Paracas, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina: The Ultimate One-Day Adventure
Sea lions in the morning, a desert reserve at midday, and dune buggies flying over the sand at sunset — the paracas ballestas islands huacachina day trip squeezes three of southern Peru's best experiences into a single, action-packed day. It starts with the wildlife of the Ballestas Islands, crosses the stark beauty of the Paracas National Reserve, and finishes with adrenaline at the Huacachina oasis. At 11.5 hours and around $90, it is the most complete day you can have on this coast. If you want everything in one go, this is it — and you can still compare it with every Ballestas Islands tour from Paracas first.
About This Activity
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
A full day from Paracas to Huacachina and back
Sea lions, penguins, seabirds and the Candelabra
Supay Beach, La Catedral, Red Beach, Lagunillas
Dune buggy ride and sandboarding at the oasis
Bilingual guide in English and Spanish
Check Live Availability & Prices
This is the big one — three experiences in a single day, with an early start. It is a long day that rewards an early booking, so check the calendar for open dates.
Why Do All Three in One Day
Nature, sea and desert without changing hotels
If your time in southern Peru is tight, this tour solves a real problem. Instead of basing yourself in two towns and booking three separate trips, you do the Ballestas Islands, the Paracas National Reserve and the Huacachina dunes in one guided day, run by Like Xplorer.
The morning is all about wildlife on the water; the middle of the day is the silent, sweeping desert of the reserve; and the late afternoon is pure adrenaline — a dune buggy hammering over the sand and sandboarding down the slopes around the Huacachina oasis. Few day trips anywhere pack in this much variety.
What the Huacachina leg adds
Huacachina is a tiny palm-fringed oasis set among enormous dunes near Ica, about 90 minutes from Paracas. The dune buggy ride is genuinely thrilling — fast, bouncy and scenic — and the sandboarding lets you slide down the dunes on a board, lying or standing. It is the perfect high-energy finish to a day that began quietly among the sea lions.
What You'll See and Do on This Day Trip
The full day, highlight by highlight
This is the most varied itinerary on the whole site, moving from ocean to desert to oasis:
- The Ballestas Islands by boat — sea lions, Humboldt penguins, guano birds and the Candelabra
- Supay Beach and La Catedral in the Paracas National Reserve
- Red Beach (Playa Roja) and La Mina Beach
- Lagunillas cove with its desert-meets-ocean scenery
- The Huacachina oasis surrounded by towering dunes
- A dune buggy ride over the sand near Ica
- Sandboarding down the dunes at sunset
What Is Included — and What You Should Still Bring
Included in the tour price
- Round-trip speedboat ride to the Ballestas Islands and life vest - Sightseeing tour of the Paracas National Reserve with tourist transport - Bilingual (English/Spanish) guide throughout - Transfers between Paracas, Ica and Huacachina - Dune buggy ride and sandboarding at Huacachina - One hour of tubing and SUP where offered - Reserve and Huacachina admission fees as listed
Not included — plan for these
- Lunch — there is a stop in the reserve, but the meal is at your own cost - The small dock tax at the Paracas pier - Gratuities for the guide and drivers - Personal extras like additional sandboarding sessions - Travel insurance (recommended for the dune buggy activity)
What Happens on This Tour — Step by Step
Important Things to Know Before You Go
What to bring
- Comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes for the dunes - Sunscreen, sunglasses and a windproof layer for the boat - Plenty of water — it is a long, hot day - Your original passport, which is required for identification - Cash for lunch, the dock tax and any extras - A bag or pouch to keep sand and water out of your phone and camera
Not allowed, and who should skip it
Smoking, pets (assistance dogs aside) and alcohol or drugs are not allowed on the tour.
Because of the boat and the high-speed dune buggy, this tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, vertigo, respiratory issues or altitude sickness, wheelchair users, or those who suffer badly from seasickness. Children may ride the buggy with a signed parental consent form. Guests weighing over 100 kg may need to purchase a second buggy seat for safety.
Where the Adventure Ends — Huacachina Oasis
Who Is This Day Trip For?
Ideal for
- Travelers short on days who want the Ballestas, the reserve and Huacachina in one go - Adventure lovers who want wildlife and adrenaline in the same day - Backpackers heading on to Ica or Huacachina afterwards - Active groups and couples comfortable with a long, full day - Anyone who wants sandboarding and a dune buggy ride included
Not ideal for
- Travelers who want a relaxed, short outing — the boat-only tour suits that - Pregnant women or anyone with back problems, vertigo or respiratory issues - Guests who suffer badly from seasickness or motion sickness - Visitors who only want the islands and not the desert or dunes
How long is the Paracas, Ballestas and Huacachina day trip?
It runs about 11.5 hours, starting around 7:45 am in Paracas and ending around 6:30 pm at the Huacachina oasis. It is the longest, most complete tour on this site. Compare it with the shorter Paracas tours.
Is the dune buggy and sandboarding safe?
It is run by experienced operators with safety equipment, but it is a high-speed activity. It is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone with back problems, vertigo or respiratory issues, and children need a signed parental consent form. See gentler options here.
Do I need my passport for this tour?
Yes — bring your original passport, as it is required for identification at the reserve and for the Huacachina activities. Check live availability and details.
Is lunch included on the day trip?
No — there is a stop where you can buy lunch, but the meal is at your own cost. Bring cash and water for the long day. See what the other tours include.
Can I end the tour in Ica or Huacachina instead of Paracas?
Yes — the tour ends at Huacachina, with transfers offered onward to Ica's bus terminal or back to Paracas, which is ideal if you are continuing south. Browse all the Paracas tours.
What Travelers Say
The most we have ever packed into one day. Sea lions and penguins on the boat in the morning, the incredible red beach and cliffs of the reserve at midday, then dune buggies and sandboarding at Huacachina to finish. Exhausting in the best possible way — book it if you only have one day.
Brilliant value for everything you get. The boat tour to the Ballestas was the highlight for me, but the buggy ride over the dunes at sunset was unforgettable. Our bilingual guide kept the whole long day running smoothly.
We were short on time in Peru and this was the perfect solution — three different experiences without changing hotels. Bring water, sunscreen and your passport, and just enjoy the ride. The variety is incredible.