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TOURIST INFORMATION
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| GENERAL DATA |
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Location: The
department of Ica is located in the central south coastal
part of Peru
Area:
21 305 km2
Capital:
Ica
Altitude:
406 m.a.s.l.
Average
annual temperature: 20º C (maximum 30º
C and minimum 8º C). |
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| ACCESS ROUTES |
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By land:
Lima-Ica (300 km) on the South Pan-American Highway about
4 h drive from Lima.
By air: There is an
air taxi service to Ica operating from Lima. Planes also
overfly the Nasca Lines.
There are two airfields in the department of Ica:
• The airfield near Hotel Las Dunas, 5 km from Ica.
• The María Reiche Neuman Airfield at km
447 of the South Pan-American Highway (Nasca).
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| HISTORICAL OVERLOOKrrrr |
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Ica was inhabited by people belonging to
the Paracas and Nasca cultures (2 500 BC – 1 400
AD). This stage of history is characterized by the rational
use of water and desert land resources. These people excelled
for their outstanding skills in the making of pottery,
textiles, wood carvings, metal work, jewelry and the fishing
of a large number of marine species.
Following the domination by Inca Pachacútec in
the fifteenth century, some settlements appeared throughout
the valley to ensure the tribute of farming products to
the imperial capital of the Tahuantinsuyo.
On June 17th, 1 563, Don Luis Jerónimo de Cabrera
founded the first Spanish settlement and gave it the name
of Villa de Valverde de Ica. Some years later in 1 568,
and due to the continuous earthquakes, the settlement
was moved to a new location and named San Jerónimo
de Ica. Finally, after several changes, the settlement
was recognized as a city and set on its present location.
One of the city’s most important events took place
in its Main Square on October 20th, 1 820 when the Mayor
of Ica, Juan José Salas, called for liberty and
proclaimed Peru’s independence.
Today, Ica is a friendly city, starting point for visiting
some of the most beautiful beaches in the Peruvian coastline,
as well as the celebrated Nasca Lines. Ica has many wine
cellars where excellent wine and pisco brandy are produced.
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| ATTRACTIONS
IN THE CITY OF ICAr |
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own Hall
Calle Municipalidad block 1, facing the Main Square.
Its construction began during the Republican Period. It
has preserved its artistic arches and, on the second floor,
a unique consistorial hall with carved wooden figures
representing the seasons of the year.
The Cathedral of Pisco
Corner of calle Bolívar and calle La Libertad,
Main Square.
Visits: during Mass hours.
Dating back to the eighteenth century, it originally was
part of a Jesuit monumental complex.
Sanctuary
of the Lord of Luren
Calle Ayacucho block 10.
Visits: during Mass hours.
Characterized by its three porticos with brick archs.
Neo-classic style. The Lord of Luren is the city’s
patron, and his image is taken out in processions during
Easter and the third week of October.
María
Reiche Regional Museum
Av. Ayabaca, block 8.
Phone: (034) 23-2881.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-18:00, Sun: 9:00-14:00.
Valuable archaeological artifacts from Paracas, Nasca,
Wari, Ica and Inca cultures; as well as Colonial and Republican
oil paintings and furniture.
Engraved
Stones Museum
Calle Bolívar 170, Main Square.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 9:00-13:00 and 16:00-20:00.
Collection of engraved stones depicting millenary human
activities. Collection owner, Dr. Javier Cabrera Darquea,
based on the specimens found, holds that Ica was the seat
of the first Peruvian culture.
Mansion
of Marqués de Torre Hermosa
Calle Libertad, block 1, Main Square.
Its artistic entrance is one of the very few examples
of Colonial architecture that has survived both time and
earthquakes
Mansion
of José de La Torre Ugarte
Calle Dos de Mayo, block 1.
The house where the illustrous native of Ica, author of
the lyrics of Peru’s national anthem, was born and
lived. |
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| OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY |
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| The Mallqui mansion, the Alvarado mansion
and the former Hacienda de los Pobres. |
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| THE OUTSKIRTS
OF THE CITYr |
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Huacachina
Lagoon
Located 5 km southwest of Ica and about 6 minutes drive.
Natural tourist attraction famous for the medicinal
properties of its waters. Its superb landscape is surrounded
by high sandbanks, palm tree groves and age old huarango
trees
Town of Cachiche
Located 4 km south of Ica and about 8 minutes drive.
The town is famous for its witches who have healed all
types of ailments for centuries. There is even a statue
allusive to a with placed on top of a huarango tree
trunk at the town’s entrance.
La Achirana del Inca
Located 18 km northeast of the city of Ica and about
15 minutes drive. An irrigation canal built during the
times of Inca Pachacútec, more than 500 years
ago.
Los Frailes Stone Forest
Located 5 km east of Ica in the district of Parcona
and about 8 minutes drive. These stone formations have
adopted peculiar shapes due to wind erosion. Worthy
of note are a turtle, a monkey head, a chullo (Indian
hat), a frog, a mouse and a fish.
Huaca Guadalupe
Located in the district of Salas 1 km from the town
of Guadalupe and the South Pan-American Highway at a
few minutes drive. Excavations have revealed a series
of structures in the form of chambers, ramps and platforms
from the Ica and Inca cultures (thirteenth and fifteenth
centuries AD) as well as frescoes on adobe walls depicting
stylized birds in yellow, red, black and white.
Takaraca
Located at km 306 of the South Pan-American Highway
and 15 minutes drive from the city of Ica. The oldest
citadel of the Ica Valley was built during the reign
of Inca Pachacútec. The city comprises a number
of pyramidal huacas.
The Nasca Lines
Located in the San José Pampas 25 km from Nasca
and about 20 minutes drive (at km 420 of the South Pan-American
Highway). Ancient dwellers from the Nasca culture have
left a valuable archaeological legacy consisting in
a huge network of lines and drawings depicting animals
and plants over an area of approximately 350 km2 spreading
between km 419 to km 465 of the South Pan-American Highway.
Discovered in 1 927 by Toribio Mejía Xesspe,
they have been studied by Paul Kosok, Hans Horkheirmer
and, in particular, María Reiche, a German scientist
who lived in the area for more than 50 years, studying
and investigating their origin.
A flight over the Nasca Lines is an unforgettable experience.
There is also a 12 m high watchtower from where La Mano
(The Hand) and El Árbol (The Tree) figures can
be admired.
Paredones
Located 2 km from Nasca at km 1 of the Nasca?Puquio
Highway and about 4 minutes drive, this Inca administrative
center comprises numerous rooms, terraces, patios and
other adobe constructions erected upon stone foundations
of Nasca-culture buildings.
El Telar de Cantalloc (Cantalloc
Loom)
A large scale geoglyph located 3 km from Nasca and about
8 minutes drive. Known as Complejo Textil (Textile Complex)
for its depiction of weaving instruments such as a needle
and several spirals probably representing yarn skeins.
The Aqueducts
They belong to the Nasca culture (550 AD) and are located
in the Nasca, Taruga and Las Trancas valleys. These
are really trickle galleries with stone walls and flat
rock or huarango tree beams which, in some cases, run
for several kilometers underground at a depth of 12
m.
CHINCHA:
Located at km 202 of the South Pan-American Highway,
about 2 ½ h drive from Lima. In this pre-Inca
site, the numerous huacas reveal the area was a center
of great activity, in particular Huaca La Centinela,
a large scale construction. Chincha is also the cradle
of a culture developed by the descendants of the slaves
that worked in the cotton fields.
Casa Hacienda San
José
Hacienda San José s/n.
Phone: (034) 22-1488 / 22-1458.
Located 15 km southeast of Chincha in the district of
El Carmen. Ancient country hacienda, a parador that
keeps within its walls the history of Dominicans and
Jesuits, Spanish noblemen, potential filibusters and
black slaves alike. Built in the late seventeenth century,
it features a chapel and and altar of pure Baroque style,
beautiful archways and ample patios displaying old yokes,
plows and cart wheels. One of the main attractions is
an underground gallery along which blindfolded slaves
where brought so they could not escape.
Huaca La Centinela
Located northwest of Tambo de Mora, 8 km off the South
Pan-American Highway and about 8 minutes drive along
a dirt road. Built by the old Chinchas during the so-called
Late Intermediate period (1 200 AD-1 450 AD). Later
the site sustained some form and functional changes
resulting form the introduction of elements belonging
to the Inca architecture.
Tambo Colorado Archaeological
Remains
An Inca urban and administrative center located in the
Valley of Pisco, near km 45 of Los Libertadores Highway
and about 30 minutes drive. Built during the times of
Inca Pachacútec, this is the best preserved Inca
monument on the coast of Peru. It also provided lodging
to soldiers and dignataries. The name Tambo Colorado
comes from the Quechua word Tampu (resting place) and
the Spanish word colorado (red) which is the color of
its walls.
La Compañía
Church
One block from Pisco’s Main Square.
Open during Mass hours.
A 1 723 Baroque building with gold leaf altars that
houses beautiful oil paintings belonging to the Cuzco
School.
Paracas National Reserve
Located 250 km south of Lima and about 3 h drive, it
spreads across 335 thousand ha. Established to protect
and preserve endangered animal species, this is the
only protected area in Peru that comprises a marine
ecosystem. There are boat excursions from the port of
Paracas to the Ballestas Islands where sea lions, Humboldt
penguins, flamingoes or pariguanas and seabirds can
be closely observed.
El Candelabro
Located 25 km southwest of the city of Pisco and about
13 minutes drive, this more than 120 m long geoglyph
is best seen from the sea, and for this reason, it is
necessary to take a speedboat departing mainly from
Puerto El Chaco (Paracas). El Candelabro, also known
as Tres Cruces (Three Crosses) or Tridente, is located
northwest of the Bay of Paracas, between the Martín
and Talpo beaches.
The Cathedral
25 km southwest of the city of Pisco, opposite El Candelabro
and about 25 minutes drive. Located between Yumaque
and Supay beaches, this amazing and extraordinary rock
formation results from water and wind erosion. Inside
one can find the “chingungo” or sea cat,
an endangered species, and some marine birds.
Julio C. Tello Site Museum
Carretera a Pisco – Puerto San Martin km 27, Pisco.
Phone: (034) 23-2881 / 62-0436
Visits: Monday Sunday 9:00-15:00.
Located 15 minutes drive from Pisco, next to the Interpretation
Center for the Paracas National Reserve. The exhibit
includes re-creations of everyday life in ancient Paracas,
as well as collections of ceramics and textiles.
Lost City of Huayurí
Located within the premises of the former Huayuri hacienda
in the district of Santa Cruz, the city can be reached
taking the road to the town of San Francisco, at km
384 of the South Pan-American Highway and about 18 minutes
drive.
Lines and Figures
of Palpa
Located at km 395 of the South Pan-American Highway
and about 1 h and 15 minutes drive, these lines and
figures can be found in several areas of Palpa such
as Sacramento, Pinchango and Llipata. They are large
geometrical drawings depicting animals and plants.
Chichictara Petroglyphs
Located 15 km east of the city of Palpa in the hamlet
of Chichictara, about 15 minutes drive. |
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| OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST |
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Bodega Vista
Alegre
(Wine Cellar)
3 km northwest of the city of Ica, in the district of
La Tinguiña.
Phone: (034) 23-2919.
Visits: Monday to Friday 9:00-14:00.
A modern wine and pisco brandy maker. It still shows some
vestiges of Colonial times.
Bodega
Tacama
(Wine Cellar)
10 km north east of Ica in the district of La Tinguiña.
Phone: (034) 22-8395 / 22-8394.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 9:00-15:00.
This winery makes world renowned wines and pisco brandy
with sophisticated equipment while preserving the old
house and stables originally property of the Jesuits.
Bodega Ocucaje
(Wine Cellar)
Av. Principal, 34 km southwest of the city of Ica
Phone: (034) 40-8001 / 40-8003.
Visits: Monday to Friday 9:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00, Saturday
9:00-12:00.
The facilities and production of this winery are an example
of Ica’s noble and quality wine making traditions.
Elementary Wineries
Visitors can find elementary wineries that preserve the
traditional art of wine and pisco brandy making (in the
old European style). |
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| FOLKLORE |
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| Dances inherited from the black slaves,
Peruvian gait horses, cockfights and traditional medicine,
all are distinctive folk expressions of this region. |
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| GASTRONOMY |
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| Despite its nearness, its cuisine is very
different from the one in Lima.: |
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Green Lima beans (type of long bean). |
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Morusa (mashed lima beans with roast beef). |
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Picante de pallares (spicy casserole based on
lima beans, milk, eggs and soft unripened cheese). |
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Carapulcra (sun-dried potato casserole style with
pork and chicken, panca and mirasol chili, garlic
and other species). |
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Tejas (traditional dessert made of dried up lemon
and raisings stuffed with “manjarblanco”
(milk jam) and nuts and covered with caramel and
a sugar dressing). |
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Cachina (spirit made from fermented grape must). |
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Pisco (brandy originated in Peru distilled from
the fermented juice of grapes). |
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Chapanas (sweets made of cassave meal and brown
sugar-loaf). |
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| FESTIVITIES |
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Festival de la
Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival) (March)
This festivity celebrates the abundance of grape and wine
in the Ica region. La Vendimia comprises fairs, contests,
float parades, music festivals and feasts featuring the
African-Peruvian festejo dance.
One of the main attractions is the election and coronation
of the Reina de la Vendimia (The Queen of the Grape Harvest
Festival), who accompanied by her court, treads the grapes
to extract the fruit’s juice that will become the
spirit.
Feast of the
Lord of Luren (Octubre)
The origin of the devotion to the Lord of Luren, the patron
of the city of Ica, dates back to the year 1 570 when
this image got mysteriously lost in the desert, during
the journey from Lima to Ica and was found later in an
isolated spot named Luren.
On the feast’s central day, the image is taken out
in procession throughout the city from sunset to dawn
of the next day.
Virgen
del Carmen de Chincha (December)
The El Carmen Virgin is the most venerated image in Peru
after the Lord of Miracles.
At the end of this year, this image is worshiped in several
localities in Ica, particularly in the zones of El Carmen
and El Guayabo, where the largest number of African-American
population resides.
The peculiarity is that in Ica, this image is known as
La Peoncita for its connection with the teenagers that
perform the baile de los negritos and las pallitas to
pay homage to the Virgin. |
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| SERVICES |
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Airports
Aeródromo de Ica
Panamericana Sur km 300.
Subject to the wind conditions.
Aeródromo de Nasca
Panamericana Sur km 447.
Land Transportation
Ica.
There are no land terminals, however, the streets where
most carrier companies gather are: Calle Lambayeque,
blocks 1 and 2 and Av. Matias Manzanilla block 1.
Nasca
District of Vista Alegre (dispersed).
Chincha
Av. Mariscal Oscar R. Benavides.
Pisco
Calle San Francisco cdra. 2.
Health Centers
Ica
Hospital de Apoyo Departamental.
Road to Huacachina s/n.
Phone: (034) 23-2793 / 23-5101.
24 hour service.
Hospital Santa María del Socorro
Av. Castrovirreyna 759.
24 hour service.
Chincha
Hospital San Jose.
Av. Alva Maurtua s/n.
Phone: (034) 26-1421 / 26-9006.
24 hour service.
Pisco
Hospital de Apoyo San Juan de Dios
Av. San Juan de Dios 350.
Phone: (034) 53-2332.
24 hour service.
Nasca
Hospital de Apoyo.
Calle Callao cdra. 5.
Phone: (034) 52-2586.
24 hour service.
Police Stations
Ica
Calle 2 de Mayo 274.
Phone: (034) 21-8235.
24 hour service.
Chincha
Av. Simon Bolívar 11.
Phone: (034) 26-6408.
24 hour service.
Nasca
Av. Los Incas s/n.
Phone: (034) 52-2042.
24 hour service.
Pisco
Plaza de Armas s/n.
Phone: (034) 53-2083.
24 hour service.
Handicrafts Markets
There are no handicrafts markets, however vendors are
concentrated in certain points of the city such as:
Ica
Around the Main Square and in Huacachina Resort.
Nasca
District of Vista Alegre.
Pisco
El Chaco cove, district of Paracas.
Chincha
Calle San Juan block 1, district of Grocio Prado.
Post Offices
Ica
Av. Libertad 119-A.
Phone: (034) 23-3881.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00, Sunday 8:45-14:00.
Pisco
Calle San Juan de Dios 108.
Phone: (034) 53-2272.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00 .
Chincha
Plaza de Armas 176.
Phone: (034) 26-1141.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00.
Nasca
Fermín del Castillo 379.
Phone: (034) 52-2016.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00. |
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