Professional Sandboarding and Sandskiing Tour, Ica, Peru

Huacachina’s dunes turn a familiar winter sport into something wonderfully strange: you ride a snowboard or skis down warm, shifting sand, then climb back up for another run. I like that this tour uses proper boards, boots, poles, and helmets, rather than treating sandboarding as a quick novelty.

I also like the small maximum group of eight and the hands-on coaching from local sand and snow athletes. Guides such as Jhayr and Luis work with beginners step by step, while stronger riders can try shaped bumps, small jumps, and longer dune runs. The main drawback is the fixed afternoon schedule. You have to meet at 2:45pm, and the activity takes most of the afternoon, so it is not a quick add-on.

Key points to know before you book

• Professional instruction: Local guides and athletes bring more than 10 years of experience with sand and snow sports.
• Choose skis or a snowboard: You test the equipment before heading into the dunes, so you are not locked into a choice without trying it.
• Small group size: The tour accepts a maximum of eight people, allowing for more individual coaching.
• Photos and videos included: GoPro or iPhone footage is taken during descents and practice runs.
• Sunset is part of the timing: The afternoon schedule is designed to finish with views of the sun setting over the dunes.
• Round-trip buggy outing: You walk to the buggy after the equipment test, ride to different dunes, and return to Huacachina at about 6:15pm.

Why Huacachina is such a good place to learn

Huacachina is a small oasis beside Ica, surrounded by tall dunes that give the activity its setting. You are not simply sliding down one tourist-friendly slope and calling it a day. The buggy takes you to different sections of sand, where the instructors can match the run to your ability.

That matters because sandboarding is not exactly the same as snowboarding. The surface is slower, softer, and less predictable. You still need balance and control, but the board reacts differently under your feet. A good instructor can save you from wasting the first hour fighting the equipment.

This tour is built around that learning process. You begin with an equipment test at about 3pm, before the group heads into the dunes. The teaching is aimed at people who already ski or snowboard, but it is also designed for complete beginners who want to learn the basics in a patient setting.

The scenery adds plenty to the outing. Huacachina’s dunes give you broad views and long slopes, while the late start provides softer light as the afternoon goes on. The sunset is not a separate photo stop tacked onto the end. It forms part of the rhythm of the trip.

The 2:45pm meeting and equipment test

You meet at SandSquad Huacachina in Huacachina at 2:45pm. The activity begins with a check of the ski or snowboard equipment at around 3pm. Boots, poles, helmets, and either a sandboard or ski board are included.

This early test is useful. You can make sure the boots fit and get a feel for the board before you are standing on top of a dune. If you are new to the sport, this is the time to ask questions and get comfortable with the basic position.

The choice between skis and a snowboard gives the tour a little more range than a standard sandboarding outing. If you ski on snow, sandskiing lets you use familiar equipment in a new setting. If you snowboard, you can work on board control without the cold, heavy clothing, or hard snow usually involved.

You should still expect a physical afternoon. The supplied information does not promise a chairlift or easy access to every run. After the equipment check, you walk to the buggy, then travel through the dunes to reach the practice areas.

Riding the buggy to the practice dunes

At about 3:45pm, the group walks to the buggy and heads farther into the sand. This transfer is part of the fun, but it also explains why the tour takes nearly three hours. You are paying for more than a short lesson beside the oasis.

The buggy allows the instructors to select different dunes and runs. That gives beginners a chance to practice on manageable slopes, while more experienced riders can ask for something more demanding. One experienced rider described being taken to a section with a small kicker, followed later by a line shaped with bumps and jumps for repeated runs.

Those features are not guaranteed for every group or ability level, so you should think of them as possible upgrades to the session rather than promised attractions. The key benefit is flexibility. The guides can spend more time helping a first-timer or give a stronger rider room to work on turns, speed, and small jumps.

The group limit of eight is important here. A packed buggy and a long line at every dune would make personal instruction harder. With fewer people, you have a better chance of receiving direct tips rather than simply following a guide down the slope.

Learning to sandboard or sandski

The instruction is the heart of the tour. The guides work through your progress one run at a time, giving individual hints as you learn. That is especially useful on sand, where small changes in weight and edging can affect how smoothly you descend.

For a beginner, the first goal is not speed. It is learning how to stay balanced, control the board, and stop safely. You may find the first few attempts awkward, but the soft surface makes the setting less intimidating than a steep snow run. The instructors are used to helping newcomers and can keep the mood relaxed.

If you already snowboard or ski, you may spend less time on basic positioning and more time working on technique. The supplied details indicate that stronger riders can be taken to a small jump area and may get a shaped section with bumps and jumps near sunset. Ask the guide what is suitable for your level at the start.

Jhayr is specifically praised for combining instruction with photography and video. Luis is also identified as a guide who gives individual help and captures images. Renny is mentioned as part of a private sandskiing outing, along with a buggy driver. Staff names and assignments may change, but these details give you a sense of the service style: coaching is not an afterthought, and the camera is often part of the run.

Photos and videos during the descents

Photos and videos from a sandboarding session are easy to value after the fact. It is difficult to photograph yourself while riding, and the setting is one you will probably want to remember.

GoPro or iPhone footage is included. The activity description says photos and videos are taken on each descent or progression, so you should expect the camera to follow your practice rather than provide only one group picture at the end.

This is also useful for learning. A short video can show whether you are leaning too far back, turning too early, or holding your arms in a way that affects balance. Jhayr is praised for riding along while filming, which can produce more active footage than a guide simply standing at the bottom of the dune.

Do not book this solely as a professional photography session. The main purpose is instruction and riding. Still, included footage adds real value to the $57 price, especially if you are choosing between this and a cheaper outing that may provide only equipment and a buggy ride.

Sunset runs and the return to Huacachina

The afternoon schedule is carefully set around sunset. After several runs, you can pause and watch the light change across the dunes, then make a final descent or work on a few more shaped features before heading back.

The sunset finish gives the tour a clear ending. You are not rushed back in the middle of the best light, and the final part of the activity has a slower pace than the early instruction. For many people, this may be the most memorable part of the outing, even if the skiing or boarding takes some practice.

The planned return to Huacachina is about 6:15pm. The exact timing can depend on the group and the progression of the session, but you should plan the rest of your evening with this window in mind. The tour ends where it begins, at the meeting point.

Private transportation to and from Huacachina is not included. You need to reach the meeting point yourself, and food is not included either. Bring whatever you need before the start, since the supplied details do not include breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

What $57 buys you

At $57 per person, this is not the cheapest way to ride a dune. Its value comes from the combination of equipment, instruction, buggy transport within the activity, and photos and videos.

You receive a board or ski board, boots, poles, and a helmet. You also get a guide or instructor for the session, all listed fees and taxes, and the included camera footage. That makes the price easier to justify for a first-timer who would otherwise need to rent equipment and arrange separate instruction.

The small group cap helps, too. A cheaper trip may work if you only want a fast buggy ride and a single sandboard descent. This option is better suited to you if the goal is to learn, improve, and make several runs with guidance.

Private tours are also possible based on the supplied experience details, but the listed price is for the standard activity. If you want exclusive dunes, extra time, or a particular coaching plan, confirm the arrangement and cost before booking.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this tour to first-time sandboarders who want proper instruction rather than a quick thrill. The patient, individual coaching is valuable when you are still learning how to stand, turn, and control your speed.

It also suits snowboarders and skiers who want to try their usual sport on sand. The equipment choice makes the session more flexible, and stronger riders may get access to small jumps or shaped sections.

It is a good fit for photographers and families who want action footage, since GoPro or iPhone photos and videos are included. The activity allows service animals, and the information states that most people can participate. Children who need to sit on a parent’s lap are also accommodated according to the supplied participation details.

You should think twice if you dislike sand, physical activity, or repeated practice. The tour is not just a scenic drive. You will spend the afternoon learning, riding, walking around the dunes, and getting back on the board after each attempt.

Timing, group size, and cancellation

The meeting time is 2:45pm, with equipment testing at 3pm, buggy departure at about 3:45pm, and return around 6:15pm. The published duration is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, so allow some flexibility around the stated times.

The maximum group size is eight. That is small enough to support direct coaching, although the exact amount of personal attention will depend on how many people are beginners and how long each person takes on a run.

Confirmation is provided when you book. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the activity are not accepted for a refund, and cut-off times use local time in Peru.

Should you book the SandSquad tour?

Book it if you want to learn sandboarding or sandskiing with real instruction, use proper gear, and finish with a sunset over Huacachina. The strongest reasons are the small group, the patient coaching, the possibility of progression for stronger riders, and the included photos and videos.

Skip it if you only want a very short dune ride or if you need private transportation from outside Huacachina. At $57, the tour makes the most sense when you use the full package: several runs, hands-on help, equipment, buggy access to different dunes, and the late-day setting.

For most active visitors, I would choose this over a bare-bones sandboarding trip. You get a better chance to learn something, and you leave with more than a sandy memory.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at SandSquad Huacachina, Huacachina, Ica 11000, Peru.

What time should I arrive?

The meeting time is 2:45pm. Equipment testing begins at about 3pm.

What time does the activity end?

The planned return to Huacachina is about 6:15pm, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Can I choose skiing instead of sandboarding?

Yes. The tour provides either a sandboard or ski board, and the equipment is tested before the group enters the dunes.

Is equipment included?

Yes. The package includes a sandboard or ski board, ski poles, boots, and helmets.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Photos and videos are taken during descents and progressions using a GoPro or iPhone.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.