Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip: Private Buggy & Sandboarding

Sunset sandboarding in the Huacachina dunes after a full day of islands, wine and desert.

A day trip from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina combines a speedboat tour of Ballestas Islands, a visit to South America's oldest vineyard with lunch and pisco tasting, and a private buggy ride with sandboarding at sunset in the desert oasis. The 6 AM start means more rest than the standard 4 AM departure, and every stop—transport, meals, activities and entry fees—is arranged in advance. A live guide in English or Spanish leads the group through each stage.

Step-by-step itinerary

Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip

• Enjoy authentic Peruvian breakfast
• Take Ballestas Islands speedboat tour
• Tour Tacama Vineyard and taste pisco
• Have lunch at vineyard restaurant
• Visit Huacachina for buggy ride
• Experience sandboarding at sunset

The Experience

The day starts with a genuine Peruvian breakfast at a country restaurant known for artisanal breads baked in a wood-fired oven, then moves to the coast for a speedboat tour of Ballestas Islands. There you'll see Humboldt penguins, sea lions, pelicans and seagulls, and pass the Candelabra geoglyph carved into the cliffs—a mysterious figure visible only from the water. The speedboat cuts the travel time and lets you get close to the marine life without the long hike.

After the islands, the route heads inland to Tacama Vineyard, South America's oldest, where a tour walks through the wine and pisco production process and includes tastings of different varieties. Lunch is à la carte at the vineyard's restaurant, and a pisco sour—the region's flagship drink—is included. This stop breaks up the day between coast and desert and gives you time to sit down properly before the afternoon's activity.

The final stretch is Huacachina, a small oasis town surrounded by massive sand dunes. You'll ride in a private buggy over the dunes, then strap on a board for sandboarding as the sun sets. The buggy is yours alone, not shared with other groups, so the timing and pace stay on your schedule. Bottled water and non-alcoholic drinks are included throughout, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles the long drive back to your hotel or Airbnb in Lima.

What’s included

• Roundtrip transportation from your Lima hotel or Airbnb.
• a genuine Peruvian breakfast with artisanal breads.
• Ballestas Islands speedboat tour with entry.
• Tacama Vineyard tour with wine and pisco tastings.
• à la carte lunch at the vineyard restaurant and a complimentary pisco sour.
• private buggy ride and sandboarding at Huacachina at sunset.
• bottled water and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day.
• all activity tickets, fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Berrios Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Lima without a car and want to skip the 4 AM alarm—the 6 AM start and included pickup mean you rest longer and still finish the full Paracas and Huacachina loop in one day. The private buggy at Huacachina is yours alone, so the timing and pace stay yours instead of following a shared schedule.

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Top questions

What animals will I see on the Ballestas Islands speedboat tour?

The Ballestas Islands tour by speedboat lets you see Humboldt penguins, sea lions, pelicans, seagulls and other marine fauna up close. You'll also pass the Candelabra geoglyph, a mysterious figure carved into the cliff face that's only visible from the water.

Is the lunch at Tacama Vineyard included, or do I pay separately?

Lunch at Tacama Vineyard's restaurant is included as à la carte dining, meaning you choose from the menu at no extra cost. A pisco sour is also included as part of the vineyard experience.

What exactly happens during the Huacachina dune activity?

At Huacachina you get a private buggy ride over the sand dunes, then sandboard down them as the sun sets. The buggy is reserved for your group, so you control the timing and can spend as much time in the dunes as you want during that portion of the day.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Lima, or is pickup included?

Roundtrip transportation from your hotel or Airbnb in Lima is included. The driver picks you up and returns you at the end of the day, so you don't need a car or need to arrange separate travel.

How early do I need to wake up for this tour?

The tour starts at 6 AM, which is later than the standard 4 AM departure on many Paracas tours. You'll still return to Lima earlier in the evening than a full-day tour, so the schedule gives you more rest without cutting into your sightseeing time.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

The price includes all activity tickets, roundtrip transport, a genuine Peruvian breakfast, à la carte lunch at the vineyard, a pisco sour, the speedboat tour, the private buggy ride, sandboarding, bottled water, non-alcoholic drinks, and all fees and taxes. No additional charges for the main activities or meals.