From Lima to Huacachina
Peru really is so varied in terms of landscape, and Huacachina is proof of this.
It is a desert oasis all but 4.5 hours drive from the capital city of Lima! Vast white sand dunes, cascading down onto a picturesque oasis village, situated right in the middle of the desert. Nothing but sand surrounding it. Remarkable really!
Its remote desert location means you may not want to spend more than one night there, but it does have the reputation of a travellers party place, so it is worth spending a night there if a party is what you are after. For such a small place, there are plenty of picturesque bars and restaurants to choose from, looking out over the oasis. There are also hostels and hotels to stay at.
During the day you can take a sand buggy out, and bomb across the sand dunes, cruising up and hurtling down over the steep declines. Unfortunately, despite asking, I was not allowed to drive this buggy myself. It had to be driven by a guide for safety reasons.
The outing in the sand buggy involves the opportunity to sand board. Ask about the options available as you can sand board on your belly (like I did) but it's also possible to sand board on your feet (like snowboarding) with the right type of board. Either way it is highly enjoyable to race down the sand dunes and cover your sun creamed, oily skin in thousands of grains of sand! The pace the sand board gets to when it picks up speed is immense and there is nowhere to hurt yourself! Just reams and reams of sand. I managed to take a mini beach home in my trainers.
It's worth knowing that you can also include a trip to Paracas and the Ballestas Islands in the same day if you choose. These islands are a natural reserve and are famous for the sheer number of birds and other wildlife such as sea lions. They can be visited by a boat trip from the town of Paracas, just 3.5 hours from Lima.
If you are interested in how Pisco is made (the famous alcohol used in the Peruvian Pisco sour cocktail), a trip to one of the Pisco distilleries is well worth a visit. You get an in-depth walk-through of the process by which Pisco is made and plenty of samples to try and you may leave feeling a little on the tipsy side!
Tips for Lima
Lima is known for its grey, cloudy skies and on and off drizzly rain. It is a grey city! But this weather was by no means difficult to manage. It was cloudy but warm and mild most of the time.
When in Lima, there are plenty of good restaurants to choose from and this is very much the place to try ceviche if you haven't yet! This fish is very fresh as caught on the city coastline. Miraflores is really one of the nicest and more central areas to stay. It's pretty safe to walk around even if you are on your own. whereas other areas of Lima may not be.
Despite the grey scenery and sky, Lima is perfect for a surf lesson if you are looking to learn. The coast has plenty of moderate waves that break a long way from the shore, creating the perfect, gentle learning environment. Be prepared to need a wetsuit though as the water is fairly cold under the clouds. It's also a stoney beach so something for the feet is advisable.
There is an enjoyable walk alongside the shore line in Lima. The path is not directly along the shore itself as it sits up on the cliffside, and passes a modern shopping centre. Keep an eye out for the life size Paddington Bear!
Happy Travelling
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