Go Pisco tasting in one of Ica’s many traditional vineyards before riding the dune buggies across the spectacular desert Oasis of Huacachina.
Founded by the Spanish in 1563 as Villa de Valverde, Ica is located in the middle of a green valley surrounded by the desert. The city is known for its warm climate and gorgeous white sand dunes, but most of all for the beautiful Oasis of Huacachina. Much like the Amazon and the Andes, this is a unique destination you are unlikely to find anywhere else in the World. Popular activities involve sand-boarding and quad biking the dunes before catching the spectacular sunset from the desert.
The city of Ica is known as the Pisco capital of Peru with some of its vineyards dating back to the 16th century. Visit the traditional vineyards to see how Pisco is made and to taste Peru’s national drink in its purest form. Ica is also home to one of the best archaeological museums of Peru, “The Regional Museum of Adolfo Bermudez Jenkins”.
Three Reasons To Visit Ica:
Best Pisco in Peru
Pisco Sour, the famous Peruvian cocktail, doesn’t get any tastier than it does in Ica. The fermented liquor is made from muscat grapes in Ica’s traditional vineyards and tours operate daily to give you a taste of the local flavors.
Sandboarding on the Dunes
Explore the thrilling sand dunes which surround Ica. With some reaching up to 2 km (1.2 miles), it is the perfect location for riding dune buggies and sandboarding. Just imagine riding an insane roller coaster in the World’s largest sandbox.
An Unforgettable Sunset
There are many climates and terrains in Peru and each of them offer up a different sunset. But in our opinion, none of them hold up to spending an evening atop a dune, watching the sun drop below the horizon of sand from the safety of a desert oasis.
Recommended Things To Do or Visit
Winery & Pisco Factory Tour
The wineries are located in the middle of the countryside where you can experience a different feeling than in the city and the desert. A short drive from the desert Oasis will take you to greener country where everything takes on a slower pace. This tour includes a visit of a traditional winery that does not use machinery to process its Pisco and wine, and a visit to an industrial winery which uses more modern practices of production. You will have a guided tour in each winery and you will have the opportunity to try various wines and Piscos.
Duration: About 1 Hour
Huacachina Sand Buggy & Sandboarding
Enjoy an outstanding dune buggy ride in the sand dunes as part of the sandboarding experience. Take a sand-based rollercoaster ride as you motor up the steep 1,640-foot (541-meter) sand dunes by buggy, before zooming back down at high speed. Then strap on a surf board for a chance to try sandboarding, surfing your way down the steep sand banks. You’ll get to try your hand on three or four dunes before finishing your day with a chance to watch a breathtaking desert sunset.
Duration: About 3 Hours
