Two days is the classic trip south of Lima. You arrive in Ica by bus, spend the afternoon in the Huacachina oasis and end the day with a buggy ride, sandboarding and a picnic in the dunes at sunset. The next morning is for the sea: the Ballestas Islands by speedboat and the desert coast of the Paracas Reserve. You take the bus back to Lima that evening.
HuacachinaThe desert oasis
Sunset picnicBites and wine in the dunes
Ballestas IslandsSea lions and penguins
Paracas ReservePlaya Roja and the desert coast
Day by day
Day1
Day 1: Bus to Ica, Huacachina and a sunset picnic in the desert
Cruz del Sur bus from Lima to Ica (about 4 to 5 hours). We book the ticket for you.
Midday
Private transfer from the Ica bus station to your hotel in Huacachina. Free time in the oasis: lunch by the lagoon, a walk around it or a rest by the pool.
16:00
Meet at Casa de Bambú for the dune buggy ride and sandboarding.
17:30
Picnic in the desert while the sun goes down: local bites, a bottle of wine, blankets and lanterns.
18:10
Back in the oasis.
Bus station transfer
Buggy and sandboarding
Picnic with wine
Night in Huacachina
Day2
Day 2: Ballestas Islands, the Paracas Reserve and back to Lima
Pickup at your hotel and drive to Paracas (about 1 h 15 min).
09:00
Speedboat to the Ballestas Islands: the Candelabra geoglyph, sea lions, Humboldt penguins and seabirds. You don’t get off the boat: the islands are protected.
11:30
Paracas National Reserve by van: the viewpoints, Playa Roja and Lagunillas, where you can have lunch by the sea.
16:15
Back in Ica.
Evening
Private transfer to the Cruz del Sur station and bus back to Lima (about 4 to 5 hours). Arrival at the Javier Prado station, late evening.
Hotel pickup
Speedboat and guide
Reserve tour
Bus station transfer
Make it yoursEvery plan is a starting point. Pick what you’d change and we’ll include it in your quote.
Times are the usual schedule of each tour and are confirmed with your final itinerary. Tours pick you up at hotels in Huacachina and Ica.
What’s included
Desert picnic: buggy ride, sandboarding, local bites and a bottle of wine
Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve full day with hotel pickup and guide
Private transfers between the Ica bus station and your hotel, both ways
Not included
Cruz del Sur bus tickets Lima to Ica and back (we book them and add them to your quote)
Ballestas and Paracas Reserve fees: about S/ 22, in cash
Huacachina desert entrance: S/ 3.60, in cash
Hotel in Huacachina (quoted on request)
Meals other than the picnic
Taxi between the Lima bus station and your hotel
Tips and travel insurance
Prices
Tours and transfersPer person, based on 2 travelers. Transfers are per car, so the price per person drops for bigger groups.
From $170
Cruz del Sur busSuite service, Lima to Ica and back. The price changes with the date, so we add it to your quote.
From about S/ 55 each way
Private transfer from LimaA private car between your hotel in Lima and Huacachina instead of the bus, each way.
About $414 per car
Private picnicJust your group in the dunes, for 2 to 6 people.
On request
Lost CanyonAdd a day in the Cañón de los Perdidos, a hidden desert canyon near Ocucaje.
+ $59
Hotels3★ to 5★ in Huacachina.
On request
Want hotels included? Choose “Include hotels in my quote” in the form and pick 3★, 4★ or 5★.
Questions about this trip
Is day 2 a long day?
Yes. Pickup is at 06:50 and the bus gets you to Lima late in the evening. If you’d rather not, take the 3-day plan or sleep one more night in Huacachina.
Do I need to organize the bus?
No. We book the Cruz del Sur tickets for your dates and add them to your quote, and a private car takes you between the Ica station and your hotel.
Can I do it without the bus?
Yes. A private car from your hotel in Lima costs about $414 per car each way, a good option for families and groups of 3 or 4.
