Sandboarding in Huacachina: Real Equipment, Remote Dunes

Ride dunes on real snow sports gear, then watch the desert turn gold at sunset.

Sandboarding and sandski in Huacachina combines a 20-kilometre buggy tour of giant dunes with instruction on real snow sports equipment, seven stops to practice on remote terrain, a desert sunset, and an après-ski bonfire. A live guide in English or Spanish leads groups of all levels. Pickup is included, and children from age 6 are welcome. The experience runs four hours and includes safety gear, snacks, a Peruvian Pisco cocktail, and photos and videos throughout.

The experience

Four hours in the Huacachina desert starts with a buggy ride across 20 kilometres of dunes: the vehicle moves fast enough to feel like a roller coaster, and you stop seven times along the way. At each stop, your instructor (a competitive athlete trained to teach all levels) sets up the real sandboard or sandski and shows you how to use it. The equipment is the same as what people use on snow: board, bindings, poles, helmet and boots, all waxed for sand. You get personalized instruction at every stop, which means a beginner learns the basics and someone with snow sports experience can push harder on steeper terrain.

The route stays off the main tourist paths and finds bigger dunes with better conditions to slide. Your instructor photographs and films each run, so you leave with video of yourself riding. Midway through, you eat snacks and drink water. At the end of the day, as the sun drops, the whole desert changes colour. The bonfire happens after sunset, with Peruvian Pisco and cocktails, and the group sits together in the cooling air before heading back.

Pickup is included from your hotel in Huacachina, and the guide speaks English or Spanish. Children from age 6 can join. You wear a helmet, goggles and a bandana for sand protection, and all safety gear is provided. The four-hour window covers the buggy ride, instruction, sunset and bonfire.

What’s included

• Professional sandboard and sandski instruction tailored to your level.
• real snow sports equipment (board, bindings, poles, helmet and boots).
• 20-kilometre buggy tour with seven practice stops.
• safety gear including helmet, goggles and bandana.
• photos and videos of your runs.
• snacks during the day.
• Peruvian Pisco and cocktails at the bonfire.
• sunset viewing and après-ski campfire in the desert.
• hotel pickup and return.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (17 to 63 years) · Senior (64 and older) · Youth (6 to 16 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 2.29

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Huacachina Experience

Is this one for you?Pickup from your hotel means you don't need a car or a ride to the dunes, which settles the logistics if you're staying in Huacachina without transport. The four-hour window fits between a morning activity and an evening meal, so you can build a full day around it.

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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 (6 to 16 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

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 24 h before the start.

What is sandboarding in Huacachina actually like compared to regular dune tours?

Sandboarding here means you operate real snow sports equipment (board, bindings, poles and boots) on sand, with a professional instructor teaching you at seven different stops across remote dunes. Most Huacachina tours are buggy rides only. This one makes you the athlete, not the passenger.

How long is the buggy ride and how many times do you stop to practice?

The buggy covers 20 kilometres and stops seven times so you can sandboard or sandski on different terrain. Each stop includes instruction tailored to your level, from beginner to experienced.

What happens at the end of the day?

You watch the sunset from the dunes, then gather around a bonfire with Peruvian Pisco and cocktails. The bonfire is après-ski style: sitting together in the desert as it cools after dark.

Do I need snow sports experience to do this?

No. Your instructor tailors the lesson to your level, whether you are a beginner or have skied or snowboarded before. The instruction happens at every stop.

How do I get to Huacachina if I don't have a car?

Hotel pickup is included in the experience. The guide collects you from your accommodation in Huacachina and returns you there after the bonfire.