Things to do — Huacachina

At Huacachina, the absolute iconic attraction is the buggy + sandboarding outing (already detailed). PEN 50-70/person, 1h30-2h, 4-6pm departure in dry season or 5-7pm in austral summer. Direct registration at your hotel or village agency. It's the experience justifying the Huacachina visit.

Other activities at Huacachina: walk around the lagoon (1 km on foot, 20 min, shaded by palm trees), bird watching (the lagoon attracts pelicans, gulls, herons), swimming in the lagoon (not really recommended — saline waters, variable quality, prefer hotel pools), hotel pools (most open to public with consumption), pedal boat on the lagoon (PEN 5-10 for 30 min, romantic at sunset), camel ride (touristic, PEN 20-30). In the evening, bars and restaurants animate the village (but often young party vibe from hostels).

At Ica (5 km, taxi PEN 10-15), priority to pisco wineries. Tacama (12 km north, Peru's oldest 1540, PEN 15 entry + 1h visit with tasting of 4-6 piscos, on-site restaurant with Peruvian specialties PEN 30-50), El Catador (5 km, family, authentic vibe, PEN 15 + tasting, meal option), Hacienda La Caravedo (Pisco Portón, modern premium design, PEN 40 visit + premium tasting). Organized Ica tour by agency: €30-50 for 2-3 wineries + transport + lunch. Regional Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins Museum at Ica (PEN 8, Paracas-Nazca collection, mummies, ceramics, 1h-1h30). Ica cathedral (Plaza de Armas) and colonial centre.

Excursions from Huacachina/Ica. Nazca lines flight from Pisco airport (70 km north of Ica): Cessna flight 1h, USD 150-250, more complete than from Nazca (includes Palpa). Ballestas Islands + Paracas reserve excursion (75 km, 1h by Panamericana): full day €50-80, boat to Ballestas Islands (sea lions, penguins, pelicans) + reserve on foot (red beaches, collapsed Catedral). Huacachina + Paracas + Nazca in organized circuit from Lima: 3-4 days €250-450/person all-inclusive bus + hotels + excursions (Cruz del Sur Tours, Find Local Trips).