Huacachina Peru – Ballestas Islands Peru from Lima

Availability Daily departures
Transporte Hotel pickup
Tour Guide Tour guide included
Available languages Spanish, English & Portuguese
Service type Shared service
Cancellation policy Non-refundable
Maximum altitude 645 m.a.s.l.
Difficulty Moderate

We will start our adventure from Lima and drive toward Ica Paracas, enjoying scenic desert and coastal landscapes. We will travel in a private vehicle, ensuring comfort and flexibility. Along the route, we will admire the changing scenery and glimpse small towns along the way.

We will explore the Ballestas Islands Peru, observing abundant marine wildlife including sea lions, guanay birds, and Humboldt penguins. We will see the mysterious Candelabro geoglyph from the water. Our guide will explain the history and ecology of this fascinating coastal area.

Next, we will visit the vineyards of Ica Peru, where we will learn the traditional process of making pisco and wine. We will sample a variety of wines and piscos. We will also enjoy free time to explore the charming surroundings and take photographs.

In the afternoon, we will arrive at the Huacachina Oasis, a beautiful natural lagoon surrounded by golden dunes. We will ride dune buggies across the sand and try sandboarding down the steep slopes. We will capture unforgettable moments in this desert paradise.

This full-day journey combines wildlife, adventure, and cultural experiences. We will return to Lima in the evening with memories of Ica Paracas, Ballestas Islands Peru, and Huacachina Peru.

Itinerary

Day 01 Huacachina Peru - Ballestas Islands Peru from Lima

We will start early from your hotel in Miraflores, Barranco, or San Isidro. We will travel in a private vehicle toward Paracas and Ica, enjoying the scenic drive along Peru’s southern coastline. Along the route, we will admire the desert landscapes and small coastal towns.

Ballestas Islands Peru & Candelabro

We will reach the Paracas port and board a small boat to visit Ballestas Islands Peru. We will see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and guanay birds. We will also observe the Candelabro geoglyph carved into the coastal hill. Our guide will explain the flora, fauna, and history during the 2-hour tour.

Pisco & Wine Route (Tacama + Cultur Pisco / El Huarango)

We will drive to Ica to visit Hacienda Tacama, an industrial winery. We will learn the traditional wine-making process and taste local wines. Then, we will visit Cultur Pisco or El Huarango, artisanal pisco producers, and sample their products. We will have time for a traditional Peruvian lunch (at your own cost) and enjoy the option to relax at the pool at El Huarango.

Huacachina Oasis

We will arrive at Huacachina Peru, a stunning oasis surrounded by golden dunes. We will walk around the lagoon, take photos, and relax. Guests may enjoy the pool at Carola Lodge if desired.

We will walk 10 minutes to the dune port and board dune buggies for an exciting ride across the desert. We will have free time to practice sandboarding on the steep dunes and capture photos of the sunset. Afterward, we will return to Huacachina Peru.

Return to Lima

We will depart Ica and return to Lima in a comfortable private vehicle. The journey will take approximately 4.5 hours. We will drop guests at their hotels in Miraflores, Barranco, or San Isidro, concluding our full day tour.

Details

Duration

16 hours (Start: 6:00 a.m. – Ends: 10:30 p.m.)
Total Distance

645 km
Transfers

3h30 Lima–Paracas / 1h15 Paracas–Ica / 4h30 Ica–Lima
Activities

2h Ballestas boat tour / 1h30 wineries / 2h Huacachina with buggies & sandboarding
Max Altitude

406 m s.n.m.
Average Weather

18°C – 30°C

Important note: Schedules are for reference only. One day before the tour, our operations team will contact you to reconfirm the schedules.

Inclusions

What’s Included

Private transport Lima – Paracas – Ica – Lima (car or minivan depending on group size)
Visit to Ballestas Islands Peru including entrance fees.
Visit to Tacama Vineyard.
Entrance to Tacama for the “Gran Tour Tacama”.
Visit to an artisanal pisco/wine winery.
Visit to Huacachina Peru including tourist tax.
Dune buggy (tubulares) ride and sandboarding activity.
Local guides at each tourist site.

Breakfast.
Lunch.
Tips.
Lima-based tour guide.
Extra personal expenses.

Recommendations

Before Booking

Daily departures.
A minimum of 2 participants per booking is required.
Not valid on public holidays or festive dates.
The transfer service is private.
Tours are conducted in groups.
On Mondays, the Tacama winery is closed; in this case, the Vista Alegre winery will be visited.

Before Traveling

Light jacket or windbreaker for early morning hours.
In Ica it is very hot: hat or cap, sunscreen, and light clothing.
Cash and personal identification documents.

Legal and safety requirements before traveling

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Ica tour last?

The tour usually lasts one full day. We will visit Huacachina Oasis, Ballestas Islands, and Paracas.

What should we bring to Ballestas Islands?

We will need hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and extra clothing to enjoy the marine experience fully.

What is the best time to visit Paracas?

We will recommend traveling from January to July to enjoy warm and sunny weather in Ica.

What is the tour cancellation policy?

We will lose 100% of the tour cost for cancellations made 30 days or less before departure. For cancellations 31 days or more, fees may vary depending on the route and schedule.

How many people are in the group?

We will travel in small groups or private transfers depending on your booking choice.

Is transportation included?

We will provide private vehicle transfers from Lima to Ica and Paracas, as included in the tour package.

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Huacachina Peru – Ballestas Islands Peru from Lima

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$ 697 USD

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Traveler experiences

Hear from Those Who Have Experienced the Magic of Our Tours

4.9 out of 5 from more than 1,200 reviews

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Carmelo G.

jun. 2026 • Parejas

Fue una linda experiencia y un servicio muy profesional de la agencia.

VIAJANDO CON GATITOS

jul. 2026

Recomendamos al 100% la agencia Machu Picchu Peru Tours. Nos atendieron desde el momento en que llegamos y estuvieron pendientes de nosotros durante todo el viaje. La atención al cliente fue excelente, siempre muy amables y atentos. Los hoteles fueron muy buenos y todos los servicios estuvieron muy bien organizados. Sin duda, una excelente opción para conocer Cusco y Machu Picchu. ¡Muchas gracias por hacer de nuestro viaje una experiencia inolvidable!

Agostina Z.

ago. 2026

Muy linda experiencia! El traslado y el guía estuvieron muy bien. Es una caminata exigente pero muy bonita. Estaría bueno tener una media hora más para recuperarse y subir hasta la cima donde salen mejores fotos. Al menos con mi estado físico no me dio el aire para hacer todo tan rápido!

Huacachina Peru – Ballestas Islands Peru from Lima

Itinerary