Dune buggy riding in Huacachina with wine and pisco tastings

Operate a dune buggy across the Huacachina dunes while the sun drops toward the sand.

A full-day tour in Ica and Huacachina that pairs winery visits with dune buggy riding. You taste piscos and wines at Tacama (South America's oldest winery) and El Arrabal, then drive a sand buggy through the desert surrounding the Huacachina oasis at sunset. A guide leads the route, pickup from your hotel is included, and tastings happen at each stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Tacama Vineyard1h
2. Canyon of the LostEntry included2h

Wine tasting and dune buggy adventure

• Visit Hacienda Tacama or Vista Alegre
• Taste wines and piscos at winery
• Visit El Arrabal Winery estate
• Learn about pisco and wine history
• Optional lunch at winery restaurant
• Go to Huacachina Oasis
• Ride dune buggies in desert
• Try sandboarding on dunes

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel in Ica and a visit to Hacienda Tacama, the oldest winery in South America. You walk the vineyard, learn how the grapes become pisco and wine, and taste the products (sparkling wines, piscos and still wines) at the bar. On Mondays when Tacama closes, you visit Hacienda Vista Alegre instead, which operates the same way. The second stop is El Arrabal, a smaller winery set among fruit trees and horses, where you taste artisan piscos and wines in a more intimate setting. A restaurant sits on the grounds if you want lunch (you pay separately).

From there the route heads to Huacachina, the desert oasis ringed by dunes. You get into a dune buggy, a small open sand cart, and ride for roughly two hours on normal days (about one hour on Peruvian public holidays). The buggy climbs and drops the dunes while you hold on. The ride ends as the sun sets over the sand. After the buggy ride, you can try sandboarding, which here means lying on a board and sliding down the dunes in the traditional way. Professional sandboarding equipment is available to rent separately if you want to stand up and ride.

The guide speaks English or Spanish and manages the timing so everything fits into the afternoon and early evening. Transport back to your hotel or the bus station wraps up the day. Bring sunscreen and water. The dunes are exposed and the buggy ride is bumpy.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport in Ica.
• tastings of piscos and wines at both Tacama and El Arrabal.
• dune buggy ride through the Huacachina desert at sunset.
• sandboarding practice on the dunes.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Lasts 6h–7h, runs every day at 10:30, from US$ 46.16 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish, in groups of up to 10 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 34 pickup points.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 9.40

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Sam Travel Experiences

Is this one for you?Choose the full-day option if you want to combine wine tastings in Ica with dune buggy riding in one trip. Pick the buggy-only version if you prefer just the desert driving and sandboarding without the winery stops.

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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 Tacama and why does the tour start there?

Hacienda Tacama is South America's oldest winery, located in Ica, and the tour begins there so you can taste the wines and piscos it produces. The vineyard uses fine grapes and makes sparkling wines alongside traditional pisco. On Mondays when Tacama is closed, the tour visits Hacienda Vista Alegre instead.

How long does the dune buggy ride last?

The buggy ride typically lasts about two hours on regular days. On Peruvian public holidays, it runs for approximately one hour instead.

What is sandboarding and do I have to do it?

Sandboarding in Huacachina means lying on a board and sliding down the dunes. It is a traditional way to ride the sand. You can try it after the buggy ride, but it is optional. Professional sandboarding equipment (to stand and ride) can be rented separately for an additional fee.

Is lunch included in the tour?

No, lunch is not part of the tour price. El Arrabal, the second winery, has a restaurant on-site where many travelers eat after the vineyard visit, but you pay for your meal separately.

What should I know about the buggy ride before booking?

The dune buggy is an open sand cart that bounces over the dunes, so it is not smooth. The ride is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers. Children are welcome from age 4 and up.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in Ica is included. At the end of the day, the guide arranges transport back to your hotel or to the bus station, whichever you prefer.