Day 42 – Monday, March 9, 2026

I thought the breakfast at Gran Hotel Ica would be more lavish than 3 buns with some eggs - guess it was not worth the wait till 7 am. Still, I did not start cycling right after breakfast, but decided to do some traditional sightseeing.

You see, the previous day I was so tired I did not even get informed about the highlights in Ica. One top destination is Huacachina. I almost booked a hotel there - oh well, better planning would have been needed.

So, what is Huacachina? It is a natural desert oasis surrounded by massive sand dunes. I decided to take a tuk tuk there, which was a wise decision - as the roads were bad and traffic was heavy on this Monday morning. It cost me €4 both ways (probably less for locals) and was worth every penny.

What a beautiful and peaceful rea this was! Huacachina is a tiny desert oasis, wrapped in towering dunes that look almost unreal. The lagoon at its center is surrounded by palm trees and a ring of hostels, cafés, and sand‑sports outfitters, giving the place a laid‑back vibe. Well, as said, I almost stayed there when arriving to town the previous evening, but then decided for a hotel in the center of the town. Too bad.

Beautiful oasis...

...surrounded by large dunes

I rode the tuktuk back to my hotel and started riding - and still in Ica, visited a beautiful church. The municipality had a Southern European feeling.

Pretty cathedral

The municipality had a Southern European feeling

On the outskkirts was a collage, this Monday was the start of a new term and the pupils were greeted with a photo ceremony.

Start of a new semester

The actual biking part was less interesting. After Ica - and for the first time on this trip in Peru, the PanAmerican Highway had four lanes and a broad shoulder - it was a bit overcast and the ride was generally downhil, in an area where a fair amount of agricultural farming was taking place.. All good, one might think, except for one thing - the wind. Not too strong, but constant - slowing the progress.

Continuing on the PanAm Highway

I reached the road leading to the seaside town of Pisco. Encouraged by the easy tuktuk ride ih the morning, I left my bike at a car wash and hailed a small cab. This was not a wise decision. Pisco was outright ugly and the beach - full of concrete - was really ugly.

Ugly beach

Well, not the nicest towns

Further south, I gave the beach a second chance - no success this time either. The village, although right on the ocean, was anything but inviting. The land surrounding the village is used as garbage dump.

There was garbage all around

In a town called Chincha Alta, where I found a great accommodation. It is a resort with real comfortable huts - surrounding a big pool. I took a refreshing dip in the evening - that was really nice!

I rode 116 km and ascended just 300 meters.