Ica Valley
Hotel Viñas Queirolo
Chosen for its details, its service, and its sense of place.
Discover
Desert, coast and ancient mystery
Paracas & Ica
Peru · Ica
Discover
The Chronicle
Desert, coast and ancient mystery
PeruIcaEspañol
South of Lima, the geography strips away the superfluous to reveal a landscape of raw contrasts. Paracas and Ica are the stage for an eternal dialogue between the ocean and the desert—a place where luxury is defined by the vastness of the horizon and the silence of the dunes.
In the Paracas Reserve, ochre cliffs surrender to a turquoise sea, guarding the enigmatic Candelabro geoglyph and the untamed wildlife of the Ballestas Islands. Inland, the desert becomes monumental in Ica; a sea of golden sand sheltering fertile oases where the perpetual sun ripens the country's most select vines. It is a territory of dualities: the adrenaline of the dunes and the serenity of the vineyard, ancient history etched into the earth and the sophistication of a seaside retreat. Here, time does not simply pass; time is felt in the wind.
Curated by Kada Travel
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"Some places are felt before they are understood. Paracas & Ica is one of them."
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The Territory
Where to go
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Territory · 01 / 03
Paracas Peninsula & Ballestas Islands
Together form Peru’s most extraordinary coastal ecosystem: 335,000 hectares of desert, dramatic cliffs, and cold Pacific waters where red-sand beaches, monumental rock formations, and guano-covered islands provide refuge to an astonishing concentration of marine wildlife. Humboldt penguins, thousands of sea lions, Peruvian pelicans, boobies, and Inca terns thrive in this natural sanctuary often referred to as the “Galápagos of Peru.” We arrange private vehicle access to restricted areas within the Paracas National Reserve, as well as private early-morning boat departures to the Ballestas Islands — before the arrival of the standard tour crowds.
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Territory · 02 / 03
Nazca Lines
Etched between 500 BC and 500 AD by the Nazca civilization, the Lines remain one of archaeology's great mysteries. The spider, the hummingbird, the astronaut: 70 figures and hundreds of geometric lines visible only from altitude. We arrange private two-seater plane overflights at dawn, when light is low and thermals are calm, with expert commentary from a certified Nazca archaeologist on board.
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Territory · 03 / 03
Huacachina
An oasis in the literal sense — a lagoon fed by underground springs, ringed by palm trees and surrounded by dunes that reach 180 metres. Huacachina is also a serious sandboarding destination. We arrange private dune buggy expeditions at sunset, followed by a table set in the dunes as the stars appear.
The Calendar
When to go
May – October: Dry Season (Recommended)
The clearest skies and calmest seas. Coastal fog — the garúa — is minimal. Wildlife is most concentrated at the Ballestas Islands and Paracas cliffs. Temperatures on the coast range from 15 to 22 °C; cool enough for dune hiking, warm enough for the water. Desert nights are cold: 10–14 °C. Book Nazca overflights for early morning to avoid afternoon winds.
November – April: Warmer, More Humid
Southern hemisphere summer brings warmer temperatures (20–28 °C) and occasional coastal clouds that rarely amount to rain. Nazca overflights remain possible; sea conditions can be rougher for Ballestas boat trips. December and January see higher visitor volumes. This period is better for those combining the coast with Machu Picchu during the Lima shoulder season.
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Paracas & Ica
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The Curation
Unique experiences
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Experience · 01 / 05
Vineyard Immersion & Pisco Masterclass
Step inside the most prestigious boutique wineries of the Ica Valley. This is a private encounter with the masters of Pisco and Peruvian wine, where you will learn the secrets of distillation in historic cellars. Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch among the vines in an atmosphere of absolute exclusivity.
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Experience · 02 / 05
Equestrian Heritage: Paso Horses & Marinera
Witness the elegance of the Peruvian Paso Horse in a private presentation at a traditional hacienda. Known for its smooth and rhythmic gait, the horse performs a synchronized choreography with a live Marinera dance. This display of grace and tradition offers a deep connection to the coastal identity.
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Experience · 03 / 05
Sunset Picnic in the Ica Desert
Experience the ultimate "Quiet Luxury" moment as the sun dips below the horizon. We set up a private, high-end camp in the middle of the dunes—away from the crowds—where you can enjoy a gourmet tasting and fine wines under the first stars of the evening.
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Experience · 04 / 05
The Enigma from Above (Nazca Lines Flight)
Board a private aircraft for an exclusive overflight of the Nazca Lines. From the sky, the giant geoglyphs—monkeys, spiders, and hummingbirds—reveal their true scale and mystery. This is a journey observing a legacy that has remained etched in the desert floor for over two millennia.
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Experience · 05 / 05
Private Navigation to the Hidden Coast
Beyond the traditional tours, we arrange private boat expeditions to the most secluded corners of the Paracas National Reserve. Discover sea lion colonies and turquoise coves accessible only by sea, with a tailored service that allows you to explore the Pacific at your own pace.
The Coordinate
Location
Paracas & Ica, Peru-13.8500°, -76.2500°
Kada Unfolded
Notable Paracas & Ica Experiences
Three Unfolded experiences our Travel Directors curate along the southern coast and the desert beyond.
Aerial · Nazca
The Map No One on the Ground Can Read
Private Cessna 207 flight over the Nazca Lines from the María Reiche airport, with an academic pre-flight briefing that transforms the figures from spectacle into interpretation. A Kada Unfolded experience.
Wildlife · Paracas
Before the Day Decides to Begin
Private pre-dawn launch to the Ballestas Islands with a marine biologist — sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and Inca terns before the commercial fleet arrives. Sernanp-compliant, departure at 5:30am. A Kada Unfolded experience.
Heritage · Ica Valley
The Vine That Arrived Before the Republic
Private tasting with the Tacama estate winemaker — the oldest continuously active vineyard in the Americas, founded 1540 in the Ica valley. Quebranta pisco, heritage comedor lunch. A Kada Unfolded experience.
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