Best of Ica

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Ica

The bone-dry deserts in the south of Peru seem an unlikely place to support life. And yet, long before the Spanish arrived, advanced pre-Incan cultures not only survived in this challenging, earthquake-prone environment, but actually thrived here. Some of these cultures left behind fascinating and positively mystifying symbols of their presence. The vibrant city of Ica makes an excellent base for delving into the wonders of the past, tasting the fine piscos produced in the region and seeing the surprising beauty hidden in the desert.

The unmissable highlight of a visit to Ica is seeing the Nazca Lines, a mesmerizing collection of giant geoglyphs carved into the desert over 1300 years ago. Previous kimkim travelers have watched the ancient images unfold on scenic flights over the Lines. The desert oasis village of Huacachina offers another slice of adventure, including sandboarding down towering dunes. You can also learn more about Peru’s favorite tipple on a visit to a historic pisco distillery.

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Learn about Peru's pisco production while staying in a luxury estate in desert wine country in Ica

Peru's Luxurious Coastal, Desert & Vineyard Tour - 7 Days

This weeklong adventure in Peru will take you both on and off the beaten path, discovering highlights up and down the coast while staying in luxury hotels. Start with a stay in Lima's upscale Miraflores district before hitting the road to the unspoiled desert beaches around Paracas. After visiting the Ballestas Islands (the "Galápagos of Peru"), you'll learn about pisco production in Ica and cap the trip with a scenic flight over the legendary Nazca Lines—ancient geoglyphs etched into the arid landscapes.

Honeymoon Adventure to Peru: Lima, Ica, Cusco, & Machu Picchu - 10 Days

Enjoy the highlights of Peru on this ten-day honeymoon getaway. You'll start in Lima with a culinary tour of some of the city's best restaurants, then continue to the coast for luxury desert camping and dune surfing. Transfer to the Sacred Valley for lunch in a suspended glass sphere and a visit to Machu Picchu.

Honeymoon Adventure to Lima, Ica, the Sacred Valley & Cusco - 11 days

During this 11-day trip, you will experience all the local tastes, historic sites, and incredible views that the southern part of Peru has to offer. Check out the gastronomic scene in Lima that includes pisco sours and ceviche, and overnight in the city of Ida where you'll go sandboarding. Zip line down the via ferrata in Pachar and explore the Sacred Valley, including the ruins of Machu Picchu. Finally, check out the city of Cusco and see the Coricancha, also known as "The Temple of the Sun."

Climb your way to your accommodation on a cliffside (photo courtesy of Skylodge)

Luxurious Peru Adventure for Active Travelers - 14 Days

Active types will love this luxury tour across Peru's highlights, from its Spanish-colonial cities to its Inca monuments and citadels. Arrive in Lima, where you'll dine on Peruvian cuisine amid views of pre-Hispanic pyramids before trading city life for sandboarding on the otherworldly desert oasis at Ica. From there, you're off to Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire and the nearby Machu Picchu, followed by a hike to one of Peru's famous rainbow mountains and time on the mystical waters of Lake Titicaca.

Other popular travel destinations in Peru
Sacred Valley · Lima · Cusco · Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu · Machu Picchu · The Amazon · Southern Peru · Puno · Northern Peru · Arequipa & Colca Canyon · Paracas · Arequipa · Inca Trail · Iquitos · Trujillo · Chachapoyas · Colca Canyon · Tambopata · Nazca · Chiclayo · Ausangate Trek · Mancora · Ayacucho

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