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THE SOUTHERN AMERICAN SERIES PT17

HUACACHINA, PERU

Huacachina is a small town set within a desert oasis in south west Peru. Around the town there is nothing but desert, so you would be forgiven for thinking you were in some make believe set for the next Indian Jones movie.

HUACACHINA IS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE PLACES I’VE BEEN

The town surrounds the small green waters of the Huacachina Lagoon which is lined with everything from Palm Trees, to clubs and bars. Popular activities here include the unmissable Dune Buggies and sand boarding experience.

Like a lot of places, when I first looked at photos I didn’t believe it was possible for such a place to exist until I seen it with my own eyes.

WHERE IS HUACACHINA?

Sand boarding in Huacachina

WHERE TO BOOK

As I always say I book with me accommodation but if that’s not an option for you then you can book with the many travel operators around the town. I would however book with a hotel or hostel even if you weren’t staying there. Some of the tour operators might not be fully established and you will want to take your safety serious considering its going to be out of your hands for the most part.

Peru Adventure tours come recommended

HOW MUCH IS SANDBOARDING & DUNE BUGGIES IN PERU?

The activity isn’t expensive when you consider it lasts from the afternoon right into sunset so you get a long day out of it. Expect to pay around $50 for one of the reputable operators.

DUNE BUGGIES

Getting picked up from your hotel in one of the dune buggies really gets your juices flowing as the adventure starts straight away and doesn’t stop until sunset that night. For the first 30 minutes or so you are thrown around the buggy to the sounds of joyful screams from the other buggies. There might be 5 – 10 other tours happening at the same time but there is plenty of space to go around.

Sand dunes in Huacachina, Peru. Sand boarding in Huacachina & full guide

Sand boarding in Huacachina

SAND BOARDING

Half way through your buggy adventure the guides will find a decent spot to stop for your sand boarding. We were taking to the tiniest slope and wondered was this it. Turns out it was to get put us into a false sense of security. After going down with no hassle we walked over to the next dune and instantly regretted challenging the guide.

WE COULDN’T EVEN SEE WHERE THE DUNE ENDED!

Anyway not one to shy away we got prepared. After going down the small dune we noticed you don’t pick up a lot of speed but that was until the first guy went. He set off from a standing start and as he went down the dune I wasn’t sure if he was ever going to stop and as it turns out neither was he. In the end he bailed and hurt his hand in the process. Not ideal but he was genuinely picking up serious speed.

David Simpson standing on sand dune in Huacachina, Peru. Sand boarding in Huacachina & full guide

Sand boarding in Huacachina

THE INSTRUCTOR

The instructor clearly knew what he was doing as he couldn’t contain his laugher and to be fair neither could we! We all had to chill out before we had a god ourselves. Fortunately, there was no serious injuries but it was a great laugh and something I would do again if I were to return.

WHAT TO PACK:

You won’t need to bring anything additional on your holiday but as long as you have the following on the day you will be good to go;

  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses to prevent the sand getting in your eyes
  • Water
  • Camera
  • Trainers
Dune buggy ride over sand dunes in Huacachina, Peru. Sand boarding in Huacachina & full guide
Dune buggies and sand dunes at sunset in Huacachina, Peru. Sand boarding in Huacachina & full guide

Sand boarding in Huacachina

SUNSET

It was then back into the buggy and after stopping for the odd photo we made our way back to Huacachina for an incredible oasis sunset. Huacachina isn’t the cleanest of towns which is a shame as it has everything else going for it. As the town is so small it’s not going to take much for it to become overwhelmed. I just hope it doesn’t fall victim to tourism.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Unique experiences are becoming more and more difficult but there aren’t many places which will offer the same at this.

NEXT UP

Getting sick in Banôs. Click to read.

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
80/229

This post is part of The Southern American Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.

Question Time

  • Have you ever been to Peru?
  • What was your highlight?
  • Have you been sand boarding?

Let me know in the comments below . . .

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CHECKING OUT MACHU PICCHU AND FULL GUIDE
A SWING, THE EQUATOR & NEEDING THE BANÕS IN BANÕS

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