What is sandboarding in Ica
The Ica desert has the highest dunes in South America, some of them over 100 meters tall. Sandboarding is done with professional boards similar to snowboards but adapted for sand. There are two styles: standing up, snowboard-style, or lying face down on the board, which is easier for beginners. The 4×4 dune buggies (tubulares) take you to different dunes so you don’t have to hike up them.
Where to go sandboarding in Ica
The main spot is the Huacachina Oasis, located 5 km from the city of Ica. Huacachina is 300 km south of Lima, about a 4–5 hour bus ride. It sits at 406 meters above sea level. The dunes completely surround the oasis and stretch for kilometers into the desert.
How the dune buggy tour works
The vehicles are 4×4 buggies with Land Cruiser 4.5 engines and capacity for 8 people. They include 4-point seat belts. The typical duration is 2 hours including transfers. You usually do between 3 and 4 runs on dunes with different difficulty levels. The drivers are professionals with experience driving in dunes.
Schedules and best time to go
Tours run from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, which is the last departure. The most recommended time is 4:00 PM so you can enjoy the sunset. Each tour lasts about 2 hours in total. It’s not necessary to book far in advance, although in high season, from December to March, it’s recommended.
What to bring to the desert for sandboarding
Comfortable clothing: long pants and closed-toe shoes. Sunglasses and a scarf or buff to protect yourself from the sand. Sunscreen is essential because the sun is very strong. An action camera like a GoPro if you want to record your runs. Water to stay hydrated. Don’t bring too many loose belongings because sand gets into everything.
Basic sandboarding techniques
For beginners, going down lying on the board is faster and doesn’t require any experience. To ride standing up, your stance is similar to snowboarding with your weight on the back leg. Guides give basic instructions before each run. You start on small dunes of 10–20 meters before moving on to the big ones of around 100 meters. The hot sand allows you to slide faster than on snow.
Weather and best time to visit
Ica has a desert climate with an average annual temperature of 20–24°C (68–75°F). In summer, from December to March, daytime temperatures reach 30–35°C (86–95°F) and it’s high season. In winter, from June to September, daytime temperatures are milder, around 18–22°C (64–72°F), and there are fewer tourists. At night it can drop to around 10°C (50°F) any time of year. It practically never rains, with about 260 dry days a year. April, May, October and November are ideal months because the weather is mild and there are fewer people.
Access to the dunes from Huacachina
For tours departing from Huacachina you have to walk about 80 meters up the dune to reach the buggy because vehicles are not allowed to approach the lagoon. There is an alternative departure point from “Tierra Prometida” (the Promised Land), behind the lagoon, where the buggy waits right there. This option is ideal for children or people with reduced mobility. From the city of Ica, the ride to Huacachina takes about 15 minutes by taxi or mototaxi.
Sandboarding safety
Only professional drivers are allowed to operate the dune buggies. Tourists are not permitted to drive. Guides accompany you on each run and pick up participants at the bottom. It’s important to always stay with the group so you don’t get lost. The most common injuries are minor falls, which is why clothing that covers arms and legs is recommended. Minors can participate under supervision.
What else to do in Huacachina besides sandboarding
Boat rides on the oasis lagoon. Hiking up the dunes on foot to watch the sunset, although it requires some physical effort. Taking photos of the oasis from natural viewpoints at the top of the dunes. Strolling around the small town around the lagoon with its restaurants and shops. Combining your visit with a tour of pisco wineries in Ica.
How to get to Ica from Lima
By bus, companies like Cruz del Sur cover the route in 4–5 hours. The approximate cost is 50–70 soles depending on the type of seat. From the bus station in Ica you can take a taxi or mototaxi to Huacachina for 5–7 soles. You can also arrive from Paracas in about an hour and a half or as part of the route towards Nazca.
