2-day Paracas & Huacachina kayaking: Oasis swim & dune buggy

Plush cushions under lanterns in the desert, then dunes at dawn

A 2-day guided tour of Paracas and Huacachina with hotel pickup, bilingual guide and private transport for up to 22 travelers. Day one centers on a hidden oasis where you swim, kayak or paddleboard, then an evening picnic with dancing under the stars in the desert. Day two includes wine and Pisco tasting at a local vineyard, a dune buggy ride and sandboarding at Huacachina. Meals, park entry and transport are included. The Ballestas Islands boat tour is optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Beach, Oasis, and Desert Picnic

• Relax at Playa El Raspon beach
• Swim, kayak, or paddleboard in hidden oasis
• Enjoy desert happy hour and picnic
• Dance and party under the stars

Day 2: Wildlife, Wine, and Desert Adventure

• Optional boat tour of Ballestas Islands
• Taste wine and Pisco at Cultur Pisco Vineyard
• Lunch with traditional local dishes
• Explore Huacachina oasis
• Ride dune buggy and try sandboarding

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel in Barranco, Miraflores or San Isidro, then heads to Playa El Raspon in Paracas National Reserve: a beach with clear water and rock formations where you can swim or simply settle in before moving to the main event. From there you reach a natural oasis that locals rarely visit, where the water is real and the setting is yours alone. You choose how to spend it: swim, kayak, paddleboard or float in the stillness. The water is warm and the space feels removed from everything.

As evening comes, the desert transforms into a private picnic ground. Plush cushions and flickering lanterns surround you on the sand, with a spread of food and drinks laid out under open sky. When darkness settles, the music and dancing begin. The celebration happens right there, surrounded by dunes and stars, with no crowds and no schedule pushing you forward.

Day two moves at a different pace. After breakfast, you drive to Cultur Pisco Vineyard in Ica, where you taste local Peruvian wine and Pisco, then sit down to lunch with traditional regional dishes. The afternoon takes you to Huacachina, a lagoon oasis ringed by massive sand dunes. A two-hour dune buggy ride kicks up sand and speed, and if you want it, sandboarding down the slopes follows. The guide speaks both English and Spanish throughout, and the group stays under 22 people: small enough that the transport feels private and the stops don't turn into queues.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Barranco, Miraflores or San Isidro.
• bilingual local guide in English and Spanish.
• entry to Paracas National Reserve.
• day one lunch.
• day two lunch and wine and Pisco tasting at Cultur Pisco Vineyard.
• two-hour dune buggy ride and sandboarding at Huacachina.
• private transport for the group.
• vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meal options.
• dinner on day one (optional depending on package choice).

Before you book

Days and timesSaturdayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Youth (15 to 17 years) · Child (12 to 14 years) · Infant (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 17

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Peru Bucket List

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a small group (capped at 22 people in private transport), and a guide who speaks both English and Spanish. The two-day format lets you spend a full evening in the desert oasis and a full morning at Huacachina without rushing between stops, which is what makes the picnic under stars and the dune buggy ride feel unhurried instead of tacked on.

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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 (15 to 17 years); Child (12 to 14 years); Infant (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly is the hidden oasis on day one, and can I really swim in it?

The oasis is a natural freshwater pool in the desert near Paracas that few locals know about. Yes, you swim in it. The water is real and swimmable, and you can also kayak or paddleboard there if you prefer being on the water instead of in it.

Is the Ballestas Islands boat tour included, or do I have to pay extra?

The Ballestas Islands boat tour is optional and not included in the main tour price. You have the chance to book it separately if you want to see the sea lions, penguins and seabirds, but it's not part of the standard itinerary.

What meals are covered on each day?

Day one includes lunch. Dinner is optional depending on which package you choose. Day two includes breakfast, lunch and wine and Pisco tasting at the vineyard. Dinner is also optional. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available for all meals.

How many people travel together, and is this a crowded group?

The group is capped at 22 travelers maximum and travels in private transport, which keeps it smaller than standard tour buses. The guide is bilingual in English and Spanish and stays with the group throughout both days.

Do I need to arrange my own accommodation, or is it included?

Accommodation is not included in the tour price, but the operator will provide recommendations for hotels and hostels. Hotel or hostel pickup and drop-off in Barranco, Miraflores or San Isidro is included.

What's the dune buggy experience like at Huacachina?

The dune buggy ride lasts two hours and takes you across the massive sand dunes surrounding the oasis. You can also try sandboarding down the dunes if you want. It's an open choice once you arrive at Huacachina.