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Ballestas, Paracas & Huacachina

Duration 10 / 11 hours
Destination Paracas
Group Size Up to 40 guests
Tour Type Group Tour

Tour Overview

Discover three of southern Peru’s most distinctive destinations in one day on this Ballestas Islands, Paracas National Reserve and Huacachina group tour. Begin with a scenic boat journey to the Ballestas Islands, where you may see sea lions, Humboldt penguins and seabirds, before continuing through the dramatic desert and coastal landscapes of the Paracas National Reserve.

Later, travel to the famous Huacachina Oasis for an exciting dune buggy and sandboarding experience among the towering desert dunes. Ideal for travellers with limited time, this full-day group tour combines wildlife, coastal scenery and desert adventure in one well-organised journey from Paracas.

Tour Highlights

  • See sea lions, Humboldt penguins and seabirds at the Ballestas Islands.
  • Explore the dramatic coastal scenery of Paracas National Reserve.
  • Visit the famous Huacachina Oasis in the heart of the desert.
  • Enjoy an exciting dune buggy ride across Huacachina’s towering dunes.
  • Try sandboarding and combine wildlife, coast and desert in one full-day tour.

Tour Information

  • Tour Level: Easy to Moderate – suitable for most travellers with a reasonable level of mobility
  • Service Type: Shared group tour – Ballestas Islands boat excursion, Paracas National Reserve land tour and Huacachina dune buggy experience
  • Departure Point: JD Adventure Travel office in Paracas
  • Departure Time: Meeting at 7:30 am for the 8:00 am Ballestas Islands departure
  • Duration: Approximately 10–11 hours.
  • Tour Type: Nature, Wildlife, Coastal Landscape & Desert Adventure
  • Tour Ends:The tour may conclude in Huacachina at approximately 6:10 pm or continue with the return transfer to Paracas, according to your preferred option. 

Tour Itinerary

7:30 am – Meeting & Check-in in Paracas

Meet our team at the JD Adventure Travel office in Paracas approximately 30 minutes before departure. After check-in and a short briefing, you will walk to the nearby marina to board your shared boat.

8:00 am – Ballestas Islands Boat Tour

Begin your shared 2-hour Ballestas Islands boat tour, cruising across Paracas Bay and past the impressive Candelabra geoglyph before reaching the islands. Along the way, you may observe sea lions, Humboldt penguins and a variety of seabirds among dramatic cliffs, natural arches and rocky formations.

10:00 am – Return to Paracas & Free Time

Return to Paracas at approximately 10:00 am and enjoy around 40 minutes of free time to have a coffee, use the facilities or relax along the waterfront. Please return to our office by approximately 10:50 am for the next departure.

11:00 am – Paracas National Reserve Group Tour

Depart on a shared guided tour through the Paracas National Reserve, visiting some of its most representative coastal landscapes and viewpoints, including La Catedral, Supay, the Isthmus viewpoint and Playa Roja. Continue towards Lagunillas, where approximately one hour of free time is provided for lunch at one of the local restaurants.

3:00 pm – Return to Paracas

Return to the JD Adventure Travel office at approximately 3:00 pm, where you will have a short connection before continuing towards Huacachina.

3:10 pm – Shared Shuttle to Huacachina

Depart Paracas by shared shuttle and travel through the desert landscapes of the Ica region towards the famous Huacachina Oasis. Arrival is expected at approximately 4:40 pm.

4:40 pm – Arrival in Huacachina & Buggy Check-in

After arrival, meet our local team and walk for approximately 10 minutes across the sand towards the designated buggy boarding area. Your guide will provide basic safety instructions before the adventure begins.

5:00 pm – Dune Buggy & Sandboarding Experience

Board your shared dune buggy for an approximately 1-hour desert adventure through Huacachina’s towering dunes. Enjoy an exciting ride across the desert and stop at selected dunes to try sandboarding, with time to appreciate the surrounding landscape.

Approximately 6:10 pm – Buggy Tour Ends in Huacachina

The dune buggy and sandboarding experience finishes in Huacachina at approximately 6:10 pm. From this point, you may choose to end your tour in Huacachina or continue with the return transfer to Paracas, according to the option selected.

Please note that all timings are approximate and may vary due to sea conditions, traffic, group pace, local operating conditions and instructions from the relevant authorities.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

  • Shared boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands
  • Shared guided tour of Paracas National Reserve
  • Shared shuttle transport from Paracas to Huacachina
  • Shared dune buggy experience in Huacachina
  • Sandboarding equipment
  • Bilingual local guides during the organised activities
  • Safety equipment and life jacket for the boat excursion
  • Local assistance from the JD Adventure Travel team

Not Included

  • Tourist entrance fees and local taxes
  • Lunch and drinks in Lagunillas
  • Return transfer from Huacachina to Paracas.
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities

Important Information

  • Tour Options: This tour can conclude in Huacachina or include a shared return transfer to Paracas, according to your preferred option. Please let us know in advance which finishing point you would like so we can arrange the service accordingly.
  • Meeting Time: Please arrive at the JD Adventure Travel office in Paracas by 7:30 am for check-in and boarding arrangements before the 8:00 am Ballestas Islands departure.
  • Sea & Weather Conditions: Ballestas Islands departures are subject to sea conditions, weather and instructions from the local maritime authorities. Routes or departure times may occasionally change for safety reasons.
  • Shared Group Service: The Ballestas Islands excursion, Paracas National Reserve tour, shuttle to Huacachina and dune buggy experience are operated on a shared group basis. Departure times and the pace of each activity follow the group schedule.
  • Free Time Between Activities: Approximately 40 minutes of free time is provided after the Ballestas Islands excursion before the Paracas National Reserve departure.
  • Lunch in Lagunillas: Approximately one hour of free time is provided for lunch in Lagunillas. Lunch is not included and may be purchased directly at one of the local restaurants.
  • Huacachina Arrival: After arriving in Huacachina, guests walk for approximately 10 minutes across sandy terrain to reach the designated buggy boarding area. Comfortable footwear is recommended.
  • Dune Buggy & Sandboarding: The desert activity includes an approximately 1-hour shared buggy ride with sandboarding. This experience involves uneven terrain, sudden movements and steep dunes and may not be suitable for guests with certain mobility limitations.
  • Motion Sickness: If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend taking your usual motion-sickness medication before the Ballestas Islands boat journey.
  • Wildlife Sightings: The Ballestas Islands are a natural environment; wildlife sightings may vary and cannot be guaranteed.
  • What to Bring: We recommend comfortable footwear, sun protection, a hat, sunglasses, water and a light jacket for the morning boat excursion. For Huacachina, lightweight clothing and secure footwear are advisable.
  • WhatsApp Communication: Please provide an active WhatsApp number when booking so our team can confirm operational details and contact you with any important updates before or during the tour.

Cancellation Policy

  • Free Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure to receive a full refund.
  • Late Cancellations: Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are non-refundable.
  • Ballestas Islands & Sea Conditions: If the Ballestas Islands route cannot operate due to adverse weather, sea conditions or instructions from the local maritime authorities, the Paracas National Reserve and Huacachina portions may continue as scheduled. Where permitted, an alternative coastal boat route, such as Islas Blancas, may be offered. If no suitable maritime alternative is available, the boat-tour portion of the booking will be refunded.
  • Paracas National Reserve Operations: The reserve visit is subject to local access conditions and instructions from the relevant authorities. If a particular area cannot be visited, the route may be adjusted or an alternative stop offered where possible.
  • Huacachina & Dune Conditions: The buggy and sandboarding experience is subject to local operating conditions and safety requirements. If the activity cannot operate for reasons beyond our control, a suitable alternative or refund for the affected portion will be offered where applicable.
  • No-Shows: No-shows are non-refundable. Guests must arrive at the JD Adventure Travel office by 7:30 am for check-in and the scheduled Ballestas Islands departure.
  • Late Arrival: Guests who arrive too late to join a scheduled activity may be considered a no-show for that portion of the tour, and no refund will apply for the missed service.
  • Return Option: Guests who choose to return to Paracas after the Huacachina activities must be at the confirmed meeting point at the scheduled time. Missing the shared return transfer due to late arrival may result in the loss of that service.

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