Paracas & Huacachina day trip: Ballestas Islands, buggy & picnic

Sail to wildlife-filled islands, taste wines in a historic vineyard, then ride dunes at sunset

A full-day private tour from Lima to Paracas combines a speedboat trip to the Ballestas Islands (home to sea lions, Humboldt penguins and pelicans), a guided tour and tasting at Hacienda Tacama winery in Ica, buggy and sandboard time in the desert, and a sunset picnic at the Huacachina oasis. Hotel pickup from Miraflores, Barranco or San Isidro is included, and a professional guide in English or Spanish leads the entire day. The tour departs at 4 a.m. and returns to Lima between 10:30 p.m. and midnight.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Miraflores1h · entry included
2. Ballestas Islands1h · entry included
3. Marcahuasi4h

Paracas, Ica and Huacachina tour

• Private pick-up from Lima hotels
• Arrival in Paracas and free time
• Boarding at Puerto El Chaco
• Excursion to Ballestas Islands
• Travel from Paracas to Ica
• Visit Hacienda Tacama winery
• Free time at Huacachina Oasis
• Dune buggy and sandboarding
• Sunset picnic at Huacachina
• Return to Lima

The experience

The day starts with private pickup from your Lima hotel in the early morning, then a drive south toward the coast. You arrive in Paracas by 8 a.m. with time to grab breakfast on your own before heading to Puerto El Chaco to board a modern speedboat. The Ballestas Islands excursion lasts about 90 minutes, and you'll see sea lions hauled out on rocks, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, boobies and cormorants in their natural habitat, plus the geoglyph of the Candelabra etched into the rock face. The boat keeps a conservation distance so the wildlife stays undisturbed.

After the islands, you drive inland through desert landscape toward Ica, arriving at Hacienda Tacama around 1 p.m. This historic winery sits among vineyards and gardens, and the tour includes a guided walk through the facilities and the region's winemaking history. You'll taste select wines and house spirits, then have free time to buy lunch in the hacienda restaurant. The drive to Huacachina oasis takes another hour, and you arrive with daylight left to walk around the lagoon and take photographs.

At 4:30 p.m., the adventure part begins: an expert driver takes you on a buggy ride through the sand dunes, and you can try basic sandboarding if you want. As the sun drops, you head to a quiet spot in the desert for the sunset picnic: the operator's signature moment, a meal surrounded by golden sand and the sky changing color. The return drive to Lima takes roughly four hours, with arrival between 10:30 p.m. and midnight.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Spanish throughout the day.
• private hotel pickup from Miraflores, Barranco or San Isidro.
• speedboat excursion to the Ballestas Islands.
• guided tour and wine tasting at Hacienda Tacama.
• buggy ride through the desert dunes.
• basic sandboarding equipment.
• sunset picnic at the Huacachina oasis.
• all taxes and fees.

Before you book

Days and timesDaily · 04:00

Ages12 to 64 years · Seniors (65+) · 7 to 11 years · 3 to 6 years · Under 3 — Free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Inca Trilogy Tours S.A.C

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover three regions in one day (coastal wildlife, wine country, and desert dunes) starting before dawn and returning late to maximize daylight across all three stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

7 to 11 years; 3 to 6 years; under 3, free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What wildlife will I see on the Ballestas Islands boat trip?

The Ballestas Islands are home to sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, boobies, cormorants and various seabirds. The speedboat excursion lasts about 90 minutes and keeps a safe distance from the animals so they remain undisturbed in their natural habitat. You'll also see the Candelabra geoglyph carved into the rock face.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Breakfast and lunch are not included, so you can choose what and where to eat. You'll have free time in Paracas before the boat trip, and at Hacienda Tacama winery in Ica you can order from the restaurant menu. The sunset picnic at Huacachina is included.

What should I bring for the buggy ride and sandboarding?

Wear sunglasses, a cap, sunblock and a light jacket for the boat trip to the islands. For the buggy and sandboarding in the desert, bring the same sun protection plus comfortable clothes you don't mind getting sandy. The tour includes basic sandboarding equipment.

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

The return drive to Lima departs Ica around 6:30 p.m. after the sunset picnic, with estimated arrival between 10:30 p.m. and midnight. If you have a late-night flight, the operator recommends booking a private transfer instead to ensure you reach the airport on time.

Can I bring extra luggage on this tour?

The tour includes transportation with a small bag (maximum 10 kg) per person. If you're carrying more luggage, you can add a large suitcase for an additional $30.