Ica is a coastal region in southern Peru, set against the Pacific and the dry hills of the desert. It is best known for three things: its wine, its pisco distilleries, and the Nazca Lines, a series of large geoglyphs etched into the desert ground that continue to puzzle visitors and researchers alike.
What draws visitors
- Wine country. Ica has long been a centre of Peruvian wine production, and vineyards here are a natural part of any visit.
- Pisco. The region's distilleries produce pisco, Peru's traditional grape spirit, and visits to them give a sense of how the drink is made.
- The Nazca Lines. These geoglyphs, which can be seen most clearly from the air, are the reason many travellers come. Their purpose remains a subject of debate.
Planning the visit
Ica suits a visit of a day or two, with the wine and pisco stops easy to combine with a trip to the desert. The climate is dry and the sun is strong, so light clothing, water and sun protection are sensible. Because the Nazca Lines are spread across a wide area, check how you plan to reach them before you set out, and allow time for travel between the vineyards, the distilleries and the desert.
Whether Ica is worth the journey depends on your interests. If you enjoy wine, spirits or unusual archaeology in a desert setting, the region offers a distinctive and well-rounded trip.
