Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip from Lima: Wildlife & Desert

Cruise past sea lions and penguins, then race across golden dunes at sunset.

A full-day tour from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina combines a two-hour boat cruise through the Ballestas Islands to spot sea lions and Humboldt penguins, a pisco and wine tasting at a traditional Ica vineyard, and a dune buggy ride with sandboarding across the desert before sunset. The guide speaks English and Spanish; hotel pickup is available as an upgrade, and the group stays under 28 people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Paracas and Huacachina Oasis

• Depart from Lima to Paracas
• Cruise Ballestas Islands wildlife tour
• Visit vineyard for wine and pisco tasting
• Explore Huacachina Oasis and take photos
• Dune buggy ride and sandboarding adventure
• Watch sunset over Huacachina dunes
• Return to Lima

The Experience

The day starts with a drive south from Lima along Peru's Pacific coast toward Paracas. Once you arrive, you board a boat for a two-hour cruise through the Ballestas Islands, where you'll see sea lions hauled out on rocks, Humboldt penguins diving in the water, and seabirds nesting on dramatic rock formations. The boat also passes the Candelabra geoglyph, a mysterious figure carved into the desert hillside centuries ago. This is the wildlife part of the day—no hiking, no scrambling, just watching from the water.

After the islands, you drive inland to Ica and stop at a traditional vineyard for a guided pisco and wine tasting. Peru's famous brandy and local wines are the focus here; you'll have free time afterward to buy lunch from regional dishes before heading to Huacachina. The oasis itself is a small lake ringed by palm trees and towering sand dunes—you get time to walk around, take photos, and soak in the landscape before the desert activities begin.

The dune buggy experience is the adrenaline part. You'll climb and descend massive dunes in an open vehicle, then try sandboarding on the golden slopes. Basic sandboarding equipment is included; you can upgrade to a professional stand-up board if you want. The ride happens in the late afternoon, so you finish as the sun drops over the dunes and turns the sand golden. The return to Lima is a comfortable drive back, with standard drop-off in Miraflores or hotel drop-off as an upgrade.

What’s included

• Two-hour Ballestas Islands boat cruise with sea lion and penguin viewing.
• pisco and wine tasting at a traditional Ica vineyard.
• one-hour dune buggy ride across Huacachina dunes.
• sandboarding with basic equipment and helmet.
• free time to explore Huacachina Oasis.
• comfortable air-conditioned bus with USB ports.
• bilingual English and Spanish guide.
• sunset viewing over the desert.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by HUACACHINA OASIS ADVENTURE

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're fitting three regions into one day and need a shared tour that handles all logistics—you'll see wildlife, vineyards, and desert without managing separate bookings.

Traveler reviews

4.79★★★★★★★★★★

43 verified traveler reviews

5 ★39

4 ★2

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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

The Ballestas Islands cruise takes two hours and passes sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a variety of seabirds in their natural habitat, plus the Candelabra geoglyph carved into the hillside.

Is the dune buggy ride included, or do I pay extra?

The one-hour dune buggy and sandboarding experience is included in all three purchase options. You can upgrade to a two-hour extended desert experience with longer rides and more time on the dunes if you want more adventure.

Can I get picked up from my hotel in Lima?

Hotel pickup is available as an upgrade from selected districts including Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro. Standard meeting point is in Miraflores, with hotel drop-off also available on the return.

How long is the total day, and what time do I return to Lima?

The full experience runs approximately 17.5 hours from departure to return. You leave Lima in the early morning and return in the evening after sunset at Huacachina.

Do I need to bring my own sandboard, or is equipment provided?

Basic sandboarding equipment and helmets are included. You can upgrade to a professional stand-up board for a more advanced experience if you prefer.

Is lunch included, or do I buy it separately?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You have free time at the Ica vineyard to purchase regional dishes from a selection of local options before continuing to Huacachina.