ATV Riding in Huacachina: Buggy and Sandboard at Sunset

You drive the buggy, you ride the dunes, you control the speed.

Buggy and sandboard adventure in Huacachina, Ica, where you operate a modern buggy through desert dunes and slide down the highest slopes on a sandboard, all timed for sunset. The activity runs 2 hours and includes pickup from central Ica. A live guide speaks English or Spanish. Luggage storage is available if you're passing through the city. On holidays, the buggy portion shortens to 1 hour and professional sandboard instruction is not available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Buggy ride and sandboarding at sunset

• Ride buggies in Huacachina desert
• Slide down dunes on sandboard
• Enjoy sunset views in Huacachina

The experience

Want to know if you can actually drive the buggy yourself, or does someone else handle it? You drive. The buggy is yours to operate through the Huacachina desert, which means you control the throttle, the line you take down the dunes, and how hard you push. A professional guide rides with you and leads the route, but the machine is in your hands. The whole thing runs from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, timed to catch the sunset over the oasis. That's the window the operator built the schedule around.

After the buggy portion, you move to the sandboard. The guide sets you up on the highest dunes with a beginner sandboard, and you slide down. It's the same desert, the same light, just a different way down. The activity is physical but doesn't require special fitness. The operator says it suits all levels. Pickup is included from your hotel or a central meeting point in Ica, and if you're only passing through, you can leave your luggage in the office during the activity.

One thing to know: if your date falls on a Peruvian holiday, the buggy ride shortens to 1 hour instead of 2, and the professional sandboard instruction doesn't run that day. The sandboard itself is always included for beginners, but the guided instruction on technique is holiday-dependent. Book for a regular day if the full experience matters to you.

What’s included

• Buggy adventure through the Huacachina desert for 2 hours.
• sandboard for beginners with professional guidance on the highest dunes.
• pickup from your hotel or central Ica.
• luggage storage at the office.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (4 to 60 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 19

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.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Visitemos Perú

Is this one for you?The 2-hour window from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm fits a late-afternoon slot in Ica without eating into morning sightseeing or requiring an early start. If you're staying overnight in the city or passing through, the timing leaves the rest of your day open.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can I drive the buggy myself or does a guide drive it?

You drive the buggy. A professional guide rides with you to lead the route and manage safety, but you operate the vehicle through the dunes.

What time of day does the buggy and sandboard adventure run?

The activity runs from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, scheduled for sunset over the Huacachina Oasis. This is the best light for both the buggy ride and the sandboarding.

Is the sandboarding part difficult if I've never done it before?

Sandboarding is included for beginners, and a professional guide teaches you on the dunes. The operator rates the activity suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

How long does the whole activity take, and can I store my bags?

The activity is 2 hours total. If you're passing through Ica, you can store luggage safely in the operator's office during the ride and sandboarding.

What happens if I book on a Peruvian holiday?

On holidays, the buggy portion shortens to 1 hour instead of 2, and professional sandboard instruction is not available. The sandboard itself is still included, but the guided technique coaching does not run.