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ICA

Ica Info

This department was the location of various ancient civilizations that literally left their mark. One of the most popular attractions of this area are the Nazca lines, an enigma that modern archeologists have not been able to figure out. These lines stretch for miles in the desert and form pictures of different animals and figures only viewable from the air. The Paracas National Reservation is another point on this circuit which attracts many ecological and cultural tourists alike as it is a refuge to sea lions, otters, penguins, dolphins, more than two hundred species of birds from flamingos, waders, and guano birds. Additionally in the preserve, there are magnificent beaches and beautiful rock formations. Elsewhere in the department there are a variety of vineyards which produce pisco and wines. Wine tasting in this area is among the best in Peru. Another popular destination is the oasis of Huacachina which is visited by tourists on behalf of it's beauty and for the fact that it was the birthplace of Afro-Peruvian music. Ica Tourist Information Ica, an esoteric land, one of profound religious faith, sand dunes, valleys, and sun, is an agricultural zone where you see interspersed among the extensive desert area fields of cotton, butter beans, asparagus, citrus tree orchards, as well as vineyards. Some of the most important civilizations of ancient Peru established themselves here like the Paracas and the Nasca who left a legacy that has endured the passage of time and the violence of the sand and wind. The Paracas National Reserve is a must stop; this State protected natural area is, among its beaches and staggeringly beautiful rock formations, the refuge to fur seals, otters, penguins, dolphins, and more than two hundred species of birds such as flamingos, waders, and guano birds. In the province of Nasca, a little more than one hundred kilometers from Ica, there are the Nasca Lines, one of the greatest archeological mysteries of the world. UNESCO placed this site on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1994. Formed by a series of lines and gigantic drawings traced upon the sands, the Nasca lines feature figures like a spider, a hummingbird, a monkey, etc. that can only be truly appreciated from flying above them.

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Map of Ica

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Ica Photo Gallery

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Ica Accomodations

Ica - Peru Hotels directory Hotel directory with a comprehensive listing of the most important bed and breakfast, homestay, hostel, hotel, lodges, haciendas, estancias, and other establishments where you can stary during your visit. Upmarket Hotels | Tourist Hotels | Budget & Economy Hotels | Bed and Breakfast | Hostals | Beach resorts

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Ica Useful information

altitude Capital:Ica (406 masl / 1332 fasl ) Altitude:Lowest point: 2 masl / 7 fasl (Paracas) Highest point: 3796 masl / 12.454 fasl (San Pedro de Huacarpana)     Weather The department of Ica features a varied terrain with extensive plains, deserts, and some valleys. The city of Ica has a sunny climate almost all year long with an annual average maximum temperature of 32ºC (89ºF) and a minimum of 9ºC (49ºF).      Access routes By land: Lima – Ica: 303 km / 188 miles on the Pan-American Highway South (4 hours by car) By air: There are no regular flights. Air taxi service from Lima is available)     Distances from Ica to the following cities: Chincha Alta(Province of Chincha) 100 km (62 miles) / 1 hour Nasca(Province of Nasca) 147 km (91 miles) / 2 hours Palpa(Province of Palpa)97 km (60 miles) / 1 hour Pisco(Province of Pisco) 60 km (37 miles) / 50 minutes.          Airport Ica: Kilometer marker 299 of the Pan-American Highway South. Telephone: (056) 25-6230 Nasca: Kilometer marker 447 of the Pan-American Highway South. Telephone: (056) 52-3665     Overland Transport Chincha: Bus Station, Av. Oscar R. Benavides -Pisco: Bus Station, Calle San Francisco, block 2nd -Ica: There is no bus station. However, the majority of bus companies is found in:1st – 2nd blocks of Calle Lambayeque 1st block of Av. Matias Manzanilla 1st block of Calle J.J. Elias -Nasca: There is no bus station. However, the majority of bus companies is found in:1st block Av. Los Incas Kilometer marker 445 of the Pan - American Highway South.     Health Centers - Chincha: René Toche Groppo Hospital. Calle San Idelfonso, Chincha Alta. Telephone: (056) 26-1581 / 26-1474 / 26-1306 Attention: 24 hours - Pisco: Antonio Skrabonja Antoncich Hospital (Ministry of Health). Calle San Francisco 322. Emergency Telephone: (056) 53-2784. Attention: 24 hours uIca: Felix Torrealva Gutierrez Hospital. Avenida Cutervo 104. Emergency Telephone: (056) 23-4798 / 23-4450. Attention: 24 hours - Nasca: Nasca Assistance Hospital Calle Callao, block 4. Telephone: (056) 52-2586. Attention: 24 hours.     Local Police Station -Ica: Ica Sub Region Avenida J.J. Elias, block 5.Telephone: (056) 23-5421 / 22-4553     Craft market -Ica: Calle Lima, block 1 - Main Square -Huacachina Lake Resort     Postal Service -Ica: Avenida San Martin 156.Telephone: (056) 23-3881. Attention: Mon. – Sat. 8:00 A.M. – 8:30 A.M. - Pisco:Avenida Federico Uranga 211 - Independencia. Telephone: (056) 22-0208 Attention: Mon. – Sun. 6:00 A.M. – 9:30 P.M     Tourist Information - Regional Government of Ica www.regionica.gob.pe.-IPerú, Tourist Information Email: tourism@peru.com or click here.

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Transportation

Company name Contact Web Site / Email Axel Transfer Service 51-1-5650016 http://www.axeltours.com Aeroica S.R.L 445-0859 http://www.aeroica.net Expreso Internacional Ormeño S.A www.grupo-ormeno.com.pe Soyuz S.A (056) 53-1014 http://www.soyuz.com.pe Cruz del Sur - Transportes Cruz del Sur S.A.C (043) 42-8726 / 42-4040 http://www.cruzdelsur.com.pe Tepsa - Transportes El Pino S.A.C (043) 35-0072 http://www.tepsa.com.pe Civa - Turismo Civa S.A.C (041) 47-8048 http://www.civa.com.pe

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Ica Cuisine

Typical dishes : The typical dishes that must be tried are: Pallares: A stew of savory butter beans seasoned with aji (hot pepper). Morusa: Mashed butter beans with roast beef or pork. Picante de Pallares: Spicy butter beans with milk, eggs and fresh cheese. Carapulcra: Dehydrated potatoes, boiled and cooked with pork and chicken, aji panca and mirasol (chili peppers), garlic, and other spices. Typical Desserts: Tejas: Traditional dessert made with dried lemons, figs, or pecans, filled with manjarblanco (sweetened and condensed milk cooked down) and covered with sugar icing. Chapanas: Dessert made with yucca flour and molasses. Traditional Drinks: Pisco: Distilled grapes, a Peruvian liquor and banner product. Cachina: Liquor based on fermented grape must. Pisco Sour born in PERU

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Ica Tourism Info Headquater Lima Guzman barron st. 3816 SMP-Condevilla -------------------- p.(51-1)4564144 f.(51-1)5650016 p.(51-1)5680834 Email: tourism@peru.com Southamerica - Tours – Peru -------------------------------

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