Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis in Lima
Lima, Peru

Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis

Outty Ranking 61 5.0 · 5 traveler reviews12 hoursFrom $250
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Outty Ranking

61/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis worth booking?

Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis is a 12-hour experience in Lima, Peru, from $250 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
61 / 100
Rating
5/5 (5)
Duration
12 hours
From
$250 per person

We’ll pick you up from your accommodation in Lima and head south along the Pan-American Highway to Paracas, where you’ll embark on a 2-hour boat tour of the Ballestas Islands. Along the way, you’ll see the mysterious “Ca

What you get

    About this experience

    We’ll pick you up from your accommodation in Lima and head south along the Pan-American Highway to Paracas, where you’ll embark on a 2-hour boat tour of the Ballestas Islands. Along the way, you’ll see the mysterious “Candelabro” geoglyph etched into the desert cliffs, before cruising alongside sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and thousands of seabirds in their natural habitat. Next, we’ll continue to Ica, where you’ll visit a vineyard. Enjoy a delicious Peruvian lunch, explore the vineyards, and take part in a fun Pisco and wine tasting, learning about Peru. Our final stop is the breathtaking Huacachina Oasis, surrounded by towering sand dunes. Here, you’ll jump aboard a buggy for an exhilarating ride through the desert and try sandboarding down the golden slopes. Afterward, relax by the lagoon, take incredible photos, or shop for souvenirs before heading back to Lima. An unforgettable day of adventure, culture, and nature — all in one trip!

    What's included

    Included

    • All Fees and Taxes
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • Ticket to Ballestas Islands & Boat trip
    • Ticket to Huacachina, Sandboarding & Buggy
    • Alcoholic beverages

    Not included

    • Lunch
    • Breakfast

    What you'll see and do

    1. Panemerican Highway

      180 minutes here

    2. Las Islas Ballestas

      Boat trip to see the penguins & sealions, Ballestas Islands and tons of birds.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Panamerican Highway

      60 minutes here

    4. Oasis, Sandboarding & Buggy

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    5. Wine and Pisco Tasting

      60 minutes here

    6. Drive back to Lima

      240 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    pt, en, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Peruvian Worldview Tours

    Know before you go

    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis in Lima, photo 2Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis in Lima, photo 3Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis in Lima, photo 4Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis in Lima, photo 5Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis in Lima, photo 6Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis in Lima, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    2 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Food and drink

    1 mention

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Pace and timing

    1 mention

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Traveler reviews

    5 verified traveler reviews for Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    5
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    kimberlypF8438QF · September 2025

    One tour you must try

    The entire tour was a great experience, lots of activities and sites to see and the food was amazing! Although the majority of the tour was in Spanish, the tour guides still tried their best to translate in English so that we would understand.

    via Tripadvisor

    _ldenizg2023 · October 2024

    It was a great day

    We were very sorry to hear that we could not go to Ballestas because of our flight time, but our tour leader, Jean Paul, suggested that we had a great time with Pucu Te too. It was amazing to see penguins so close up. Afterward, sandboarding in the desert and bugging around the desert were great. Plus, Jean Paul and our driver were quite positive and we couldn’t see how time went through the day. Thank you!

    via Tripadvisor (translated)

    Ralph H · April 2024

    Fun day trip from Lima

    Friendly, informative and comfortable. We enjoyed all the activities and had plenty of time to not feel rushed. Highly rrecommend

    via Tripadvisor

    travelmaharaja82 · August 2023

    Accommodating and convenient

    Amazing company. We had multiple flight delays and cancellations, yet they were very accommodating. Communication was prompt. I highly recommend their services. I would use them again.

    via Tripadvisor

    katiepG8028HL · November 2022

    Great trip!

    We had a great experience working with Jean Paul to plan our tour and with Manuel on the tour. Manuel was very knowledgeable about all the sites we visited and was so nice and fun to talk with. Our tour got adjusted at the last minute due to the rough seas, but Jean Paul and Manuel were great at communicating the changes and ensured that we were still going to get a great experience with lifelong memories. The experience overall was great!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    12 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Peruvian Worldview Tours, who run 9 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 69.5 and 2 in the 90+ Club.

    See everything Peruvian Worldview Tours runs

    Why this scores 61

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)89
    Review evidence (18% weight)27
    Booking momentum (14% weight)20
    Value for money (12% weight)49
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)55
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lima.

    How much does Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis cost?

    +

    Prices start at $250 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Lima usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis take?

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    Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Lima is not rushed.

    Is Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Lima, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis?

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    Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Lima can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Lima and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Private Excursion to Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Oasis start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Lima within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Lima?

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    On Outty we rank every Lima experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Premium Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip from Lima with Sunset Toast, Paracas and Huacachina Exclusive Sunset Picnic Tour, Paracas & Huacachina Premium Experience from Lima. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Lima?

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    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Lima?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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