From Lima: Paracas, Ballestas Island & Huacachina 2 Day Tour
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Charge through Huacachina’s towering dunes, sandboard at full speed, cruise to the wildlife-rich Ballestas Islands, and explore the raw desert beauty of Paracas on this thrilling 2-day trip from Lima.
Highlights
- Visit the Slave Tunnels at the Hacienda San Jose in Chincha
- Take a speedboat out to the Ballestas Islands off the coast of Paracas
- Discover the Vast Beauty of Paracas National Reserve
- Watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in Peru from the dunnes in Huacachina
Description
Escape the city and dive into Peru’s most surreal landscapes on this unforgettable 2-day journey! From colonial tunnels and Afro-Peruvian history to wild sea lions, golden dunes, and a desert oasis, this adventure from Lima is packed with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Day 1: Lima - Paracas
Start your morning with a hotel pickup in Lima and head south along the scenic Pan-American Highway. Your first stop? A real-deal Peruvian breakfast at Mirasur, where you’ll enjoy freshly baked bread straight from traditional clay ovens - warm, rustic, and unforgettable.
Next, step back in time at Hacienda San José, a stunning colonial estate turned luxury hotel. Beneath its manicured grounds lies a haunting network of underground slave tunnels, used to smuggle enslaved Africans during the Spanish conquest. You'll explore this 17-km maze while learning about the powerful legacy that shaped Afro-Peruvian music, dance, and culture.
By early afternoon, arrive in Paracas, a breezy beach town known for its laid-back vibe and seafood delights. You’ll have free time to relax by the water, sample ceviche, stroll the marina, or unwind at your accommodation. Recharge - because Day 2 is action-packed!
Day 2: Paracas - Ballestas Islands - Huacachina - Lima
Rise early for a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands, often dubbed “the poor man’s Galápagos.” Glide past massive sea lion colonies, catch penguins waddling on rocky outcrops, and marvel at thousands of seabirds - and maybe even spot dolphins! Don't miss the Candelabra geoglyph, etched mysteriously into a nearby hillside.
Back on land, you’ll explore the stark beauty of Paracas National Reserve, where desert cliffs plunge dramatically into the Pacific. Snap breathtaking photos of red sand beaches and turquoise bays in one of South America’s most unique ecosystems.
Then it's off to Huacachina - a true desert oasis, complete with palm trees, emerald lagoon, and monster dunes. Strap in for a wild dune buggy ride and try your hand at sandboarding - surfing the desert, Peruvian style.
Finally, sit back and relax on the return journey to Lima, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or original departure point in the evening - tired, dusty, and exhilarated.
Includes
Luxury Transportation
Hotel Pickup & Drop-Off
Ballestas Islands Boat Tour (2 Hours)
Paracas National Reserve Tour
Huacachina Dune Buggy & Sandboarding Experience (2 Hours)
Bilingual Tour Guide
Exclusive Access to Hacienda San José Slave Tunnels
The Only company with Luxury Buses for the long journey, others use small vans
Important Information
- This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice due to weather issues, strikes and/or demonstrations.
Pickup is available from hotels/hostels located in Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro
Customers staying outside these locations or at private accommodations (such as AirBnB) should select the meeting point option
- Rooms are shared 6-bed dorms, with a private bathroom
- Children under 7 years old will need their parents or guardians to sign a full responsibility form in order for them to ride the buggy
The tour runs with slight adjustments during the following holidays: Easter weekend (April 17-20) and Peru's Independence Day celebrations (July 25-28). The pick-up time will be 1 hour before the usual time
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund