Glamping in the Sand Dunes of Huacachina

One of the most memorable experiences of our time in Peru happened when our daughters joined us. Together we spent a night glamping in the dunes outside Huacachina, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our time in Peru.

Huacachina is a small magical looking oasis just outside the city of Ica, about a four to five-hour drive south of Lima.

We broke up the journey south by spending Christmas in the seaside town of Paracas. After exploring the spectacular Paracas National Reserve, we drove about 1¼ hours inland to Huacachina, where the Pacific coastline gives way to some of Peru's most spectacular desert scenery.

Along the way, we stopped for lunch at a local vineyard to learn a little about Peru's pisco industry. It was a little touristy, but fun, and gave us the chance to taste pisco and learn about the grape varieties used to produce Peru's national spirit before continuing into the dunes.

Although there are several hotels around the oasis itself, we decided to spend the night in the desert. It was one of the best decisions we made.

We booked with Huacachina Tours, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. From the moment we arrived they took care of everything. We left our luggage at their base, where there were showers, coffee, and somewhere comfortable to wait before heading out into the dunes in the late afternoon.

Around 4 p.m. we climbed into the dune buggies.

Calling it a drive doesn't really do it justice. It felt more like a roller coaster racing across enormous sand dunes. Hold on tight, wear sunglasses, and bring a scarf or buff to pull over your nose and mouth because the sand gets everywhere.

We stopped to try sandboarding and sand tubing before climbing one of the highest dunes to watch the sun set across the desert. As the light faded, the dunes changed from gold to deep amber.

Our camp appeared almost out of nowhere.

White canvas tents with proper raised beds were scattered across the sand, alongside a beautifully set tented dining area and an open fire.

After a day of adrenaline, the evening slowed to long conversations under an impossibly star-filled sky while our hosts prepared an outstanding grilled dinner. It was one of those meals made even better by where you were eating.

The desert was incredibly peaceful overnight, and before sunrise we climbed another dune to watch the first light spread across the sand. There wasn't another sound except the wind.

Back at base, hot showers and a hearty breakfast were waiting before we continued our journey.

If you're visiting southern Peru, I'd recommend staying overnight rather than just taking a buggy ride. The dunes are spectacular during the day, but it's sunset, dinner under the stars, and sunrise over the desert that make the experience unforgettable.

Worth Knowing

We booked the Overnight Desert Glamping Experience with Huacachina Tours, and it was incredibly well organized.

The package included:

• Secure luggage storage at their Ica base
• Showers before departure and after returning
• Afternoon dune buggy adventure
• Sandboarding and sand tubing
• Overnight glamping in comfortable raised-bed tents
• A delicious grilled dinner prepared over the fire
• Sunrise in the dunes
• Breakfast the following morning

The guides were friendly, professional, and looked after us from start to finish. They even arranged pick up in a private van from our house in Paracas, and then the following day to the airport in Lima for our trip up to the Sacred Valley. We thought it offered excellent value and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

Huacachina Tours

www.huacachinatours.com