Pisco Tasting and Buggies with Sandboarding

This half-day trip is interesting because it mixes two sides of Ica in one go: pisco and winery tastings, then adrenaline on the dunes of Huacachina with buggy rides and sandboarding at sunset. You do it with a real guide, and the pacing is built so you spend your time doing things, not waiting around.

Two parts I really like: the winery stop structure, with a short presentation and a guided walk at Tacama, followed by tastings you can actually compare; and the Huacachina portion, where the buggy and sandboarding are included, plus you get a viewpoint moment for photos. When you get a driver like Samael and a guide like Marcos, the whole flow feels smooth and confident.

One thing to plan for is extra cash costs. The Tacama entrance ticket and the Huacachina desert entrance ticket are not included in the $39 price, and lunch is not included either, even though you get time to eat.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• Two winery styles in one afternoon, Tacama first, then Culturpisco for more tastings
• Huacachina buggy ride plus sandboarding, timed with sunset for great light
• Small group size, with a maximum of 9 travelers on the tour
• Cash-only add-ons for Tacama entrance and the Huacachina desert entrance
• Monday itinerary swap, Tacama is replaced by Vista Alegre if Tacama is closed
• English and Spanish guide support, so you can follow the explanations easily

Why This Ica Tour Works: Wine Stops Plus Huacachina Dunes

Ica is known for sun, sand, and a very serious drinking culture. This tour takes that seriously by pairing two very different experiences: learning how pisco and wine are made, then going straight to the desert playground where you slide down the dunes on sandboards.

What makes it feel like a smart plan is the sequence. You start in the cooler, calmer winery setting. Then, after the tastings, you head to Huacachina for the noisy fun. It is not too much back-and-forth either. Tacama is about a 25-minute ride from Ica, and then you transfer from Culturpisco to Huacachina in around 20 minutes.

For people who want an active day without committing to something full-day, this hits the sweet spot. It is listed as about 5 to 6 hours, and in practice that means you get a complete story arc: production, tasting, then adventure.

Price and Value: What Your $39 Covers, and What Costs Extra

At $39 per person, you are paying for the structure: pickup, guiding, transfers, and the core activities. The included parts are the reason this price feels reasonable. You get pickup from your hotel or the ICA bus terminal, pisco and wine tastings, and the Huacachina buggy ride and sandboarding with sunset.

Where you need to be careful is budgeting the extras. Two entrance fees are specifically called out as paid in cash:

• Tacama tourist entrance ticket: S/25.00 per person in cash, with an extra S/5.00 during holidays
• Huacachina desert entrance ticket: S/3.60 per person in cash

Also, lunch is not included. You do get additional time at Culturpisco to eat, but you will be paying for your own meal.

I like how transparent this is. Some tours hide the real cost until you arrive. Here, you can plan ahead by pulling out cash before you go. If you do that, the overall experience feels like good value because you are not paying twice for the big attractions.

Stop 1 at Tacama: A Guided Winery Walk and Pisco Tasting

The Tacama stop is built to be more than a quick photo stop. You arrive at La Hacienda Tacama, and you start with a projection that explains the history of Tacama and how their products are made. Then you tour the classic winery and also see the modern plant, which helps you understand how old-school and new-school methods meet in the same place.

After that, you go into the tasting. The plan is straightforward: you try the different products, and you learn enough to notice what changes from pisco to sparkling wine to wine.

Why this matters for you: if you are the type who likes to connect what you are drinking to what you are seeing, this stop gives you that glue. You are not just handed a sample and told to enjoy it.

One practical note: on Mondays, Tacama does not work. On those days, the visit is replaced by Hacienda Vista Alegre. If your schedule lands on a Monday, this is still a win, but you should mentally expect a different winery.

Timing-wise, this segment is around 2 hours, not rushed, but also not long enough for you to wander off.

Stop 2 at Culturpisco: Tastings at an Ica-Style Artisanal Setting

Next comes Culturpisco, which focuses on keeping the flavors and traditions of Ica tied to the pisco and wine experience. This is where the tour leans more into tasting than into production details.

You get tasting time for their most exquisite piscos and wines. The way it is presented is all about character. You are not just sampling for quantity, you are comparing styles and trying to taste the local identity.

Then there is a food break built in. At the winery there is a typical country restaurant of Ica, and you receive one extra hour of time to have lunch. The key point is that lunch is not included, so think of this as time to eat on your own budget, not time for a free meal.

After Culturpisco, you transfer to Huacachina in about 20 minutes. That short ride matters. It helps you keep your energy after the tastings, and it gets you to the dunes before the light goes flat.

This stop is also the one where admission is listed as included for the tour segment, so you avoid one more possible surprise cost.

Huacachina Oasis: Buggy Ride, Sandboarding, and Sunset Viewpoints

Huacachina is the main event when it comes to dune adventure in Ica. The tour includes the buggy ride and sandboarding in Huacachina, plus sunset. It also includes time to take photos at the oasis viewpoint.

This is the part that makes the whole day feel like more than wine. You get speed, sand, and views that feel very different from the winery walls.

Important practical detail: the tour includes the buggy and sandboarding, but there is still a Huacachina desert entrance ticket of S/3.60 per person, paid in cash. It is small, but do not assume it is automatically zero.

How long you spend here is around 2 hours. That is just right for the typical flow: gear up, get out on the dunes, do the sandboarding, then pause for photos before the sunset moment.

If you have limited time in Ica, this is also the easiest way to get Huacachina without having to plan transport or figure out logistics. The guide handles the order of operations.

Pickup, Group Size, and Timing You Can Actually Count On

The tour includes pickup from the bus station or your hotel in Ica. You can also send your GPS location on WhatsApp if you want to meet in a different spot.

The guide is offered English and Spanish, and the tour is designed to work for most travelers. There is a maximum group size listed as 9 travelers, with a maximum of 10 on the mobility. Smaller groups matter here because buggy time and tasting time both go faster when the group is not huge.

Duration is listed as 5 to 6 hours. That is the kind of timing that works whether you are staying in central Ica or you are trying to fit activities between travel days.

Also note the booking pattern: it is commonly reserved around 15 days in advance. If you are traveling in a busy period, booking earlier is a smart move because this is the kind of tour people like to lock in first.

The Extras to Budget For: Tickets and Lunch

To keep this smooth, plan for cash and meal costs.

Bring cash for:

• Tacama entrance ticket (S/25.00, and S/5.00 more during holidays)
• Huacachina desert entrance ticket (S/3.60)

And plan to pay for:

• Lunch at Culturpisco, even though you get an additional hour there

I think this is the only real drawback to the overall value. Once you budget for the cash tickets, the tour becomes clear and predictable.

What to Bring for Winery Tastings and Dune Sandboarding

You are doing two very different activities in one day, so pack like you expect both.

For the wineries:

• A light layer. Winery buildings can feel cooler than outside sun
• Something simple to keep track of your cash and tickets

For Huacachina:

• Closed-toe shoes that can handle sand
• Sun protection like sunscreen and sunglasses
• Water, since you will be out in open air

If you wear anything that you hate getting sandy, bring a backup. Sand is sand, and it likes to follow you.

Also, if you are doing sandboarding, follow the guide instructions closely. You are on slopes made of loose sand, so good form and timing matter.

Best Fit: Who Should Book This and Who Might Prefer Something Else

This tour suits you best if:

• You want pisco tastings but also want real action after
• You prefer a small group day with pickup and guiding
• You are comfortable with light to moderate adventure on dunes

It may be less ideal if:

• You hate anything that requires extra cash for entry fees
• You only want a pure tasting day with no adrenaline component
• You need a longer, unstructured time in just one place, since the schedule is tightly organized around stop times

For couples, this works well because it is structured but not overly formal. For families, it can be a good choice for the people who handle the dune activity. For solo travelers, the small group size is a big plus because the guide can keep everyone moving.

Should You Book Aventuras Extrema Ica? My Practical Take

If you are doing Ica and you want a day that covers both culture and adventure without spending a fortune, this is a strong option. The price feels fair when you factor in pickup, two tasting stops, and included Huacachina buggy plus sandboarding with sunset.

My advice is simple: book it if you are ready for a mix of tastings and dunes, and if you can handle the small cash add-ons. If you forget to bring cash, you will still be fine, but you may lose time sorting out the extra entry fees.

Also, if your travel dates land on a Monday, remember Tacama may be replaced by Hacienda Vista Alegre. That is not a deal breaker, but it can change what you see at the first winery.

FAQ

How long is the pisco tasting and buggies with sandboarding tour?

It runs about 5 to 6 hours.

Where does the tour take place?

The tour is in Ica, Peru.

What is the price per person?

The price is $39.00 per person.

Do you offer pickup?

Yes. Pickup is available from your hotel in Ica or from the bus station.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you get 1 hour of additional time at the Culturpisco restaurant.

What’s included in the Huacachina part?

The tour includes the buggy ride and sandboarding in Huacachina with sunset, plus time for photos at the oasis viewpoint. The Huacachina desert entrance ticket is paid in cash separately.

Are there extra entrance fees besides the $39 price?

Yes. Tacama entrance ticket is paid in cash, and the Huacachina desert entrance ticket is also paid in cash.

Is Tacama visited every day of the week?

No. On Mondays, Tacama does not work, so the visit is replaced by Hacienda Vista Alegre.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the tour starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, there is no refund.