Huacachina SandSki
Ica, Peru
- 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The adventurous can try something new in Peru during this half-day sand boarding or sand skiing experience on the Huacachina Dunes near Ica. Get professional instruction and gear fitting, then take a buggy ride to the top of the dunes to experience the rush of skiing or boarding on sand instead of snow.
- Experience boarding or skiing on sand instead of snow
- Take a buggy across the Huacachina Dunes
- Have an outdoor adventure in Peru
- All equipment and professional instruction included
What's Included
- Skies and ski-boots.
- Professional guide/instructor accredited
- Ride in the desert with buggies.
- Professional Sand-skiing lessons for beginners and advanced.
- Pictures and videos by instructors.
- National Park fees
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup
- USB or Memory Card for Picture and Videos
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Sandboarding PerúAv. Ángela Perotti s/n, Ica 11000, Peru
We are located infront the Hotel Huacachinero or close the Hostel Wild OLIVE (not Wild Rover). Season May - December 14:45 Hrs. to 15:15 Hrs. to test the equipment. Season January - April 15:00 Hrs. to 15:30 Hrs. to test the equipment.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.3:30 pm
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 15 reviews
Mark_B, Aug 2025
Other than the Inca Trail, this was the highlight of our trip. We had a smaller group (6) and got to do more runs than expected. We started small, but at the end were doing large dunes and a small park they had built. I think we did 6-7 runs in total, capped by watching the sunset and pisco shots. They also took photos and videos of our group and shared them afterwards with us.
Note: if you don't know how to ski/snowboard, learning on sand is not a good idea.
Alexander, Jun 2025
I am a world traveler, I value these guys business and I highly recommend coming here. Louis and Jhayr are wonderful assets to this business! A+
Shabir_H, Feb 2025
It is important to stress that I support self motivated businesses especially run by young people.
However, my view as an oldie will be different from the youngsters including my daughter.
I booked a private tour for 3pm (arrive at 2.40). On the day we are messaged to arrive at 3.15pm but we don't leave the shop till 4pm. Bearing in mind we were on a day trip from Paracas, we didn't want to drive back in darkness.
Instead of a private group (and we chose the most expensive rate) we are a mixed group of 6. The other 3 are staying locally in town.
Next after an upfill dune walk to transport, we wait for ages for the buggy, despite there being being many unused ones.
The driver drove at speed over a blind summit and smashed it into sand/rock. One passenger had a nose bleed from hitting the seat in front. My seat tipped forward and my knee hit the metal dashboard and my teeth collided. Luckily my dental work from previous damage survived intact, but knee/ankle remain sore. In view of the delay in getting rescued, especially when the tow rope snapped, we drove back in total darkness at speed with only dipped headlights. Had the driver learned nothing from the crash?
As to skiing, it's fun but you are much better off going down a steep drop at speed in a straight line. Our first slope was gentle and despite pointing straight down there was no movement. Once I got going, trying to turn at such a slow speed with so much friction proved too much for my previous injured knee. I am an experienced snow skiier. Whereas 25yr old had no issues.
I have no complaint about the skiing. But organization is below par and the driving dangerous. The seat belts are not like a car, which retract on a coliision. They are more like an aircraft. So strapping in tight does not work if the seat tips forward! The UK govt website warns of Dune Buggy injuries and now I know what they mean.
I requested that the collision and injuries were reported to their insurers, nil heard, I suspect there is none. I also doubt if travel insurance would cover it.
The other 4 in the party enjoyed it much more than us 2 oldies.
So do book with eyes wide open!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Dear Shabir_
It is unusual to receive this type of feedback. Our instructors have over 12 years of experience including experience in the snow.
The service is personalized by our instructors, we understand that the weather conditions were also unusual in Huacachina (it usually doesn't rain and I was informed that there is currently a flood in Huacachina and our reservations have been restricted).
Considering the information provided by our instructor:
1.- I understand that you have had a personal experience that you did not expect, but we understand that you were also accompanied by your family (wife and daughter who very kindly accepted a small toast to end the experience) and it would be great to receive feedback from them or at least reconsider your negative review of 1*.
2. You informed the instructor that you had a knee injury but you agreed to do the activity, however the instructor advised you to know if you required appropriate skiing for your circumstances according to your current physical condition. For this reason, our travelers sign a Responsibility Act and we understand that after feeling discomfort in your knee, you decided not to go down other dunes.
3.- Tour time: In Latin America there are always unexpected situations on the route or even near the same place, Peru is no exception. Therefore we make appointments with our travelers in advance so that they can anticipate any inconvenience and be in contact with us in case they are late. We have had cases where travelers came from Paracas and had an "unusual" inconvenience on the way and had to cancel their tour that day, however we always give them the option of doing it the next day in the morning without any change fee. This is just one example. Currently, as I said, it is unusual for the streets of Ica and Huacachina to be flooded and there is a very lamentable state at the moment.
Testing the equipment and giving some instructions on the difference between snow and sand in case they have practiced skiing or snowboarding, also takes time and we may have to attend to other travelers as well, so we make appointments with travelers in advance.
4. The weather conditions are very unfavorable at the moment in Huacachina and this happens 1 or 2 times a year without any prevention. Unfortunately this event happened and worsened during the course of the activity and we regret this weather situation that is not within our control. During these unexpected weather conditions, the desert is variable and without making any excuse, the driver entered by the usual route, however the weather had caused the dunes to make dune changes, luckily we have an experienced driver, since in other circumstances perhaps the maneuver would have been tragic.
5. Did you mention that you paid for a private buggy? Since according to your reservation you paid per person and the price difference between a private buggy and the service you received was approximately $40 more per person, therefore you did not book for a private buggy experience. However, the experience our travelers live is with instructors who provide personalized attention and classes unlike people who slide on a wooden board.
6. If you are looking for a refund, please let us know so we can see what measures we take even if you have completed the activity.
Best Regards,
Martin
Team SandSnow
Rachana_J, Aug 2023
It was so much fun and not as scary as it seems. Highly recommend, the guides were very sweet and helpful!! They give you a great and professional experience. I highly recommend trying this unique experience, even if you have never snowboarded before.
From $64.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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