Paracas Family-friendly activities

Explore the stunning landscapes outside Lima as you journey to Paracas and Huacachina. Begin your adventure at 6:00 am with direct transportation to Paracas, a charming seaside town, on a comfortable 4-hour ride. Upon arrival, embark on a 2-hour boat tour of the Ballestas Islands, a smaller version of the Galapagos, where you can observe sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a variety of birds in their natural habitat. After a lunch break, continue to Huacachina, a picturesque oasis in the Ica Desert, known for its towering sand dunes, some of the largest in South America. Enjoy some free time to explore before heading out on an exhilarating buggy and sandboarding adventure (optional - extra fee) across the dunes—an unforgettable experience in South America's only natural desert oasis. In the evening, relax on the bus ride back to Lima, arriving around 11:45 pm, with drop-off at the same location as your pickup.

The activity begins by meeting our team at one of our offices, where you can leave your belongings if you wish. From there, we'll head to the vibrant port of Paracas, where you'll meet our expert bilingual guide. Before boarding, you'll receive valuable recommendations to make the most of this exciting adventure. Onboard our Eco-friendly boats, we'll venture into the enigmatic bay of Paracas. Our first stop will be the imposing Candelabra of Paracas, a gigantic geoglyph standing 120 meters tall, carved into the side of a cliff. Immerse yourself in the fascinating stories of its origin, some of which even suggest extraterrestrial connections, predating the famous Nazca Lines! Next, we'll journey beyond the bay to the majestic Ballestas Islands, renowned for their diverse wildlife. Get up close to the numerous species that call these islands home, from playful sea lions to adorable Humboldt penguins, and a multitude of guano birds like guanays, boobies, pelicans, and tendrils. Our expert guide will share with you the fascinating history of these islands and their vital role in regional biodiversity. After marveling at the wildlife, we'll return to the port, where you can delight in the breathtaking coastal views and capture unforgettable memories in photographs. Feel the sea breeze caress your face as we speed back to shore. Finally, we'll arrive at the port, where we'll disembark, filled with memories of a truly unforgettable experience in the Ballestas Islands.

Discover the incredible landscapes outside Lima, on your way to Paracas and Huacachina. Experience a chance to see sea lions and Humboldt penguins on the Ballestas Islands visit the oasis in Huacachina on a buggy ride and slide down the dunes. Begin your day at 6:00 am and relax during direct transportation to Paracas, a beautiful small town by the sea, this is a 4-hour ride. Arrive in Paracas and begin a 2-hour boat tour of the Ballestas Islands, a smaller version of the Galapagos. Spot sea lions, penguins, and birds up close and all in their natural habitats. Take a lunch break and then travel from Paracas to Huacachina, an oasis located in the Ica Desert, home to some of the biggest sand dunes in South America. Enjoy some free time here before going on the buggy and sandboarding tour. Go up the dunes on a buggy and sandboard down on this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the only natural desert oasis in South America. Board the bus back to Lima in the evening, just sit back and relax. Be dropped off at the same place we pick you up from, approximately arrival in Lima is around 11:45 pm.

Discover the serene landscapes of the Peruvian countryside on a day trip from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina with hotel transfers included. See Humboldt penguins and sea lions on the Ballestas Islands and slide down the Huacachina dunes by sandboarding and dune buggy ride. Your adventure begins with an early-morning pickup from your hostel or hotel. From here, travel to Paracas, a beautiful small town by the sea, on a spacious bus where you'll be able to relax for the 4-hour ride. We are the ONLY company that offers luxury buses for the long journey, others use small minivans. Once in Paracas, begin a 2-hour boat tour of the Ballestas Islands, a smaller version of the Galapagos. Spot sea lions, penguins, and plenty of birds up close and all in their natural habitats. You may even get the chance to see a dolphin or two. Around lunchtime, it's time to move on from Paracas to Huacachina, a natural oasis located in the Ica Desert, home to the biggest sand dunes in South America. Enjoy some free time here. Explore and have lunch (at your own expense) in one of the local restaurants around the oasis. Following lunch, it will be time for 2 hours of exhilarating dune buggy rides, sandboarding, and one of the most beautiful sunsets. Dune buggy up the sand dunes and sandboard down these giant hills of sand, a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the only natural desert oasis in South America. In the evening, board your bus back to Lima. Once onboard, sit back and relax on the comfortable seats while you enjoy a movie on board with some popcorn. You will later be dropped off directly at your hotel/hostel upon arrival in Lima.

We leave Lima at 5:00 AM, and the first stop will be at the Paracas pier around 9:30 AM, where you'll go through the checkpoint and board the boats to venture into the amazing marine world around the Ballestas Islands for about two hours. The initial point of interest will be the sand figure known as "El Candelabro," where the guide will explain you the different theories about its origin and purpose. The adventure will continue sailing around the islands, surrounded by rich marine life, including sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and various seabirds. You won't want to miss capturing these moments with your camera! Afterward, you'll head to Ica in about an hour-long journey, where you'll enjoy a delicious lunch and a fun local wine and pisco tasting at the restaurant and winery. Then, you'll make your way to the Huacachina Oasis. Upon arrival, you'll board the dune buggies to explore Ica's extensive sand dunes from top to bottom. You'll also experience the thrill of sliding down the dunes on sandboards. After this adrenaline-filled experience, you'll have plenty of time to stroll around the oasis, take photos, and perhaps do some shopping. At 5:30 PM, you'll start the journey back to Lima, arriving at around 10:30 PM at the pickup point, thus concluding this exciting day full of discoveries and adventures. If you would like to stay in Huacachina because you have other destination from there, then just let us know and this is after the ride on buggy and the sandboarding.

Pick-ups from 04:00 to 05:00 (approximately). 06:00 A.M. Artisan bakery: After your pickup, we prepare for a trip of approximately 3 hours, with a stop at an artisan bakery. We will give you some free time so you can have breakfast fresh out of the oven and hot (optional). 09:00 A.M. Paracas Beach: Beginning of the excursion to the Ballestas Islands. We will enter the "El Chaco" tourist pier and board the gliders that will take you to the Ballestas Islands for more than 1 hour. Along the way we will observe the Paracas candelabra, sea lions, penguins and a wide variety of guano birds. 13:00 P.M. Pisco tasting: The best part of the day is arriving at a wine and pisco winery, and tourist restaurant, where you will have free time to have lunch with typical traditional Ica dishes (optional). Then we will go to the tasting room to try the more than 5 varieties of wines, piscos and creams of the local liquor. 14:30 P.M. Huacachina Oasis: Arrival at the Huacachina Oasis, known as the Oasis of America, where we will do adventure sports with sand carts (buggies), going up and down the dunes of Ica at high speed will make us feel the sensation of being in a roller coaster but in the sand. Upon reaching the top, we will slide downhill on a sand board, what is known as Sandboarding in the Ica desert. Then you will have free time to walk around the oasis. 17:00 P.M. Return to Lima: Around 18:00 p.m. We will make a short stop to use the services, buy some snacks; Then we will return to mobility to continue with our route until we reach Lima. 9:30 p.m. (approx.): End of our adventure, we will leave from where you boarded.

Part 1: Wildlife Encounter at the Ballestas Islands (8:00 AM – 10:00 AM) Your adventure begins at the Paracas dock, where you'll board a speedboat and cruise into the shimmering Pacific. As you glide along the coast, one of Peru’s most mysterious landmarks will come into view—the Candelabra geoglyph, an enormous 150m-tall figure etched into the desert hillside. Its origin is still debated, some say it's a beacon for ancient sailors, others link it to the Nazca Lines. Either way, it's a perfect photo opportunity. As you reach the Ballestas Islands, known as “the poor man’s Galapagos,” prepare to be surrounded by life. Watch hundreds of sea lions sprawled on the rocks, barking, playing, and sunbathing. Scan the skies and cliffs for the Peruvian booby, cormorants, pelicans, and the elusive Humboldt penguin—a rare sight in its natural habitat. And if you're lucky, dolphins may join your journey! You’ll also hear about the island's surprising history with guano, once Peru’s most valuable export, now a protected natural resource. Your guide will share fascinating stories of this once-booming "white gold" industry. After your immersive wildlife cruise, return to Paracas around 10:00 AM, don’t forget to snap a few photos of the curious pelicans that lounge along the shore near the dock. Part 2: Desert & Ocean Views in the Paracas National Reserve (11:00 AM – 3:30 PM) At 11:00 AM, switch gears from sea to desert with a guided journey into the breathtaking Paracas National Reserve. Begin at the Flamingo Viewpoint, where—with a little luck—you’ll see these elegant pink birds feeding along the shoreline. Next, stop at the Interpretation Centre, a small but impressive museum showcasing the area's rich biodiversity. See whale skeletons, sea lion skulls, and penguin exhibits as your guide shares stories of life in this unique coastal ecosystem. But the real thrill awaits as your vehicle heads off-road across surreal desert landscapes, winding through rust-colored dunes and salt-crusted valleys until you reach Lagunillas Beach—a dramatic stretch of coastline framed by cliffs and turquoise water. Enjoy a leisurely lunch by the sea at a local beachfront restaurant (optional, not included), take in the sweeping views, or dive into the cool ocean if you're up for a swim. After a rejuvenating afternoon, return to Paracas by late afternoon with your senses filled and your camera full.

Begin your day trip with convenient and comfortable pickup from your hotel in Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro, or nearby areas in Lima. Depart bright and early with your English-speaking guide, and head to where your adventure begins in Paracas. There, you board a speed boat for marine wildlife watching, with the chance to see Humboldt penguins, sea lions, and the mysterious Chandelier Lines. Following the island tour, a brief stop at Paracas Boulevard allows for exploration before the journey continues to the Ica winery valley. Here, visit a pisco distillery, enjoy free tastings of pisco and wine, and have the option for lunch on your own. Next, the tour takes you to the Huacachina Oasis for a leisurely promenade around the oasis. This is followed by an exhilarating dune buggy ride across the vast dunes, offering opportunities for sightseeing, sandboarding, or sand sliding. Finally, the tour concludes with a drive back to Lima City, where you'll be dropped off at the original meeting point or your accommodation.

Leave the city behind and dive into the best of coastal Peru in this all-in-one, 2-day trip. Cruise with sea lions, ride dunes like a pro, and fly over ancient mysteries etched into the desert floor - this tour brings together wildlife, adrenaline, and ancient history in the most epic way. Day 1: Lima to Paracas, Ballestas Islands, and Huacachina Oasis Start your adventure with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Lima. Travel in comfort by bus to the coastal town of Paracas, a 4-hour journey along the scenic Pacific coast. Upon arrival, set off on a 2-hour boat tour to the Ballestas Islands, known as “the poor man’s Galapagos.” Spot sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and dozens of marine bird species as your guide shares insights about the unique ecosystem. Enjoy free time for lunch in Paracas from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Choose from a variety of local restaurants - your guide can offer great recommendations. In the afternoon, continue by bus to Huacachina, a stunning natural oasis in the heart of the Ica Desert. Enjoy free time to explore the palm-lined lagoon or walk the surrounding dunes. Later, take part in an exhilarating dune buggy and sandboarding experience. Ride up and down massive desert dunes in a 4x4 buggy, then try sandboarding down the soft golden slopes. It’s one of South America’s most exciting natural playgrounds. The following day, go from Huacachina to Nazca in a shuttle. Arrive in Nazca around 11:00AM and go straight to the airport. Fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines, which have left thousands of people baffled for years. Day 2: Nazca Lines Flight and Return to Lima On the second day, depart Huacachina early for Nazca by private shuttle. Arrive around 11:00 a.m. and head straight to the airport for your 30-minute scenic flight over the Nazca Lines. Admire enormous geoglyphs in the shapes of monkeys, hummingbirds, and other figures, etched into the desert more than 1,000 years ago. Your pilot will guide you through each figure during the flight. After the flight, enjoy approximately two hours of free time in Nazca. Take this opportunity to visit the Cantalloc Aqueducts, an ancient underground irrigation system still in use today, or relax in the town. At 3:00 p.m., begin your return journey to Huacachina, then back to Lima by bus. Relax and enjoy the ride before being dropped off at your hotel or hostel in the evening.

Live an unforgettable experience of a whole day starting from Lima towards Ica, discover the Huacachina desert and the Ballestas Islands. 09:00 AM – Paracas Beach: Start the excursion to the Ballestas Islands. We will enter the El Chaco tourist pier and board the boats for a 1-hour journey to the islands. Along the way, you will see the Paracas Candelabra, sea lions, penguins, and a wide variety of guano birds. 01:00 PM – Pisco Tasting: Arrive at a renowned wine and pisco winery, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch with traditional Ica dishes (optional). Afterward, head to the tasting room to sample over 5 varieties of wines, piscos, and local liquor creams. 02:30 PM – Huacachina Oasis: Arrive at the famous Huacachina Oasis, also known as the "Oasis of America." Here, we will engage in thrilling dune buggy rides as we race up and down the towering Ica sand dunes, giving you the sensation of a roller coaster ride in the sand. At the top, we’ll go sandboarding down the dunes, a must-try desert activity. Afterward, you’ll have some free time to explore the oasis at your leisure. 05:00 PM – Return to Lima: At around 06:00 PM, we will make a brief stop to use the restrooms and grab some snacks. We will then continue our journey back to Lima, with an estimated arrival time of 09:30 PM - 10:00 PM (approx.).