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PARACAS, ICA AND NAZCA
Pachacamac, located about 40 km SE of Lima in the Lurin Valley, are the ruins of a walled Native American settlement. The site, which contains a number of pyramids, was considered one of the most important religious monuments by the indigenous people of the central Andes. Spanish historical records, along with extensive archaeological research at the site, have served to clarify its history and significance.
Hacienda San José. Its construction dates from the end of the 17th century. The ranch house maintains the friendly and traditional style of the old south coast haciendas. Its main attractions are the baroque altar in the chapel and the underground passages by which the slaves were brought with their eyes covered with bandages to prevent them from fleeing.
Close to Pisco, the Tambo Colorado Inca urban center is the best preserved on the coast. It is presumed it was constructed during the government of Inca Pachacútec to serve as lodging for soldiers and high authorities. The name Tambo Colorado comes from joining the quechua word "Tampu", which means resting place and the Spanish term "colorado" referring to the coloring of its walls
The Paracas National Reserve and the Ballestas Islands
With an area of 335 thousand hectares, this reserve is the only protected area in Perú that comprises a marine ecosystem. The site is refuge for sea lions, Humboldt penguins, flamingos or parihuanas and other birds.
The reserve can be visited by car and by water. The journey by sea consists of a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, inhabited by sea lions and many species of sea birds, and a view of attractive archaeological remains such as The Candelabra or amazing works of nature such as The Cathedral. Visitors are not allowed onto the islands but views of the wildlife from the boat are usually excellent.
The Candelabra, situated to the northwest of Paracas Bay, is a misterious geoglyph traced in the desert hillside overlooking the sea, more than 120 m long and which is also called the Three Crosses or Trident. Undoubtedly, the best way to see it is from the sea. There are numerous theories as to its origin (best left to the guides to explain some of them)
The Cathedral, located between the Yumaque and Supay beaches, is a large rock formation eroded by wind and sea, in the interior of which there are sea otters or chingungos, a species in danger of extinction, as well as various sea bird species.
To understand the importance of the Paracas National Park, you should visit its Interpretation Center, which offers an interesting explanation of the biodiversity and dangers affecting the zone. On the other hand, the Site Museum Julio C. Tello presents a permanent exhibition of pieces of Paracas culture, discovered in the excavations made in cemeteries in the area.
Lake Huacachina, in the outskirts of Ica is a traditional resting place for people from Lima and Ica. The lake appears like an oasis in the middle of a desert, together with a splendid landscape that harmonizes the high sand dunes, palm trees and huarango trees. Some of the lake dwellers attribute curative properties to the waters of the lake. You get the amazing sensation to be somewhere in the North African desert. There are two comfortable hotels to have a night rest in this magic place
The biggest Peruvian wine producer is Bodega Tacama in Ica and they do produce very good Red and White wines, as well as Champagne Brut. It is also possible to find wines produced by Bodega Ocucaje, Bodega Tabernero and Bodega Vista Alegre.
Main Pisco producers are the four wine producers in Ica (Tabernero, Tacama, Ocucaje and Vista Alegre) and many other smaller producers in south Perú, some of them producing excellent quality piscos in Mala and Lunahuaná (near Cañete), Chincha, Pisco, Ica, Nazca, Arequipa (Majes), Moquegua andTacna.
Nazca Lines This archaeological monument consists of an enormous network of lines and drawings of animals and plants attributed to the Nazca Culture. The lines are situated between km 419 and km 465 of the South Pan-American Highway, covering an area of about 350 km². The discovery of these figures is attributed to Toribio Mejía Xesspe, in 1927. Later on, they were studied by Paul Kosok, Hans Horkheirmer and María Reiche. The latter devoted 50 years to study and research on the site.
In order to view the lines in all their splendor a viewing tower 12 m high has been built, from which one may partially appreciate the figures of The Hand and The Tree, although over flying the site in a small aircraft is absolutely necessary in order to appreciate them in their true dimensions. The Nazca Lines were declared to be part of Humanity’s Cultural Heritage in 1994.
Other important attractions around Nazca
A visit to Nazca should not only include the flight over the Nazca lines and figures. There are other very interesting aspects of the Nazca culture and natural attractions that easily justifies a longer stay of 2 or more nights: the fascinating Cantayoc aqueducts, the Chauchilla cemetery, the impressive Cahuachi Ceremonial Center, the very didactic Museo Antonini and the Museo Maria Reiche. Up in the Andes and easily to reach from Nazca, there is the Pampa Galeras Vicuña Reserve. And for the off the beaten path nature lovers, there is the one day 4x4 desert expedition to Punta San Fernando, a lonely beach and a hidden Fauna paradise.