Beaches, desert, and the mysterious Nazca Lines: a key destination that attracts more and more travelers.

You don't have to cross half the planet, say, to the Middle East , to experience an adventure among dunes, oasis, and exotic landscapes. On the coast of south-central Peru , 300 km from Lima , there's a perfect place to live that experience. Ica , a place that holds its mysteries, vestiges of ancient civilizations, and cinematic geography.

The destination is a magnet for foreigners, who are caught by the magnetism of a region that combines natural charms and secrets of ancient cultures , such as that of Paracas and especially that of Nazca , which left as a legacy those mysterious giant drawings on the ground that can only be seen from above.

Getting to Ica from the Peruvian capital is simple , taking about four hours along the Pan-American Highway, always along the Pacific Ocean, and there are bus lines that make the trip in about four and a half hours.

Once there, the first stop is undoubtedly the Huacachina lagoon , surrounded by palm trees, dunes and nature, which attracts many tourists who usually walk along its extensive boardwalk.

From the top of its sandy hills, you get a great view of this vibrant oasis—literally in the middle of the desert, as if you were in the Sahara —where you can walk through the dunes and take spectacular photos , especially at sunset.

Many of the town's hotels and restaurants are located around this lagoon, which is a true oasis in the desert . You won't see any camels or Bedouins, but you will find plenty of hotels and lodgings, as well as pedal boats , which are available for rent for a short trip.

One of the must-see attractions for those visiting this region of Peru is, inevitably, the Paracas National Reserve , a place with impressive cliffs and beautiful beaches bathed by the Pacific Ocean.

The reserve, which covers 335,000 hectares, is home to a wide variety of birds and marine life . Its beaches are ideal for water sports such as kayaking and windsurfing, and there are also ideal spots for relaxing, such as La Mina Beach, with its turquoise waters, and Yumaque Beach, with its white sand.

It is also recommended to visit the Julio C. Tello Site Museum, which displays the richness of the Paracas culture , which developed in the area between 800 and 100 BC and was especially noted for its textile making.

This destination, which offers all types of accommodation , from hostels to luxury hotels, is next to a vast and spectacular desert that can be explored in 4x4 trucks.

The day can culminate in glamping in the middle of the dunes , where it's well worth enjoying picnics or exquisite dinners in a comfortable setting of cushions, rugs, and torches that illuminate that unforgettable moment among the tents.

In the Paracas National Reserve, you can't miss the Ballestas Islands , a destination teeming with life and natural beauty. A short boat ride is required to reach this paradise inhabited by a spectacular variety of wildlife : from sea lions to diverse bird species, such as terns, gulls, pelicans, cormorants, and the friendly Humboldt penguins.

Another great natural attraction of the islands are the rock formations and natural arches that characterize them, as well as the impressive Candelabra geoglyph found along the way.

This trip probably could not have a better ending than in one of the most incredible attractions that Ica offers: the Nazca Lines , those enormous and ancient geometric and zoomorphic figures drawn on a vast area of ​​land in the south of this region, which can be well appreciated from the air .

These nearly 800 geoglyphs , created between 500 BC and 500 AD and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, cover around 450 km2 and can measure up to 275 meters in length.

To appreciate them, there are nearby mangrullos that serve as viewpoints, although the best way - more expensive, of course - is to fly over them, in small planes that depart from the airports of Pisco, Ica or Nazca (the city of Nazca is 140 km southeast of Ica).

75 km from Ica, very close to the Paracas Reserve, lies the city of Pisco , which gave its name to the famous distilled beverage. That's why there's no better place than here to explore the Pisco Route , which invites you to learn the history, details, and taste this emblematic Peruvian beverage.

This tour allows you to visit the main wineries and vineyards , see the production process, and try delicious cocktails like the pisco sour and the chilcano —a traditional cocktail made with pisco, ginger ale, and lemon juice. Among the wineries you can visit are La Caravedo, Viña Tacama, Viñas Queirolo, Tabernero, and Bodega 1615.

● There are direct flights to Lima from Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Córdoba, Salta, and Rosario, with Latam, Jetsmart, Aerolíneas, and Sky, from US$392 round-trip.

● Several bus companies run from Lima to Ica. The journey takes 4 hours and 30 minutes, and the fare starts at 57 soles (US$15.40).

In Ica, there are hotels, cabins, houses, and apartments for rent. Good double rooms with private bathrooms start at US$16 (Ica Adventures II Hotel). There are also good accommodation options in Chincha Alta, Chincha Baja, Pisco, and Nazca.

● Whatsapp +51 944 492 314