Two Days in Huacachina, Ica, Peru – Sandunes, Dune Buggies, Oasis, Lake and Sunsets
Day 1: Journey To Huacachina, Desert Oasis, Climbing Dunes & Riding the Buggies
Getting to Ica
We started our journey at the bus terminal in Miraflores, Peru, and took a VIP bus to Ica. The drive took about 4.5 hours, and the bus was comfortable and equipped with restrooms. We arrived in Ica around noon.
From the bus station, we took a taxi to our resort in the Oasis of Huacachina, which is about 10 minutes from Ica.
About Ica
Ica is a small town located about 300 km south of Lima. It sits in a green valley surrounded by large sand dunes and dry desert. Ica is famous for its wineries and, more importantly, for Pisco, Peru’s national spirit. This is the region where Pisco was invented, and it is still distilled here the traditional way.
The weather in Ica is almost always hot and sunny, making it a popular weekend getaway for locals from Lima. There is more to do here than just relaxing by the pool. We visited in early July and were excited to explore.
Arrival in Huacachina
Blue Planet Travellers
Dune walk in Huacachina
Once we arrived in Huacachina, the view of the oasis lake and the surrounding sand dunes was amazing. It is a truly beautiful place. The Huacachina oasis lake is a real body of water, fed by natural underground water layers. The water of the oasis was green and sparkling in the sunlight.
We checked into our resort and then walked around the oasis.
Blue Planet Travellers
The Oasis in Huacachina
There is a boardwalk around the lake lined with restaurants and souvenir shops. We had some lunch while enjoying the view. Tours in Huacachina usually start in the late afternoon, until then we decided to climb some nearby sand dunes and enjoy the views around our hotel.
Dune Buggy Adventure
In the late afternoon, we were picked up by a large, secure dune buggy for a thrilling ride over some of the largest sand dunes in South America. Riding over dunes as high as 300 feet felt like being on a rollercoaster.
Blue Planet Travellers
Riding the Dune Buggy
The buggy stopped a few times so we could walk on the dunes. At one stop, we were treated to a spectacular view of the desert from the rim of a tall dune. About 40 minutes into the ride, the tour guide (who was also driving the buggy) took us to the top of another dune and stopped. We barely had time to steady ourselves at the top when, without much warning, the buggy shot
forward. We plunged down a nearly vertical 300-foot dune, and it was both terrifying and exhilarating.
Later, we visited one of the tallest dunes in the region, about 275 feet high, for sandboarding. Shekar went first, and from the top, he looked like a tiny dot in the vast dunes. Then Varun and I went one after the other, and it
Blue Planet Travellers
Varun starting to Sandboard, Shekar is all the way down
was so much fun. Climbing back up to the buggy made the experience even more satisfying.
Evening in Huacachina
Blue Planet Travellers
All buggies meet down the dune valley
At night, we walked around the oasis, exploring the souvenir shops and having dinner. The lights around the water made the oasis look beautiful. Once it got very dark, the dunes around us seemed like enormous walls surrounding the oasis. The wind made a soft sound as it blew over the sand. We sat by the water for a while and watched the lights on the surface.
Day 2: Boat Ride and Sunset Views
We started the second day slowly, spending most of the day relaxing at the resort. Later, we took a boat ride on the oasis to enjoy the view of the surrounding sand dunes from the water.
Blue Planet Travellers
A boat ride on the Oasis of Huacachina
In the evening, we walked on a large dune behind the oasis. Around 5 PM, we took another buggy ride to a spot outside Huacachina to watch the sunset over the desert. By 6 PM, the sun was setting, creating an amazing view of the desert landscape. After sunset, we returned to our resort and packed for an early departure the next day.
Blue Planet Travellers
Golden sunset behind the sand dunes of Huacachina
Where We Stayed
Hosteria Suiza this hotel is located right on the oasis and next to the dunes. The rooms were spacious, and the staff was friendly. It’s a great location, less than a minute from all the attractions. They have a big large pool good to have one in the desert. It gets little dusty with the sand from the dunes due to its location but we heard the same from all hotels in the area.
Essential Tips for Huacachina
Leave a Reply