Day trip from Lima, Lima
Ica and Huacachina Sand Dunes
An extraordinary landscape of massive sand dunes surrounding a natural desert oasis lake (Huacachina). The oasis village of Huacachina, with its palm-fringed lake set in a bowl of towering 100m+ sand dunes, is one of Peru's most iconic images. Activities include dune buggy rides across the dunes and sandboarding. Nearby Ica is Peru's pisco capital, with distillery tours available.
Highlights
- Huacachina oasis - natural lake in the middle of giant sand dunes
- Dune buggy tours across the dunes at high speed
- Sandboarding down 100m sand dunes
- Pisco distillery tours in Ica
- Ica Regional Museum (excellent Nazca and Paracas artifacts)
Tips
- Dune buggies operate at sunset for the most spectacular light and cooler temperatures
- Combine with Paracas as an overnight trip (Lima → Paracas → Ica/Huacachina → Lima)
- The Bodegas Vista Alegre and Tacama offer the best pisco distillery tours near Ica
- Sandboarding is beginner-friendly - staff assist on the dunes