Ica is well-known for being the region of the sand and the sea, of oasis and valleys. It is a Creole earth par excellence. Of devout and wizards. Of pisco and popular devotions like Mr. de Luren or the Sanctuary of Yauca.
It was in these earth, their sands, in which important pre-Columbian civilizations bloomed, leaving tracks that have lasted over the years and of winds
The way to Ica offers to the traveller a diversity of attractive. The first shutdown is Bothers, warm valley that perfectly combines the celebration and the tradition. It is the center of a culture originated by the descendants of the black slaves of the cotton plantations.
Some kilometers further on, are acceded to the National Reserve of Parachutists, unique protected area of the Peru that contains in its scope a marine ecosystem. From the port of Parachutists excursions in boat to the Islands can be undertaken Crossbows where they are seen marine wolves close by, penguins of the Humboldts, flamenco or parihuanas and marine birds.
To the south of the city of Ica (relajante oasis in the middle of the coastal desert) is the lagoon of Huacachina and, kilometers advanced, the Lines more of Is born, valuable archaeological monument that the old settlers of the culture Are born have bequeathed to us. One is an enormous network of lines and animal drawings and plants, that an approximated area covers with 350 km2s. To fly over the Lines of Is born is an unforgettable experience.
• Terrestrial access: File, 300 km by the South Pan-American Highway (4 hours in car approximately).
• Aerial access: There are no regular flights. Service of aerial taxi is offered from Lima.
• Relief: The department of Ica presents/displays an injured territory relatively, extensive Pampas, desert tablazos and some valleys.
• Climate: The city of Ica has a barren and semiwarm climate. The temperature average annual principle is 32,2ºC and the minim 9,8ºC.
• Folklore: Some of the traditions that are conserved in Ica are the Peruvian Horses of Step, the afroperuanas fights of roosters and, especially, music and dances as the celebration, the gannet and the dance of the Negritos, this last one considered the typical dance of the region.
• Gastronomy: Pallares: a variety of long and very flavorful kidney bean that is prepared decorated with red pepper and stew; Morusa: puree of pallares with roast of head of cattle or pig; Sharp of pallares: sharp stew of pallares with milk, egg and fresh cheese; Carapulcra: dry Pope sancochada and stewed with meat of pig and hen, red pepper panca and mirasol, garlic and other spices; Roofing tiles: traditional candy done with dry lemon, figs or pecanas, stuffed with manjarblanco and a cover of caramel and sugar; Chapanas: yucca flour candies and chancaca; Traditional drinks: Pisco: brandy of grape, original liquor of Peru and product flag. Cachina: liquor with must of fermented grape.
• Celebrations:
Festival of the Black Summer/February Province of Bothers, district of the Carmen. Contest of afroperuanas dances. In addition, artisan, wine producing, gastronomical fairs and privateerings by the main streets of the city are realized.
Festival of the Grape harvest/March Provinces of Chincha and Ica It is celebrated the harvest of the grape and the abundance of the wine in the region. Fairs, contests, parades of allegorical cars are organized, festivales musical comedies and celebrations. It is chosen to Reina of the Grape harvest, that initiates the Pisa of the grape to extract the juice that will become liquor.
Iqueña Easter/March or April All the region. The festival begins the Domingo de Ramos with the procession of the gentleman of the Triumph and also finalizes with the procession of resurrection, well-known like “Procesión of the Borrachito”. All the streets are adorned with carpets and triumphal arcs.
Virgin of the Carmen de Chincha/Julio Province of Bothers, district of the Carmen. Special cult to the Virgin of the Carmen, that is known in the zone like the Peoncita. In order to celebrate it groups of adolescents they execute the Dance of the Negritos and the Pallitas.
Tourist week of Ica/September Province of Ica. Exhibitions of Peruvian Horses of Step, fights of roosters, wine contests, tastings of pisco, long walks of warehouse in warehouse and the international contest of sandboard (tables on sand).
Virgin of the Rosary of Yauca/September - October Province of Ica, district of Yauca of the Rosary. Massive peregrination in which thousands of faithfuls walk 25 km from Ica to the district of Yauca of the Rosary. The traditional sweepings, novenas and a costumbrista fair are realized.
Celebration of Mr. de Luren/to 3er Monday of October Province of Ica, ditrito of Ica. The central day of the celebration the image crosses the city from the dusk until it blunts the sun on the following day. The origin of the devotion of Mr. de Luren goes back to year 1570. According to the legend, this image came from Lima but it became lost in the desert and soon it was found in a solitary place denominated Luren.