Huacachina

Cruz del Sur or Peru Hop bus from Lima to Ica(4.5 hours)

Cruz del Sur 50-100 PEN ($14-28). Peru Hop is a hop-on/hop-off option good for combining Huacachina, Nazca, and Paracas. Book online for guaranteed seats

Taxi from Ica bus terminal to Huacachina(5 minutes)

10 PEN ($3). The oasis village is just 5km from Ica

Check into hostel or hotel(30 minutes)

Banana's Adventure Hostel ($7 dorm) or Desert Nights Eco-Luxury Camp ($120, glamping) on the lagoon. The village has only a few streets around the water

Sunset dune buggy and sandboarding tour(2 hours)

50-80 PEN ($14-22). THE Huacachina experience. Buggy races up 100m dunes, then you sandboard down on a waxed board — standing (harder) or lying (everyone). Departs daily at 4PM. Genuinely thrilling. Wear closed shoes, protect camera from sand

Dinner at a lagoon restaurant(1 hour)

Several restaurants ring the lagoon. Lomo saltado (stir-fried beef, 25-35 PEN) or aji de gallina (chicken in walnut-chile cream, 20-30 PEN). Cold Cusqueña beer to wash off the sand

Sunrise dune hike(1.5 hours)

Climb the tallest dune behind the oasis (30 minutes of steep sand walking). Start at 5:30AM. The silence and scale at dawn, with the tiny oasis below, is unforgettable. Free. Bring water and headlamp. Return by sliding or sandboarding down

Breakfast at the lagoon(45 minutes)

Fresh fruit, pancakes, and coffee at your hostel or a lagoon café. 15-25 PEN

Bodega Tacama winery tour(1.5 hours)

Peru's oldest winery (founded 1540), 5km from Huacachina. Tour 30 PEN including pisco and wine tasting. Beautiful hacienda grounds. Taxi from Ica 10 PEN

Bodega Lazo artisanal pisco distillery(1 hour)

15 PEN entry. Small family operation using traditional clay pots (piscos in botija). The tasting includes pisco puro, acholado, and mosto verde styles. Buy bottles at source ($5-10)

Lunch in Ica(1 hour)

Restaurante Plaza 125 for pallares con seco (beans with meat stew, 18 PEN) — an Iqueño specialty

Ica Regional Museum(1 hour)

10 PEN. Excellent Nazca pottery, Paracas textiles, and pre-Columbian artifacts. The elongated skulls and trophy heads are fascinating

Early transfer to Paracas(1 hour)

Combined day trip from Huacachina agencies: 100-150 PEN ($28-42) including transport, boat tour, and reserve entry. Or take a colectivo from Ica to Paracas (20 PEN)

Ballestas Islands boat tour(2 hours)

50-80 PEN from Paracas dock. Rocky islands with sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, and thousands of guano birds. The Candelabra geoglyph (200m-tall sand etching) is visible from the boat. No landing on the islands — viewing from the boat only

Paracas National Reserve(2 hours)

$15 entry. Dramatic red-sand beaches and desert cliffs plunging into the Pacific. The viewpoint at La Catedral (rock arch) and Playa Roja (red beach) are the highlights. Rent a buggy or bike to explore the reserve

Seafood lunch in Paracas(1 hour)

Ceviche on the waterfront (20-30 PEN). Paracas is a fishing town — the seafood is as fresh as it gets in Peru

Transfer to Nazca(2.5 hours)

Agencies in Huacachina arrange full-day Nazca trips ($100-150 including transport and flight). Or take a Cruz del Sur bus to Nazca (3 hours, 30-50 PEN) and arrange the flight independently

Nazca Lines overflight(30 minutes)

$80-120 for a light aircraft flight over the Monkey, Hummingbird, Spider, Astronaut, and other figures. The plane banks steeply — take motion sickness pills. The scale of the geoglyphs is only comprehensible from the air

Nazca aqueducts (Cantalloc)(45 minutes)

5 PEN entry. Underground water channels built by the Nazca civilization still functioning after 1,500+ years. Spiral stone openings lead to subterranean canals. An engineering marvel

Lunch in Nazca town(1 hour)

Simple restaurants near the plaza. Pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken, 20 PEN for a quarter with fries)

Morning lagoon walk and pedal boats(1 hour)

Walk the 15-minute lagoon loop. Pedal boats available for 10 PEN. The morning light on the palm-fringed water is the classic Huacachina postcard

Breakfast and poolside relaxation(2 hours)

Many hostels have pools. The desert sun is brutal — SPF 50+, hat, and 3+ liters of water are essential

Optional: second buggy/sandboarding session(2 hours)

Worth repeating if you want better sandboarding runs. You'll be more confident the second time

Sunset from the dunes(1 hour)

Hike up the dune behind the oasis for sunset. Bring a speaker and drinks — many backpackers do the same

Hostel bar night(2 hours)

Huacachina's nightlife is small but social. Banana's Adventure and Wild Rover have bar events. Pisco sours ($2-3) are the drink of choice

Taxi to Cachiche village(15 minutes)

3km from Huacachina. Known as the 'village of witches' — traditional healers (curanderas) who practice herbal medicine. The giant witch sculpture marks the entrance. Free to explore

Visit a curandera (optional)(1 hour)

Some curanderas offer spiritual cleansings and herbal consultations. 20-50 PEN. Respect the tradition — this is genuine folk medicine, not a tourist performance

Ica markets and city walk(1.5 hours)

The central market has local produce, dried fruits, and tejas (Ica's famous candy — manjar blanco wrapped in crunchy sugar). Buy a box ($3-5) as gifts

Lunch at a local picantería(1 hour)

Carapulcra (dried potato and pork stew, 15-20 PEN) — a dish unique to the Ica region. Accompanied by sopa seca (noodle dish)

Return to Huacachina for final sunset(1 hour)

Last dune climb, last oasis view, last pisco sour

Sunrise dune hike (if missed earlier)(1.5 hours)

One last climb. The dawn desert silence is addictive

Taxi to Ica bus terminal(10 minutes)

10 PEN

Cruz del Sur or Peru Hop bus to Lima or Nazca(4-5 hours)

To Lima: 50-100 PEN (4-5 hours). To Nazca: 30-50 PEN (3 hours). To Arequipa: 80-120 PEN (12 hours overnight)

Bus from Lima to Ica(4.5 hours)

Cruz del Sur 50-100 PEN. Peru Hop for multi-stop

Taxi to Huacachina(5 minutes)

10 PEN

Sunset dune buggy + sandboarding(2 hours)

50-80 PEN. Departs 4PM daily

Lagoon dinner(1 hour)

Lomo saltado 25-35 PEN

Sunrise dune hike(1.5 hours)

5:30AM start. Free

Bodega Tacama(1.5 hours)

Founded 1540. Tour 30 PEN

Bodega Lazo(1 hour)

15 PEN. Artisanal pisco

Lunch at Plaza 125 in Ica(1 hour)

Pallares con seco, 18 PEN

Ica Regional Museum(1 hour)

10 PEN. Nazca pottery, Paracas textiles

Transfer to Paracas(1 hour)

Day trip 100-150 PEN all-inclusive

Ballestas Islands boat tour(2 hours)

Sea lions, Humboldt penguins, Candelabra geoglyph

Paracas National Reserve(2 hours)

$15 entry. Red beach, La Catedral viewpoint

Seafood lunch in Paracas(1 hour)

Ceviche 20-30 PEN

Overflight(30 minutes)

$80-120. Monkey, Hummingbird, Spider, Astronaut

Cantalloc aqueducts(45 minutes)

5 PEN. 1,500-year-old functioning water channels

Lagoon walk and pedal boats(1 hour)

10 PEN for boats

Hostel bar night(2 hours)

Pisco sours $2-3

Cachiche village(1.5 hours)

Witch village with traditional healers. Free

Ica markets(1 hour)

Tejas candy, dried fruits, local produce

Picantería lunch(1 hour)

Carapulcra 15-20 PEN

Colectivo to Paracas(1 hour)

20 PEN from Ica

Check into Paracas accommodation(1 hour)

Kokopelli Hostel ($10 dorm) or Hotel Paracas ($150+ luxury). The town is quiet and beachfront

Beach afternoon at Playa El Chaco(3 hours)

The town beach is calm and warm. Fishing boats bob in the harbor. Rent a kayak ($5/hour) for bay exploration

Sunset seafood dinner(1.5 hours)

Restaurante Chalana on the waterfront. Fresh ceviche mixto (25 PEN), arroz con mariscos (seafood rice, 30 PEN). Watch pelicans dive as you eat

Rent a buggy or bike for the reserve(5 hours)

Buggy rental $40-60/day. Bike rental 20 PEN/day. The reserve is large — a vehicle lets you reach the far beaches and viewpoints

Playa Roja (Red Beach)(1 hour)

Volcanic red sand against turquoise water. No swimming (strong currents) but stunning photos

Flamingo viewing at the bay(1 hour)

Chilean flamingos feed in the shallow bay waters. Best in morning. Binoculars helpful

Playa La Mina(1.5 hours)

The best swimming beach in the reserve. Calm, sheltered cove with clear water. Bring shade — no trees

Optional: fishing boat trip(3 hours)

Join a local fisherman for $30-50. Catch your own ceviche ingredients and have them prepared at a waterfront restaurant

Bodega Viñas de Oro(1 hour)

Premium pisco producer. Tour and tasting 20 PEN. Their Mosto Verde Quebranta is among Peru's finest piscos

Bodega El Catador(1 hour)

20 PEN. Learn the pisco sour cocktail recipe from the source. Buy bottles direct ($5-8)

Ica Valley agricultural tour(3 hours)

Guided farm visits ($20-30) to pecan groves, table grape vineyards, and asparagus farms. The valley's irrigation system is ancient. Some tours include chocolate-making

Lunch at a farm(1 hour)

Farm-fresh food in a rural setting

Early morning dune photography(2 hours)

The low-angle morning light creates dramatic shadows on the dune ridges. The oasis from above is the money shot

Second buggy/sandboarding tour(2 hours)

50-80 PEN. Try standing this time if you went lying-down before

Colectivo to Chincha(1 hour)

30-40 PEN from Ica. The town has a significant Afro-Peruvian population with unique culinary and musical traditions

Hacienda San José(1.5 hours)

25 PEN entry. A colonial hacienda with underground tunnels used during the slave trade. The tour is sobering and important. Beautiful but haunted architecture

Lunch at a Chincha restaurant(1.5 hours)

Try sopa seca con carapulcra (the Chincha double — noodle dish with dried potato stew, 20 PEN). Tacu tacu (rice and bean cake) is another specialty

Listen for cajón music(1 hour)

The cajón (box drum) originated here. If you visit on a weekend, peñas (music venues) have live festejo and landó rhythms. Ask locals

Bus from Lima to Ica(4.5 hours)

Cruz del Sur 50-100 PEN

Taxi to Huacachina(5 minutes)

10 PEN

Sunset dune buggy + sandboarding(2 hours)

50-80 PEN

Bodega Tacama(1.5 hours)

Tour 30 PEN

Bodega Lazo(1 hour)

15 PEN

Ica Regional Museum(1 hour)

10 PEN

Paracas National Reserve(2 hours)

$15 entry

Overflight(30 minutes)

$80-120

Cantalloc aqueducts(45 minutes)

5 PEN

Picantería lunch(1 hour)

Carapulcra 15-20 PEN

Colectivo to Paracas(1 hour)

20 PEN

Rent buggy for reserve(5 hours)

$40-60/day

Optional fishing trip(3 hours)

$30-50 with local fisherman

Bodega Viñas de Oro(1 hour)

20 PEN tasting

Bodega El Catador(1 hour)

20 PEN. Pisco sour lesson

Farm tours(3 hours)

$20-30. Pecans, grapes, asparagus

Second buggy/sandboarding tour(2 hours)

50-80 PEN

Hacienda San José(1.5 hours)

25 PEN. Underground tunnels

Chincha lunch(1.5 hours)

Sopa seca con carapulcra, 20 PEN

Bus to Nazca(3 hours)

30-50 PEN

Check into Nazca hotel(1 hour)

Hotel Nazca Lines ($30-50) or Kunan Wasi ($15-25)

Chauchilla Cemetery(2 hours)

30 PEN + transport. Open-air archaeological site with 1,000-year-old mummies and textiles still in their original burial positions. Eerie and fascinating. 30km south of Nazca

Paredones Ruins(1 hour)

10 PEN. Inca administrative center 2km from Nazca. Adobe walls and terraces with views over the valley. Lightly visited

Nazca Lines viewing tower(30 minutes)

2 PEN. See two geoglyphs (Hands and Tree) from a roadside mirador. Less dramatic than the flight but free/cheap

Maria Reiche Museum(1 hour)

5 PEN. Dedicated to the German mathematician who spent her life studying and protecting the Nazca Lines. Her former house with personal effects and research tools

Afternoon at Huacachina oasis(3 hours)

The familiar lagoon, one more time

Drive to Tambo Colorado(1.5 hours)

60km south of Ica. Hire a taxi ($30-40 round trip) or join a tour

Explore Tambo Colorado(1.5 hours)

10 PEN. Adobe Inca compound with original red, yellow, and white paint still visible on the walls — extremely rare for Inca sites. Almost no other visitors

Pisco town visit(1.5 hours)

The town that gave the spirit its name. Small, authentic, with a plaza and church. Local restaurants serve fresh seafood

Morning lagoon conservation walk(1.5 hours)

The oasis lagoon is artificially maintained — learn about the efforts to keep it alive. Some hostels organize volunteer cleanups

Visit Ica community projects(2 hours)

Ask at your hostel about local community initiatives. Teaching English, helping with community gardens, or just visiting and learning

Final pisco bodega visit(1 hour)

One last tasting at a distillery you haven't tried

Farewell sunset buggy ride (optional)(2 hours)

One more time, 50-80 PEN