ATV Riding in Huacachina Desert: Dune Buggy & Sandboarding

Drive the dunes yourself, then slide back down on a board

An hour of dune buggy riding in the Huacachina Desert near Ica, where you operate the vehicle over sand hills and then practice sandboarding on the slopes. The experience includes a guide in English or Spanish, children from age 4 onward, and an optional sunset viewing from the desert. Public transport to the meeting point is available nearby.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dune Buggy and Sandboarding Adventure

• Ride dune buggy through Ica desert
• Go up and down desert dunes
• Practice sandboarding on dunes
• Optionally watch sunset over desert

The experience

You spend an hour driving a dune buggy through the Huacachina Desert, steering up and down the sand dunes yourself. The vehicle does the work of climbing the steep faces. Your job is to hold on and steer through the turns. The landscape is the Canyon of the Lost, a stretch of open sand with no vegetation, just the dunes rising and falling around you.

After the buggy ride, you switch to a sandboard and practice on the slopes. It works like snowboarding but on sand, and the operator notes you can choose whether to do it or skip it. If you stay until late afternoon, you can watch the sunset from the desert before heading back to Ica. A guide leads the activity in English or Spanish, and the group is small enough that children as young as four can join.

The operator notes that public transportation options are available near the meeting point, so you don't need a private transfer if you're staying in Ica. The activity is not suitable for people with spinal injuries or serious cardiovascular conditions, but it works for all other fitness levels.

What’s included

• One hour of dune buggy riding where you operate the vehicle.
• sandboarding on the dunes with the option to participate or skip.
• a panoramic view of Huacachina.
• a guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 16:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 29

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by Huacachina Tours

Is this one for you?You operate the dune buggy yourself, so this suits anyone who wants to drive rather than ride as a passenger. The sandboarding is optional, which means you can focus on the buggy ride alone if you prefer, or combine both activities depending on what appeals to you.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Canyon of the Lost like?

The Canyon of the Lost is an open stretch of the Huacachina Desert with no vegetation, just sand dunes rising and falling. It's the landscape where you ride the dune buggy and practice sandboarding.

Do I have to sandboard, or can I skip it?

Sandboarding is optional. You can choose to practice on the slopes after the buggy ride or skip it and rest instead.

How do I get to the meeting point from Ica?

Public transportation options are available nearby the meeting point, so you can reach it without booking a private transfer if you're staying in Ica.

Can I watch the sunset during this activity?

If you book an afternoon or late-day departure, you have the option to stay and watch the sunset from the desert before returning to Ica.