Lima to Nazca Lines, Paracas & Huacachina: Flight, Dune Buggy, Pisco

Summary

Ballestas wildlife cruise, pisco tasting and sandboarding adventure from Lima

You’ll wake before sunrise in Lima and end up flying above ancient geoglyphs by midday—the kind of day trip where sea lions bark at your boat near Paracas, you taste fiery pisco straight from an Ica vineyard barrel, then race dune buggies across Huacachina’s golden sands before sleeping under desert stars. It’s two days that feel oddly bigger than they are.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the bus to be so quiet at 6am—everyone half asleep, clutching coffee or just staring out at Lima’s foggy streets. But as we rolled south along the Pacific, our guide Carla started telling stories about Paracas fishermen and how they read the sea (she swears they can smell a storm coming). By the time we reached Paracas, the sun was up and I could actually smell salt and diesel from the harbor. The speedboat out to the Ballestas Islands was loud—wind in my face, birds everywhere. Sea lions barked at us like grumpy old men. Someone pointed out a penguin waddling between rocks. I still hear that sound sometimes when I close my eyes.

Afterwards we drove inland to an old vineyard in Ica—dusty air, grape vines tangled everywhere. Our host poured pisco into tiny glasses and explained (with a lot of pride) how each batch is different. I tried to say “salud” in Spanish and everyone laughed—not sure if it was my accent or just the mood. The pisco burned but left this sweet aftertaste. Then Huacachina appeared out of nowhere—a green lagoon surrounded by monster sand dunes. It looked fake for a second, like someone dropped an oasis in the middle of nowhere. We climbed into dune buggies with engines that rattled your teeth and shot up dunes so steep you couldn’t see over the edge until suddenly you were flying down. Sandboarding is harder than it looks—I ate sand twice before figuring it out.

The next morning came too early (I barely slept—dunes outside my window looked silver in moonlight). We piled into a shuttle for Nazca. The drive felt endless but watching desert colors shift was weirdly calming. At Nazca airport, there’s this nervous energy—everyone clutching passports and peering at little planes lined up on cracked tarmac. The flight itself? Wild. The pilot banked hard left then right so both sides could see giant shapes carved into earth—monkey, hummingbird… even hands waving up at us? You get this strange feeling: who made these? Why? The desert below looked empty but alive somehow.

On the way back to Lima I scrolled through photos—sea lions mid-yawn, sand stuck to my shoes, those impossible lines in Nazca—and realized I’d squeezed three worlds into two days without feeling rushed (though my legs disagreed). Carla said Peru always leaves you with questions; she’s probably right.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lima to Paracas and Huacachina

• Depart Lima early morning
• Travel south along Pacific coast
• Arrive in Paracas beach town
• Boat tour to Ballestas Islands
• See sea lions and penguins
• Spot Candelabra geoglyph
• Visit Ica vineyard and distillery
• Guided pisco tasting session
• Arrive at Huacachina Oasis
• Free time to explore oasis
• Dune buggy ride on sand dunes
• Sandboarding down dunes

Day 2 — Huacachina to Nazca and Lima

• Depart Huacachina early morning
• Travel to Nazca desert region
• Flight over Nazca Lines geoglyphs
• Optional visit to Cantalloc Aqueducts
• Return trip to Huacachina
• Short break in Huacachina
• Board bus to Lima in evening
• Arrive back in Lima late night

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this 2 day tour from Lima?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Lima for this tour.

How long is the flight over the Nazca Lines?

The scenic flight over the Nazca Lines lasts approximately 30-40 minutes.

Do I need my passport for the Nazca Lines flight?

Yes, your original passport is required for check-in before boarding the flight.

Is lunch included during the tour?

No set lunch is included; however, there is a guided pisco tasting at a vineyard in Ica.

Are there restroom facilities on board the bus?

Yes, air-conditioned buses have restrooms on board for passenger comfort.

What physical level is needed for sandboarding in Huacachina?

The activity is suitable for all fitness levels; minimum age is 7 years old.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap; strollers/prams are allowed.

When does the tour return to Lima?

The bus returns to Miraflores around 11:30 pm to midnight; later if staying downtown.

What’s included

Your two-day adventure includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Lima, all air-conditioned transport with onboard Wi-Fi for those long stretches south, a speedboat cruise around Ballestas Islands with wildlife spotting, guided vineyard visit with pisco tasting in Ica’s heartland, an adrenaline-filled dune buggy and sandboarding session at Huacachina (with sunset views), private shuttle transfer to Nazca for your scenic flight over the famous lines (just remember your passport), plus bilingual guides throughout most segments so you never feel lost—even when you’re staring down endless dunes or puzzling over ancient geoglyphs from above.