Ica.

For all these legends of this fascinating town, there are statues, histories, and an enigmatic aura that if you visit this town captivates you. We recommend you visit the town between 8 in the morning to 6 in the afternoon.

7. Watch the Palm of the Seven Heads

This is one of the natural attractions of Ica linked to mystical beliefs. Only 6 heads are observed, since the seventh is cut off by its inhabitants, for fear that the prophecy that announces the collapse of the city will come true if the seventh comes out.

The prophecy was fulfilled in 1998 when the residents did not cut down the seventh palm tree and a natural phenomenon occurred that left the town submerged under water. This is one of the things to do in Ica.

8. Go to Pisco and The Harvest Festival

It is one of the biggest attractions of the province of Ica. Currently, there is a variety of pisco and drinks in general, derived from pisco, for all tastes. The Harvest Festival (Fiesta de la Vendimia) takes place in March. In this celebration, there are fairs, contests, float parades, music festivals, parties where the Afro-Peruvian celebration is danced, and the celebrated election of Miss Vendimia and adventure sports.

Inside this celebration, you can enjoy cultural events, cock fighting, folklore dances, and one of the traditions of Ica is the grape crushing. Be part of the rich local culture and participate in this festivity full of joy and traditions in Ica.

9. The Pisco Route

Tacama is the first vineyard in Peru, as well as the oldest wine estate in South America. Located at kilometer 296 of the Panamericana Sur, crossing the Ica River, along Camino Real avenue, La Tinguiña district.

The foundation of Tacama dates back to the 1540s by Francisco de Carabantes, a Spanish pioneer and initiator who planted the first vines in the hot Ica Valley at that time. You can meet the Hacienda Tacama on our Pisco Route.

Bodega Tacama is not only a brand that offers wines, pisco, and sparkling wines, but also history, culture, passion, and modernity.

10. Tour UTV in the dunes of Huacachina

If you are a lover of adventure and you are in search of an intensive dose of adrenaline and an exciting experience in Ica, The Tour UTV in the dunes of Huacachina is perfect for you. You can feel all the adrenaline of riding a buggy in the sand with professionals with experience in the use of these vehicles, in the desert.

11. Glamping in Huacachina

If you don’t know what to do in Ica, one unique experience out of normal that you can’t lose is Glamping in Huacachina. Just imagine being under the glow of the sky starry of the Huacachina desert, rounding for majesty dunes, you can see the total beauty. Glamping in Huacachina, is a fusion of glamour, luxury, and camping, in this Peruvian oasis.

The glamping is based on instead of using traditional tents, here you can be in luxury and comfortable tents, equipped with modern commodities for a nice night. You wake up with the soft breeze of the desert. The Huacachina is also known for providing adventures in the sand like sandboarding and rides in a buggy, now you can enjoy an experience new and especially outdoors but with the difference that you will not renounce elegance.

Ica, with one of nature’s marvelous and unique experiences, invites you to explore in all the essence. From the Huacachina Oasis to the intriguing Nazca Lines, every corner of this region offers you a history and adventure together, don’t lose these things to do in Ica. Be part of this unforgettable trip with Machu Picchu Perú Tours and discover the true beauty of this region of Ica!

Explore more tourist destinies and more of Perú in our travel blog and plan your next trip with us!