Welcome to Ica
Just when you thought the landscape was dry enough for Martians, out jumps Ica, Peru’s agricultural ‘miracle in the desert’ that churns out bumper-crop after bumper-crop of asparagus, cotton and fruits, as well as laying claim to being the nation’s leading (and best) wine producer. Ica, like Pisco, sustained significant earthquake damage in 2007 – the graceful cathedral and two other churches were significantly damaged and are undergoing lengthy repairs.
Top experiences in Ica
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Travel guides
Starting at $33.79
Ica activities
Paracas, Huacachina and Ballestas Islands Tour from Lima
Take a speedboat out to the Ballestas Islands to see penguins and sea lions in their natural habitat in Paracas.Dune Buggy up and Sandboard down the biggest sand dunes at the only desert oasis in South America in Huacachina.Free hotel/hostel pickup and drop-off in Lima. Avoid ripoffs and unsafe taxis.Full Day: Lima – Paracas – Huacachina – Lima5:15am - 6:00am:Pick up at your hotel or hostel in Lima.Note: Please click the link below 'View additional info' to see exact departure time depending on your location.06:00am – 10:00amDirect bus to Paracas, a beautiful small town by the sea.10:00am – 12:00pm2-hour boat tour of the Ballestas Islands. The Ballestas are a smaller version of the Galapagos, but just as great, where you’ll see sea lions, penguins and lots of birds all in their natural habitat.13:00pm – 14:15pmDirect bus from Paracas to Huacachina, a small natural oasis located in the Ica desert.16:00pm – 18:00pm2 hours of dune buggying and sandboarding – Ride the dune buggies up and sandboard down the biggest dunes in South America. A once in a lifetime experience in the only natural desert oasis in South America.18:30pm – 23:45pmBus back to Lima. You will be dropped off at your hotel/hostel.
Ballestas, Paracas Reserve, Huacachina in One Day from Lima
We'll takes you to one of the most beautiful places of Peru, sete ride called "Tour of the South". You'll have the opportunity to walk two beautiful reserves full of life, adventure and taste and the Paracas Reserve where we will visit the Ballesta Islands and for 2-hour at sea we see lots of marine life such as seals, penguins and a variety of seabirds. After visiting this beautiful reservation continue with the trip to go to the reserve Hucachina. Here we will take a car "Buggies" and we will go into the dunes to also make the famous sand-boarding. Take bigger dunes at high speed we'll drop by the biggest dunes of America! At the end of this tour we go to the vineyards of Ica where we can try Pisco and wines made so artesal and typical for over 100 years. We have designed this tour this way because it is the best way to meet these nature reserves. Our service is customized and will use our private vehicles not public buses to ensures that the ride is safe and comfortable and you can return to Lima between 6 to 7 pm. This tour is not private. The boats have a capacity of 40 people and in the dunes we will take private vehicles with the exception of holidays, in which we will tour the dunes with other people.
Huacachina Sand Buggy and Sand Boarding Experience
Welcome to the quaint, quiet and cute oasis of Huacachina with its tranquil lagoon and backdrop of amazing sand dunes anywhere you turn to look. Get ready to cruise to the tops of 500-meter (1,640-foot) high sand dunes and go rocketing down the slopes in the sand buggy. A roller coaster ride of 360's, sharp turns and steep hills will get your adrenaline pumping before you take your first shot at sand boarding. Strap yourself in tightly, throw your hands in the air and scream away as you are carried over sand dunes in the middle of the expansive desert. You will have the opportunity to sandboard on 3-4 different dunes so you can try your luck. You will take thrilling rides on a basic sandboard by laying face first on the board and letting yourself fly down the dune to see how far (and fast) you can go. Cheer on your mates and don't let anyone shy away from this unforgettable experience. Lastly, you will admire the breathtaking sunset over the vast desert landscape and have the chance to take photos in the golden twilight before racing back to Huacachina. (Experienced sand-boarders can choose to upgrade to a professional sand-board with boots and bindings for an extra cost of $5 USD paid locally. Upgrades are subject to availability. To reserve, please contact us in advance with your shoe size. On the day of the tour, you will need to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure for your fitting. For beginners the laying down option is recommend because it is much easier and lots of fun).
Ica 3-Hour Sandboarding Experience at the Huacachina Oasis
2:45pm: Testing equipment and presentation of our staff. 3:30pm: Meeting in our school to start prepare all the equipment and be ready to leave to the dunes. 4:00pm: We go to the dune buggy parking and leaves to the desert to ride the best dunes. 6:30pm: We back to the school to share pictures and videos (maximum, if you have your bus for other destinations we can arrange to return minimum at 6pm). Our tour includes boards and boots same professional snowboarding. Professional Instructor accredited by International Sand School. Ride in the desert with buggies. Professional Sand-boarding or Sand-skiing lessons for amateur and advanced. Pictures and videos by instructors. Our recommendations: Arrive early to Ica. When you arrive to Ica city, take a taxi to Oasis Huacachina (10 minuts). Wear sun cream. Covering their cameras with a plastic bag to keep out the sand. Wear light clothes (shorts or fresh pants, T-shirts and small jacket). It gets cold and windy from 5:30pm. Bring mosquito repellent, sunglasses and sandals.
Paracas to Huacachina Oasis Private Tour with Vineyard Visit
You will be picked up from your hotel in Paracas in private vehicle to drive towards to Ica city (1 hour drive). On this traditional tour to Huacachina, you will visit the best of this beautiful city, such as the traditional vineyards where you will have the opportunity to taste one of the traditional wine and the famous PISCO the national drink of Peru. At the bodegas you will learn more about the history and the process of Pisco. Later on you will visit the Cathedral of Senor de Luren, Main Square of Ica and the Regional Museum, an interesting building that houses the remains of the ancient cultures that developed on the southern coast such Paracas, Nazca, Chincha, Wari and others Inca culture. Afterwards we will drive southwest towards to Huacachina Oasis, a beautiful lagoon surrounded by palm tree and huge sand dunes with spectacular view of Ica Valley and desert. Here you will be able to climb the sand dunes and enjoy one of the ultimate tours in the desert, the famous dune buggy tours. You will then return to your hotel in Paracas. End of the service.
Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve, Ica Dunes Private Tour
Meet your guide at your centrally located Lima hotel for an early morning 4:30 a.m. pickup. Relax on the drive out to Paracas and enjoy a prepared breakfast when the sun comes up. Upon arrival in Paracas around 7:30 a.m, head straight to the Paracas dock to catch the first boat of the day to the Ballestas Islands, also known as the Mini Galapagos. Enjoy your visit to these rocky islands rich in marine fauna with animals such as the blue-footed booby, guanay guano bird, Humboldt penguins and seals such as the sea-lions and fur seals. On your way back to Paracas, do not miss the Candelabro geoglyph, believed to be used as a navigational guide and part of the Nazca culture. After your adventure in Paracas, head south towards Ica city. Here, get amazed with the nature of the Oasis of Huacachina. Explore the sand dunes of Ica with V8 modified vehicles (Buggies) and practice sandboarding, a rush of adrenaline in the middle of desert. Later, enjoy some free time taking a bunch of pictures and walking around the lagoon of the Oasis. Visit a small choco factory and taste some of the famous "chocotejas" and "frejol colado" (Peruvian Black Bean Pudding), typical desserts of this region. Explore a rural area in the surroundings of Ica and learn the process of production of Piscos, Wines and other Fruit Liqueurs at a local winery. Get ready for a free tasting of these drinks! Finally, enjoy a typical lunch with peruvian ingredients. Try delicious dishes like the famous "Sopa Seca", "Pallares con Seco" or the popular "Pollo Saltado". Start your way back to Lima arriving there approximately at 06:30pm.