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Location:
Nazca, Ica and Paracas are three different
destinations but relatively close to each
other. There are South of Lima, on the central
coast of Peru. Paracas is on the coast line
so it's at sea level; Ica and Nazca are
higher, at 400 and 600 meters (1,320 and
2,000 feet) above sea level.
Climate:
Nazca and Ica are usually hot and
dry during the day (30°C or 85°F)
and cool in the night (10°C or 50°F).
It never rains in Nazca nor Ica. Paracas
is cooler during the day (20°C or 0°F)
but warmer in the night (15°C or 60°F).
History:
These territories were home of
two ancient cultures before the Incas. The
Paracas were first, from year 600 BC to
100 AD. They are famous due to the quality
of their textiles and their medicine knowledge
that let them to perform succesful brain
surgeries. The Nazca people were later,
they developed between the years 200 AD
and 500 AD. The Nazca people are famous
due to the mysterious lines that they drew
over the desert surface.
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The
Nazca people developed new agriculture
techniques and irrigation systems
that let them to transform the deserts
into fertile valleys. They built aqueducts
and dams that still work nowadays,
and also a huge city, Cahuachi. The
remains can be visited, as the remains
of their cemetery, Chauchilla. Both
archaeological sites are close to
the Nazca city.
The
Nazca Lines: They
are the reason why tourists come to
Nazca. There are 32 huge figures carved
on the surface of the desert plains
with the shapes of animals (monkey,
whale, fish, dog, llama, pelican,
seagull, condor, hummingbird, lizard,
spider and more), plants, and even
a human being. They were done in the
5th century AD
but their purpose is still
a mystery. Many archeologists agree
that they had a ceremonial purpose,
maybe religious. Some scholars believe
they were a calendar or a chart of
the stars and constellations.
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Ica
Desert: The
city of Ica is surrounded by a desert
of big sand dunes. The desert is beautiful
and big, there is even an oasis called
Huacachina. You can explore the desert
on a "buggie", a vehicle especially
designed to ride on the sand dunes.
You can sand-board too, it is like snow-boarding
but on sand.
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Paracas:
This
marine reserve is the only one in Peru,
and the reason is the diversity of wildlife
in the area. Paracas hosts 216 species
of birds, 168 species of fish and 16
species of mammals. The reason of this
bio-diversity is the richness of plancton
in the sea water, this attracts the
fish, and them attract the birds and
sea mammals. The
animals that can be seen easily are
the sea lions, seals, penguins, pelicans,
seagulls and other sea birds. More
rare are the dolphins, the condor,
the flamingoes, and sea otters. There
are many spots in the reserve to watch
the animals, but the most popular
is the Ballestas Islands. They are
a group of small islands that shelter
an enormous number of sea lions, seals
and birds. They can be reached by
boat but you cannot stop at the islands.
It's common that the seals and sea
lions swim close to the boats, but
you shouldn't try to feed them to
attract them.
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interesting spot is the Candelabro,
a huge (120 meters long) etching on
a hill that faces the sea. It was a
signal used by pirates who hided theirselves
and their ships there.
A tour to the
Islas Ballestas can be included upon
request in our Peru
Discovery Tour and Inca
Route Tour.
Festivities:
Ica
is the most important winery region
in Peru. The best wines of Peru are
produced there. The Pisco spirit is
also produced mainly in this region.
The Pisco is the Peruvian liquor,
a pure grape brandy used to prepare
the national cocktail "Pisco Sour",
that also includes white eggs, sugar,
lime and cinnamon. It is very tasty.
The
main festivity is the “Vendimia” (Vintage
festivity) on March in Ica city. In
regard to the local folklore, there
is an important Afro-Peruvian community,
especially in Chincha, and they are
famous due to their music and their
dances.
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"The
trip met and exceeded all my expectations
about Peru. It was the best trip I have
made." Mairead
Guckian (Ireland, Galway) |
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