Overview:
Buggy and Sandboarding Brief Summary:
- Being the only desert oasis in South America, Huacachina is also the hotspot for buggy and sandboarding in Peru!
- Also home to the largest sand dunes in South America, Huacachina is the perfect spot for sandboarding!
- Sandboarding can be done lying down on your stomach face first (recommended for your safety) or standing up.
History:
Information:
How to get to Huacachina:
Huacachina is home to the best Buggy and Sandboarding in Peru. Escape From Lima is the only bus service in Peru that stops directly in Huacachina desert oasis and not just to Ica the nearest city.
IMPORTANT NOTE: the duration of this tour is shortened to one hour during holiday periods (e.g. Easter weekend, end of July).
Did you know?
- Huacachina is the only naturally formed desert oasis in South America!
- Huacachina is as popular with local Peruvians as it is with international visitors and has a great atmosphere, especially on weekends. This in turn means that booking accommodation ahead of time is advisable around weekends and holidays, especially if private rooms are required.
- Escape From Lima is the only bus company to go directly into Huacachina. Other companies only go as far as the nearby city of Ica from where you must take a taxi in order to get to Huacachina.
Buggy and Sandboarding FAQs:
Q: Is it possible to do the Buggy tour on the same day that I will depart Huacachina for Paracas/Lima at 18:30pm?
A: Yes, it is possible. The Buggy tour starts at 16:00pm and lasts for 2 hours, so you will be back at around 18:00pm. At certain time of the year the tour is moved 30minutes later to ensure you catch the sunset on the dunes, this is done in co-ordination with the Escape From Lima bus. If you are booked on the bus, we will wait for you to come back from the tour even if there are any delays.
Q: Is Sandboarding safe?
Sandboarding is safe provided that you are responsible, so take it easy as each year there are accidents from people going too fast. You will not come out winning versus a wall of sand.
Q: Are the buggies Safe?
Yes, the buggies of our recommended operator are extremely safe. Their drivers will make sure you have a lot of fun but never take any risks, and all seats have a seat-belt to ensure you are strapped in safely. Not all operators have safe modern buggies so it is important to be careful when booking tours.
Q: Can I drive the buggy myself?
A: No, it is not possible to drive the buggies. All of the drivers are certified, you cannot drive a buggy through the dunes without certification and special permits. You will understand why once you have done it!
Q: I want to spend longer Sandboarding, can I hire boards per day?
A: Yes. For those wishing to hop off in Huacachina and perfect their board skills there are a number of places in town where you can hire the boards yourself by the hour or half/full day.
Q: I was late and missed my tour. Can I change it for tomorrow?
A: Unfortunately, if you turn up late and miss the sandboarding tour, the operator will still charge the full price for the NO SHOW as your seat was reserved in the buggy and not sold to anyone else. If you would like to book the tour again for the next day then you can do it, but you will have to pay a second time. Tours can be cancelled up to 4 hours before the scheduled departure.
Weather:
Huacachina is a natural desert oasis that is sunny all year round! Expect hot weather no matter when you go.
What to bring:
- Lightweight trousers to protect the knees should you wish to go down lying down.
- Water
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Comfortable clothes
- Closed-toe shoes recommended (no flip-flops)
