shutterbug85

More questions! I promise a detailed and amusing trip report after our travels in return for all your helpful advice. : )

We want to go sandboarding during our trip. We're not really interested in a day-long trip to Cerro Blanco because we don't have a whole day open. Just half a day.

We've been looking at Peru Adventures, but are open to other company suggestions.

Option 1 = Huacachina
Day 1: Islas Ballestas boat tour, catch 11:00 bus to Ica. Arrive around 12:30. Take 3:00PM sandboarding tour around Huacachina. Catch 6:45PM bus to Nazca. Overnight Nazca.
Day 2: Nazca lines flight, explore Nazca. Overnight bus to Arequipa.

Option 2 = Nazca/Usaca
Day 1: Islas Ballestas boat tour, catch 11:00 bus to Nazca. Arrive around 2:30PM. Explore Nazca. Overnight Nazca.
Day 2: Nazca lines flight, 1:00PM sandboarding tour to Usaca oasis/dunes. Overnight bus to Arequipa.

Here are the two tours:
Huacachina > https://www.peruadventurestours.com/...uacachina.html

Usaca > https://www.peruadventurestours.com/...dunebuggy.html

Anyone done either of these tours and/or itineraries? Thoughts? Is this do-able with the Cruz del Sur buses? I've heard they sometimes change their schedules... true?

Thanks!

abennis

We visited Huacachina during our trip to Peru and had a blast! We stayed at El Huacachinero and took their dune buggy/sand boarding tour. We thought they did a great job. My husband is an avid snowboarder and was really looking forward to trying sand boarding. I had pretty low expectations to be honest, but the dune buggy ride was fantastic! We went out for about 2 hours and got to try out maybe 8 or so progressively bigger dunes. At the end, we stopped at the top of a dune to watch an beautiful sunset over the oasis.

The day after the sand boarding, we arranged for a tour to Islas Ballestas. They picked us up at the Hotel. Then after the boat tour, we were taken to a bus stop near the docks and hopped on a cruz del sur bus line back to Lima. The two times we took Cruz del Sur, they were running on time (though I hear this is frequently not the case). I found the ride a lot more enjoyable than greyhound (not saying much).

We did not have time to get to Nazca so I can't comment on that part of your trip. To me your itineraries sound doable, but busy (especially day 1 of option 1).

Have fun!

qwovadis

Ica Peru Hotel Las Dunas Hotel.
The CDS bus stops there
best place to do your surf from
what I did beware many touts/scammershere/there.
Contact them for info.
lasdunashotel.com/en

waylluy

Yes, always beware with scammers which are everywhere. Go with a company which is recommended and has good reviews. Just google the company. Also, you get a good feel of whom you are dealing with when planning your trip. Have a safe and enjoyable trip in Peru.

casper99

I was in Huacachina on an overland trip and out Tour leader organised our Dunes and Sandboarding through the hotel reception. I must say the dune Buggy was AWESOME!! if you are booking independently check that the driver owns their own vehicle as he is likely to take more care.

shutterbug85

casper99 - You're a little late to the party. By about 6 months.

For anyone reading this thread still, we ended up doing a tour to the Usaca dunes outside Nasca. It was amazing!

trekperu

Huacachina is really nice.

Fleetsy

I really like Huacachina for a place to hang out for a day or so as oppose to Nazca!

shutterbug85

We hung out in Nasca for a day and really liked it. To each their own.

mlgb

Yesterday I went with the dune buggy from El Huacachinero hotel. I am too chicken/smart/old to sandboard but had the front row on the buggy. A thrill better than any front seat rollercoaster ride. Thru my hotel, cost was 50 nuevo soles plus the 3.5 soles fee. And I had to pay for my own taxis (20 soles roundtrip). So a hair less than $30 all in.

Can't say the vibe in Huacachina impressed, very Eurotrash backpacker. I think that is what they call "chill." definitely has a feel of the Gringo Trail.

Hotel Villa Jazmin is not far from Las Dunas, I like it very much for $48 single. Rate includes buffet breakfast and welcome drink (always a bonus). I booked it online. English spoken, the manager is very helpful. It is popular with groups but this morning there were only a few guests at breakfast. You can walk around inside the gated Angostura neighborhood. The marisqueria "Mancora" is okay if not spectacular but really the highlights were the hilarious English translations and the owner us such a character.

mick675

Huacachina , I loved!

mlgb

Another restaurant recommendation in Ica , very near to the Bus stations. Excellent tiradito and maracuya sour!
https://foursquare.com/touch/v/soy-p...2d0a3f59fcba5a

However between the two lications there seems to be more to see/do around Nazca. Although I much prefer Villa Jazmin to Nazca's Casa Andina or the Nazca Oasis. If these are the rwo best options in Nazca that is a sad state of affairs.