And as for sand buggies, who needs a rollercoaster when you have one of these? Granted, a rollercoaster is attached to a track and has a specific route to follow, but that is exactly what makes hurtling around in a sand buggy far more exciting and adrenaline-pumping!
Peru in general is famous for its “individual” driving style and it’s on the sand dunes of Huacachina that Peruvian drivers are able to put their skills to the test in a desert of unrestricted bliss.
The monster of a buggy that will escort you through your journey.
From the moment you set off in one of these monsters, you know you are in for anything but a comfy ride! The first climb, although fast and expertly-taken, bears no resemblance to the combination of steep inclines and heart-stopping drops that are to follow, sometimes leaving you perfectly balanced like a seesaw in the middle of a dune before plunging at pulsating speeds towards the bottom … along with a guaranteed scream from surrounding female companions!
After a good ten minutes of non-stop adventure, you grind (or slide) to a halt in the middle of a near-untouched paradise, with waves of sand surrounding your every gaze. If you desire, you may attempt a wander through the dunes, but don’t expect an easy hike! In the distance, you may be lucky enough to still see Ica, but Huacachina will be long gone – for now at least …
The view from the top, with Ica somewhere in the distance.
As if all this wasn’t enough excitement for one day, a short blast through the sand later will leave you staring down a rather steep looking hill, full of single tracks and the craters of those who have fallen before you. Without much time for contemplation or questioning, you will be summoned to mount your very own sandboard. Having similar experience is completely immaterial, as your first instalment will simply entail a short, fast, face-first slide down a 30 metre sand dune (accompanied once again by the screams of your female companions).
Once at the bottom, you may wish to struggle back up for another go; otherwise your driver will collect you at the bottom and whisk you away to another dune. This second dune, not quite so tall, will be where those with a bit of adventure will come alive as you get the chance to stand on the boards and glide down as you would on a snowboard. If not, another plunge head first is more than acceptable.
A view from the Dunes to the oasis of Huacachina
A final flourish is but moments away as you head back towards Huacachina, exhausted from your adventure. If you are lucky, you may experience one or two more rollercoaster moments before settling on the edge of the dunes with a perfect view over the oasis resort. A last chance for photos before a short descent back to the hotel completes the perfect afternoon on the sand dunes of Huacachina. A must for thrill-seekers anywhere!
This trip works perfectly with the other main attractions in the Ica region of Peru. While in Huacachina, why not travel south to Nazca to see the famous Nazca Lines, or north to Paracas to the Ballestas Islands?
