Although Peru’s most famous attractions might draw all the attention to them, Huacachina is definitely not a place to be overlooked.
For those who didn’t know, this is the only natural oasis of the Americas and holds impressive natural scenery with adventures for every traveler.
As it is located only a few hours away from the bustling Lima City, it has become the perfect getaway destination from the capital of Peru, along with the Paracas beach town.
Therefore, if you’re looking to experience a unique attraction in South America, this is the way to start! In case you didn’t know, the Huacachina oasis is located in the Ica region, only 5 hours away from the so-called City of Kings.
Ica not only holds this natural wonder but also some of the oldest and most renowned pisco and wine distilleries in the country.
We want you to have a broader view of all the different things you could do during your trip to Peru, which is why we’ve come up with this section to help you put together the best travel itinerary. Continue reading and learn everything about this special place in the Peruvian desert.
About Huacachina & Ica
Besides the natural oasis, Huacachina comprises a small village around the lagoon with a great tourist infrastructure.
The region houses about 115 permanent residents and, as we mentioned above, it’s located only 15 minutes away from the city of Ica.
Huacachina wasn’t always the tourist hub it is today, since it actually was the Nº 1 getaway destination for the wealthy people of the region and Lima. And though you might think that happened in the colonial era, it actually was during the 1900s.
However, some structures seem to date back to colonial times, but they were actually constructed after the 1960s, looking to replicate the Spanish-influenced architecture in the surrounding structures.
Thereby, the Huacachina oasis is surrounded by an authentic architectural style, as well as framed with palm trees and eucalyptus.
The site offers the perfect setting to disconnect from the rest of the world and just unwind your mind with the fresh breeze of the desert and its warm weather.
Currently, Huacachina receives thousands of national and foreign visitors every year thanks to its breathtaking landscapes, parties, and adventure sports.
Now, when it comes to Ica City, it is the most important region of Peru in terms of large-scale production of wine and pisco.
Ica houses some of the oldest wineries in Latin America, which still work the land and continue with their traditional distillery process. You can easily join a tour of the most renowned Pisco vineyards in the area, as well as have an intimate gastronomic experience.
Peruvian dishes, wine, and pisco will be the highlight of your trip through the Peruvian desert. That’s why we can say that visiting Huacachina goes beyond anything you could’ve imagined before.
The Legends of Huacachina
As you may be aware, we love ancient stories and legends, especially those starring a mystical side to a natural wonder, so Peru is full of these kinds of tales, and the Huacachina Lagoon doesn’t stand too far from this.
The legend will tell you that may sound a bit tragic and unfortunate, but here are two of the most popular versions.
One legend goes back to the origins of the lagoon, where an Inca princess was wandering around the desert.
At some point, she stopped to rest and comb her hair while looking at the mirror. As she was distracted for a moment, she didn’t notice that a hunter was spying on her from a distance.
For a moment, she glanced at his reflection in the mirror as he was approaching her, and in a desperate move to get away from him, she dropped the mirror, and this one turned into the lagoon as it shattered on the ground.
The Inca princess dove into it, and once she felt safe to come out, she realized the lagoon had turned her into a mermaid, and the tunic she had left behind became the sand dunes that now surround the oasis.
Another legend has it that the Huacachina Lagoon originated from a grieving woman’s tears, who cried her heart out due to an impossible love.
This woman entered the lagoon and, since then, she has become a mermaid. Locals say that you can hear her weeping after midnight.
Things to Do in Huacachina
As we mentioned earlier on this blog, there are many exciting things to do in Huacachina. Here we have gathered the most popular and our passengers’ favorite activities:
Dune Buggy & Sandboarding
Ok, this is by far the most demanded tour in Huacachina, and how not to, since you get to explore the desert on a four-wheel buggy as if you were on a roller coaster.
This adrenaline-packed adventure will take you through several dunes at high speed to later appreciate the landscape from a special spot.
Some travel operators combine the ride with the sandboarding activity, where you’ll get to slide down through several dunes on a sandboard.
Here you’ll find out if you’re really up to this! But don’t worry, it is not difficult at all since you can do it by lying flat on the board or – if you’re feeling adventurous – by standing on it like a total pro.
The Dune Buggy & Sandboarding tour is a must if you’re traveling to this region of Peru. The tour takes about 2 hours, and we recommend you take it in the afternoon to see the sunset in the desert.
Visit the Pisco Vineyards in Ica
Ica is the birthplace of Pisco, Peru’s national drink, and it holds a great variety of Pisco wineries, some of them dating back to 1776.
Luckily for you, we have the perfect excursion so you can experience 3 of the region’s most important pisco and wine vineyards.
The Pisco Route will take you to El Catador, Vista Alegre, and Tacama wineries, where you’ll get to learn about the modern and traditional production of wine and pisco in Peru.
If you wish to learn more about our gastronomic experience, we highly recommend taking this tour if you’re visiting this region.
Nazca Lines
The Nazca lines are a group of over 1,100 geoglyphs located on the ground in the Nazca area created between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D.
These figures were in use even after the Nazca civilization. The purpose of these carvings is unknown, but many archeologists, such as Maria Reiche, point to them as a ritual center and astronomical calendar.
Some Nazca Lines extend to over 350 meters, while others are as long as 5 meters. Among the most recognized are the killer whale, the monkey, the astronaut, the hummingbird, the condor, and the spider.
If you wish to see these incredible geoglyphs, the best way to do it is by taking a flight. However, there’s an alternative where you can see three of them on a viewing tower located on the Panamericana Sur highway, though the chances of seeing them rely on the weather and sunlight.
How to Get to Huacachina
Huacachina is located 5 hours south of Lima, and the only way to get there is by car. However, if you’re planning to do this on your own, keep in mind that buses only run until Inca; from there, you will need to take a taxi or public transport to the entrance of Huacachina.
Yes, we know, that sounds like a hassle, especially if your Spanish is limited. But here we are to take that stress away!
If you’re planning a trip to our country, we have the perfect itinerary for southern Peru, where you’ll get to visit Huacachina and Paracas in just one day.
Afterward, you can decide to continue your trip through Peru or take a flight to your next location from Lima. Here at Viagens Machu Picchu, we want you to travel in total comfort, so our local experts have the best options for you!
If you’d like to know Peru at its fullest, you’ve come to the right place. Contact our experts now and request a personalized itinerary! Huacachina and Peru await!
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