Tour de Día Completo a Paracas y Huacachina desde Lima
Full-Day Trip to the Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Oasis from Lima
Escape the city and discover two of the most spectacular landscapes on Peru’s coast in a single day of adventure. This full-day tour from Lima combines the incredible wildlife of Paracas with the breathtaking dunes of Huacachina, creating an unforgettable experience filled with nature, scenery, and excitement.
We begin with a journey to Paracas, a peaceful coastal town known for the Paracas National Reserve and the famous Ballestas Islands. During the boat excursion, you will have the opportunity to observe sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a wide variety of seabirds in their natural habitat.
Later, we continue to Huacachina, a natural oasis surrounded by towering sand dunes in the heart of the Peruvian desert. Here, you will enjoy an exciting dune buggy adventure and have the chance to try sandboarding while taking in some of the most impressive desert landscapes on Peru’s southern coast.
This is one of the most complete day trips from Lima and an excellent choice for travelers who want to explore beyond the city while making the most of their time in Peru.
- Tour Type: Nature, adventure, and scenic landscapes.
- Ideal For: Couples, families, groups of friends, nature lovers, and travelers looking to explore beyond Lima.
- Duration: Approximately 16 hours.
- Start and End Point: Lima / Lima.
- Departure Time: Approximately between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.
- Difficulty Level: Easy.
- Languages: English and Spanish.
- Meals Included: No meals included.
- Season: Available year-round.
- Service Type: Small-group tour or private service.
Tour Highlights
- Cruise to the famous Ballestas Islands.
- Observe sea lions and Humboldt penguins.
- View the mysterious geoglyph known as El Candelabro.
- Visit the coastal town of Paracas.
- Explore the spectacular Huacachina Oasis.
- Enjoy an exciting dune buggy adventure.
- Experience sandboarding on the dunes of Ica.
- Admire some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Peru’s coast.
- Complete full day excursion from Lima.
Why You'll Love This Experience
Few places in Peru offer so much diversity in a single day.
In the morning, you will cruise across the Pacific Ocean while observing marine wildlife at the Ballestas Islands, often referred to as the “Galápagos of Peru.” You will see colonies of sea lions resting on rocky shores, Humboldt penguins, and hundreds of coastal birds that inhabit this protected marine reserve.
In the afternoon, the scenery changes dramatically as you travel into the desert region of Ica. The massive dunes surrounding Huacachina create one of the most spectacular landscapes in Peru and provide the perfect setting for an adrenaline filled adventure.
The combination of wildlife, ocean views, desert landscapes, and outdoor activities makes this one of the most popular excursions for travelers visiting Peru.
What Makes This Tour Special
What makes this experience unique is the opportunity to visit two completely different ecosystems in a single day.
First, you will explore the protected marine ecosystem of Paracas, home to some of the most important wildlife species found along the Peruvian coast. Later, you will visit Huacachina, Peru’s most famous natural oasis, surrounded by endless sand dunes stretching across the desert horizon.
In addition to the dramatic landscapes, you will enjoy a variety of activities throughout the day, including a boat excursion, wildlife observation, dune buggy rides, sandboarding, and stunning desert viewpoints. This combination of experiences is difficult to find anywhere else in South America.
Best Time to Visit
This excursion operates throughout the year.
Between December and April, days are generally warmer and sunnier, offering ideal conditions for enjoying the coastal scenery and desert oasis.
During the winter months from May to November, temperatures remain pleasant and all activities continue to operate normally.
The Ballestas Islands provide excellent wildlife viewing year-round, while Huacachina offers great conditions for adventure activities in every season.
Who Is This Tour For?
This experience is perfect for travelers with limited time in Lima who want to discover some of the most spectacular landscapes along Peru’s coast.
It is ideal for couples, groups of friends, families with older children, photographers, nature lovers, and travelers seeking the perfect balance between adventure and sightseeing. No previous experience is required for any of the activities included in the tour.
Included
- Pick-up from selected hotels in Lima.
- Round-trip tourist transportation.
- Professional bilingual guide.
- Ballestas Islands boat excursion.
- Life jacket during the boat tour.
- Wildlife observation experience.
- Visit to the Huacachina Oasis.
- Dune buggy ride through the desert.
- Sandboarding experience.
- Assistance throughout the excursion.
Not Included
- Breakfast.
- Lunch.
- Beverages.
- Port tax and local tourist fees (if applicable).
- Travel insurance.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips.
- Services not specifically mentioned in the program.
4:00 a.m. | Hotel Pick-Up in Lima
We begin our adventure with pick-up from hotels located in Miraflores, San Isidro, or other pre-arranged locations. From there, we travel south along Peru’s coastline aboard a comfortable tourist vehicle.
7:30 a.m. | Arrival in Paracas
After approximately three and a half hours of travel, we arrive in Paracas, one of Peru’s most important coastal destinations and the gateway to the famous Ballestas Islands. You will have time to use the facilities, take photos, and prepare for the upcoming boat excursion.
8:00 a.m. | Ballestas Islands Boat Tour
We board a tourist boat and begin our journey across Paracas Bay toward the Ballestas Islands. During the navigation, we will observe the famous geoglyph known as El Candelabro, a giant figure etched into the desert hillside whose origin and purpose remain a mystery.
We then continue toward the Ballestas Islands, where you can observe sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, boobies, cormorants, and many other seabird species that inhabit this protected marine reserve. The boat excursion lasts approximately two hours.
10:00 a.m. | Free Time in Paracas
After returning to the harbor, you will have free time to walk along the waterfront, take photos, or enjoy a snack before continuing the journey.
11:00 a.m. | Journey to Huacachina
We board our transportation once again and continue toward the city of Ica and the famous Huacachina Oasis, located in the heart of Peru’s coastal desert.
12:30 p.m. | Arrival at Huacachina
Upon arrival, you will discover the natural oasis surrounded by palm trees, a tranquil lagoon, and towering sand dunes that make it one of the most photographed destinations in Peru.
You will have time to explore the area, relax, or enjoy lunch on your own at one of the nearby restaurants.
2:30 p.m. | Free Time to Explore the Oasis
Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Huacachina while admiring the desert scenery and discovering why this small oasis has become one of Peru’s most popular destinations.
4:00 p.m. | Dune Buggy and Sandboarding Adventure
The adventure continues with an exciting dune buggy ride across the towering sand dunes of the Ica Desert. For approximately two hours, you will travel through some of the region’s most spectacular landscapes as your driver navigates steep climbs and thrilling descents over the dunes.
You will also have the opportunity to try sandboarding on several dunes, a fun and beginner-friendly activity that allows you to experience the desert in a unique way.
6:00 p.m. | Sunset in the Desert
Before leaving Huacachina, we will make a special stop to enjoy one of the most anticipated moments of the day: sunset over the dunes. As the sun slowly disappears behind the desert landscape, the changing colors create an unforgettable setting and the perfect opportunity for memorable photographs.
6:30 p.m. | Return to Lima
After our desert adventure, we begin the journey back to Lima.
10:00 p.m. | Arrival in Lima
We conclude the excursion with drop-off at the designated locations in Lima. Please note that arrival times may vary slightly depending on traffic conditions, weather, and the pace of the activities throughout the day.
What to Bring
- We recommend bringing:
- Passport or valid ID.
- Comfortable and lightweight clothing.
- Athletic or comfortable walking shoes.
- Sunscreen.
- Sunglasses.
- Hat or cap.
- Light jacket for the early morning and evening.
- Water.
- Camera or smartphone.
- Cash for personal expenses.
Price
| Shared Service | From USD 85 per person |
| Private Service | Custom pricing available upon request. |
Prices may vary depending on the season, availability, and number of travelers.
Options to Customize Your Experience
Private Service
Enjoy a more flexible itinerary with private transportation and personalized service for your group.
Nazca Extension
This experience can be combined with a Nazca Lines flight or an additional overnight stay in Ica, subject to availability.
Private Airport Transfers
We can arrange special transfers for travelers arriving in or departing from Lima around the dates of the excursion.
The excursion lasts approximately 16 to 18 hours, including transportation and all scheduled activities.
Yes. The boat excursion is suitable for most travelers, including families and senior visitors.
No. Sandboarding is beginner-friendly and includes basic instructions before the activity begins.
Yes. Humboldt penguins inhabit the Ballestas Islands throughout the year, although the number observed may vary depending on the season.
No. Breakfast and lunch are not included, allowing travelers the flexibility to choose their preferred dining options.
The difficulty level is low. Activities are accessible to most travelers and do not require a special level of fitness.
Yes. We can arrange private services for couples, families, and groups seeking a more personalized experience.
The combination of wildlife encounters at the Ballestas Islands, the breathtaking Huacachina Oasis, thrilling dune buggy rides, and sandboarding adventures makes this one of the most complete and popular day trips from Lima.
