Ica Overview

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Ica, population 152,000 is a pleasant, palm-tree filled oasis of a city adjacent to the Ica Desert. The desert is known for adventure travel: popular activities are sandboarding, dune buggy trips and fossil hunting. It is also possible to get flights from Ica to see the famous Nazca Lines, although flights from the town of Nazca are cheaper.

Early Spanish settlers planted grapes, which thrived in the arid conditions. Today, the Ica region is known as Peru's premier winemaking region, and there are more than 80 wineries in the area, many of which accept visitors. The grapes are also used to make Pisco, which is a sort of grape brandy slightly reminiscent of tequila. It is used to make the Pisco sour, Peru's national drink. The grape-harvest season runs from February to April.

Huacachina Lake is a few kilometers outside of town. A storybook oasis of palm trees and sand dunes, it is a popular visitor spot with a variety of hotels and restaurants.

The nearby Paracas National Reserve has excellent birdwatching; it is a shorebird sanctuary and home to Andean condors.