Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip from Lima: Wildlife and Desert

Penguins and sea lions at the Ballestas Islands, then dune buggies through desert sand

A full-day tour from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina combines a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands (where you watch Humboldt penguins, pelicans and sea lions in open water) with an afternoon dune buggy ride and sandboarding in the Huacachina Desert. The tour includes pickup from Miraflores hotels, a guide in English or Spanish, wine and pisco tasting, and lunch. The 15-to-16-hour day starts with a 4-hour drive south from Lima, with a breakfast stop en route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Miraflores4h
2. Ballestas Islands2h · entry included
3. Canyon of the Lost4h

Explore Paracas and Huacachina

• Depart Lima to Paracas with breakfast stop
• Arrive at El Chaco port, view Paracas Bay
• Tour Ballestas Islands, see penguins and sea lions
• Taste traditional wines and piscos, lunch time
• Visit Huacachina Oasis
• Ride sandy carts and sandboard in dunes
• Return to Lima with stop in Chincha for shopping

The experience

The day starts before dawn with pickup from your Miraflores hotel and a 4-hour drive south toward Paracas, stopping for breakfast along the way. You arrive at El Chaco port mid-morning and board a boat for the Ballestas Islands tour, where the water brings you close to Humboldt penguins, sea lions and pelicans in their natural habitat. The boat also passes an enigmatic geoglyph etched into the coastal rock: a landmark that draws its own fascination without explanation.

After the islands, you return to shore for a wine and pisco tasting that anchors the local culture into the afternoon. Lunch follows, then the group moves inland to the Huacachina Oasis, a small settlement built around a desert lagoon. From there, you climb into sandy dune buggies for a ride across the surrounding dunes. The tour includes a brief sandboarding session on the slopes before the buggies return you to the oasis.

The return to Lima takes another 4 hours, with a stop in Chincha on Saturdays and Sundays for shopping if the schedule allows. An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group throughout, and your guide (speaking English or Spanish) stays with you from start to finish. Children from age 4 are welcome, though infants must sit on an adult's lap.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• pickup from Miraflores hotels.
• English or Spanish-speaking guide.
• boat tour of the Ballestas Islands.
• wine and pisco tasting.
• lunch.
• dune buggy ride and sandboarding in the Huacachina Desert.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Zian Peru Travel

Is this one for you?Book this 15-to-16-hour tour if you want to see both coastal wildlife and desert dunes in one day. The early start and long drive from Lima make both Paracas and Huacachina reachable without splitting into separate trips.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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

The Ballestas Islands tour brings you close to Humboldt penguins, sea lions, pelicans and other marine life in their natural habitat. The boat also passes an enigmatic geoglyph on the coast that you'll see from the water.

How long is the drive from Lima to Paracas?

The drive from Lima to Paracas takes 4 hours, with a breakfast stop en route. The return journey is another 4 hours, with a shopping stop in Chincha on weekends if time permits.

What happens in Huacachina after the wine tasting?

In Huacachina, you ride in sandy dune buggies across the desert dunes surrounding the oasis and do a brief sandboarding session on the slopes before heading back to Lima.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is included and served after the wine and pisco tasting, before the group moves to Huacachina for the afternoon activities.