Peru · SANDBOARDING & DUNE BUGGY TOURS IN ICA
Good sandboarding & dune buggy tours in Ica fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 14 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
You’ll race across Huacachina’s desert in a 4x4 buggy, climb dunes up to 30 meters high, learn basic sandboarding, and stop for sunset photos above the oasis. English- and Spanish-speaking drivers such as Frank, Jorge, and Riccardo have led recent trips, with groups capped at 10.
“Love it!!! It’s great? You must do it if you’re here. ❤️❤️❤️❤️”
Start in Huacachina with equipment fitting and sandboarding or sandskiing instruction, then ride a dune buggy to higher dunes for about four to five runs. Guides such as Dito, Juan, Antonio, and Aldahir provide coaching and GoPro photos and videos. Sunset and Pisco shots finish the afternoon.
“One of the best tours I’ve been on, great guide that is a professional skier for Peru and is trying to make the Olympics. He carried my stuff when my ankle is injured. Thrilling ATV ride definitely a bit scary. Very friendly guide and great company”
From Ica, you’ll fly 30 to 35 minutes over the UNESCO-listed Nazca Lines, then return for a Huacachina dune buggy and sandboarding ride. Guides including Sam, Jorge, and Irving provide help with timing, taxes, and transfers. Bring your passport, a light bag, and protection from blowing sand.
“Irving came on time. He is very outgoing and answered all the questions we had. We could not have had a better operator. After seeing the beautiful Nazca lines, he took us for lunch to a very good restaurant. Then we went for the dune buggy experience and sandboarding. It was sooo much fun!”
Meet your English or Spanish-speaking guide at the Huacachina Oasis office, walk to the dunes, then ride a 4x4 buggy across the sand. Your instructor explains the basics before you slide down several dunes, with time for photos above the oasis. The group is limited to 10 people.
“Bei Ankunft in der Agentur herrschte erst einmal etwas Verwirrung. Man hatte uns wohl nicht erwartet (haben aber auch erst ein paar Stunden zuvor gebucht). Man geht dann durch den Ort zum Eingang der Dünen und weiter zu den Buggys. Insgesamt hat die Aktivität genau eine Stunde gedauert, also mit Wartezeit, Fussweg, Fahrt zum Aussichtspunkt, Pause, Sandboarding, Rückfahrt.”
Meet Johnny and the team near Huacachina at 2:40 PM for helmet, board or ski equipment, and wax. Ride a dune buggy into the desert, learn sandboarding or sandskiing with an instructor, enjoy several runs, and finish with sunset photos among the dunes.
“Overall we LOVED this experience. We got lots of skiing/boarding time, followed by a great sunset moment, and dune buggy riding the whole time. The overall experience was far more unique than the generic tours, and we’d highly recommend this trip/company to anyone. Great highlight thus far!”
Meet at La Casa del Bamboo in Huacachina for a two-hour buggy ride across the dunes, with photo stops, sandboarding instruction, and a possible sunset finish. Sam Travel Experiences limits the group to about 10 people. Bring cash for the local tourist tax, and confirm the tour length before booking.
“We did this activity as part of the day trip from Lima, the drive is really long, like 4 hours. The activity itself is really fun. Dune Buggy and sand ski are so fun that the 1 hour time easily passing by. Also the view of the sand dune and the pond is stunning. There are many local people selling the buggy tour in that area, You can just walk in and get this activity schedule without advance booking.”
Meet SandSquad in Huacachina at 2:45pm for a small-group sandboarding or sandskiing lesson with Peruvian athletes such as Jhayr. You’ll test equipment, ride a dune buggy, practice descents, receive GoPro or iPhone photos and videos, and finish with a sunset by 6:15pm.
“Well organised trip, private trip, boots, board and helmet provided. We travelled in a sand buggy to various dunes to learn sandboarding, the teaching was excellent! We really enjoyed the sandboarding and was one of our highlights of our trip to Peru.”
Meet at La Casa de Bamboo in Huacachina for a 2-hour buggy ride over steep dunes, repeated sandboarding runs, photo stops, and sunset views. Your driver guides the activity and helps with photos. Bring cash for the S/3.60 entrance fee and a jacket for the cool evening.
“It was exactly as described. Lots of photo stops, sand boarding, sand dune buggy riding, and an amazing sunset. I will say it was a bit more intense with the buggy riding then I expected but my husband loved it.”
Explore Ica’s Lord of Luren Sanctuary, Cachiche’s witch legends, and Bodega Pampas before tasting regional piscos and wines. Finish at Huacachina with a tubular ride and sandboarding. Hotel pickup, a guide, transfers, and tastings are included, while lunch and Huacachina’s tourist tax cost extra.
“Un viaje de mucha adrenalina de compartir cultura de probar tradiciones nos encantó... nos falto tiempo pero seguro volvería para traer a mi hijo.gracias chicos”
Learn to sandboard at Huacachina with professional boards and boots, then ride a dune buggy to larger dunes for repeated runs. Instructors including Alexandre and Jhonny have helped beginners master the basics, while photos and videos record the action. Choose a morning or afternoon departure.
“I know there are lots of "Sandboarding" in Huacachina but most of them wouldn't let you stand up on the board as they don't provide professional snowboard equipment. Sand Snow School aka Sandingboarding Peru provide you the equipment and instruction to help you get the full experience. Jhonny was our tour guide who not only gives me a lot of advice helping me to switch from Snowboarding to Sandboarding, but also did a great job in getting us some awesome video and photos for the gram! Definitely recommended”
Start beside Huacachina Lagoon, ride about 10 km into the desert, stop for photos, and learn basic sandboarding on the dunes. The one-hour outing costs $21, includes a driver and board, and ends with a view of the oasis and sunset. Bring water, sunscreen, and patience.
“Desde el punto de recogida (Alejandra) hasta el chofer muy amables. Muy recomendable.”
Meet at the dune entrance for a 60-minute Huacachina adventure. A professional driver takes you over the sand in a four-wheel buggy, then gives you a board and basic instruction. Choose the 4pm departure for sunset views, and rent a professional standing board locally if needed.
“Vel. dette var en opplevelse jeg kunne vært foruten. jeg booket denne touren med den hensikt å få stått på ski noe Operatøren sa var ingen problem. det var først når jeg ankom at jeg skjønte at ski ikke var noe som jeg kunne få hjelp med. jeg booket således touren med engelsk guide, selvfølgelig var det null engelsk fra noen av disse menneskene. dermed ble det igjen vanskelig å kommunisere. turen skulle ta 1 time. den varte i 43 minutter. totalt sett føler jeg meg kraftig lurt og vil absolutt anbefale alle som vurderer denne turen til å fravike og heller lete etter bedre alternativer! det er folk i…”
Join a small group of up to 10 for a one-hour 4x4 dune buggy ride, basic sandboarding, and sunset views around Huacachina. Pickup is available in Ica or Huacachina, with English- or Spanish-speaking drivers. Kevin has handled pickup coordination, though the driver usually serves as guide too.
“Llegamos 20 minutos antes, la administración no tenía idea de qué empresas (3 o 4 distintas) se manejan en el mismo sitio y que nosotros estábamos registrados para el tour. Cuando validaron nuestra reserva, nos indicaron que debíamos esperar “un ratito”. Nuestro tour en teoría empezaba a las 4 pm. Pasaron 25 minutos de las 4 sin indicarnos nada. Finalmente decidí quejarme con la persona que nos había registrado e indicó que “empezaría más tarde ya que en estos días el sunset aparece más tarde”. Nuestra molestia es porque, aunque es válido el cambio, no se nos indicó con antelación, ni por correo ni aún en el momento de registro…”
You’ll leave central Ica at 3:30 p.m. for Huacachina, hear the oasis story from an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, then race across dunes by buggy and try sandboarding. Hotel pickup is limited to central Ica, and the S/. 3.60 tourist tax is extra.
Pick a ruin, a summit, a dune or a kitchen.
