Experiences and local guides in Huacachina

Nature

Huacachina is a small oasis about 5 km from the centre of Ica: a lagoon ringed by palms and huarango trees at the foot of dunes more than a hundred metres high, in the middle of Peru's coastal desert. The lagoon's level is partly maintained by pumping groundwater. An hour away on the coast, the Paracas National Reserve protects cliffs, beaches and a sea made rich by the Humboldt Current, and offshore the Ballestas Islands host colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins and guano birds.

Activities

• Dune buggy rides across the dunes with stops for sandboarding, mostly in the late afternoon and at sunset; suitable for beginners
• Sandboarding lessons and a walk up the main dune above the oasis to watch the sunset
• Two-hour boat trip to the Ballestas Islands from El Chaco pier in Paracas, passing the Candelabra geoglyph, sea lions and penguins
• Tour of the Paracas National Reserve: Red Beach (from the viewpoint only), Lagunillas and the cliffs, by vehicle or by bike
• Kitesurfing and wingfoiling on Paracas Bay, with flat water and frequent afternoon wind
• Visits to wine and pisco cellars in the Ica valley

When to go

Ica is sunny almost all year and it hardly ever rains. From December to March the dunes are very hot at midday, so rides run early or late in the afternoon; the Ica grape harvest festival takes place in March. From June to September the Paracas coast wakes up cloudy and cool. Boats to Ballestas leave in the morning and can be cancelled in rough seas.

How to get there

The nearest airport with regular flights is Lima (LIM), about 300 km away. Frequent buses run from Lima along the Pan-American Highway South to Ica (about 5 h) and to Paracas (3 h 30 to 4 h). From Ica, Huacachina is 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. Ica to Paracas takes around 1 h 15 by road, and boats to Ballestas leave from El Chaco pier. Pisco airport (PIO) has very few commercial flights.