Three wineries, one pisco passport. This Ica tour connects Tacama, Lazo, and El Catador with tastings plus real, visible parts of Peruvian wine and pisco production.

I love how the tasting lineup stays broad, with pisco, wine, and Cachinas across multiple stops. I also love the settings, from Tacama’s bell tower views to Lazo’s historic Spanish cava dating to the 16th and 17th centuries.

One thing to consider: the experience depends on hotel pickup, and a verified booking reported no pickup happened (they still received a refund). Also, there’s a bell tower climb and it’s not suited for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Three wineries in Ica’s wine district: El Catador, Lazo, and Tacama, all in one guided circuit
• Generous tastings included: pisco, wine, and Cachinas during the visits
• A 16th/17th-century Spanish cava at Lazo: plus a rustic museum with unusual artifacts
• Tacama’s bell tower panoramas: crop fields stretching out over the Ica oasis
• Small group size (max 10): easier conversation with a bilingual guide in English/Spanish

Ica’s Pisco and Wine Circuit: what you’re really paying for

This tour is priced at $35 per person, and the value is tied to three things: transportation with hotel pickup, visits to three major wineries, and tastings that are included rather than treated like a shopping trap. In other words, you’re paying for access—guides who can explain what you’re seeing, plus time inside places you’d struggle to piece together on your own without a car.

You’ll also get a small-group feel. With a maximum of 10 participants, you’re not just standing in a long line while someone reads a script. You can ask questions, compare what you taste at each stop, and actually notice details like the stills, storage vessels, and historic cellar structures.

The duration is listed as 3 days, but the tasting route itself is clearly built around a winery circuit in Ica. If you’re trying to fit this into a tight itinerary, confirm the exact pickup time and how long each winery stop lasts before you commit.

Hotel pickup and en-route storytelling with Sierra Travel

The tour includes hotel pickup and return to your hotel or the bus terminal, which matters in Ica because you want to start tasting without spending your morning on logistics. It also sets the tone: you’re in a guided bubble for the drive and stops.

There’s also a strong signal from one of the verified experiences: a pickup by Señor William came with more than just transportation. The guide reportedly shared context while passing important places on the way, with explanations tied to Peruvian culture and the stops ahead. That’s exactly the kind of bonus that makes a pisco day feel like a story, not just a checklist.

That said, there’s one caution flag. A verified booking reported they were not picked up from the indicated meeting point, even though their money was refunded correctly. If you book, treat pickup like a real appointment: double-check your exact pickup location instructions and keep an eye on time the day of.

Bodega El Catador: handcrafted pisco tastings and classic styles

Your first winery stop is Bodega El Catador, an artisanal place focused on handcrafted pisco production. This is where the tour shifts from tasting as a fun activity into tasting as a way to learn. You’re not only sampling; you’re being shown how the product is made in a small, hands-on style.

Expect a guided introduction first, then tastings of award-winning varieties. Two highlights are built into the tasting lineup: the signature semi-prepared Pisco Sour and Pisco Cream. If you like the idea of trying pisco in forms you might not find everywhere—especially mixed or cream-based styles—this stop is the one to pay attention to.

Practical note: tasting pisco and wine can add up quickly, even if the pours are paced. If you plan to do more sightseeing the same day, take it slow here and save your energy for the scenic moments at Tacama.

Lazo Winery: tasting in a historic Spanish cava and rustic museum

Next up is Lazo Winery, where you’ll sample a range of wines and piscos. This stop stands out because it’s not only about tasting bottles—it’s about architecture and atmosphere.

The centerpiece is a historic Spanish cava from the 16th and 17th centuries. Standing in a cellar like this changes how you think about aging and storage, because you can see the physical space that shaped the way wine and spirits were kept over time.

Lazo also adds a museum element that’s unusual in a good way: a rustic museum with artifacts that include mummified trophy heads, ceramics, goldsmith work, and weapons from different eras. It’s not a quiet, white-wall museum. It’s more like a window into local collecting and eras of history.

What I like about this stop is the variety of contrasts: wine and pisco tasting plus a museum that feels tied to the valley’s past. It makes Lazo feel less like a “quick sip and move on” venue.

Tacama Winery: bell tower views, stills, botijas, and Peru’s oldest vineyard

Then comes Tacama Winery, and it’s the most “wow” stop in the circuit. You begin with a climb to the bell tower for panoramic views over the crop fields. If the weather is clear, these views give you a real sense of why Ica is known for wine and pisco: fertile land surrounded by desert, made productive by the oasis.

Along the way, you learn about instruments used in wine and pisco production. This is useful because it turns what could feel like a tasting-only stop into something more practical: you start recognizing tools, not just flavors.

Once you’re inside, you’ll observe stills and botijas while tasting at the Tacama vineyard. Tacama is located in an old hacienda in the valley, and the estate is tied to a colonial-era setting, with a colonial estate built in the 16th century. Those details matter because they explain why Tacama isn’t just a modern production site—it’s part of a long-running wine tradition.

Here’s the fact that makes Tacama particularly meaningful: it’s established in the Ica oasis and is described as the oldest vineyard in Peru, spanning 180 hectares. It’s also positioned about 300 km from Lima and 400 meters above sea level—facts that help you picture the geography behind the product.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to remember places by a single image, aim to focus on the bell tower view. It’s the moment your photos will make sense later.

What you’ll drink: pisco, wine, and Cachinas (and how to pace it)

Your tastings are designed to be generous across the day. The tour includes pisco, wine, and Cachinas, with each winery contributing its own style and tasting lineup. That structure is a big part of the fun because you can compare how the same region’s spirit and wine culture shows up in different houses.

Also, pay attention to how the tour sequences your tastings. You start with a pisco-focused artisanal stop at El Catador, then move through Lazo’s broader wine-and-pisco sampling, and finish at Tacama where you get those colonial visuals and production details like stills and botijas.

A simple pacing strategy helps a lot: try one thing you’re curious about first, then circle back for your favorites. That way you don’t end the day realizing you missed the best style because you were already full.

One practical rule to keep in mind: smoking isn’t allowed, and alcoholic drinks in the vehicle aren’t allowed. You’re tasting at the wineries; the ride is meant to stay clean and comfortable.

Comfort and practical prep for Ica heat and winery walking

This tour is active enough that your body matters. You should bring comfortable shoes and expect walking around winery grounds and during viewpoints. Tacama’s bell tower climb is the obvious reason to wear shoes you can trust.

Bring a hat and sunscreen—Ica sun can be intense, and you’ll spend meaningful time outdoors for views. A camera is worth it because the bell tower panoramic shot and the cellar settings at Lazo are photo-friendly.

If you have a mobility limitation or you’re pregnant, this is marked as not suitable. That aligns with the reality that you’ll be moving around older facilities and doing a climb at Tacama.

Small group size: easier conversation, fewer delays

With a group limited to 10, you’ll likely get more personalized interaction with the guide. That matters when the experience includes tastings plus historical or production explanations. Instead of waiting for the group pace, you can hear details and ask short follow-ups.

It also tends to make bathroom breaks and timing more manageable. In a region built around winery stops, small group tours run smoother because the logistics are easier to control.

If you’re the type who likes to ask questions while you taste—like what makes one pisco style different from another—you’ll appreciate this format.

The guide matters: why the en-route stories can change the day

One of the best clues from the verified experience is that the guide’s attitude made a difference. Señor William reportedly didn’t treat the route as dead time. Instead, he shared explanations while passing key spots and suggested food afterward, which helps you keep your day moving once the tour ends.

That kind of guidance is especially useful in Ica, where wine and pisco are more than souvenirs. It’s part of a broader local identity, and the guide’s explanations help you connect flavors to place.

There’s one more personal detail worth noting from that same experience: support with caring for a perrito while doing the pisco tours. Not every tour scenario will involve pets, but it’s a hint that the team can be flexible and attentive.

Should you book this Tacama and pisco tasting tour?

Book it if you want a straightforward Ica wine-and-pisco day with hotel pickup, a small group, and included tastings at three wineries. I’d especially recommend it if you care about context—Tacama’s oldest-vineyard status, Lazo’s centuries-old cava, and El Catador’s artisanal pisco focus give you more than just flavors.

Skip it or reconsider if pickup reliability is your biggest stress point. One verified booking had no pickup and still got a refund, but the hassle is real. Also, if you can’t handle climbing (Tacama’s bell tower) or you need mobility-friendly access, this tour isn’t listed as suitable.

FAQ

What’s included in the tour?

Hotel pickup, visits to Bodega El Catador, Lazo Winery, and Tacama Winery, a tasting room experience, and return to your hotel or the bus terminal. Tastings are included during the winery stops.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is listed as $35 per person.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as 3 days, with starting times depending on availability.

Are tastings included?

Yes. You’ll enjoy generous tastings of pisco, wine, and Cachinas as part of the experience at the wineries.

Which wineries will I visit?

You’ll visit Bodega El Catador, Lazo Winery, and Tacama Winery.

What languages are the guides available in?

The live tour guide is available in English and Spanish.

What’s the group size?

The tour is limited to a small group of up to 10 participants.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, a camera, and sunscreen.

Is smoking allowed?

No, smoking is not allowed.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

It’s not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

Are there rules about alcohol during the ride?

Alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. Tastings happen at the wineries.

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