Lima to Paracas & Huacachina: Ballestas Islands, Dune Buggy, Pisco Tour

Summary

Ballestas wildlife, pisco tasting & sandboarding from Lima

You’ll spot wild sea lions and penguins on a speedboat tour from Paracas, taste pisco straight from Ica vineyards with locals guiding you, then race dune buggies across Huacachina’s golden desert before sandboarding down massive slopes. With hotel pickup, luxury bus comfort, and time to wander Peru’s only desert oasis, this 2-day trip packs wildlife wonder and real adventure into every hour.

What’s the experience like?

“Wait, are those penguins?” That’s what I blurted out when our speedboat cut the engine near the Ballestas Islands — I could smell salt and something fishy (not bad, just real), and there they were: Humboldt penguins waddling between sea lions barking so loud it echoed off the rocks. Our guide, Rosa, grinned and told us locals call this place “the poor man’s Galapagos,” but honestly, it didn’t feel like a compromise. The wind was sharp on my cheeks, and I kept fumbling with my camera because every second there was another bird or splash or weird-shaped rock to see. Someone pointed at the Candelabra geoglyph on the way out — nobody knows who made it or why. That kind of mystery sticks with you.

The drive inland was longer than I expected (I napped a bit — those reclining seats are no joke), but waking up in the Ica vineyards felt like stepping into another country. Rows of sunburnt grapevines under this dry blue sky, the smell of fermenting grapes mixing with dust. We walked through an old distillery where our host poured tiny shots of pisco and tried to teach us how to taste “with your nose first.” Li laughed when I tried to say ‘salud’ in Spanish — probably butchered it. The pisco burned a little going down but left this sweet aftertaste that surprised me.

Huacachina is… surreal? There’s this green lagoon surrounded by palm trees and then just endless dunes all around. Climbing into the dune buggy felt like boarding a rollercoaster; we tore across the sand at speeds that made me yell (not proud). Sandboarding was harder than it looks — I ate a mouthful of sand on my first try but eventually managed a wobbly slide down one of the smaller slopes. The sunset turned everything gold and pink for a few minutes, then cooled fast as night came in. We wandered through the oasis village after, dust in our shoes and hair.

The next morning was slow — some people went back into the dunes but I just sat by the lagoon with coffee and watched local kids chase each other around the water’s edge. It felt peaceful after all that adrenaline. On the ride back to Lima (Wi-Fi actually worked), I scrolled through photos of sea lions and sand dunes and realized how much ground we’d covered in two days. Still thinking about that first salty breeze out by Paracas.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lima to Paracas and Huacachina

• Pickup from Lima hotels
• Drive along Peru’s coastline
• Cruise Ballestas Islands by speedboat
• Spot Candelabra geoglyph
• See sea lions and penguins
• Visit pisco vineyard in Ica
• Tour distillery and taste pisco
• Travel to Huacachina oasis
• Dune buggy across sand dunes
• Sandboard down dunes
• Stroll Huacachina village

Day 2 — Huacachina to Lima return

• Relax and explore Huacachina
• Shop for local souvenirs
• Return to Lima by bus
• Arrive in Miraflores late night

Top questions

How long is the drive from Lima to Paracas?

The drive from Lima to Paracas takes several hours by luxury coach without stops along the way.

Is hotel pickup included for this 2 day tour?

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

Can children join the dune buggy & sandboarding part?

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

What animals can you see at Ballestas Islands?

You can see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, and other marine birds at Ballestas Islands.

Is lunch included during the tour?

A guided pisco vineyard tour with tastings is included; lunch is not specifically mentioned.

What time does the tour return to Lima?

The bus returns to Miraflores around 11:30 pm to midnight; drop-offs outside Miraflores may take longer.

Is Wi-Fi available on the bus during travel?

Yes, high-speed Wi-Fi is available onboard Peru Hop luxury buses throughout the journey.

Are there restrooms on board during transfers?

Yes, luxury buses used for this tour have onboard restrooms for comfort during long drives.

What’s included

Your two-day adventure includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Lima, all entry fees for tours at Ballestas Islands by speedboat (with bilingual guide), a guided pisco vineyard visit with tastings in Ica’s wine region, plus an adrenaline-filled dune buggy ride with sandboarding at Huacachina oasis. You’ll travel comfortably between destinations on a luxury air-conditioned coach equipped with reclining seats, onboard restroom facilities, high-speed Wi-Fi access throughout both days—and plenty of local stories along the way.