Paracas & Huacachina Full day from Lima
Duration
1 Day
Type of Tour
Adventure
Difficulty
Easy
Gruop size
2 min. - 12 max.
Highlights
Ballestas Islands, Marine Wildlife Sanctuary: Take a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, home to colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, and a rich variety of seabirds that thrive in Peru’s coastal ecosystem.
Paracas National Reserve, Desert and Sea Landscapes: Discover the stunning contrasts of Paracas, visiting natural viewpoints like La Catedral, Playa Roja, and Playa Yumaque.
Huacachina Oasis & Ica Desert Adventure: Visit the only natural oasis in South America, surrounded by vast golden dunes. Enjoy sandboarding or a dune buggy ride with panoramic views of the desert.
Overview
Experience Peru’s coastal desert on this full-day journey from Lima to Paracas National Reserve and the Huacachina Oasis. The tour combines nature, wildlife and adventure. It offers a perfect escape from the capital. This tour is the ideal way to discover the best of Peru’s southern coast in a single day.
Begin in Paracas, where you’ll visit the Ballestas Islands, home to sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, and other marine birds. Explore the Paracas National Reserve, a striking mix of desert, sea, and wind-sculpted cliffs showcasing Peru’s unique coastal ecosystems.
Continue to the desert oasis of Huacachina, surrounded by towering sand dunes. Enjoy sandboarding or a dune buggy ride, taking in panoramic views of the desert sunset.
Who is this tour for?
This tour is ideal for travelers seeking a mix of nature, adventure, and coastal scenery in a single day. It’s perfect for those with limited time in Lima who want to experience Peru’s marine life, desert landscapes, and outdoor activities without long trekking or altitude. Suitable for all ages, it appeals to wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone looking for a fun, diverse day trip filled with natural beauty and excitement.
Itinerary
We’ll begin our journey early in the morning, leaving Lima for a 3.5-hour drive along the Panamericana Sur Highway. As the city gives way to open desert and Pacific coastline, you’ll watch the sunrise over Peru’s southern plains.
Upon reaching Paracas, we’ll board a speedboat for a 2-hour excursion to the Ballestas Islands. This marine sanctuary is alive with wildlife: sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and flocks of seabirds that nest on the rocky cliffs. On the way, we’ll spot the mysterious Candelabro geoglyph, carved into the arid hillside.
Back on shore, we’ll continue to the Paracas National Reserve for a 1.5-hour exploration of its desert and coastal scenery. We’ll visit striking natural formations such as La Catedral, Playa Roja, and Playa Yumaque. There the golden dunes and deep-blue ocean create one of Peru’s most photogenic landscapes.
After enjoying a relaxed lunch break by the coast. We’ll travel for about 1.5 hours toward the Huacachina Oasis, passing through the Ica Valley with its vineyards and desert views.
At Huacachina, South America’s only natural desert oasis, you’ll have time to stroll around the lagoon before the adventure begins. Get ready for a 1-hour dune buggy ride across towering sand dunes followed by sandboarding, an exhilarating experience and a highlight of the trip. As the afternoon light softens, we’ll pause to take in the panoramic desert sunset before returning to Lima on a 4-hour drive back to the city.
By evening, you’ll arrive with unforgettable memories of Peru’s coastal wildlife, desert landscapes, and the thrill of Huacachina’s golden dunes.
5
Reasons Travelers Choose Us in 2026
Authentic & Expertly Curated Adventures – We design unique experiences across Peru, carefully planed to match your interests, pace, and travel style.
Seasoned Local Guides – Our experienced guides are trained professionals. They are locals who are proudly knowledgeable on culture, history, and hidden gems.
Small Groups, Big Connections – Traveling in small groups means a more personal, safe, and enriching experience, fostering genuine connections along the way.
Dedicated Care from Start to Finish – Our experienced team handles every single detail to assure a top experience with 69 Explorer.
Unmatched Value for Quality – Our exceptional service & comfort, during authentic experiences promise unforgettable moments. Best price guaranteed — no hidden costs, just real value.
What’s included?
Professional Guide
- Experienced, English-speaking guides who are knowledgeable about the tour, local culture, geography and history.
Transportation
- Round-trip transportation from Lima.
First Aid and Emergency Equipment
- Guides carry a first-aid kit for basic medical situations and emergency equipment, if needed.
Excludes
- Travel Insurance: Highly recommended but, not included.
- Airfare: Flights are not included.
- Meals not listed.
- Personal Clothing and Gear: Hiking boots, clothing, backpacks, and other personal gear are the responsibility of the trekker.
- Tips for Guides and Support Staff: Gratuity for the guides and drivers.
- Extra Snacks and Drinks: While main meals are included, extra snacks, alcoholic beverages, and bottled drinks are not.
- Personal Expenses: Any additional expenses such as souvenirs, laundry services, or additional tours are not included.
- Emergency Transportation: If you need to leave the trek early due to illness or other reasons, the cost of emergency transport is not covered.
- Entrance Fees for Optional Sites: Some side trips or additional archaeological sites do have entrance fees not included in the tour package.
Recommend to carry
Clothing
- Light jacket.
- Hoodie for the evening.
- Comfortable outfit, depending on the season you can even wear beach clothing.
- Sun hat.
Footwear
- Comfortable shoes.
- Light socks.
Backpack and Daypack
- Lightweight daypack for personal items.
Hydration and Snacks
- Water bottles or hydration bladder (minimum 2 liters).
- Energy bars, snacks (nuts, dried fruit, chocolate).
Health and Personal Items
- Personal medication.
- First aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic wipes, blister plasters).
- High SPF sunscreen.
- Lip balm with SPF.
- Insect repellent.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Toilet paper and small shovel (if needed for nature calls).
Documents
- Passport photocopy or photo.
- Travel insurance information.
- Emergency contact information.
Miscellaneous
- Plastic bags (for wet clothes and trash).
- Earplugs and eye mask.
- Small notebook and pen.
- Maps and guidebooks (optional).
- Extra cash for lunch or any other purchase.
FAQS
It is a full day tour to the coastal area of Paracas and the desert of Ica in Huacachina Oasis.
14-15 hours.
Not included.
All year long is possible; the best weather is during the southern summer: December – February.
All permits and entrances are handled by us and included in the price.
A maximum of 25 passengers.
Client Cancellation:
To cancel, send a written notice to “69 Explorer.” The initial deposit is not refundable. Check your insurance for potential coverage for cancellation reasons.
Cancellations more than 15 days before departure result in a 50% deposit forfeiture. For cancellations between 7 and 15 days before departure, if full payment has been made, 50% of the total cost will be refunded. No refunds are given for cancellations less than 48 hours before departure or for partial tour cancellations.
Alterations/Cancellations by Us:
In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as technical issues, adverse weather, strikes, government actions, or civil disturbances, “69 Explorer” will try to provide alternative arrangements or equivalent trips, without offering refunds. Itinerary adjustments may be necessary, but we will aim to maintain the agreed services.
Significant changes will be communicated before your trip, with comparable alternative plans offered. Any additional costs from these changes are the client’s responsibility. We cannot compensate for expenses like international flights, visas, vaccinations, etc.
If “69 Explorer” cancels a tour, a full refund will be provided.
All 69 Explorer trips are guided by Local Experienced, English-speaking guides familiar with the area and relevant facts.
For our Group Experiences we recommend 12 – 65 years old.
Families with kids or seniors can opt for a Private Trip Experience.
Yes, we can arrange customized trips in Peru.
We offer an extensive range of experiences in Cusco, like hikes or treks, Salkantay & Humantay, Machu Picchu, Inca Trail & Alternative Inca Trail, South Valley & Sacred Valley, Ausangate & Vilcanota Range experiences and recently we added E-biking to our brochure.
Contact us for tailored experiences, we can arrange the perfect plan for your Peru Vacation.
Yes, we count with all the legal permits and the experience to make your dream trip to Peru a reality.
Plus, all of our local guides have degrees in tourism and a minimum of 2 years’ experience. They all speak English and Spanish and many also speak Quechua, the native language of Peru.
