Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip: Ballestas Islands Desert Tour

Ballestas Islands, wine tasting, and desert dunes in one long day

This full-day tour from Lima combines three distinct Peruvian Coast experiences: a boat tour of Ballestas Islands to see sea lions and Humboldt penguins, a winery tasting in Ica, and time at Huacachina oasis where you can ride buggies across the desert or try sandboarding. Hotel pickup from central Lima neighborhoods is included, with return around 10 or 11 p.m. the same day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Paracas, Ica and Huacachina tour

• Pick up from hotels in Lima
• Visit Ballestas Islands by boat
• Taste regional sweets in Paracas
• Visit winery in Ica and wine tasting
• Free time for lunch in Ica
• Visit Huacachina oasis and adventure sports
• Stop at Huacachina viewpoint for photos
• Free time for shopping at Huacachina
• Return to Lima and drop off at hotels

The experience

Hotel pickups start early from Miraflores, San Isidro or Barranco (times vary by location, you'll be given your specific window). The drive to Paracas takes you south along the coast. Once at the tourist pier, you board a modern boat for roughly two hours on the water around Ballestas Islands, where you'll watch sea lions hauled out on rocks, spot Humboldt penguins, and see guano birds. The boat also passes the Candelabro geoglyph carved into the hillside. Back on shore, there's time to taste regional sweets and take photos before moving inland.

The route then heads to Ica, where you visit a winery, typically Bodega Nietto or a similar operation depending on availability. You'll taste different wines and pisco (the local brandy), each tasting paired with regional snacks. Lunch is on your own at a restaurant nearby. This meal is not included in the tour price. After Ica, the drive continues to Huacachina oasis, a small desert settlement built around a freshwater lagoon. Here the day splits: those interested in adventure can book a buggy ride (also called a tubular) that takes you across the sand dunes, or try sandboarding down the slopes. Others can simply walk around the oasis and use the viewpoint for photos. There's free time to browse local shops before the long return drive to Lima, which arrives around 10 or 11 p.m. depending on traffic.

The entire tour runs 17 to 18 hours door-to-door, with an air-conditioned vehicle throughout. A live guide speaks English and Spanish. Children from age 4 are welcome. The pace is full and the day ends late, but the route packs three distinct landscapes (rocky coast, wine country, and desert) into a single departure from Lima.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• hotel pickup from central Lima neighborhoods (Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco) with a maximum 5–10 minute wait at each stop.
• boat tour of Ballestas Islands lasting about 1 hour 50 minutes.
• regional sweets tasting in Paracas.
• winery visit in Ica with wine and pisco tastings and regional snacks.
• free time at Huacachina oasis with access to the viewpoint.
• live guide in English and Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Youth (11 to 15 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 37

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 5 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Peru Viajero - Lima

Is this one for you?Book this if you have one full day and want to see three regions (coast, wine valley, desert) in a single trip. The 17–18 hour commitment lets you cover Paracas, Ica, and Huacachina without managing separate transport between each.

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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: Youth (11 to 15 years); Child (4 to 10 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What animals will I see on the Ballestas Islands boat tour?

The Ballestas Islands boat tour lasts about 1 hour 50 minutes and you'll see sea lions resting on the rocks, Humboldt penguins, and guano birds. The boat also passes the Candelabro geoglyph etched into the hillside above the water.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included. You'll have free time in Ica after the winery tasting to eat at a local restaurant at your own expense. Regional sweets are provided in Paracas and snacks accompany the wine and pisco tastings.

Can I do the buggy ride and sandboarding at Huacachina, or do I have to choose one?

At Huacachina oasis, buggy rides across the dunes and sandboarding are both optional activities available during your free time there. You can do either, both, or neither. The choice is yours. These activities are not included in the base tour price.

What time will I return to Lima?

The tour returns to your hotel or boarding point in Lima around 10 or 11 p.m., depending on traffic and any optional stops the guide may suggest on the drive back. The total tour duration is 17 to 18 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What's included in the winery tasting in Ica?

The winery visit includes tastings of different wines and pisco (the regional brandy), each accompanied by typical regional snacks. The winery is usually Bodega Nietto or a similar operation depending on availability and group size.