Paracas, Ballestas & Huacachina: Wildlife Cruise, Pisco & Dune Buggy Day Trip

Summary

Early start from Lima, wild sea lions, pisco tasting and desert thrills

You’ll leave Lima before sunrise for Paracas’ salty air, cruise past sea lions on the Ballestas Islands, sip pisco at a family-run vineyard in Ica, then race dune buggies across Huacachina’s golden sand dunes. Expect laughter with your guide, gritty hands from sandboarding, and plenty of small surprises along the way — it’s not polished or fancy but it sticks with you.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re really doing this?” That’s what my friend messaged when I sent her a sleepy selfie at 4:10am, waiting for the van outside my Miraflores Airbnb. I don’t usually volunteer for sunrise anything, but honestly — rolling through Lima’s empty streets felt like being in on some secret. Our guide, Diego, handed out soft jokes and reminders about sunscreen as we drove south toward Paracas. By the time we hit the port, the air was salty and sharp with that early-morning chill you only get by the ocean. I grabbed coffee from a stall (not included but necessary) and watched pelicans squabble over scraps by the dock.

The Ballestas Islands boat ride was louder than I expected — engines humming under us, everyone craning for sea lions sprawled like lazy tourists on rocks. There was this moment where Diego pointed out a cluster of Humboldt penguins waddling along; someone behind me gasped so loud it made us all laugh. The wind whipped my hair into knots and I kept thinking how raw everything smelled — briny and alive. If you’re looking up “day trip machu picchu cusco” you’ll get mountains; here it’s all about wild coastlines and birds wheeling overhead.

After that we drove inland to Ica’s Culturpisco vineyard. Lunch wasn’t included but we did get to taste three types of pisco — one burned going down (in a good way), another tasted almost floral. The owner explained grape varieties with so much pride you could tell he’s told these stories a hundred times but still means every word. Li laughed when I tried to say “Quebranta” in Spanish — probably butchered it. The sun was high by then, everything dusty gold and grapevines stretching out forever.

Huacachina Oasis looked like something out of a movie set — sand dunes stacked up behind this little lagoon where kids splashed around while backpackers took selfies. We had maybe forty minutes to wander before climbing into dune buggies that rattled our teeth loose (I mean that as a compliment). Sandboarding is harder than it looks; my shoes filled with sand in seconds and I definitely screamed on the first drop. Still think about that view from the top though — just endless waves of sand fading into pink evening light. We didn’t talk much on the drive back to Lima; everyone sort of lost in their own thoughts or napping against bus windows.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Paracas, Ica, and Huacachina tour

• 04:00 a.m. – Hotel pick-up in Lima
• 08:00 a.m. – Travel Lima to Paracas
• 08:00 a.m. – Breakfast and restroom break
• 09:15 a.m. – Register at El Chaco Port
• 09:30 a.m. – Boat cruise at Ballestas Islands
• 2:00 p.m. – Visit Culturpisco Winery
• 3:30 p.m. – Arrive at Huacachina Oasis
• 4:30 p.m. – Dune buggy ride and sandboarding
• 6:30 p.m. – Return travel from Ica to Lima

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Lima to Paracas & Huacachina?

The tour lasts about 18 hours total, departing around 4:00am from Lima and returning between 10:30pm and 11:00pm.

Is hotel pickup included for this Paracas & Huacachina tour?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels or Airbnbs in San Isidro, Miraflores, and Barranco districts.

Do I need to bring breakfast or is it provided?

No breakfast is included; there’s time at Paracas port to buy your own food before boarding the boat.

What animals can you see at Ballestas Islands?

You’ll likely spot sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, and various exotic birds during the boat cruise.

Are adventure sports like dune buggy riding & sandboarding part of this trip?

Yes, both dune buggy rides and sandboarding are included at Huacachina Oasis in the afternoon.

Is lunch or wine tasting included at Culturpisco winery?

Pisco tasting is included at Culturpisco winery; lunch is not included but can be purchased separately during free time.

Can I stay overnight in Huacachina after the tour ends?

You can arrange your own stay in Huacachina but return transport to Lima is only available for booked passengers unless extra luggage space is reserved ahead of time.

What should I bring for this day trip?

Sunscreen, hat or cap for sun protection, waterproof jacket for the boat ride, comfortable shoes and a small bag are recommended.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central Lima neighborhoods (San Isidro, Miraflores or Barranco), all entry fees for Ballestas Islands boat cruise plus guided wildlife spotting with an official tourism guide; pisco tasting at Culturpisco vineyard; adventure sports like dune buggy rides and sandboarding at Huacachina Oasis; air-conditioned vehicle transport throughout before returning late evening to Lima.