2-in-1 Day Tour
Ballestas Islands & Huacachina: Wildlife + Desert in One Day
Why choose between the ocean and the desert when you can have both? This private 2-in-1 tour combines a wildlife boat trip around the Ballestas Islands — Peru's 'poor man's Galápagos' — with an adrenaline-fueled dune buggy and sandboard session at Huacachina.
Your Ballestas + Huacachina Day — The Full Experience
Starting early from Lima, you head south to Paracas on the Pacific coast for the Ballestas Islands boat tour — a 2-hour wildlife adventure around sea lion colonies, Humboldt penguins, and massive condors. After lunch in Paracas, you drive inland to Huacachina for the dune buggy and sandboard session at sunset.
Day Itinerary
- 5:00 AMPrivate pick-up from your Lima hotel
- 8:30 AMArrive in Paracas — board the boat to Ballestas Islands
- 9:00 AM2-hour wildlife boat tour: sea lions, penguins, condors, pelicans
- 11:00 AMReturn to Paracas port — lunch break
- 12:30 PMDrive to Huacachina oasis (45 minutes)
- 1:30 PMFree time at the oasis lagoon
- 3:00 PMDune buggy ride over giant sand dunes
- 4:30 PMSandboarding at golden hour
- 6:30 PMSunset at Huacachina — depart to Lima
- 10:30 PMApproximate return to Lima hotel
Ballestas + Huacachina Tour Price & Inclusions
From $320 USD Per adult · Private tour
What's included in your tour:
- Round-trip private transport from Lima
- Ballestas Islands boat trip
- Dune buggy ride at Huacachina
- Sandboard equipment
- Professional bilingual guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Private vs. Group Tour
| Private Tour (Ours) | Shared Group Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Group size | Just your group | Up to 20 people |
| Flexibility | Adaptable pace | Fixed group schedule |
| Guide | Dedicated bilingual guide | Shared guide |
| Vehicle | Private car/van | Shared bus |
| Value | 2 experiences, 1 private day | Often sold separately |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Ballestas Islands called 'Peru's Galápagos'?
The Ballestas Islands host enormous colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, boobies, and Andean condors — a remarkable concentration of wildlife rarely seen elsewhere on the South American coast.
Can I go inside the Ballestas Islands?
No — the islands are a protected natural reserve and boats circle around them. However, the wildlife is so abundant and close that binoculars are more exciting than they are necessary.
Is this tour good for children?
Yes. The boat trip is suitable for all ages (life jackets provided). Sandboarding can be adjusted for children on smaller slopes. We recommend this tour for ages 5 and up.
What if the sea is rough?
The Ballestas boat tour may be modified or rescheduled in extreme weather. In practice, the bay is well-protected and rough conditions are rare.
Most Popular Combo Tour
Sea Lions at Dawn, Sandboarding at Sunset
This is our most popular day tour combination. Spots fill up fast — especially on weekends and during peak season. Book today and lock in both experiences.
Book Ballestas + Huacachina Tour