



by Peru Hop
How do you want to book?
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$298This two-day bus tour from Lima covers coastal and desert landscapes near Paracas. On the first day, the tour includes a two-hour boat trip around the Ballestas Islands, where you can see sea lions, penguins, and dolphins. After the boat tour, there is a visit to the Paracas National Reserve, where the cliffs rise above the meeting point of desert and ocean. On day two, you take a dune buggy ride through the sand dunes around Huacachina, a desert oasis. This part of the tour includes two hours of sandboarding or you can upgrade to an ATV ride. Transportation on luxury buses with air conditioning and onboard restrooms is provided throughout, along with hotel pickup and drop-off in Lima. A bilingual guide accompanies the group, and all entrance fees are covered. High-speed Wi-Fi is available onboard if you book through Peru Hop.
Enjoy a stress-free morning pickup directly from your hotel or hostel in Miraflores, Barranco, or San Isidro (within the designated pickup zone). Your guide will confirm the exact time the day before your trip via the Viator message system. Board your Peru Hop bus with onboard high-speed Wi-Fi - perfect for catching up on messages or posting your first photos - as you settle in for a relaxed ride south through Peru’s hidden coastal gems.
We’ll pause at Mirasur KM 88, a popular countryside spot known for its traditional Peruvian breakfast baked fresh in rustic ovens. Savor hot, flaky bread straight from the fire, and treat yourself to optional coffee or local specialties as you enjoy views of the surrounding fields. It’s a simple but flavorful start to the adventure.
30 min
Step back in time at the legendary Hacienda San José, a beautifully preserved 17th-century colonial estate that played a pivotal role in Peru’s plantation history. Now a luxurious 5-star hotel, it was once one of the largest haciendas in the region, worked by enslaved Africans brought through the illegal trade. Join your guide for an emotional and fascinating journey through the estate, including a tour of its extensive underground slave tunnels, which stretch 17km to the coast. This is a rare and powerful experience, offering insights into Peru’s Afro-Peruvian heritage and the legacy that shaped its coastal culture.
120 min
Arrive in the laid-back seaside town of Paracas around 1:30 PM. After checking in, you'll have the afternoon free to stroll along the bay, enjoy fresh seafood, or book optional activities like the Golden Shadow Trek for sunset views over the desert cliffs. Ask your guide for local recommendations to make the most of your free time before tomorrow’s early start.
120 min
Kick off your day with a thrilling speedboat ride to the Ballestas Islands, often called the “Galápagos of Peru.” Departing at 8:00 AM from the Paracas harbor, this guided excursion brings you up close to colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a wide variety of seabirds - all in their natural habitat. Along the way, you'll spot the mysterious Candelabra geoglyph, a massive figure etched into the coastal cliffside.
120 min
From 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, explore the dramatic landscapes of the Paracas National Reserve, one of South America’s largest protected coastal deserts. You'll be guided through otherworldly rock formations, panoramic cliff views, and tranquil beaches where the desert collides with the Pacific Ocean. Ask your guide about upgrading to an ATV (quad bike) tour, and carve your own path through this surreal desert setting!
120 min
At 12:30 PM, hop back on the Peru Hop bus for a scenic ride inland through Ica’s wine country, arriving at the desert oasis of Huacachina around 2:00 PM. You’ll have time to relax, explore the village, or grab a late lunch before the main event begins.
120 min
At 4:30 PM, buckle up for a thrill ride over the towering sand dunes surrounding South America’s only natural desert oasis. You’ll blast through the golden landscape in a specially equipped dune buggy, then grab a sandboard and glide down the sun-scorched slopes.
120 min
At 7:00 PM, relax aboard your comfortable Peru Hop luxury bus with onboard high-speed Wi-Fi for the final leg to Lima - ideal for sharing your best Huacachina photos on the way back. Expect to arrive between 11:30 PM and midnight. We'll drop you off directly at your hotel or hostel if it’s within our designated drop-off areas - no late-night taxis needed.
300 min