This full-day trip takes you from Lima to two completely different landscapes on Peru’s coast. You begin the morning beside the ocean in Paracas, continue through Ica, and finish the afternoon surrounded by the huge desert dunes of Huacachina before returning to Lima at night.
The day starts early, with hotel pickup in Lima between approximately 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. As you travel south along the Pan-American Highway, the city slowly disappears and the coastal desert begins to take over the landscape.
In Paracas, you board a boat for the Ballestas Islands, where the experience is all about the sea, rocky formations and the wildlife that inhabits this part of the Peruvian coast. During the navigation, you can also see the Candelabro de Paracas carved into the desert hillside.
Later, the scenery changes again as you continue toward Ica for a winery visit and tasting. From there, the trip moves into its most adventurous part at Huacachina, where dune buggies and sandboarding take you across the desert before the return journey to Lima.
From the Pacific Coast to the Huacachina Desert in One Day
The Paracas & Huacachina Full Day Tour is a long but varied day trip from Lima. Instead of spending the entire day in one place, you move through the coast, vineyards and desert, with a different experience at each stop.
The morning is focused on Paracas and the Ballestas Islands. After arriving at the coast, you board a boat and head out onto the Pacific, passing the Candelabro de Paracas and continuing toward the islands. Along the way, there are opportunities to observe sea lions and different species of seabirds in their natural environment.
After the boat excursion, you continue toward Ica. Here, the pace changes: you visit a local winery, learn about the production of pisco and wine, and have the opportunity to taste some of the products made in the region.
The final part of the day is completely different again. Huacachina is surrounded by enormous sand dunes, and this is where you board a buggy and head into the desert. After riding across the dunes, you can try sandboarding before enjoying the late-afternoon desert scenery and beginning the drive back to Lima.
Highlights of the Paracas & Huacachina Full Day Tour
- Travel from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina in a single day.
- Take a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands.
- See the Candelabro de Paracas from the sea.
- Look for sea lions and seabirds around the Ballestas Islands.
- Visit a winery in Ica and enjoy a pisco and wine tasting.
- Experience the desert landscape surrounding Huacachina.
- Ride across the dunes in a buggy with an experienced driver.
- Try sandboarding on the dunes.
- Watch the late-afternoon light over the desert before returning to Lima.
What makes this day trip different?
What makes this tour interesting is how much the scenery changes during the day. In the morning you are on the Pacific coast, a few hours later you are learning about pisco in Ica, and by the afternoon you are surrounded by sand dunes in Huacachina. It feels like three very different parts of Peru packed into one long day.
A full day from Lima, with an early start and late return
This is not a short excursion. Pickup begins before sunrise and the return to Lima is expected at approximately 10:00 p.m. If you choose this tour, it is best to think of it as a complete day of travel and activities rather than a quick visit outside the city.
Paracas & Huacachina Full Day Tour from Lima Itinerary
Early Morning: Hotel Pickup in Lima
Your day begins with pickup from your hotel in Lima between approximately 4:30 and 5:00 a.m.
From Lima, travel south along the Pan-American Highway. It is an early departure, but one of the interesting parts of the drive is watching the scenery gradually change from the city to the dry coastal desert.
Morning: Paracas and the Ballestas Islands
After arriving in Paracas, head to the pier and board a boat for the Ballestas Islands excursion.
The boat ride takes you into one of the most distinctive marine environments on the Peruvian coast. As you approach the islands, rocky formations rise from the ocean and provide resting areas for sea lions and numerous seabirds.
During the navigation, you will also see the Candelabro de Paracas, a large geoglyph marked into the desert slope and visible from the sea.
Wildlife sightings depend on natural conditions, so specific animals cannot be guaranteed, but sea lions and different coastal bird species are commonly associated with this marine environment.
Midday: Travel to Ica and Visit a Local Winery
After the Ballestas Islands excursion, continue south toward Ica.
Along the way, stop at a winery where you can learn more about the production of pisco and wine, two products closely associated with this part of Peru. A tasting is included as part of the visit.
This is also your opportunity to have lunch. Meals are not included in the tour, so lunch is paid directly by each traveler.
Afternoon: Huacachina, Dune Buggies and Sandboarding
Continue to Huacachina, where the scenery changes completely. The oasis sits beside an enormous field of sand dunes and marks the beginning of the most adventurous part of the day.
Board a dune buggy with an experienced driver and travel across the desert. The ride includes climbs and descents over the dunes before stopping for the sandboarding experience.
You will have the chance to slide down the sand on a board and enjoy the open desert landscape around Huacachina.
Late Afternoon and Evening: Desert Sunset and Return to Lima
As the afternoon comes to an end, enjoy the changing light over the dunes before beginning the return journey north.
Travel back to Lima after a full day on the coast and in the desert. Arrival in Lima is expected at approximately 10:00 p.m., depending on traffic and road conditions.
The tour ends in Lima, the same city where the journey began.
Paracas & Huacachina Full Day Price and Booking Information
Select your travel date to check the current price and availability for the Paracas & Huacachina Full Day Tour from Lima.
Please note: all entrance fees required for the scheduled tour are included. Meals, accommodation, personal expenses and optional tips are not included.
Group Price
What’s Included in the Paracas & Huacachina Full Day Tour?
What is included?
- Tourist transportation from Lima and back to Lima.
- Professional guide.
- All entrance fees required for the scheduled tour.
- Ballestas Islands boat excursion.
- Viewing of the Candelabro de Paracas during the boat route.
- Winery visit in Ica.
- Pisco and wine tasting.
- Dune buggy experience in Huacachina.
- Sandboarding experience.
What is not included?
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Accommodation or hotel.
- Domestic and international flights.
- Optional tips.
- Personal expenses.
- Activities or services not described in the itinerary.
What to Know Before Your Paracas & Huacachina Full Day Tour
- Starting point: Lima.
- Ending point: Lima.
- Duration: Full day.
- Pickup: Approximately 4:30–5:00 a.m. from hotels in Lima.
- Approximate return: Around 10:00 p.m. in Lima.
- Activity: Bus tour with boat excursion, dune buggy ride and sandboarding.
- Difficulty: Easy.
- Maximum altitude: Approximately 500 m above sea level.
- Accommodation: None. This is a same-day tour from Lima.
- Meals: Not included. Travelers can purchase food during the day.
- Entrance fees: All entrance fees required for the scheduled tour are included.
- Ballestas Islands: The visit is made by boat from Paracas.
- Wildlife: Wildlife observations depend on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
- Huacachina: The afternoon includes dune buggies and sandboarding.
- Clothing: Wear comfortable clothes suitable for a long day with coastal and desert conditions.
- Sun protection: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
- Personal items: Bring identification, water and some cash for meals and personal expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Paracas & Huacachina Full Day Tour
Where does the Paracas & Huacachina tour start and end?
The tour starts in Lima and returns to Lima on the same day. Lima is the only starting and ending point for this itinerary.
What time is pickup in Lima?
Hotel pickup begins between approximately 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. Because it is a long full-day trip, the early departure allows enough time to visit Paracas, Ica and Huacachina before returning to Lima.
What time do we return to Lima?
The expected arrival in Lima is approximately 10:00 p.m. Actual arrival time can vary depending on traffic and road conditions.
Is the Ballestas Islands boat tour included?
Yes. The boat excursion from Paracas to the Ballestas Islands is included in the tour.
Can we see the Candelabro de Paracas?
Yes. The Candelabro de Paracas can be seen from the boat during the excursion from Paracas toward the Ballestas Islands.
What wildlife can we see at the Ballestas Islands?
The islands are known for sea lions and many coastal bird species. Wildlife is observed in a natural environment, so the animals present can vary from one day to another.
Is lunch included in the tour?
No. Meals are not included. There is an opportunity to have lunch during the stop in Ica, and each traveler pays directly for their own food.
Is the winery and pisco tasting included?
Yes. The itinerary includes a winery visit in Ica and a tasting of local products such as pisco and wine.
Are the dune buggies and sandboarding included?
Yes. The Huacachina portion of the tour includes the dune buggy experience and sandboarding.
Are entrance fees included?
Yes. All entrance fees required for the scheduled activities in this tour are included.
Does the tour include accommodation?
No. This is a full-day tour from Lima with return to Lima at night, so no hotel or overnight accommodation is included.
What should I bring for the Paracas & Huacachina tour?
Bring comfortable clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, identification, water and some cash for meals and personal expenses. The day combines a boat excursion on the coast with desert activities in Huacachina, so light layers are useful.