Paracas, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Full Day Tour

1
Group Tour

Qeswachaka-tours-a-huacachina

Discover the best of Peru’s southern coast on an exciting full-day tour from Lima, where you’ll combine nature, wildlife, and adventure in a single day. Travel to Paracas for an unforgettable boat excursion to the famous Ballestas Islands, often called the “Galápagos of Peru.” Here you’ll have the chance to observe sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a wide variety of marine birds up close, while also viewing the mysterious Paracas Candelabra, a giant geoglyph etched into the desert sand. Afterward, continue to the spectacular Huacachina Oasis, surrounded by massive sand dunes. There, you’ll enjoy an adrenaline-filled experience with an exciting dune buggy ride across the desert and the thrilling activity of sandboarding. All of this takes place among breathtaking landscapes, where you can also witness one of the most stunning sunsets in Peru.

This tour offers the perfect combination of nature, adventure, and unforgettable scenery in just one day.

Summary

Tour Type: Nature, Adventure & Wildlife
Duration: 1 day (Full Day)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Languages: Spanish / English
Departure Time: Approximately 4:30 a.m.
Return Time: Approximately 10:30 p.m.
Season: Available all year round (best time: December – April for more active marine wildlife)
Maximum Altitude: Approximately 406 m (1,332 ft) in Huacachina
Weather: Generally warm and sunny during the day. Mornings in Paracas can feel cool due to the sea breeze, and the desert may be windy in the afternoon.
Main Places Visited: Paracas – Ballestas Islands – Huacachina – Lima.

Itinerary

Paracas, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Full Day Tour:

04:30 – 05:00 a.m. | Departure from Lima
Pick-up from your hotel in Lima to begin the journey to the southern coast of Peru, heading towards Paracas.

09:30 a.m. | Ballestas Islands Excursion
Upon arrival, you will head to El Chaco Pier to board modern speedboats for the excursion to the famous Ballestas Islands. During the tour, you will observe a great variety of marine wildlife such as sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and numerous seabirds. You will also see the mysterious Paracas Candelabra, a giant geoglyph carved into the desert sand. The excursion lasts approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.

12:00 p.m. | Travel to Ica
After the excursion, we will continue the journey to the city of Ica.

01:00 p.m. | Lunch in Ica
Arrival in Ica and free time for lunch. (Lunch not included).

02:30 p.m. | Visit to a Traditional Sweets Factory
Visit to Noelia Chocolate Factory, where you can taste traditional local products such as chocotejas, alfajores, jams, artisanal cookies, and other regional sweets.

03:00 p.m. | Visit to the Huacachina Oasis
Excursion to the spectacular Huacachina Oasis, a natural oasis surrounded by large sand dunes. You will have time to walk around the lagoon, enjoy the scenery, and take amazing photos.

06:00 p.m. | Wine and Pisco Tasting
Visit to a traditional winery where you will taste local products such as wines, piscos, pisco creams, macerated liquors, and mistelas.

07:00 p.m. | Return to Lima
Transfer to the bus station to board the service heading back to Lima.

10:00 p.m. | Arrival in Lima
Reception and transfer to your hotel, concluding this incredible tour through Paracas, Ica, and Huacachina.

Important: The mentioned schedule is approximate and may vary depending on the development of the tour.

Price

Paracas, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Full Day Tour:

80USD

Inclusions

Included in the Paracas, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Full Day Tour:

Official bilingual tour guide
Hotel pick-up (Hotels in Miraflores are recommended)
Tourist transportation: Lima – Paracas – Ica
Visit to the Paracas beach resort
Ballestas Islands boat excursion
Tasting of pisco, wines, pisco creams, macerated drinks and more
Visit to the Huacachina Oasis
Visit to the Noelia Chocolate Factory
Dune buggy adventure in the desert
Tourist transportation from Ica back to Lima

Not Included in the Paracas, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Full Day Tour:

Breakfast on the first morning
Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and water during breakfast on the first day
Lunch and dinner on the last day

what to bring

What to bring to the Paracas, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Full Day Tour:

We suggest only bringing the essential to enjoy the tour and leaving the rest in your hotel

Backpack: To carry your essentials during the excursions.
Comfortable clothing: Light and breathable clothes for daytime activities, plus a light jacket or sweater for cooler moments.
Sun protection: Sunglasses, a wide-brim hat, and sunscreen (SPF 50+ recommended) to protect yourself from the strong sun. ☀️
Comfortable footwear: Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes suitable for sandy and rocky terrain.
Reusable water bottle: Staying hydrated is essential, especially in desert areas.
Personal medications: Bring any necessary medicines. Motion sickness tablets can be useful for boat rides.
Cash: Carry some local currency (Peruvian soles) for small purchases, tips, or extra expenses not included in the tour.
Power bank: To keep your devices charged during long travel periods.
Snacks: Energy bars or a mix of dried fruits and nuts.
Wet wipes and hand sanitizer: For personal hygiene.
Toilet paper and a small plastic bag: Useful during the trip if needed.

FAQs

FAQs of the Paracas, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Full Day Tour:

What time is the hotel pick-up and from which areas?
Hotel pick-up is between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM. Pick-up is available from the main hotels in Miraflores. The exact pick-up time will be confirmed the night before departure.

Can you pick me up from another location in Lima?
Yes, we can arrange pick-up from another location in Lima. However, please note that there may be an additional cost depending on the distance. Let us know your location and we will provide the details and any extra charges.

What type of transportation is used for the tour?
The tour uses comfortable tourist buses with air conditioning for the journey between Lima, Paracas, and Ica. For the Ballestas Islands tour, modern speedboats are provided.

Is there a luggage limit on the bus?
Yes, there is a luggage limit of one medium-sized suitcase per person. You may also bring a small carry-on bag for personal items.

What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes a visit to the Ballestas Islands, wine and pisco tasting in Ica, a visit to the Huacachina Oasis, a visit to the Noelia Chocolate Factory, and an exciting dune buggy + sandboarding adventure in Huacachina.

How long is the Ballestas Islands tour?
The Ballestas Islands tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, including time to observe marine wildlife and see the famous Candelabra geoglyph.

Are the activities suitable for children or senior travelers?
Most activities are suitable for children and senior travelers. However, the dune buggy adventure may not be recommended for people with certain health conditions. Please consult with us in advance.

Are the tours conducted in English?
Yes, all tours are led by bilingual guides who speak both English and Spanish