The Ica Region Southwest Peru has a very diverse geography, with coastal planes on the west and the Andes mountains to the east.
In between you find arid deserts with  moving sand dunes while along the rivers vine yards and other agricultural products florish. Pisco is made from the local grapes.
 
Humans settled here well before 10000 BP and later developed into several different cultures with the Paracas as most important one. 
From the 15th century it was part of the mighty Inca Empire untill the conquistadors under Pizarro arrived and spoiled the party.
 
In  August 2007 a majorearthquake rocked the area around Ica, leaving hundreds dead and causing much damage
 
The Nazca lines are world famous but also the Paracas Peninsula and the nearby Islas Ballestos are very well worth a visit.
 
We toured the Ica Region in September 2010.
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Paracas Peninsula
Paracas to Nazca
Islas Ballestas
Nazca lines