The city of Ica and the Huacachina Oasis Machupicchu Explorers

The city of Ica and the Huacachina Oasis

ITINERARY CODE: ICAHUA1

Description:
On this classic tour of Ica we will visit the city’s highlights, such as the traditional Bodegas or Vineyards where the local people produce the famous Pisco (a grape brandy), the Regional Museum and the beautiful oasis of La Huacachina.´

Our excursion begins at 9:00 AM; our clients are collected from their hotel by our local guide. Afterwards, we will aboard our private vehicle, and will start our visit at the Vineyards of Pisco. At the bodegas, as they are locally known, we will do a nice walking tour exploring with our guide the places where this delicious Peruvian drink is made. According to history this Brandy-like liquor was made since 1540 in Peru, and at this time it was known simply as a spirit drink, it was not till the XVII century that the grape brandy was baptized as Pisco. It is said that when the Incas arrived in this area around 1450th, they saw millions of sea birds at shore of the Pacific Ocean, near the bay of Paracas and they were so amazed, that they baptized the area with the name of Pisco, a Quechua word that means “bird”. Here we will learn more details about this popular drink, visiting the whole vineyard, its main tasting room and chatting with the Pisco makers.

Later on, we will visit the Regional Museum of Ica, an interesting building that houses the remains of the ancient cultures that developed on the southern coast. We will start our visit, walking through the pre-Inca rooms, which display fine textiles from the Paracas people, wonderful pieces from the Nazca culture, featuring amazing musical instruments and great pictures of the Nazca Lines. Here we will also see some spectacular weapons and would carvings from the Wari Empire, Ica Chincha and Inca culture. On the other side of the Museum, we will visit the anthropological room, which exhibits human remains from the same cultures mentioned above, featuring deformed skulls, cranial surgery practiced on ancient Peruvians, beautiful head-dresses, well preserve mummies, including babies and trophy heads. Afterwards we will drive southwest towards the Oasis of La Huacachina, a gorgeous lagoon surrounded by palm trees and huge san dunes. Here our clients will be able to have lunch around this beautiful lagoon, and climb one of sand dunes to practice one the ultimate sports in our country “Sandboarding”. End of the tour.

What is included on this day?
Pick up from your hotel in Ica.
Private transportation.
Visit to the vineyards of Pisco.
Guided visit to the Archaeological Museum of Ica.
Visit to the Oasis of Huacachina.
All entrance fees.
English speaking guide.

What is not included?
Extras & gratuities.
Tour Duration:
2:30 Hrs.
Daily departures:
From 09:00 hrs. / 14:00 hrs.

Recommendations:
On this tour you must bring light clothing, as the weather in Ica used to be very hot, especially in summer time (from December to March) when temperatures can reach 40º C / 104 ºF sometimes.

We suggest to bring sun block to avoid sun burning, a hat, a bottle of water and sun glasses.