Explore the vibrant city of Ica on a captivating full-day adventure from Lima. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural discovery and adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities. Enjoy the historic charm of Ica’s main square and the Señor de Luren Sanctuary, then get ready for the thrill of gliding down the stunning Huacachina dunes on a sandboard. Indulge in tastings at a local winery, savoring the renowned Pisco, before returning to Lima. With a seamless itinerary and a range of included highlights, this tour promises an unforgettable day filled with unique experiences that will leave you eager to uncover more of Peru’s captivating wonders.
Key Points
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A full-day excursion from Lima to Ica, Peru, featuring visits to the city’s main square, Señor de Luren Sanctuary, and the Huacachina oasis for dune rides and sandboarding.
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The tour includes a stop at a local wine cellar for insights into pisco and wine production, providing a blend of cultural, outdoor, and tasting experiences.
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The itinerary involves a 4.5-hour bus ride from Lima, with a guide meeting the group at the bus station upon arrival in Ica.
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Dune activities at Huacachina, such as ROV rides and sandboarding, are exhilarating but physically demanding, with safety gear provided and a tourism tax supporting dune maintenance.
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The tour has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 7 reviews, with positive feedback on the enjoyable activities and great service, although some critiques on city driving and timing of lunch.
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Contents
- Key Points
- Tour Overview
- Itinerary and Schedule
- Included Highlights
- Dune Activities
- Winery Experience
- Traveler Reviews
- Meeting Details
- Important Notes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Are There Any Age Restrictions for This Tour?
- What Should I Bring for the Dune Activities?
- Is It Possible to Extend the Duration of the Tour?
- Can I Purchase Additional Souvenirs at the Winery?
- Is There an Option to Customize the Itinerary?
- Recap
- Our Top Picks in Lima
- More Full Day in Lima
- More Tour Reviews in Lima
- Not for you? Here's more things to do in Lima we have recnetly reviewed
Tour Overview
This full-day excursion from Lima to Ica, Peru, allows visitors to discover the region’s highlights.
Travelers will explore Ica’s main square and the Señor de Luren Sanctuary, a renowned religious site.
The tour then ventures to the stunning Huacachina oasis, where participants can enjoy thrilling dune rides on ROVs and try sandboarding.
The experience also includes a visit to a wine cellar, where guests can learn about the production of pisco and other local wines.
With a mix of cultural sightseeing, outdoor adventures, and tastings, this tour offers a well-rounded introduction to the vibrant Ica region.
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Itinerary and Schedule
The tour departs Lima at 06:00 am, with a bus ride of approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes to reach Ica.
Upon arrival, the guide meets the group at the bus station to start the activities.
The city tour includes stops at the main square and the old house Marquez.
Lunch is provided during the tour.
It’s worth noting that the TACAMA vineyard is closed on Mondays, and a similar winery will be visited instead.
Included Highlights
The full-day excursion from Lima to Ica offers a chance to discover the region’s main highlights. Guests will explore Ica’s historic main square and the Senor de Luren Sanctuary.
Next, they’ll venture to the stunning Huacachina oasis, where they can:
- Ride ROVs across the towering sand dunes.
- Try their hand at sandboarding down the slopes.
- Capture breathtaking photos of the picturesque desert landscape.
Dune Activities
Though the dune activities are a highlight of the full-day Ica excursion, travelers should be prepared for an exhilarating yet strenuous experience.
The tour offers thrilling dune rides on remote-controlled vehicles (ROVs), allowing visitors to navigate the massive sand dunes of the Huacachina oasis. Plus, participants can try their hand at sandboarding, gliding down the steep slopes on specialized boards.
While these activities promise breathtaking views and a memorable adventure, they also require a certain level of physical fitness. Helmets and protective eyewear are provided to ensure safety.
The tourism tax of S/. 3.60 covers the maintenance of the dunes, enabling continued access to this stunning natural wonder.
Winery Experience
Complementing the adrenaline-fueled dune activities, the full-day Ica excursion also offers a captivating winery experience.
The tour takes visitors to a local wine cellar, where they’ll:
- Learn about the region’s rich pisco and winemaking heritage.
- Enjoy tastings of the finest pisco, wines, and spirits produced in the area.
- Gain insights into the intricate process of crafting these renowned Peruvian beverages.
- Have the opportunity to purchase bottles to savor the flavors of Ica long after the tour.
This immersive winery experience provides a delightful contrast to the thrilling sand dune adventures, offering a well-rounded exploration of Ica’s vibrant culture and traditions.
Traveler Reviews
Traveler reviews of the full-day Ica excursion paint a positive picture of the overall experience.
With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 7 reviews, the tour seems to delight guests. Reviewers highlight the enjoyable activities, great service, and personalized attention in small groups.
While some felt the city driving and late lunch were time-wasters, the majority praise the guide’s friendliness and the memorable experience.
The tour’s highlights, including the Huacachina oasis, dune rides, and pisco tastings, appear to resonate strongly with travelers.
Meeting Details
The tour package includes round-trip transfers from travelers’ Lima accommodations, ensuring a seamless start and end to the day.
The experience also includes:
- Alcoholic beverages, pisco, wine, and spirits tasting.
- Group tourist transport within the city.
- Helmet and glasses provided for the sand activities.
- Payment of the Tourism Tax for dune maintenance, which costs S/. 3.60 per person.
Travelers must present their original passport or identity card for bus boarding.
The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible but is stroller accessible, and most travelers can participate.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience starts.
Important Notes
Confirming their reservation in advance, travelers will receive their tour confirmation upon booking. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, but strollers are permitted. Most travelers can participate in the day’s activities. Guests must bring their original passport or national identity card for boarding the bus. The tour operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience begins. The price for this full-day tour from Lima to Ica ranges from $211 and comes with a lowest price guarantee.
| Cancellation Window | Wheelchair Accessibility | Stroller Accessibility | Traveler Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Hours | No | Yes | Most Travelers |
| Original ID | Passport | Identity Card | Required |
| Price Range | $211+ | Lowest Guarantee | Varies |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Age Restrictions for This Tour?
There are no age restrictions for this tour. Most travelers can participate, regardless of age, though the sand activities may be more challenging for young children or elderly individuals.
What Should I Bring for the Dune Activities?
For the dune activities, travelers should bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and comfortable closed-toe shoes. The tour provides helmets and protective eyewear, so there’s no need to bring additional gear for sand activities like dune rides and sandboarding.
Is It Possible to Extend the Duration of the Tour?
The tour’s duration can’t be extended, as it’s a structured full-day excursion with a fixed schedule. However, travelers can inquire about customizing the itinerary or booking a private tour for more flexibility in the experience.
Can I Purchase Additional Souvenirs at the Winery?
You can purchase additional souvenirs at the winery during the tour. The wine cellar offers a variety of pisco, wine, and other local products that you can buy as mementos of your visit to Ica.
Is There an Option to Customize the Itinerary?
The tour itinerary is set, but customers can request minor changes, such as more time at a specific activity or site. However, major customizations may not be possible due to logistics and transportation constraints.
From Lima: Full Day Ica
“Got to see everything on the itinerary and had a blast sand boarding and learning all sorts of new things!”
Recap
This full-day tour from Lima to Ica offers an engaging blend of cultural exploration and outdoor adventure. Travelers can experience the historic attractions of Ica, thrill at the sand dunes, and enjoy tastings at a local winery. With comfortable transportation and an action-packed itinerary, it’s an excellent way to discover the vibrant culture and natural beauty of this region.
