Touristic Description of the zone

 Ica´s Province has several attractions that offer visitors a fantastic and unique experience. The most representative are:

• Ocucaje´s Canyon:

The Canyon is unique for its special characteristics. It's a natural marvel of the Region Ica and it is located in the desert of Ocucaje District. The Canyon was formed by the former river Ica, whose riverbed has weakened the area during million years. It has around 3 Kms. of extension, and has a depth of 150 Mts. In the tour the visitors can see the rest of sea animals and we can feel that we are in another dimension.

•   Huacachina´s Lagoon:

It's a beautiful oasis of the Ica´s dessert and people said that it has curative properties. The water mirror of the lagoon takes an extension of 100 m of length as 60 m of width, being the color of his waters of a greenish tone. The name Huacachina is related to the Quechua word "Huacca" (cry) and "China" (woman), that is to say, etymologically would mean "woman who cries". The legend of this place is based on a woman who for crying of love turned into a mermaid, who, in the nights of full moon, sing her songs of love.

The vegetation that we can find around the lagoon is various like: the bugambilias, the palms and the eucalyptuses. These species and the dunes of sand, give to the whole place a very particular characteristic. The north dune of the lagoon is the natural scene of the highest dune in the world for the practice of the sandboard, the famous sport that is similar to the surf. All the constructions around are provoking the decrease of the level of  waters.

• Frailes´s Complex:

It´s located 5 km to the east of Ica city (10 minutes). Set of rocks with strange forms originated by the action of the winds. In this Complex there are famous stones like the tortoise, the head of the monkey, the toad and the astronaut. It is also possible to visit a natural viewing-point from where the whole Ica city is observed.

Ø

• Cachiche Hamlet:

There has been a famous hamlet since the colonial period because in this place there were many healers who attended the ills and hurts of the population. One of the most important celebrations is the holiday of the Crosses in May, the same one that is celebrated at the foot of the hill of Orovilca, associated with many myths and legends on the origin of the hamlet. 

•  Ica Cathedral

Old Temple of the Order of the Jesuits, baroque, within two altarpieces stand out artisticallycarved cedar Nicaragua, both in Baroque style. They also under score their beautiful towers and turrets, and its side a lion’s head townhouse.

• Church of St. Francis

It’s another beautiful churche available to Ica. It belongs to the Franciscan order. Its altar is finely decorated with gold leaf applications. The roof vaulted with figures representing applications and Greek cornices type soles lined in marble, stained glass abound which reflects the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Itwas opened in 1961. 

• City Hall

Building located around the Main Square, its construction began in the Republican period and retains artistic arches. In its second story it is located the unique consistorial hall, as it has wooden ornament figures in high relief representing the seasons, and a painting of a passage in the proclamation of our independence.

•  San Jose Ranch House

Its construction dates from late 17th century. The ranch house warms and keeps the traditional style of the old farms of the south coast. Its main attractions are the Baroque altar of the chapel and the catacombs through which the slaves were led blindfolded to prevent escaping.

                                         

                         Gastronomy of the zone

Ø The typical dishes from the province of Ica are:

·         Pallares:  A variety of long and very tasty beans which prepares spiced with chili and stew.

·         Morusa: mashed beans with beef or 
     pork roast.

·        Picante de pallares: Spicy stew of beans with milk, egg and cheese  fresh.

·  Carapulcra:  Dried potatoes and cooked pork and chicken, chili pepper and sunflower, garlic and other spices.

Ø  Typical drink of the area

  

    ·         Pisco:  is a drink made from grape, originally from Peru and liquor flagship.

    ·         Cachina: is a liqueur made ​​from the fermented grape juice.

Ø  Typical desserts of the area:

·  Tejas: Traditional sweet made ​​with dried lemon, figs, pecans, caramel and filled with a coverage and sugar candy.

·         Chapanas:  Sweet cassava flour and molasses.

Ø  The fruits that are plant in the area are:

    ·         Tangelo: is a kind of citrus and taste like a tangerine, but more juicy.

  ·     Mandarina: It is more like citrus orange, though smaller in size but has a more aromatic flavor.

                      When do they eat this food? Why?

•     Beans: People in Ica eat beans because it had a big experience many years ago, when the people harvested the beans but many people don’t eat because they said it lookslike a white man.
•      Morusa: This food originates from the colonial era, when people in Ica worked with African slaves for years and the people learned tocook. This food is important because it is very singular and exquisite and people like eating it. Ica people eat this food when Ica has celebration and parties of the people. 
•     Picante of beans: The picante of beans is an exquisite food in Ica, the people eat with spices and seasonings and an important ingredient is chicken. This can be fried or grilled, it depends on the person.
•     Carapulcra:  The carapulcra is a very important food. It is the fusion of African people and townspeople food, also called “mancha pecho”. The preparation is different in Chincha, Ica and Cañete because there are different forms for cooking. In Chincha the carapulcra is the food which the people eat every day but in celebration always cook carapulca and sopaseca. The most important celebration is “El Señor de Luren” in October and the days of Ica in June. In el Carmen the carapulcra is the most important food for the people and many woman cook for all family and tourist. People say this cook is very exquisite in this town.
•           Pisco:  Pisco is the typical drink of Ica especially in Pisco city. It is an aperitif in all food. It is very nice and this drink generates the appetite for the delicious food. The celebration of pisco is in 5 of February. The drink is preparated with a grape and is very delicious.  The pisco is recognized in all world and this drink has won many awards.

•           Cachina: The cachina is a drink preparated also from grape but is very important in Chincha. It is cheaper and the people drink with their food. The people also drink as an aperitif and celebration of family and the town. In June the people produced more Cachina for the days of Ica.
•      Tejas: Created by Doña Elena Soler de Panizo with seven children in 1974,   she was popular because she brought the tejas to Ica and many people ate. The people bought them for eating athome with the family or for a gift. The tejas are eaten in any time.

•       Chapanas:  Chapanas is a fusion with African people and people of Ica in the colonial era. People prepared them because the ingredient was a cheaper and all people can buy it.  The chapana is popular because the people learned to cook it.

•       Tangelo: The tangelo orange is a special fruit in Ica. It is important because they have more juice and many people used  juice  also for cocktails. The production is in December to April. This is a special time for eating and  exporting.              The tangelo like because it is a citric fruit and help to facethe hot summer in Ica.

•     Mandarin: Ica is a main productor of mandarin. People in Ica eat this fruit in November to February because it is the best time of year. The people say you can only eat the mandarin at those times because it changes the flavor.

•