
Ica, an esoteric land, one of profound religious
faith, sand dunes, valleys, and sun, is an agricultural zone where you
see interspersed among the extensive desert area fields of cotton,
butter beans, asparagus, citrus tree orchards, as well as vineyards.
Some of the most important civilizations of ancient Peru established
themselves here like the Paracas and the Nasca who left a legacy that
has endured the passage of time and the violence of the sand and wind.
The Paracas National Reserve is a must stop; this State protected natural area is, among its beaches and staggeringly beautiful rock formations, the refuge to fur seals, otters, penguins, dolphins, and more than two hundred species of birds such as flamingos, waders, and guano birds. In the province of Nasca, a little more than one hundred kilometers from Ica, there are the Nasca Lines, one of the greatest archeological mysteries of the world. UNESCO placed this site on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1994. Formed by a series of lines and gigantic drawings traced upon the sands, the Nasca lines feature figures like a spider, a hummingbird, a monkey, etc. that can only be truly appreciated from flying above them.
The German, Maria Reiche, devoted 50 years of her life to studying and researching the area and came to the conclusion that it was an astronomical calendar. From a 12 meter / 39 feet lookout, you can partially observe the shapes of the hand and the tree. However, in order to appreciate the drawings fully, it is recommended to fly over the area in a small airplane. The Nasca Lines were placed on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1994.
You can also visit the vineyards of the department,
where they produce excellent piscos and wines, the Huacachina Lake, a
beautiful oasis situated among the sand dunes just a few minutes away
from Ica, and Chincha, the valley which gave birth to the Afro-Peruvian
music.
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Nunc commodo euismod massa quis vestibulum, proin mi nibh, dignissim.
Nunc commodo euismod massa quis vestibulum, proin mi nibh, dignissim.
Nunc commodo euismod massa quis vestibulum, proin mi nibh, dignissim.