Paracas & Huacachina Tour from Lima 2025: An Honest Review

So, you are actually looking at that whirlwind day trip from Lima, the one that bundles Paracas and Huacachina into one massive adventure. To be honest, it is almost a rite of passage for anyone visiting Peru with a tight schedule. I mean, the pictures look completely amazing, right? A desert oasis, tons of wildlife, and sand dunes that look like they’re from another planet. We did this exact trip to give you a real-world perspective on what the 2025 all-inclusive experience is genuinely like. The real question is, is that jam-packed day of travel and activities truly worth the super early start? Anyway, let’s get into what really happens on this tour.

The Seriously Early Morning Start from Lima

Okay, let’s be frank, the morning pick-up is very, very early. You are looking at a start time somewhere around 4:00 AM, sometimes even a little earlier depending on where you are staying in Lima. A small bus or van typically shows up in the quiet, dark streets, and you sort of shuffle on with a few other sleepy-eyed travelers. The first part of the day is honestly just about finding a comfortable spot on the bus and trying to get some more sleep. The ride south along the Pan-American Highway is actually pretty dark for the first couple of hours. But still, as the sun begins to peek over the horizon, you know, the view outside your window starts to shift from cityscapes to these wide-open, arid landscapes, which is in a way its own kind of magic.

The journey itself takes around three to four hours to get to the first main stop, Paracas. Most tour operators use fairly comfortable coaches, so you can just about recline your seat and drift off. They usually provide a small boxed breakfast—think a simple sandwich and some juice—which is actually a pretty nice touch. By the way, this long bus ride is a good time to chat with fellow passengers if you’re feeling sociable. You basically find that everyone is running on the same mix of caffeine and excitement for the day ahead. You get this shared feeling of anticipation, you know? It’s pretty much the quiet before the storm of activity begins.

First Stop: The Ballestas Islands, Peru’s “Little Galápagos”

Arriving in Paracas, you can feel the air change, getting a little salty and humid. You pretty much head straight for the dock to board a speedboat. As I was saying, this is where the action really kicks off. The first thing your boat will do is motor over to the Paracas Candelabra, a massive geoglyph etched into a hillside. Honestly, no one is totally sure how old it is or who made it, which just adds to its mystery. Your guide will probably share a few popular theories, which is pretty interesting stuff.

After that, it is full throttle out to the Ballestas Islands themselves. And seriously, the name “Little Galápagos” is not an exaggeration. The sight, and let’s be honest, the smell of thousands of seabirds is something you will not forget. You’ll see massive colonies of Guanay cormorants, Peruvian boobies, and Humboldt penguins just sort of chilling on the rocks. The main attraction, though, is the huge colonies of sea lions. You’ll see them barking, sunbathing on the rocks, and swimming playfully right next to your boat. The sheer amount of wildlife is really astounding. At the end of the day, you’re just a visitor in their loud, chaotic, and completely fascinating world.

Adrenaline in the Huacachina Desert Oasis

Following the boat tour, it’s back on the bus for a short drive to the day’s next big thrill: the Huacachina oasis. This place literally looks like a mirage. You have this tiny village with a lagoon right in the middle, completely ringed by some of the most gigantic sand dunes you have ever seen. After a quick stop for lunch (which is usually included), it is time to hop into a dune buggy. These things are basically custom-built, open-air vehicles that are sort of like roller coasters on sand. Your driver, who clearly enjoys their job, will take you on a wild ride up and down the dunes at some pretty impressive speeds. I mean, it is a thrilling and slightly stomach-dropping experience.

“The dune buggy ride is pure, unscripted fun. You’re just holding on tight, with the wind and sand flying past you, surrounded by an endless sea of sand. It genuinely feels like you are on another planet.”

The buggy ride will pause at the top of a particularly tall dune, and this is your chance to try sandboarding. You can either stand up, kind of like snowboarding, or just lie down on your stomach and go headfirst, which is what most people do. To be honest, going down on your stomach is surprisingly fast and a lot of fun. The guides are there to give you a push and make sure you have a good time. Watching the sunset from the top of the dunes is absolutely the perfect way to cap off the adrenaline-fueled part of your day. The colors of the desert at that time are just incredible.

What to Expect from an “All-Included” Package

Now, let’s talk about what “todo incluido” or “all-inclusive” actually means for this type of trip. It’s often a bit different from what you might expect at a resort. For example, your transportation from and to your Lima hotel is pretty much always part of the deal. The same goes for the main activities like the Ballestas Islands boat tour and the Huacachina dune buggy ride. As a matter of fact, clarity on these points before booking is always a good idea.

Here’s a general breakdown of what is typically covered and what might not be:

Typically Included: Pick-up and drop-off from centrally located Lima hotels, the bus to Paracas and Huacachina, the speedboat tour of the Ballestas, and the dune buggy and sandboarding experience. A simple lunch is also often part of the package.
Typically Not Included: The small tourist taxes for the port and the oasis are often an extra charge you pay on-site in cash. It is not much, but you should have some Peruvian Soles with you just in case. Drinks with your lunch are sometimes extra, as are any personal souvenirs or extra snacks you might want to buy.
Good to Know: Some tours also include a quick stop at a pisco vineyard for a tasting. This is a really nice bonus if it’s included, so you might want to check the specific itinerary for your chosen tour.

Is This Marathon Day Trip Right for You?

At the end of the day, whether this tour is a good fit for you really depends on what you’re looking for. It is a very, very long day—we’re talking about being out for 16-18 hours from start to finish. You basically get back to Lima late at night, feeling completely exhausted but also, hopefully, incredibly fulfilled. If you are someone who is short on time and wants to see two of Peru’s most iconic spots outside of Lima, then this tour is absolutely perfect. It packs an unbelievable amount of sightseeing and adventure into a single day, which is actually very efficient.

On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed travel style and dislike long bus rides, you might find the pace a little too rushed. The time spent at each location is definitely limited. You sort of get a fantastic sample of each place, but you don’t have a lot of time to explore independently. Likewise, families with very young children might find the long hours and intense buggy ride a bit much. For adventure lovers, solo travelers, and anyone wanting to maximize their time in Peru, this experience offers incredible value and memories that you know, will definitely stick with you for a very long time.

Read our full review: [Paracas & Huacachina Full Review and Details]

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([2025 Tour Bookings])