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According to myth, the lagoon at HUACACHINA , about 5km southwest of Ica, was created when a princess stripped off to bathe, but, on looking into a mirror, saw that a male hunter was watching her; startled, she dropped the mirror, which turned into the lagoon. The princess eventually became a siren who still comes out at night under the full moon to sing her ancient sacred songs. More prosaically, during the late 1940s, it became one of Peru's most elegant and exclusive resorts, surrounded by palm trees, sand dunes and waters famed for their curative powers, and a delightfully old-world atmosphere. Since then the lagoon's subterranean source has grown erratic and it is supplemented by water pumped up from artesian wells, making it less of a thick, viscous syrup. However, it is still red in colour (and apparently radioactive) and retains considerable mystique, making it a quiet, secluded spot to relax. The curative powers of the lagoon attract people from all over: mud from the lake is reputed to cure arthritis and rheumatism if you plaster yourself all over with it; and the sand around the lagoon is also supposed to benefit people with chest problems such as asthma or bronchitis, so it's not uncommon to see locals buried up to the neck in the dunes. Sand dune surfing on the higher slopes is all the rage and you can rent wooden boards or foot-skis for around $2 an hour from the cafes along the shoreline.
Huacachina OasisEnrique says "Ica is a beautiful city located in the southern part of Peru, in the middle of a green valley surrounded by the desert. This wonderful city stands out thanks to its warm climate, gorgeous white sand dunes and to a mysterious lagoon, known by the locals as Huacachina. On this spot visitors may explore the surroundings of the lagoon or go for a ride with buggies out in the desert and practice one of the ultimate sports in our country “Sandboarding”.
This city also has one of the best museums of our country, “The Regional Museum”, which displays stunning relics and mummies bundles from the various cultures that flourished in the south of Peru, including the Paracas, Nazca, Wari and Inca Culture. In addition, visitors may spend a great time at one of the traditional vineyards located in the countryside and learn how Peruvians prepare our delicious “Pisco Sour”. For good photos visit mysteryperu.com"
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