Sea lions on the Ballestas Islands, Paracas day trip from Lima
FULL DAY FROM LIMA BALLESTAS + HUACACHINA

Paracas and Huacachina Full-Day Trip from Lima

  • 1 Day (Full Day)
  • Lima · Paracas · Ica · Huacachina, Peru
  • From $130 USD ≈ S/ 449
Cliffs of the Paracas National Reserve on Peru’s southern coast
Dune buggy on the Huacachina sand dunes at sunset
Sandboarding in the Huacachina desert near Ica

All in one day from Lima: sea lions and penguins on the Ballestas Islands, pisco tasting in Ica, and dune buggy and sandboarding thrills at the Huacachina oasis.

DURATION 1 Day (Full Day)
MAX ALTITUDE 406 m (Ica)
DIFFICULTY Easy
GROUP SIZE Shared group
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Experience Overview

The Paracas and Huacachina day trip from Lima packs the best of Peru’s southern coast into a single day. In the morning you’ll cruise to the Ballestas Islands, a haven for sea lions, Humboldt penguins and thousands of guano birds; at midday you’ll visit a pisco winery in Ica; and in the afternoon you’ll get your adrenaline pumping on dune buggies and sandboards in the dunes surrounding the Huacachina oasis, staying to watch the sun set over the desert.

Highlights

  • Ballestas Islands: a 2-hour boat ride with views of the Candelabra geoglyph.
  • Ica winery: learn how pisco and wine are made, with a tasting.
  • Huacachina: the only natural oasis in South America, surrounded by dunes over 100 meters high.
  • Dune buggies and sandboarding: a buggy ride across the desert and board runs down the dunes.

Sample schedule

  • 4:00 a.m.: pickup from your hotel in Lima.
  • 8:00 a.m.: Ballestas Islands boat tour from El Chaco pier.
  • 12:30 p.m.: lunch on your own in Paracas or Ica, and winery visit.
  • 4:00 p.m.: dune buggies and sandboarding in Huacachina, sunset over the dunes.
  • 11:00 p.m.: approximate arrival in Lima.

Tips

  • Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a jacket for the boat.
  • Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers for the dunes; avoid bringing valuables on the buggy.
  • It’s a long day: pack snacks and water, and get a good night’s sleep beforehand.

Signature Highlights

Boat ride to the Ballestas Islands to see sea lions and penguins.
Visit a winery with a pisco and wine tasting.
Dune buggies and sandboarding in the dunes of the Huacachina oasis.
Sunset over the Ica desert.
Tourist transportation Lima – Paracas – Ica – Lima.
STEP BY STEP

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Each day has been carefully planned to optimize acclimatization and avoid peak tourist hours.

DAY 01

Lima – Paracas (Ballestas Islands) – Ica (winery) – Huacachina – Lima

⛰ 406 m a.s.l. 🚶 600 km round trip ⏱ Approx. 19 hours ⛺ Return to Lima

We leave Lima before dawn and drive the Pan-American Highway South to Paracas (approx. 3.5 hours). We board the boat to the Ballestas Islands, passing the Candelabra geoglyph, and watch sea lions, Humboldt penguins and guano birds. After lunch on your own, we travel to Ica to visit a winery and taste piscos and wines. In the afternoon we reach Huacachina for the dune buggy ride and sandboarding, and watch the sunset over the dunes. Return to Lima in the evening.

FULL TRANSPARENCY

What's Included in the Expedition

✓

Included Luxury Services

  • Pickup from your hotel in Miraflores, San Isidro or Barranco.
  • Round-trip tourist transportation.
  • Boat tour to the Ballestas Islands.
  • Winery visit with tasting.
  • Dune buggy ride and sandboarding in Huacachina.
  • Guide / assistance throughout the trip.
✕

Not Included

  • Pier boarding fee and Reserve fee (paid locally).
  • Huacachina dunes entrance fee.
  • Breakfast and lunch.
  • Tips.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP

Optional Upgrades & Perks

Complement your journey with exclusive comfort experiences and panoramic summits.

Paracas National Reserve

Visit the reserve’s viewpoints (Red Beach, La Catedral) after the Ballestas Islands.

+ $25 USD ≈ S/ 86
WE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions about Paracas and Huacachina Full-Day Trip from Lima

Is it exhausting to do Paracas and Huacachina in one day?

It’s a long day (about 19 hours), but the stops are varied and the bus rides are comfortable. If you’d prefer a slower pace, you can spend a night in Paracas or Huacachina.

Can the Ballestas boat tour be canceled?

The Port Authority may suspend departures due to unusual swells. If that happens, we’ll reschedule or offer you the Paracas National Reserve instead.

Is the dune buggy ride dangerous?

Drivers are experienced and the buggies have seat belts. It’s not recommended for pregnant women or people with back problems.