Paracas, Ballestas & Huacachina: 2-Day Tour from Lima with Luxury Bus

Summary

From Lima to Paracas and Huacachina by luxury bus, wildlife boat tour, secret tunnels and sandboarding thrills

You’ll taste fresh country bread near Lima, walk through history at Hacienda San José’s secret tunnels, spot sea lions on a Ballestas Islands boat tour, and race buggies across Huacachina’s golden dunes—all with hotel pickup and comfy luxury bus rides. Expect honest stories from local guides and moments that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the bread at Mirasur KM 88 to stick in my memory. It was still warm when we broke it open—smelled faintly smoky, like someone’s kitchen on a winter morning. Our guide, Carla, handed me a piece and grinned when I tried to order coffee in Spanish (I think I said something about goats). The ride out of Lima was quiet at first; everyone kind of half-asleep, watching the city fade into fields. Wi-Fi on the bus meant I could send my mom a picture before we lost signal—she replied with just “wow.”

The stop at Hacienda San José hit differently than I thought it would. Carla walked us through these old courtyards and then down into the slave tunnels—dark, cool air that felt heavy even though it was midday outside. She told stories about Afro-Peruvian families who lived and worked here. It wasn’t comfortable history, but I’m glad she didn’t sugarcoat it. Someone in our group asked if people still talk about this part of Peru’s past; Carla nodded and said her grandfather used to tell her stories too. That stuck with me all afternoon.

Paracas itself is sleepy by comparison. We wandered along the bay after check-in—I tried ceviche that was so sharp it made my eyes water (in a good way). Next morning came early: speedboat out to Ballestas Islands, sea air stinging my face awake. Sea lions barking like they owned the place; penguins huddled together looking sort of unimpressed by us tourists floating by. The Candelabra geoglyph on the cliffside looked almost fake from a distance—like someone drew it for us just that morning.

By late afternoon we were bouncing across sand dunes in Huacachina. The buggy driver (I never caught his name) just laughed every time we screamed going over a drop—he’d probably done this a thousand times but still seemed to enjoy it. Sand got everywhere: shoes, hair, even inside my camera bag somehow. Sunset over the oasis felt unreal but also kind of peaceful after all that noise. On the long ride back to Lima I watched videos from the day until my phone died, trying not to fall asleep before our hotel drop-off—I still think about that view from the top of the dunes sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel Lima to Paracas

• Hotel pickup in Lima
• Bus ride south with Wi-Fi
• Breakfast stop at Mirasur KM 88
• Tour Hacienda San José estate
• Arrive and check in Paracas
• Free afternoon to explore Paracas

Day 2 — Paracas to Huacachina and Lima

• Speedboat tour to Ballestas Islands
• Visit Paracas National Reserve
• Bus ride to Huacachina oasis
• Relax and explore Huacachina
• Dune buggy and sandboarding
• Bus ride back to Lima

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this 2-day tour?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels or hostels in Miraflores, Barranco, or San Isidro within designated zones.

How long is the drive from Lima to Paracas?

The drive takes several hours south along Peru’s coast; you’ll travel in a luxury bus with Wi-Fi.

What do you see on the Ballestas Islands boat tour?

You’ll spot sea lions, Humboldt penguins, seabirds, and see the Candelabra geoglyph etched into coastal cliffs.

Are meals included during the tour?

Breakfast at Mirasur KM 88 is included; other meals like lunch in Paracas or Huacachina are at your own expense.

Can children join the dune buggy & sandboarding activity?

The minimum age for buggy and sandboarding is 7 years old; infants must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

When do we return to Lima after visiting Huacachina?

You’ll leave Huacachina around 7:00 PM and arrive back in Miraflores between 11:30 PM and midnight.

Is there an option for an ATV tour in Paracas National Reserve?

You can ask your guide about upgrading to an ATV (quad bike) tour during your visit to Paracas National Reserve.

Are entry fees for attractions included?

Yes—all entry fees for scheduled attractions are covered as part of your booking.

What’s included

Your two-day adventure includes hotel pickup and drop-off within central Lima zones, all entry fees for scheduled stops like Hacienda San José’s slave tunnels and Ballestas Islands boat tour, breakfast at Mirasur KM 88, bilingual local guides throughout both days, high-speed onboard Wi-Fi on exclusive luxury buses with air conditioning and restrooms—and plenty of time for exploring Paracas bay or racing buggies across Huacachina’s dunes before heading back late at night.