ATV riding in Huacachina: Private UTV dune racing

Pilot a Can-Am or Polaris through towering sand ridges, then slide down them on a board

ATV riding in Huacachina pairs you with a professional driver in a private UTV (either a Can-Am or Polaris depending on availability) for 50 minutes of dune racing through Peru's South Coast desert. You sit as a passenger while the driver handles the machine, hitting high-speed runs across the sand and stopping for recreational sandboarding on the dunes. A guide speaks English or Spanish throughout, and the 6 p.m. departure includes a sunset view, weather permitting.

The experience

You ride in a private UTV piloted by a driver trained specifically in dune handling, which means the machine stays under control even when the sand shifts beneath it. The 50-minute run covers the dunes surrounding Huacachina, with the driver pushing speed through the open terrain while you experience the acceleration and the sight lines across the desert. The vehicle itself (either a Can-Am or Polaris, whichever is available on your booking date) is built for this landscape, and the operator keeps safety as the constant through every climb and descent.

Midway through the ride, the UTV stops at a sandboarding zone where you get out and slide down the dunes on a board, feeling the speed and the sand underfoot before climbing back in for the return run. The evening departure at 6 p.m. times the ride to catch the desert light as it fades, though weather can shift that view. Children from age 3 are welcome, and the activity accommodates guests using wheelchairs with assistance, though you stay in the vehicle throughout the ride for safety, so the experience is watching and feeling the dunes move past rather than stepping out to explore them.

A professional driver and permanent safety support run the whole experience, which means you focus on the ride itself rather than managing the machine. The operator notes that spinal injuries, pregnancy and poor cardiovascular health make this activity unsuitable, so check your own situation before booking. Public transport reaches Huacachina, and service animals are allowed on the ride.

What’s included

• Professional driver specialized in dune handling.
• private UTV (Can-Am or Polaris, depending on availability).
• 50 minutes of dune racing.
• recreational sandboarding stop.
• permanent safety support throughout.
• English or Spanish-speaking guide.
• sunset viewing opportunity on the 6 p.m. departure (weather dependent).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Guia2 Perú

Is this one for you?You ride as a passenger with a professional driver at the controls, which means you experience the speed and the dunes without operating the machine yourself: ideal if you want the adrenaline of dune racing without the learning curve or the physical demand of steering. The private UTV keeps the experience just for you and your group, so there's no sharing the ride or waiting for other passengers.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years). Under 3: they 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.

Can I drive the UTV myself, or does a driver operate it?

A professional driver trained in dune handling operates the UTV throughout the 50-minute ride. You sit as a passenger and experience the speed and terrain while the driver manages the machine, which keeps safety consistent across every run and turn.

What happens during the sandboarding stop?

Midway through the ride, the UTV stops at a dune where you get out and slide down the sand on a recreational board. You then climb back into the vehicle to continue the dune runs for the rest of the experience.

Does the 6 p.m. departure really catch the sunset?

The evening slot is timed to let you see the desert light fade, but weather conditions affect visibility. The operator lists sunset as a possibility rather than a guarantee, so clear skies matter.

Can I stay in the vehicle the whole time, or do I have to get out?

You stay in the UTV during the dune runs for safety. The only time you exit is at the sandboarding stop midway through, where you slide down a dune before returning to the vehicle for the rest of the ride.