Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip: Ballestas Islands, Pisco Tasting

Ride dune buggies at sunset, sandboard down, and toast the desert from the top of the dunes.

A 16-hour day trip from Lima visits Peru's "Mini-Galápagos" at Ballestas Islands by speedboat, a traditional pisco vineyard for tasting, and Huacachina oasis for a 2-hour dune buggy and sandboarding adventure timed for sunset. Hotel pickup and drop-off, onboard Wi-Fi, a bilingual host, and all entry fees are included. Lunch is on your own. The bus is larger than competitors' vans and carries an onboard restroom for the long journey.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ballestas Islands2h · entry included
2. Canyon of the Lost2h

Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip

• Pick up from accommodation in Lima
• Travel to Paracas by luxury bus
• Arrive in Paracas and get snacks
• Boat tour to Ballestas Islands
• Visit Pisco vineyard and taste pisco
• Free time for lunch at vineyard
• Travel to Huacachina oasis
• Dune buggy and sandboarding adventure
• Sunset toast in the desert
• Dinner time in Huacachina
• Return to Lima by luxury bus
• Drop off at accommodation in Lima

The experience

Sixteen hours from Lima means you leave early and return late, but the route packs three distinct stops into one day. The Peru Hop bus picks you up from your hotel in Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro or downtown Lima, and the journey to Paracas takes the morning. You'll have high-speed Wi-Fi onboard and semi-bed reclining seats. The operator notes this bus is nearly double the size of other companies' vans, and it's the only one on this route with an onboard restroom. Arrive in Paracas around 9:30 am with time for snacks before heading to the port.

The speedboat tour to Ballestas Islands lasts about two hours and puts you on the water watching sea lions, penguins, and seabirds in their natural habitat. After returning to shore, you'll travel inland to a traditional pisco vineyard where a guide walks you through how Peruvian pisco is made and you taste the different varieties produced there. Lunch is your own choice and cost at this stop. Then the bus continues to Huacachina, the desert oasis where the afternoon's main event waits.

The dune buggy and sandboarding tour runs for two hours, longer than what most companies offer, and is timed to finish at sunset. You'll ride up the massive sand dunes in the buggy, then sandboard back down (the operator recommends lying face down on the board). A sunset toast happens once you're back at the top of the dunes. Dinner before the return journey is also on your own. The ride back to Lima takes the evening. The bus shows movies and hands out free popcorn. You'll arrive around 11:30 pm and be dropped at your accommodation.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Lima.
• 2-hour speedboat tour to Ballestas Islands.
• guided pisco vineyard visit with tasting of different varieties.
• 2-hour dune buggy ride up the sand dunes.
• sandboarding down the dunes with sunset toast at the top.
• free time to explore Huacachina oasis.
• onboard high-speed Wi-Fi for the entire journey.
• bilingual host to assist throughout the day.
• all entry fees and taxes.
• onboard restroom and luxury semi-bed seats on the return bus to Lima.

Options for this experience

2 options

Premium day trip, Standard versionGuide in English or Spanish · 05:30Choose this to get the full experience, without the extra perks of advance seat selection and a free cocktail. Includes pickup.

Premium day trip, PLUS versionGuide in English or Spanish · 05:30Free cocktail at a partner restaurant in Lima and advance seat selection: pick your seat ahead of time and enjoy a free cocktail at a partner restaurant in Lima, making your experience even more special. Includes pickup.

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 (7 to 80 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Peru Hop

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a full day combining wildlife viewing, pisco tasting, and dune activities in one trip from Lima. The larger bus with Wi-Fi makes the long journey more comfortable than standard vans.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What exactly is on Ballestas Islands and how long is the boat tour?

Ballestas Islands is Peru's "Mini-Galápagos," home to sea lions, penguins, and countless seabirds living in their natural habitat. The speedboat tour lasts about two hours and departs from Paracas port after you arrive in the morning.

Is the dune buggy experience suitable for children, and what's the age requirement?

The dune buggy and sandboarding tour requires a minimum age of 7 years old. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels, so children who meet the age requirement can participate in the full 2-hour adventure.

What's included in the pisco vineyard visit, and do I have to buy anything there?

The vineyard visit includes a guided tour of how Peruvian pisco is produced and a tasting of the different varieties made on-site. Lunch at the vineyard is not included, so you can choose to eat there or elsewhere at your own cost.

How does the pickup work, and what if I'm staying in an Airbnb?

Hotel pickup is included from accommodations in Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro, and some hotels in downtown Lima. If you're in an Airbnb, you can meet the bus at a nearby hotel or at the central meeting point. Details are shared via WhatsApp before the tour.

What makes this bus different from other companies running the same route?

The Peru Hop bus is nearly double the size of competitors' vans and is the only company on this route with an onboard restroom. It also offers free high-speed Wi-Fi, luxury semi-bed reclining seats, and shows movies with free popcorn on the return journey to Lima.

What should I bring, and what time does the day trip start?

Bring sunscreen. It's hot year-round in Paracas and Huacachina. Exact pickup time and detailed information are shared via WhatsApp before your tour date. The journey to Paracas takes the morning, with arrival around 9:30 am.