Day Tour from Lima: Paracas, Huacachina & Pisco Vineyard

Four stops in one day: sea lions off Paracas, pisco tasting inland, dunes at sunset, and back to Lima by midnight

This full-day tour from Lima visits Paracas, Huacachina and a local pisco vineyard, combining a 2-hour guided boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, pisco tasting with lunch time, free exploration of the desert oasis, and optional dune buggy and sandboarding before sunset. The tour departs at 5:30 am and returns around 11:30 pm. Hotel pickup is available with the Pickup/Dropoff or Premium options, or meet at the Miraflores kiosk for the standard rate. Dune buggy and sandboarding are included with the Premium option only. Those on other options can add them on the bus with the guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ballestas Islands2h
2. Canyon of the Lost3h

Day trip from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina

• Meet opposite JW Marriott hotel at 5:30 am
• Travel south along the Pacific coast by bus
• Take 2-hour guided boat tour of Ballestas Islands
• Visit local pisco vineyard and taste varieties
• Have free time to explore Huacachina Oasis
• Ride dune buggy and sandboard in desert
• Watch desert sunset in Huacachina
• Return to Lima, arrive around 11:30 pm

The experience

The day starts early from Miraflores: either meet at the kiosk opposite the JW Marriott by 5:30 am or arrange hotel pickup the evening before. You'll travel south along the Pacific coast on a full-size air-conditioned bus with a restroom and USB ports, heading toward Paracas. At 10 am, board a guided boat for the 2-hour Ballestas Islands tour. The boat takes you past sea lions hauled on rocks, Humboldt penguins diving in clusters, and thousands of seabirds nesting on the cliffs: the operator calls it Peru's "mini Galapagos." You'll also see the Candelabra geoglyph carved into the hillside, and if conditions align, dolphins sometimes appear offshore.

After the boat returns, the tour heads inland to a local pisco vineyard. A guide walks you through how Peruvian pisco is made, then you taste several varieties. Lunch is available here at local prices (not included in the tour price). From there, the bus continues to Huacachina, the only natural desert oasis in South America. You have free time to walk around the oasis before the afternoon activities begin.

If you've booked the Premium option, you'll go dune buggy riding up the sand hills, then sandboard back down, finishing as the sun sets over the desert. Those on the Meeting Point or Pickup/Dropoff options can add the buggy and sandboarding for an extra cost, arranging it with the guide on the bus. Either way, the tour departs Huacachina around 7 pm and arrives back in Lima between 11:30 pm and 11:45 pm. Meeting Point travelers are dropped at the original kiosk. Hotel pickup passengers return directly to their hotel.

What’s included

• Roundtrip transport on a full-size air-conditioned bus with restroom and USB ports.
• 2-hour guided boat tour of the Ballestas Islands.
• pisco vineyard visit with tasting of different varieties.
• free time to explore Huacachina Oasis.
• bilingual professional guide.
• local taxes in Paracas and Huacachina (with Premium option).
• hotel pickup and dropoff (with Pickup/Dropoff or Premium options).

Options for this experience

3 options

Full-day option with a meeting pointGuide in English or Spanish · 05:30Highlights: a 2-hour boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, a pisco vineyard tasting, and free time at the Huacachina oasis. Transport: air-conditioned bus with a restroom, USB ports and luggage storage. Fixed meeting point in Lima: the most affordable way to experience both Paracas and Huacachina, with a convenient meeting point in Miraflores.

Full-day option with pickup and drop-offGuide in English or Spanish · 05:30Highlights: a 2-hour boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, a pisco vineyard tasting, and free time at the Huacachina oasis. Transport: air-conditioned bus with a restroom, USB ports and luggage storage. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Lima

Full-day tour, premium versionGuide in English or Spanish · 05:30Premium extras: a 2-hour dune buggy ride and sandboarding in Huacachina, ending with a sunset toast. Also included: local taxes for Paracas and Huacachina, a 2-hour Ballestas Islands boat trip and a pisco vineyard visit. Transport: air-conditioned bus with a restroom, USB ports and luggage storage. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Lima

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 42

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Escape From Lima

Is this one for you?Book the Premium option if you want the dune buggy and sandboarding included and hotel pickup arranged: the full experience without deciding on extras mid-tour. Choose Pickup/Dropoff if you want hotel collection but prefer to add the desert activities only if you feel like it once you're there. The Meeting Point option works best if you're staying near Miraflores and don't mind an early start at the kiosk.

Traveler reviews

4.91★★★★★★★★★★

6,817 verified traveler reviews

5 ★6,366

4 ★350

3 ★57

2 ★24

1 ★20

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What exactly is the Ballestas Islands boat tour like?

The Ballestas Islands boat trip runs 2 hours (10 am–12 pm) and takes you close to sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and nesting seabirds in their natural habitat. You'll also see the Candelabra geoglyph on the cliff face. Bring a light jacket for the speedboat ride and expect ocean spray.

Is the dune buggy and sandboarding included in the tour price?

Dune buggy and sandboarding are included only with the Premium option. If you book the Meeting Point or Pickup/Dropoff option, you can add these activities on the bus with the guide for an additional cost.

What time does the tour start and when do I get back to Lima?

The tour departs at 5:30 am from either the Miraflores meeting point or your hotel (if you've booked pickup). You arrive back in Lima around 11:30–11:45 pm, depending on traffic and hotel dropoff locations.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included. You have time to eat at the pisco vineyard where the tour stops, and meals are available at local prices. Bring your own breakfast for the bus ride if you prefer.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring sunscreen (it's hot year-round in Paracas and Huacachina), a light jacket for the boat ride to the islands, and closed-toe shoes if you're doing the sandboarding. The operator recommends bringing your own breakfast for the early departure.

Can I do this tour if I'm traveling with children?

Children are welcome on the boat tour and can explore the oasis freely. The dune buggy and sandboarding have a minimum age of 7 years old. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the bus ride.