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FULL DAY ICA AND PARACAS

Duration
1 Day
Activity level
Moderate
Tour type
Traditional: Experiential
Group size
Min. 2

Overview

Discover the highlights of Peru’s southern coast on a full-day trip from Lima to Paracas and Ica. Start with a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, where you can see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, marine birds, and the famous Candelabra geoglyph.

Continue to Ica and visit the Huacachina Oasis, surrounded by the desert dunes. Enjoy an exciting dune buggy ride and try sandboarding before visiting a traditional winery for a tasting of local piscos, wines, and liqueurs. The tour also includes a stop in Chincha before returning to Lima.

Full Day Ica and Paracas Tour Highlights

  • Ballestas Islands: Explore the marine wildlife and coastal landscapes of the Paracas National Reserve by boat.
  • Candelabra of Paracas: See one of the most famous geoglyphs on the Peruvian coast during the boat excursion.
  • Huacachina Oasis: Visit the iconic desert oasis surrounded by the impressive Ica dunes.
  • Dune Buggy and Sandboarding: Experience an exciting ride through the dunes and try sandboarding.
  • Ica Winery: Learn about local pisco and wine production while tasting different varieties.
  • Chincha: Stop along the return route to discover local products and flavors.
  • Full-Day Experience: Visit Paracas and Ica in one day from Lima with transportation and guided assistance included.

Visit our Lima City Tour for a full experience!

Trip details

Itinerary

  • 4:30 am: Pickup from your hotel in Lima and departure towards Paracas. The journey takes approximately 3 hours.
  • 6:30 am: Stop along the route for breakfast. Enjoy some free time to have breakfast and prepare for the day.
  • 9:00 am: Arrival in Paracas and transfer to El Chaco pier. Board a modern boat for the Ballestas Islands Tour, where you will see the famous Candelabra geoglyph, sea lions, Humboldt penguins, cormorants, and other marine birds. The boat excursion takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
  • 11:00 am: Depart Paracas and continue towards Ica.
  • 12:30 pm: Arrival at Huacachina Oasis. Enjoy free time around the lagoon before starting the adventure activities in the surrounding dunes.
  • 1:00 pm: Take a thrilling ride through the Ica dunes in a dune buggy and enjoy sandboarding. After the activity, have some free time to explore Huacachina and take photos.
  • 2:30 pm: Visit a traditional Ica winery, where you will learn about the production of pisco and wine. Enjoy a tasting of different varieties of piscos, wines, macerates, and local liqueurs.
  • 4:30 pm: Depart Ica towards Chincha.
  • 5:30 pm: Stop in Chincha for a final tasting of local wines, piscos, and traditional products before beginning the return journey to Lima.
  • 6:00 pm: Departure towards Lima.
  • 9:00 pm: Approximate arrival in Lima and end of the tour.

Distance: Approx. 550 km by road | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Highest point: Approx. 400 m | Meals: Not included

Inclusions

Transportation

  • Tourist transportation throughout the tour from Lima to Paracas, Ica, Huacachina, Chincha, and back to Lima.
  • Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points in Lima.

Ballestas Islands

  • Boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands.
  • Entrance fees and port-related access required for the visit.
  • Professional assistance during the boat excursion.

Huacachina

  • Visit to the Huacachina Oasis.
  • Dune buggy ride through the Ica desert.
  • Sandboarding experience.
  • Safety equipment required for the adventure activity.

Ica Winery

  • Visit to a traditional winery.
  • Guided explanation about local wine and pisco production.
  • Tasting of different varieties of piscos, wines, and local liqueurs.

Guiding

  • Professional bilingual tour guide throughout the experience.
  • Assistance during the different activities and visits.

Meals

  • Breakfast.
  • Lunch.

Personal Expenses

  • Drinks, snacks, souvenirs, and other personal purchases.

Tips

  • Gratuities for the guide, driver, or activity staff are not included.

Travel Insurance

  • Travel or medical insurance.

Optional Services

  • Any service or activity not specifically mentioned in the inclusions.

FAQS

How long is the Full Day Ica and Paracas Tour?
The tour takes approximately 17 hours, including transportation between Lima, Paracas, Ica, Huacachina, Chincha, and Lima.

What time does the tour start?
Pickup is usually between 4:00 am and 5:00 am, depending on your selected pickup point in Lima.

What time do we return to Lima?
The approximate arrival time in Lima is around 9:00 pm, depending on traffic and road conditions.

What places will we visit?
The tour includes the Ballestas Islands, Huacachina Oasis, an Ica winery, and a stop in Chincha.

What can I see at the Ballestas Islands?
During the boat excursion, you can see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, marine birds, and the famous Candelabra geoglyph.

Are the Ballestas Islands suitable for children?
Yes. Children can join the boat excursion, although very young children may be subject to specific operator restrictions.

Is the buggy and sandboarding activity safe?
The activity is operated by local providers and includes the necessary safety equipment. Passengers should consider their physical condition before participating.

Do I need previous experience for sandboarding?
No. Previous experience is not required. The activity is suitable for beginners, although you should follow the operator’s safety instructions.

What should I bring?

  • Comfortable clothing and shoes
  • Hat or cap
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Water
  • Light jacket for the early morning
  • Extra cash for meals, drinks, and personal expenses

Is breakfast included?
No. Breakfast is not included in the tour. There is usually a stop where you can purchase breakfast.

Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included unless you select a package that specifically includes it.

Are the entrance fees included?
The entrance fees and services specifically listed in the tour inclusions are covered. Any optional services or activities not mentioned are at your own expense.

Can I participate in the tour if I am pregnant?
The Ballestas Islands visit may be possible depending on your condition, but the buggy and sandboarding activities are generally not recommended during pregnancy.

Can I join the tour if I have a recent injury or surgery?
The adventure activities require physical mobility and may not be suitable after a recent surgery or injury. Consult your doctor if you are unsure.

Is hotel pickup available?
Pickup depends on the service selected and the pickup area in Lima. Please confirm your hotel location when making your reservation.

What happens if the weather affects the Ballestas Islands tour?
Boat departures can be affected by weather or sea conditions. If the port authorities suspend departures for safety reasons, the local operator will provide the applicable alternative or instructions.

Can I book the tour for the next day?
Yes, subject to availability. We recommend booking in advance because this is a full-day tour with several scheduled activities.

Will the tour finish exactly at 9:00 pm?
The return time is approximate. Traffic, road conditions, and the timing of the activities can affect the arrival time in Lima.

IMPORTANT: Tour timings are approximate and may change depending on seasonal availability, train schedules, weather conditions, site regulations, or operational logistics. Our team will always make the necessary adjustments to ensure the itinerary runs as smoothly as possible.

Why Choose Us Velflor Travel

Expert Local Tour Guides

All of our English speaking local guides are passionate about their country and will accompany you from the moment you arrive in your destination, throughout your escorted tour and right until your departing flight home.

Authentic & Unique

Go off the beaten track. Our award-winning, licensed local guides provide incredible insights and insider tips, passionately bringing alive unique and exclusive experiences for you.

Personalized & Private

Discover our enchanting world your way. Our experts completely customize your private tour to match your interests and preferences through their comprehensive knowledge of each destination.

High Quality Experiences

All our accommodations and services are personally tested by our team. Tell us your travel dream and we will create an itinerary packed with the best experiences your destination has to offer.

Fully Supported Travel

Your dedicated and personal trip coordinator is available around-the-clock throughout your trip to accommodate requests, take care of the details, and handle any unforeseen situations.

Protection & Flexibility

We believe in complete transparency. We are bonded members and license holders of all leading travel organizations. Your booking is flexible and completely secure with us.

Our Certifications

For our team it is important to offer our travelers the guarantee and security of a certified agency, here are some of our certifications

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