Tours in Ica: Full Day, 2 Days, and Everything you Need to Know

Suddenly, I understood why everyone talks about Ica. No other place offers so many experiences in a single day. Dunes, oases, wines, sea, and wildlife that you can have it all if you take a full-day tour in Ica. I’ll also show you other two-day tours with more places to visit.

If you want advice for your adventure: Contact a travel advisor.

It is famous for its Huacachina oasis, surrounded by golden dunes where many travelers take incredible photos.

There you can experience the thrill of sandboarding and tubing, which are special cars that run on the sand. In addition, Ica produces the best wines and piscos in the country, and the wineries can be visited for tastings.

On tours in Ica, you can also see ancient temples, museums, and traditions that showcase its living history. Nearby is the sea of Paracas and the Ballestas Islands, where penguins, sea lions, and many birds can be observed.

That’s why every corner becomes a great photo to remember. Ica is located just four hours from Lima, so it’s an easy and quick trip.

Tours are offered at different prices, so there are options for all budgets, depending on the locations.

What Places can you Visit on a Full-day Tour in Ica: And Why Visit it?

In short, visiting Ica means experiencing adventure, flavor, culture, and nature in a single day. And here are the best places you can visit to make the most of your time without missing a thing.

Ballestas Islands: Among Penguins and Waves

Tourists include the Ballestas Islands in their itinerary when visiting the Ica region because the destination offers a close encounter with nature. It is perfect for those who want to forget the noise of the city and enjoy the Peruvian sea.

Guanaco birds, Humboldt penguins, and sea lions will welcome you from their island. This makes the trip an unforgettable adventure.

In addition, the islands hold enormous deposits of guano. This is a natural resource that shows the ecological richness of the place. The authorities seek to protect biological diversity and coastal marine ecosystems to preserve wildlife.

The reserve promotes the sustainable use of natural resources to maintain the biological cycle of the species that live there.

The Peruvian government included the Ballestas Islands in the National Reserve of Islands, Islets, and Guaneras Points. This is stated in the Supreme Decree issued on December 31, 2009.

Wines and Piscos: Taste the Best Pisco in Peru

If we are on a tour of Ica, it is impossible not to mention the best Peruvian pisco. The wineries of Ica integrate modern processes and tourist experiences that combine production, quality, and tasting.

You will visit tasting rooms with dynamic activities that allow you to enjoy your visit while sampling the flavors.

The wineries store and age their wines in barrels. Other staff members carry out the bottling and labeling. The wines are then inspected by experts to verify their purity and flavor.

If you want to know the best time to visit Ica, it is between December and March when the weather is pleasant.

The culture, history, and wine-growing landscapes of Ica’s vineyard tours attract visitors. They have also inspired film productions. All this makes it an ideal setting for tourism and cinema.

Peruvians created Pisco in the 16th century and established themselves as the main producers. They perfected the distillation of grapes to make a unique Pisco. There are wineries that keep the tradition alive by showing their artisanal process.

They even combine colonial methods with modern technology, which maintains the authenticity of Pisco for tourists.

Huacachina Dunes and Lake: “Weeping Woman”

Huacachina Lake, also known as the “Oasis of America,” is a tourist attraction in the Ica Desert. It is a place where, under the golden sun of Ica, travelers enjoy adventure activities all year round.

Visitors enjoy sandboarding, tubing, and boating or pedal boating. There are hotels and international, vegetarian, and local cuisine to make your experience complete.

Huacachina means “crying woman” in Quechua, and there is a legend of love associated with it.

La Huacachina is located 5km from Ica in the middle of the desert. It is 100 meters long and 80 meters wide, with a distinctive emerald green color.

It is a place surrounded by dunes, palm trees, totora reeds, huarango trees, and carob trees that are home to migratory birds.

In 2017, The Telegraph recognized it as one of the 21 most impressive destinations in the world.

As for the desert climate, it maintains an average temperature of 19°C throughout the year. March is the warmest month at 23.6°C and July is the coolest at 15.1°C. The best months to visit are February and March to enjoy the sun.

Carapulcra con Sopa Seca: What You must Try

Everyone will recommend you try Carapulcra with dry soup because it is the culinary dish of this place and wins over those looking for unique flavors. Because in every bite you will find a living history and a homely touch of Peruvian cuisine.

The dish blends Andean and Afro-Peruvian influences. Some call the combination of carapulcra and sopa seca “manchapecho” because it symbolizes the diner’s enjoyment of the juices and sauces.

Cooks fry garlic and ají panca in lard until they obtain a smoky and sweet dressing. They add chicken, pork, or beef broth to enhance the flavor. Carapulcra is made with dried potatoes, and sopa seca with noodles cooked in a dressing of achiote, garlic, and onion until they absorb the broth.

Classic Tours you can Take in Ica from Lima

1-Day tour in Ica

Get ready for a full day of smiles. You will leave Lima early in the morning and travel to the sea and the desert. First, you will see marine animals in their natural habitat. Then you will taste sweets and piscos in famous wineries. Afterwards, you will visit the Huacachina lagoon and its giant dunes. Finally, you will visit Chincha to end the tour with music and flavors. Everything is easy to understand. In addition, the plan has clear schedules and safe stops.

Places You Will Visit:

• Pick-up points and schedules: First, you will meet the group in Lima.
• Ballestas Islands: Then you will arrive at the tourist pier. You will see the Candelabra from the sea. There are also rock formations and lots of wildlife. For example, you will see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and guano birds such as guanay, booby, pelican, cormorant, and tendril. You will wear a life jacket and have a guide. In addition, the group will maintain distance to travel comfortably.
• Lunch in Ica: Afterwards, you will arrive in Ica with free time for lunch. You can try typical dishes. For example, “sopa seca con carapulcra” or rice with duck.
  Wine cellar and tasting: You will tour the winery and learn how good wine and quality pisco are made. Then you will have a free tasting of wines, creams, macerated wines, and piscos. If you wish, you can also purchase some.
• Wine cellar and tasting: You will tour the cellar and learn how good wine and quality pisco are made. Then you will have a free tasting of wines, creams, macerated spirits, and piscos. If you want, you can also buy some.
• Huacachina Lagoon and dunes: Walk around the lagoon. Also, try the tejas and chocotejas. If you feel like it, you can climb onto the tubes and go sandboarding on the high dunes.
• Chincha and Bodega Garrafón: Finally, you will stop in Chincha. There we will taste wines. You will also find mamajuanas and desserts such as tejas and chocotejas.
• Return to Lima: Finally, the bus will return and drop you off at familiar locations.

Important: Children under 1 year old cannot travel. Neither can people over 75 years old. People with medical conditions such as asthma, heart problems, or diabetes should not travel according to D.S. 162-2020. Wear a mask, face shield, and personal alcohol, and declare that you are in good health. This way, you are taking care of everyone.

How Much does it Cost?

For this tour in the city of Ica, the cost per person can range from S/ 99 to S/115, depending on the amenities you want. Some do not charge for children under 5 years old.

Tour of Paracas and Ica, 2 days and 1 night

If you have more time, you can take the 2-day tour of Ica from Lima. On this trip, you will discover magical places in Ica and Paracas. You will also enjoy exciting activities such as buggy rides, sandboarding, and sea tours. This tour combines smiles, local legends, and many Instagram-worthy photo spots. It is perfect for families, friends, or couples who want to experience the Peruvian desert.

Places you Will Visit

Over 2 days and 1 night, you will visit the most beautiful places. Here is everything you will experience:

Day 1: Ica and Huacachina

• • Departure from Lima: The trip begins early from specific points in Lima, such as the Cruz del Sur Bus Terminal or Peru Bus VIP.
  • Arrival in Ica: Upon arrival, you will be picked up at your hotel or bus station to begin the tour.
    Cachiche: You will visit the famous village of the “Witches of Cachiche.” There you will see the seven-headed palm tree and hear the mysterious legends that few tourists know about.
  • Casa de las Tejas: You can try the sweet tejas and chocotejas typical of Ica. You can also buy some to take home.
  • Artisanal winery: You will learn how wines, piscos, and cachinas are made. In addition, you will have the opportunity to taste their flavors. Here you can also enjoy a typical Ica lunch.
  • Huacachina Oasis: This is the most fun part. You will see the lagoon surrounded by golden dunes. Then, you will climb into a 4×4 buggy to explore the desert and experience the thrill of sandboarding. The views are breathtaking, and you will be able to take lots of photos.

• Night in Ica: At the end of the day, you will rest in a comfortable hotel with a swimming pool and all the necessary amenities.

Day 2: Paracas and the Ballestas Islands

• Boat tour: In the morning, you will depart for Paracas to visit the Ballestas Islands. During the boat ride, you will see the Candelabra geoglyph and many species of animals such as sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and guano birds.
• Paracas National Reserve: After the boat trip, you will visit incredible places such as La Catedral, Playa Roja, Playa Supay, and Playa Lagunillas. In these areas, you can enjoy the sea, the cliffs, and the unique colors of the desert.
• Return: The tour ends in the afternoon. You will then be taken to the bus terminal for your return trip, or you can stay in Ica if you wish.

How much does it cost?

The price depends on the type of hotel you choose. All options include accommodation, breakfast, and the tours mentioned above. Prices range from S/. 249 to S/. 319, depending on the amenities you desire.

Important TIP: Prices tend to vary on holidays, Holy Week, National Holidays, or New Year’s Eve.

What to Bring and Practical Tips for your Trip

When traveling to Ica, it is important to bring everything you need to enjoy the tour without any worries.

• Lightweight, comfortable clothing.
• A windbreaker or warm jacket for the morning.
• Walking shoes.
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Hat or cap.
• Small backpack.
• Fruit, snacks, sandwich, or water.
• Cash.
• Camera to capture memories.
• An extra change of clothes.