ICA CITY
ESCORTED VISIT TO WINERIES - Duration: Half Day
The Peruvian coast and its warm oases, with their sandy soil and underground water have always been ideal for viticulture, mainly in the Department of Ica. Grape arrived in the New World with the very first Spaniards. For them, wine was a simple pleasure as well as being associated with Holy Mass.
The first vineyards can be seen from Chincha to Nasca and resemble nothing so much as those from California. Among them the Ocucaje estate, previously named El Regente, is situated some 340 Km. from Lima. Its beautifully preserved mansion is now a hotel, but its owners carry on the vintner's inherited tradition. Here, the grape must is kept in great barrels in the cellars throughout the slow process by which the winery's celebrated vintages are produced.
The extensive Tacama winery is only 13 Km.. from Ica. It has belonged to a single family since the end of the 19 th century. Passed from father to son, the production of red, white and rose wines, sangria and, above all, the winery's famous Pisco has continued, and its carefully tended fields and vines have won several international competitions.
Peruvian Pisco is made by distilling fermented grape must, and is produced in four varieties: Pure Pisco is made from non-aromatic grapes, such as "quebranta", "mollar" or the common black grape. Aromatic Pisco comes, naturally, from aromatic grape varieties such as "italia" or "muscat" and the name of the grape from which is made is added to the term pisco. "Mosto verde" pisco is obtained by distillation from non-aromatic grapes that have not been allowed to ferment completely. "Pisco acholado" comes from a mixture of different grape musts. A fifth variety can be added to these: aromatized pisco, in which fruit, generally mango or custard apple, is added during destillation.
NASCA
PAREDONES - Duration: Half Day
Archeological site located 2 Km.. east of Nasca, with a large square, deposits, ceremonial areas, barracks, niches, trapezoidal windows and other buildings.
CANTAYOC AQUEDUCTS - Duration: Half Day
Archaelogical site located 4 Km.. from Nasca. A complex system of underground aqueducts that allowed taking advantages of underground water is an evidence of this culture's technological development in the exploitation of the land.
CAHUACHI - Duration: Half Day
Located 17 Km.. from Nasca, Cahuachi is an archaeological area comprising a series of adobe pyramids with open spaces or squares amongst them. In the early stages of the Nasca culture, it served as a ceremonial center.
SACACO - Duration: Full Day
100 Km.. south Nasca, are the fossilized remains of whales from primitive times. The first pale ontological museum in Peru, the Fossil Museum of Sacaco, with general information about the local geology and images of that era's animal life can be visited here.
PARACAS
AWESOME DUNE BUGGY TRIPS
A fascinating trip on dune buggies over the warm sands of Paracas desert. Guided by expert drivers, the trip offers you the thrill and adventure to be in contact with nature. Different routes from small dunes to the biggest dunes you could imagine, where only a special design vehicle could go. A full hour and a half distilling adrenaline and emotion.
