Sandboarding in Ica: Learn on Desert Dunes

Two and a half hours on sand, learning to ride or carve the dunes

Sandboarding in Ica is a 2.5-hour lesson on desert dunes where you learn to ride or ski the sand with professional instruction, equipment and buggy transport to the top of the tallest dunes. The operator picks you up from your accommodation between 11am and 3pm, tests your gear at the school, runs a training session on flat ground, then drives you into the desert to practice on the slopes. National Park fees and instructor photos are included. Children from age 10 are welcome.

The experience

You show up between 11am and 3pm (pick the window that fits your day), and the team tests your sandboard, boots, skis and helmet at the school before heading out. A short training run on flat ground gets you comfortable with the equipment and the basic moves, then the dune buggy carries you and your board up to one of the tallest dunes in the desert. From there, you ride, carve or catch air on the sand while the instructor watches and the golden dunes stretch in every direction.

The boards and boots are the same professional-grade gear snowboarders use, so if you've ridden snow, the motion transfers directly to sand, but the operator says this works just as well for people who've never strapped in before. The buggy ferries you back to the top of each dune as many times as the session allows, so you're not hiking uphill between runs. Instructors photograph and video the session, so you leave with footage of yourself riding.

National Park fees are built into the price. The lesson runs about 2.5 hours total, including the equipment check and the drive back to town. Guides speak English and Spanish. Bring water and sunscreen. The desert sun is direct and the sand reflects it hard.

What’s included

• Professional sandboard, boots, skis and helmet.
• instruction in English or Spanish.
• buggy transport to the top of the dunes.
• National Park fees.
• instructor photos and videos from your session.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 15:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 69 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by SANDSNOW

Is this one for you?Best for small groups or solo riders who want hands-on instruction and don't mind a moderate physical effort. The buggy handles the climbs, but you're actively riding for the full session. Children from age 10 can join if they have a moderate fitness level.

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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 (10 to 17 years). Children under 10 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.

Do I need to have sandboarded or snowboarded before?

No. The operator says this experience works for experienced boarders and complete beginners alike. Professional instruction covers the basics, so you learn as you go.

What happens if I'm not comfortable on the board after the training?

The instructor works with you on flat ground first to build confidence before you head to the dunes. If you want to ski the sand instead of ride it, that's an option too.

How many times do I get to ride the dunes?

The buggy takes you to the top of each dune multiple times during the 2.5-hour session, so you get several runs depending on how long you spend on each one.

Will I get photos or video from the session?

Yes. Instructors photograph and film the experience, and you receive the footage so you have a record of your runs.

What's the pickup situation?

You choose your arrival time between 11am and 3pm, and the team meets you at the school to begin the equipment check. The operator does not include hotel pickup, so you'll need to arrange transport to the school.