Peru attracts travelers from around the world around for the Amazon rainforest and the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu. But there is more to discover in this South American country. Tucked near the city of Ica lies the tiny village of Huacachina. It has gained popularity among tourists due to its splendid natural beauty, merging the aridness of the desert with the emerald green of the palm trees and the shimmering water of a lagoon. The turquoise waters of the Huacachina Lagoon, at the center of this oasis, are said to have healing properties. The sand dunes around are ideal for runs in dune buggies and the riveting adventure sport of sandboarding. Tasting the Peruvian brandy pisco, viewing magnificent canyons and pre-historic geoglyphs are also major draws. This list of the best tours near Huacachina, Peru, will help you select some unique experiences you can try when visiting this oasis.
1. Experience the magic of off-roading on the sand (from USD 200.0)
Treading the conventional path is so passe! Hop on to a Polaris vehicle and go off-roading along the fascinating desertscape of Huacachina. Imagine sliding down the sand dunes at a top speed! Let an expert driver take you through multiple breathtaking maneuvers on the sand. If you are proficient with the wheel, try driving the vehicle yourself. You will never forget the experience. Precautionary protocols are maintained at every step and explained in detail before the journey begins, to ensure complete safety every step of the way. You will also get time to try out sandboarding on the dunes.
Ride in a Polaris Off-Road Vehicle in the Huacachina Desert
Duration: 1 hour
2. Peek into the imposing beauty of the Canyon of the Lost (from USD 39.0)
Do you have a fascination for places not yet in the focus of touristy hub-bub? This tour will take you to such a gem. Picture yourself dangling your feet into a deep chasm running down to 150 meters (492 feet) into the earth. Inside, you can view impressive geological rock formations. Mirador, Magic Eye, Sapo stone, and Gallito de Piedra are some of the fanciful names given to the rocks due to their quirky shapes. Pyramids of Callango, Mountain Delfin, and the Mountain Train Station are other awe-inspiring elements to view. Your guide will provide a full explanation of the canyon’s origin, structure, and shape so that you can appreciate this whimsical creation of nature better. You will also be able to understand the existence of marine fossils here.
Canyon of the Lost Tour from Ica
Duration: 8 hours
3. Experience the wonder of Huacachina desert by staying in a camp (from USD 220.0)
Does the sight of a desert not stir up the desire to spend a night in the middle of the rolling sand dunes, under the open sky with unobstructed views of glorious sunsets? This trip makes this wish come true. Spend the day touring the Huacachina Lagoon and trying out the desert thrill of the sand table. Watch the mesmerizing vista of the setting sun, making the desert come ablaze in a riot of fiery hues. Enjoy refreshing cocktails under the stars at the campsite along with a delicious grilled dinner. Spend a night in a luxury tent that comes with all the amenities of an urban hotel. The experience ends with an exquisite breakfast the following morning at a local hotel in the city.
Huacachina Desert Overnight Glamping Experience
Duration: 15 to 16 hours
4. Get familiar with the mysterious geoglyphs (from USD 205.0)
When in Peru, you cannot miss the sight of the famous geoglyphs, Nazca Lines. Engraved in the arid Peruvian coastal plains and spanning over 1000 square meters (10764 square feet), these motifs are best viewed from the air and you even get to know about their immense scale. This trip gives you the chance to experience this phenomenon. A modern aircraft takes you over these impressive designs, unmatched in magnitude and diversity with any other similar formations on this earth. The tour guide will help you understand all about these curious 2,000-year old creations, depicting animals, plants, and various other shapes. You also get to enjoy panoramic views of the oasis of Huacachina from the comfort of the air-conditioned airplane.
Flight over the Nazca Lines from Ica (1hr 10 min)
Duration: 2 hours
5. Indulge in sandboarding at the Ica desert (from USD 64.0)
Who doesn’t enjoy sliding down slopes? While you may have scrambled down the sloppy hillside sitting on a cardboard sheet as a kid, why not take it up a notch in Huacachina. Experience the excitement of gliding over sand on a board at the Ica desert. Even if you have never tried sandboarding, you can take part in this fun activity. A short lesson is provided at the beginning. Then, you will be taken to the tallest dune in the desert so that you can try out your newfound skill. You just cannot miss the exhilaration of the wind blowing through your hair as you swoosh down the golden sand. The vista of the breathtaking landscape around is an added bonus.
Ica 3-Hour Sandboarding Experience at the Huacachina Oasis
Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
6. Delight your palate with pisco (from USD 62.0)
Peru and pisco are inseparable. A trip to Ica is incomplete without trying its quintessential Peruvian firewater. Take this three-hour tour to learn all about the national drink of this country. Understand how these drinks are made. Visit three distilleries, one of which has won several awards for producing the best pisco in the region. Head into the fermentation zone and sample the unique offerings of each production center, including artisanal pisco. Whether you are a connoisseur of brandy or not, you are sure to have fun learning about the history of Ica and tasting superb beverages.
Pisco Tasting in Ica (Private Tour)
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Take a break from the humdrum routine and visit Peru
Sightseeing, clicking pictures, shopping, these are for the regular tourists. Why not savor the unusual when at a new destination? From the adrenaline rush of sandboarding to sampling exotic brandy, Ica and Huacachina offer it all. Try out all the best tours near Huacachina, Peru, curated here and craft a Peruvian holiday you are sure to remember forever.
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