Ballestas Islands & Huacachina
Ballestas Islands, Pisco Vineyard & Huacachina Desert Adventure – Full-Day Tour from Paracas
Embark on a full-day journey from Paracas that combines wildlife, culture, and adrenaline in one unforgettable experience. Start your day with a boat tour to the stunning Ballestas Islands, often called “the mini Galapagos,” where you’ll witness sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and countless seabirds in their natural habitat. Then, head inland to a traditional vineyard in Ica to learn about the artisanal production of Peruvian wine and pisco — and enjoy a guided tasting of these iconic drinks. Finally, dive into the dunes of Huacachina, South America’s only natural desert oasis, where you’ll hop on a high-speed dune buggy and try thrilling sandboarding. This tour is perfect for travellers seeking nature, local flavour, and heart-racing adventure all in one day.
Top Highlights
- Boat tour to Ballestas Islands to see sea lions, penguins, and marine birds
- Visit a traditional pisco and wine bodega with guided tasting experience
- Explore the Ica desert and the famous Huacachina Oasis by dune buggy
- Try sandboarding on the giant dunes of the Peruvian desert
- Full-day tour from Paracas combining wildlife, culture, and desert adventure
Tour Level: Easy to Moderate – suitable for all ages.
Departure: Daily departures from Paracas at 9:00 AM
Duration: Full-day tour (approx. 10 hours).
Tour Type: Group Tour – wildlife, cultural and adventure combined
Type Service: Shared service with small group.
Your adventure begins at our Paracas office at 09:00 – please arrive 20 minutes early for a full briefing of the day’s activities. At 09:00, board the boat for a guided two-hour tour of the Ballestas Islands, often called the “Little Galapagos,” where you’ll spot sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, and a variety of seabirds, as well as the famous Candelabra geoglyph etched into the cliffs. After returning to the dock, enjoy a 40-minute break to use the restroom or grab a light snack. At 12:00, depart for Ica and visit a traditional artisanal winery to learn about the pisco and wine-making process with a guided tour and tasting. Then, stop for lunch (not included) before heading to the stunning Huacachina Oasis. After a short 10-minute walk over the dunes to our departure point, get ready for a thrilling dune buggy and sandboarding tour starting at 17:00, ending with a breathtaking desert sunset. Return to base and travel back to Paracas, arriving around 19:00.
Included:
- Boat tour to the Ballestas Islands with official maritime guide.
- Life jackets and all safety equipment for the boat trip.
- Air-conditioned transport from Paracas to Ica and back.
- Guided visit to an artisanal pisco and wine bodega with tastings.
- Dune buggy tour and sandboarding in Huacachina.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) local guide throughout the day.
- Free time to explore and enjoy the Huacachina Oasis.
Not Included:
- Meals and personal snacks.
- Entrance fees to the Ballestas and Huacachina (20 soles or 6 USD per person)
- Tips for guides and drivers.
- Travel insurance.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Note:
The entrance fee to Ballestas and Huacachina is not included in the tour price and must be paid directly in cash or card at the control point, in Peruvian soles.
✅ Allowed:
- Taking photos and videos throughout the tour.
- Bringing small backpacks with personal items.
- Wearing hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Bringing water bottles and light snacks.
- Using GoPro or cameras during buggy and boat rides (securely fastened).
❌ Not Allowed:
- Littering or removing natural elements (e.g. shells, rocks).
- Drones (without prior permit).
- Loud music or disruptive behaviour.
- Smoking in protected areas.
- Feeding or disturbing wildlife.
- Swimming or touching wildlife at the Ballestas Islands.
- Consuming alcohol or smoking during any part of the tour.
- Wearing flip-flops or sandals during the dune buggy ride.
- Joining the tour under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
🎒 What to Bring:
- Cash in soles for entrance fee.
- Sunglasses, hat, and high-SPF sunscreen.
- Comfortable clothes for warm and windy conditions.
- Refillable water bottle.
- Camera or smartphone.
- Light snacks (optional).
- Windbreaker or light jacket (optional – coastal breeze).
The meeting point for this tour is our office in Paracas. Please make sure to arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Our staff will provide you with all necessary travel instructions and guidance before the tour begins.
Please note that the Ballestas Islands tour is weather-dependent. In case of rough sea conditions, we offer three flexible options:
Join an alternative land-based tour
Reschedule the Ballestas tour for another day
Continue with the rest of the itinerary and receive a partial refund for the missed boat tour
This tour is designed as a round trip from Paracas, returning the same evening. However, if you wish to take the tour one-way only and remain in Ica, Huacachina, or be dropped off at a bus station or hotel, please inform us in advance. This allows us to arrange suitable transport so you can travel comfortably and efficiently. Advance notice ensures we can offer you the best experience and avoid last-minute inconveniences.
If you’re travelling with luggage, you may safely store your bags in our office in Huacachina. After the buggy tour, you can take it and continue with your journey.
To ensure smooth coordination and real-time updates during the tour, it is strongly recommended that you have WhatsApp installed and accessible throughout the day.
This tour is not suitable for cruise ship passengers arriving at San Martín Port, as the timings and logistics do not match cruise schedules. Please note that this is a land-based tour with fixed departure times and we are unable to offer custom pickups from the port.
For the best experience, we recommend this tour for visitors who are staying overnight or arriving independently in Paracas.
Your tour is confirmed immediately upon booking, and you will receive an official confirmation by email or WhatsApp. We accept all major credit and debit cards and offer secure online payment options for your convenience.
You may cancel or reschedule your tour up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time at no additional cost. If you fail to show up on the day of the tour (No Show), no refunds or rescheduling will be offered.
We are committed to providing flexibility and transparency, ensuring your experience in Paracas is enjoyable, safe, and fair under all circumstances.
Why Book This Tour
Why Book With Us?
To see more Tours in Paracas
To see more Tours in Peru
What Our Customers Say
Our clients consistently praise our tours for their professionalism, punctuality, and exceptional service. Many highlight the knowledgeable bilingual guides, the comfort and safety of our boats, and the unforgettable wildlife sightings. With thousands of positive reviews, travellers recommend us as the top choice for Paracas tours, ensuring a memorable and hassle-free experience every time.
Martina Nesti2025-08-16Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a wonderful trip in Ballestas Islands and Paracas. The guide was very kind and expert and makes her job with passion. Thanks for this great experience! federico rota2025-08-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Giorgio Calisi2025-08-11Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Esperienza fantastica, super professionali e disponibili! José e i suoi colleghi sono stati super gentili, ci hanno dato la possibilità di lasciare i bagagli presso la loro struttura e fornito ottimi consigli per la visita di Paracas e della riserva. Massimiliano Sacco2025-08-11Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tutto fantastico, super disponibili in tutto, esperienze da non perdere per visitare luoghi mozzafiato nel migliore dei modi!! Héctor Hernández González2025-08-07Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Decidimos hacer nuestro viaje a Perú con pocos meses de antelación, y cuando fuimos a comprar las entradas para Machu Picchu online, ya no quedaban. Al llegar al país empezamos a preguntar si había alguna posibilidad de conseguirlas, ya que con la nueva normativa es posible comprar tickets de forma presencial en Aguas Calientes. Nos encontramos con varias personas que ofrecían esa opción, pero con precios absolutamente desorbitados, así que las fuimos descartando… hasta que apareció en nuestras vidas José, con su agencia en Paracas: JD Adventure Travel. José es un tipo sensacional: serio, formal, sincero y muy amable. Le avisaron de que estábamos desayunando en una cafetería y se presentó directamente allí, se sentó con nosotros y nos explicó con total claridad cómo funcionaba el nuevo sistema y qué posibilidades reales teníamos. Nos transmitió mucha confianza desde el primer momento. De hecho, nos ofreció que pagáramos solo el 50% del tour por adelantado y que abonáramos el otro 50% una vez que tuviéramos las entradas para Machu Picchu en la mano. Y nos aseguró que, si no conseguíamos las entradas por algún motivo y el tour no se podía llevar a cabo, nos devolvería el dinero sin problema. Ese nivel de seriedad y compromiso fue clave para decidirnos. Desde ese momento, estuvo en contacto permanente con nosotros por teléfono, informándonos de los últimos cambios y novedades en el acceso a Machu Picchu. Siempre atento, siempre dispuesto a ayudar. Finalmente, por motivos personales no pudimos cuadrar la fecha para ir a Machu Picchu, y José, tal y como nos prometió, nos devolvió el dinero adelantado sin ningún tipo de rodeo. Estamos infinitamente agradecidos, y cuando volvamos a Perú, contaremos sin duda con él y con su agencia. Un ejemplo de profesionalidad y buen trato. Totalmente recomendable. Gabri “GabeStudio72” Pes2025-08-05Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Esperienza fantastica con JD Adventure a Paracas! Abbiamo trovato JD Adventure tramite GetYourGuide, ma vi consigliamo caldamente di contattarli direttamente: sono assolutamente affidabili e così riuscirete anche a risparmiare qualcosa! Jose è davvero in gamba: si può parlare direttamente con lui via WhatsApp, e questo rende l’organizzazione rapida, semplice e precisa, con informazioni sempre aggiornate in tempo reale. Con loro abbiamo fatto: • il volo sulle linee di Nasca, emozionante e ben organizzato, • la gita alle Isole Ballestas, proprio di fronte a Paracas, • e la visita al Parco Nazionale, che ci ha lasciato senza parole per la bellezza del paesaggio. La nostra guida Olenka è stata eccezionale: parlava un inglese perfetto e ci ha dato tantissime informazioni interessanti sia sul territorio che sulla cultura peruviana. Lo sapevate, ad esempio, che in Perù gli asparagi, i carciofi e le acciughe non piacciono quasi a nessuno e sono prodotti quasi esclusivamente per l’esportazione? Un’esperienza cool, facile e indimenticabile, che consigliamo a chiunque voglia vivere Paracas e dintorni in modo autentico e ben organizzato. Fabrizio Ghirardi2025-08-01Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great experience with them, did the Ballestas and Paracas Reserva Nacional tour. The guide was great, super friendly, with perfect English and very professional. Max Hödl2025-07-30Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very very nice Guide, helped us immediatly when there was a problem during our Tour. I would totally recommend Adventure Travels to everyone who visits Paracas. A huge THANK YOU to the owner of the business, you saved our day!!! Marit Simonetti2025-07-28Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Super goede plek om een scooter te huren voor het Paracas National Park. Netjes, duidelijk en verzorgd! Jasper Leijssenaar2025-07-27Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Sabrina C2025-08-17Verified Unmissable experience! A truly exciting and unforgettable experience, absolutely recommended! The explanations on the Nazca lines and their arrangement were clear and interesting. In addition, the pilot conducted the flight with great delicacy, allowing everyone to enjoy the show without any discomfort. Ainhoa D2025-07-23Verified Magique We had an amazing day.First, the tour of the islands was spectacular: sea lions, penguins, pelicans, whales... wonderful...Juan was a great guide, super passionate and with many interesting things to tell.The visit to the national park was also magical. In a smaller group, Olenka took us through landscapes that looked like they were from another planet, took the time to explain the history and particularities, show us the best points and let us enjoy ourselves without hurry, taking photos and admiring everything.We couldn't have asked for more! Daniele C2025-07-04Verified Penguin sighting beautiful speedboat excursion. beautiful views, many birds and penguins. definitely a recommended trip (especially when there is good weather) Michelle C2025-06-20Verified Fantastic Tour Provider JD Travel did an amazing job coordinating this Nazca flight/transfers. Jose went above and beyond to make sure we could participate in this activity. It did not disappoint! The flight time was moved by the airline and Jose made every effort to help us with this change. I could not recommend this activity or JD Travel more. Jose is the best! gabrielBZ2025-03-24Verified Precise islands full of pelagic birds and some, unique. Beautiful and essential visit to the Ballestas Islands, you sail 1/2 hour in a speedboat. First you visit the coastal area and see the spectacular “Candelabra” figure made on the ground of the pre-Inca era. Then you're headed to the islands. My interest was to see birds. And my interest was filled. I wanted to see the spectacular Inca terns. The boat handling is fabulous. You are in the Pacific and you have to know how to drive very well because they come very close to the islands. The seascape or rock formations are also unique and spectacular. It's a lovely ride. And absolutely recommended. Yris yaneth M2025-03-10Verified Nice experiences We were given a tour of the skies through the Nazca Lines this is a very important site of interest in Peru is company IZI organizes very well transfers to the airport and flights to see them independently this is a challenge that thrills the view from above the sky enjoying its beautiful landscapes the condor, hands, spider and tree among othersHERBERT SOLORZANO Linda B2025-01-04Verified Don’t miss this! Trip was fantastic and we had logistics issues on our end and they found a way to make the trip happen despite that! Wonderful customer service and the natural beauty of the islands was stunning!