Explore Ocucaje’s Canyon of the Lost on a private full-day tour from Ica. Walk sedimentary trails through 150-meter gorges, spot scavenging vultures, and see marine fossils from when this desert was ocean.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A pale sun lifts over the Ica dunes as the van turns off the highway and the landscape opens into the Canyon of the Lost. Wind-sculpted ridges cut sharp lines against sky; gullies drop away into a 150-meter gorge where scavenging vultures wheel and the desert smells of warm stone. The walk begins on a sedimentary track — layered cliffs lean inward like pages in a book, and in those layers the coastline of an ancient sea still reads clearly.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
7–8 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness required—comfortable walking on uneven desert terrain and short uphill sections.
Wildlife
History
The exposed cliffs are part of the Pisco Basin, preserving Miocene–Pliocene marine fossils from when the Peruvian coast was submerged; local communities later developed irrigation agriculture around river oases.
Conservation
This desert is ecologically and paleontologically sensitive—stay on trails, don’t collect fossils, and support guides who practice low-impact visitation.
Reserve your spot on the Full Day Tour Canyon of the Lost in Ica Desert today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Hydrate for the heat
Carry 1.5–2 liters of water per person and sip regularly; shade is limited and temperatures can spike mid-morning.
Sun protection is non-negotiable
Use high-SPF sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, and UV sunglasses—reflections off pale sediment intensify exposure.
Stay on the path
Follow the guide and marked trails to avoid fragile fossil beds and prevent erosion of the canyon walls.
Wear stable footwear
Choose hiking shoes with good tread for sandy slopes and uneven rock benches to prevent slips.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Provides traction on loose sand and eroded sediment benches.
Sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen
Protects against intense desert sun during mid-day exposure.
summer
2L reusable water bottle or hydration bladder
Keeps you hydrated through the long, dry sections of the tour.
Compact camera or smartphone with zoom lens
Capture distant vultures and detailed fossil layers from viewpoints.