Canyon of the Lost tour in Ica: 150-meter gorge and fossil walk

Seven hours across dunes, down into a 150-meter gorge, and along fossil-lined walls where an ancient sea once carved the canyon

A full-day tour from Ica to Canyon of the Lost in the Ocucaje desert, with hotel or bus station pickup and an official guide. You travel south through desert valleys, reach the scenic viewpoint overlooking the main gorge where red-headed vultures circle overhead, then walk a sedimentary path lined with extinct marine fossils and oxbow lakes (Ojos de Agua) carved by water that covered Peru millions of years ago. The tour includes guide, shared transport and photography tips. It ends back in Ica by mid-afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour in Ica Desert Canyon

• Pick up from hotel or bus station
• Depart to Ocucaje desert
• Observe desert valley landscapes
• Arrive at Canyon of the Lost viewpoint
• Watch red-headed vultures flying
• Walk along sedimentary path
• See extinct marine fossils
• Visit oxbow lakes (Ojos de Agua)
• Return to Ica city
• Drop off at hotel or bus station

The experience

Pickup starts at 6:30 a.m. from your hotel or Ica bus station, heading south into the Ocucaje desert. By 9 a.m. you reach the scenic viewpoint of Canyon of the Lost, where the main gorge drops roughly 150 meters and red-headed vultures ride the thermals overhead. The canyon itself is the centerpiece: a massive cut through desert rock that opens the landscape in a way photographs do not quite capture.

The walk begins on a sedimentary road where the ground itself tells the story. Extinct marine fossils are visible in the rock face, remnants from when this region was covered by warm ocean water. As you move deeper into the canyon, you reach the oxbow lakes called Ojos de Agua, where the walls still show the waterlines left behind by the ancient sea: horizontal marks etched into the stone that prove how far the water once reached. This paleontological cemetery is one of the largest fossil deposits in the world, and walking through it means standing in a geological record that spans millions of years.

By 11:30 a.m. the group heads back to Ica, arriving by 2:30 p.m. at your hotel or bus station. The tour runs seven to eight hours total, with the bulk of time spent traveling to the canyon and exploring the gorge and fossil sites on foot.

What’s included

• Official guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel or bus station pickup in Ica.
• shared transport to and from the canyon.
• photography tips to capture the gorge and fossil sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 to 50 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Visitemos Perú

Is this one for you?The early 6:30 a.m. start and moderate walking pace suit travelers who want to reach the canyon viewpoint and fossil sites without a strenuous hike, and who are fit enough for uneven terrain and a full day in the desert heat.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What exactly is the Canyon of the Lost and why is it worth the early start?

Canyon of the Lost is a massive gorge in the Ocucaje desert south of Ica with a main chasm roughly 150 meters deep. Red-headed vultures circle overhead, and the walls are lined with extinct marine fossils from when the region was underwater millions of years ago. The early 6:30 a.m. pickup gets you there by 9 a.m. when the light is best for photographs and before the heat peaks.

How much walking is involved and what kind of terrain should I expect?

The walk is moderate and follows a sedimentary path along the canyon floor and walls. You move through fossil-lined rock and reach the oxbow lakes (Ojos de Agua) where you can see the waterlines the ancient sea left behind. The path is not technical climbing, but it does require steady footing on uneven ground and a moderate level of physical fitness.

What does the tour include and what should I bring?

The tour includes hotel or bus station pickup, an official guide in English or Spanish, shared transport, and photography tips. Bottled water, breakfast and lunch are not included, so bring your own water and snacks or plan to eat before departure or after returning to Ica. Wear sturdy shoes, sun protection and a hat.

Are there any restrictions I should know about before booking?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness to walk the sedimentary path and navigate the canyon terrain comfortably.