I exactly remember the moment when I arrived to Huacachina. The tuk-tuk driver dropped me off, showed me the direction and while I was struggling to put my backpack on, he was already gone.
I crossed the street and took the first left corner, as the driver suggested. After few steps, I stood in the front of the most magical lagoon surrounded by palm trees and sand dunes. I have never seen something like this before. It was a real treasure 🙂
What is Huacachina
Huacachina is a small natural oasis in the middle of the Ica desert, just 5 km away from Ica town. It is home to some of the greatest and wildest adventures in Peru!
The tiny paradise is inhabited by only 100 residents. It is more likely to meet people from outside rather than locals, when walking around the village.
After exploring the beautiful and extraordinary desert lake, there are two main attractions waiting for adventure seekers:
Dune buggy and sandboarding
The dune buggy is usually paired with sandboarding tour which is a mind-blowing combination! The tours start before the sunset, when the sun is setting and the sand is becoming even more golden. This is the most popular attraction in Huacachina.
This off-roading vehicle is especially designed for driving on sand dunes and beaches. When I sit and closed the belt, the driver with the full speed drove ahead and the adventure began! We were flying over the huge sand dunes, deep in the golden desert. The sound of the machine, the smell of the desert and the huge sun over the horizon, made me speechless! It just blew my mind.
During the exciting trip, driver stopped few times, so we could sandboarding during the golden hours. How can you snowboard without sand? Well, you can stand on the board, you can seat, but the most enjoyable option is to lay down on your belly! It’s a freaking awesome experience!
Things to know before visiting Huacachina
the town is set around the lagoon,so you can easily walk around in less than 10min
Ica is well-known for its Pisco and wine, so you can book a tour in Huacachina
enjoy the sunset or sunrise from the top of the sand dunes – it’s something truly unforgettable
don’t forget about suitable clothes and a sun cream, the sun is really strong in this area
food and drinks are overpriced, so expect to pay more
if you want to visit Ica, don’t bother with a taxi, tuk tuk is cheaper and more fun!
How to get to Huacachina
Huacachina is located just 10 min ride from Ica and around 5 hours ride from the capital, Lima. When you are in Ica, take a tuk tuk to Huacachina town, which should cost you around 4 – 5 soles. The bus from Lima to Ica costs 35 – 40 soles.
Huacachina is a small natural oasis in the middle of the Ica desert, just 5 km away from Ica town. It is home to some of the greatest and wildest adventures in Peru!
After exploring the beautiful and extraordinary desert lake, there are two main attractions waiting for adventure seekers:
The dune buggy is usually paired with sandboarding tour which is a mind-blowing combination! The tours start before the sunset, when the sun is setting and the sand is becoming even more golden. This is the most popular attraction in Huacachina.
This off-roading vehicle is especially designed for driving on sand dunes and beaches. When I sit and closed the belt, the driver with the full speed drove ahead and the adventure began! We were flying over the huge sand dunes, deep in the golden desert. The sound of the machine, the smell of the desert and the huge sun over the horizon, made me speechless! It just blew my mind.
During the exciting trip, driver stopped few times, so we could sandboarding during the golden hours. How can you snowboard without sand? Well, you can stand on the board, you can seat, but the most enjoyable option is to lay down on your belly! It’s a freaking awesome experience!
