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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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Another 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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