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

Summary

Fly above the Nazca Lines, meet sea lions in Paracas, ride Huacachina dunes

You’ll wake up on Peru’s southern coast with fresh bakery smells and end soaring above ancient mysteries on a Nazca Lines flight. Taste pisco straight from local vineyards, race dune buggies across Huacachina’s golden slopes, and spot sea lions off Paracas Bay with your guide leading every step. If you want three days that feel packed but real — this is it.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the soft thud of our bags hitting the bus floor in Miraflores. Someone was playing salsa quietly from their phone — not loud enough to annoy anyone, just enough to set a mood. Our guide (his name was Luis, but everyone called him “Lucho”) checked our names and grinned when he saw my attempt at Spanish. We rolled out of Lima before sunrise, city lights fading into that long stretch of Pan-American highway. I kept watching the ocean out the window; it’s weird how quickly the city gives way to open space here.

We stopped at Mirasur Bakery for breakfast — honestly, I didn’t expect much from a roadside place, but the tamales were warm and kind of smoky inside. Lucho insisted we try chicharrón with sweet potato bread. The air smelled like wood smoke and coffee. There was this old man outside selling oranges who winked at us when we left — no idea why that stuck with me. Later at Hacienda San José, we wandered through those underground slave tunnels. It’s hard to describe how heavy that felt; you could hear your own footsteps echoing off stone walls while Lucho explained how these tunnels shaped Afro-Peruvian culture. I still think about that silence down there.

The next morning in Paracas started early — 7:30 AM sharp for the Ballestas Islands speedboat ride. Sea lions barked so loud it made everyone laugh (one woman lost her hat to the wind). We saw penguins waddling between rocks and pelicans gliding overhead; Lucho pointed out the Candelabra geoglyph on a cliffside and told us three different theories about it (he said nobody really knows). The sun was already strong by mid-morning when we crossed into Paracas National Reserve — flamingos feeding in shallow water, desert wind whipping sand across our ankles. Afterward, we drove past vineyards until everything turned green again near Ica.

I’d never tried pisco before — it burns a little at first but then goes sweet if you let it linger. Lunch at the bodega was noisy and full of jokes (Li laughed when I tried to say “salud” in Mandarin — probably butchered it). By late afternoon we hit Huacachina Oasis; palm trees reflected in this weirdly perfect lagoon surrounded by monster sand dunes. The dune buggy ride was pure chaos: sand in your teeth, hair everywhere, everyone screaming like kids. Sandboarding? Let’s just say I fell more than once but got one decent run near sunset — golden light spilling everywhere as far as you could see.

Nazca day meant an early start again — 6:45 AM outside Wild Rover hostel with sleepy faces all around. The drive felt endless but seeing those Nazca Lines from above… It’s hard to explain what it’s like looking down at shapes nobody can fully decode after centuries. Our pilot banked left and right so both sides could see each figure; my stomach flipped but I got my photo of the hummingbird anyway. On the way back, everyone was quiet or scrolling through their photos — maybe trying to make sense of it all before Lima swallowed us up again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel Lima to Paracas

• Pickup from Lima hotel
• Board Peru Hop bus south
• Stop at Mirasur Bakery for breakfast
• Explore Hacienda San José slave tunnels
• Arrive in Paracas, free afternoon

Day 2 — Paracas to Huacachina

• Speedboat to Ballestas Islands
• See Candelabra geoglyph
• Spot penguins, sea lions, birds
• Tour Paracas National Reserve
• Drive to Ica vineyard
• Pisco and wine tasting with lunch
• Arrive Huacachina Oasis
• Dune buggy and sandboarding
• Overnight free time in Huacachina

Day 3 — Huacachina to Lima via Nazca

• Early transfer to Nazca
• Check in at Nazca Airport
• Flight over Nazca Lines
• Optional visit to Cantalloc Aqueducts
• Return shuttle to Huacachina
• Evening bus back to Lima

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Lima to Nazca tour?

Yes, pickup from hotels or hostels in central Lima districts like Miraflores is included.

How long is the flight over the Nazca Lines?

The scenic flight typically lasts about 30-40 minutes depending on weather and air traffic.

Are meals included during the tour?

A light breakfast stop is included on day one and lunch is provided during the vineyard visit; other meals are at your own expense.

What should I bring for sandboarding in Huacachina?

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting sandy, and water.

Is there Wi-Fi on board during transfers?

Yes, high-speed Wi-Fi is available on Peru Hop buses throughout most of the journey.

Can children join the dune buggy tour?

The minimum age for buggy and sandboarding activities is 7 years old.

Do I need my passport for the Nazca Lines flight?

Yes, you must present your original passport at Nazca Airport before boarding your flight.

Are guides bilingual during this trip?

Yes, bilingual guides accompany you throughout guided activities.

What’s included

Your three days include hotel pickup in Lima with comfortable bus transport featuring onboard Wi-Fi; guided entry into secret slave tunnels at Hacienda San José; a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines; a two-hour Ballestas Islands boat tour; guided exploration of Paracas National Reserve; wine and pisco tasting with lunch at a traditional vineyard; an adrenaline-filled dune buggy plus sandboarding session with sunset toast in Huacachina; private shuttle service to Nazca; overnight stays along the route; plus drop-off back in Lima late evening.