Ica Tours

Huacachina is the only natural oasis in South America: an emerald-water lagoon surrounded by palm trees and dunes up to 100 meters high, just 5 minutes from the center of Ica. The contrast between the water, the palms and the golden dunes creates one of the most photogenic landscapes in all of Peru.

Ica is also the capital of pisco, Peru’s national spirit. Traditional wineries such as Tacama, Lovera and Vista Alegre have produced pisco and wine since the 17th century in the irrigated valleys of the coastal desert. A visit with tasting is the perfect complement to the adrenaline of sandboarding on the dunes.

Located about 4 hours from Lima along the Pan-American Highway South, Ica and Huacachina combine perfectly with Paracas on a 1–3 day itinerary. Machu Picchu Peru Tours offers a Lima, Paracas & Huacachina Full-Day Tour on a shared service, including a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands.

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Travel guide: Ica

Practical info to plan your visit

Best time to visit

Huacachina and Ica are year-round destinations. The climate is desert with virtually no rain. The months from December to March are the hottest (28-35°C) the dunes in full sun can burn. From May to November temperatures are cooler and more pleasant (18-25°C), with always-clear skies. The best time of day for sandboarding and buggy riding is late afternoon-sunset: the golden light makes for spectacular photos and the heat is less intense.

Getting around

The Huacachina oasis is so small that everything is walkable the entire lagoon is barely 200 meters in circumference. Buggy tours leave directly from the oasis. To reach the center of Ica: taxi S/. 15-20 (15 minutes). Machu Picchu Peru Tours coordinates full transport from Lima to the oasis and back, so you don't have to worry about buses or taxis.

What to pack

SPF 50+ sunscreen and long sleeves: the reflection of the sand in the desert burns twice as much
UV400 sunglasses: the wind kicks up sand constantly
Scarf or buff: to protect nose and mouth on the buggy and sandboarding
Light, comfortable clothing: that you don't mind filling with sand
Closed shoes with thick soles: the sand can burn in full sun; avoid thin sandals
Camera or phone with a good camera: sunset from the dunes is unrepeatable
Cash in soles: buggy, sandboard and local restaurants are cash only
Water bottle: the desert dehydrates quickly

Must-see places

Buggy + sandboarding at sunset: The definitive Huacachina experience. Book ahead in high season (July-August).
Huacachina lagoon at sunrise: No tourists, with golden light over the dunes the most memorable photo of the oasis.
Tacama Winery: Peru's oldest winery. Vineyard tour and pure pisco tasting at the very place it's produced.

Tourism in Ica

Top attractions

Huacachina Oasis
Tacama Winery (founded 1540)
Cerro Blanco (world's tallest dune)
Vista Alegre winery
Huacachina Lagoon

Main activities

Sandboarding on dunes
Sunset 4x4 buggy
Boat ride on the lagoon
Pisco winery visit
Cerro Blanco trekking
Paddleboard in Huacachina
Pisco and wine tasting at winery

Climate in Ica

Arid desert climate with no rain. High temperatures in summer (up to 35 C) and mild in winter. The desert guarantees clear skies all year.

Summer - December to April

22 to 35 C (hot; scorching dunes at midday)

Winter - May to November

15 to 25 C (mild and sunny; ideal for the buggy)

How to get to Ica?

From Lima

Bus: 3.5-4 hours (Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Soyuz)
Plane: No commercial airport

From Paracas

Bus: 1 hour
Plane: N/A

From Nazca

Bus: 2 hours
Plane: N/A

Where to stay in Ica?

5★ Hotels

Huacachina - Desert Nights Camp, Curasi Boutique Hotel

3★ & 4★ Hotels

Huacachina (around the oasis)
Ica center (near the bus terminal)

Where to eat in Ica?

Regional dishes

El Catador (at Vista Alegre winery, with tasting)
Restaurant Moron (Ica center)

National dishes

El Otro Penso (local Ica cuisine)
Los Angeles Restaurant (Ica center)

Festivities in Ica

Tourist events

International Pisco Sour Festival - first Saturday of February

Regional festivities

Ica Grape Harvest - March (the most important in Peru)
Ica Carnival - February

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Ica

What is Huacachina?

Huacachina is the only natural oasis in South America, located 5 minutes from the center of Ica, 300 km south of Lima. It's a small emerald lake surrounded by palm trees and dunes up to 100 meters high. It's famous for sandboarding (sliding down the dunes on a board) and 4x4 buggy tours at sunset.

Is sandboarding in Huacachina worth it?

Yes, especially at sunset. The Huacachina dunes are among the tallest in the world and sunset over the desert from the top is spectacular. The buggy with sandboarding lasts 1.5-2 hours and costs S/. 30-50 per person booked directly at the oasis. Machu Picchu Peru Tours tours include it.

Can you do Huacachina in a day from Lima?

Yes. Leaving at 5-6am from Lima you can reach the oasis before noon, do the buggy at sunset and return to Lima at 10-11pm. Machu Picchu Peru Tours offers this full day from $35 USD, also including Paracas and the Ballestas Islands.

Which pisco wineries should you visit in Ica?

The most recommended are Tacama (Peru's oldest, founded in 1540, with 350 hectares of vineyards), Vista Alegre (impressive colonial architecture) and Lovera (small and artisanal). All offer guided visits with tasting for S/. 20-40 per person.

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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!

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