Huacachina, peru
Camping in the Atacama desert
Exploring Huacachina, Peru's desert oasis
We’ve been very fortunate to experience some amazing things during our travels. But few have left us as awestruck as camping in the desert near the Huacachina oasis in Peru. A series of super fortunate events came together to create a night seared into our memories.
Located just a few miles outside the city of Ica, Huacachina is a small oasis nestled in the heart of the Peruvian Atacama desert. Surrounded by towering sand dunes that seem to go on forever, it’s a place that feels almost magical – like something out of a fairytale.
A series of very fortunate events combined to create a night we will never forget. this is the tale of a mad max adventure, a strawberry moon, and our aniversary
The legend of Huacachina’s creation tells the story of a beautiful Inca princess. One day, while she was bathing, a hunter caught a glimpse of her and was so captivated by her beauty that he tried to approach her. However, the princess was startled and fled, leaving behind her pool of water which became the oasis of Huacachina. The princess’s garments were said to have become the surrounding sand dunes, and her presence is said to have imbued the oasis with magical healing powers. According to the legend, the princess still haunts the oasis and protects it from harm.
Whether or not you believe the legend, there’s no denying the beauty and wonder of this place. The lagoon itself is surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery, creating a stark contrast with the arid desert that surrounds it. And at the center of it all is a small island, home to a single palm tree that’s said to have been planted by the princess herself.
But the real draw of Huacachina isn’t the oasis itself – it’s the sand dunes that surround it. These towering dunes, some of which rise as high as 1,000 feet, are a sight to behold. They seem to go on forever, stretching out into the distance in a sea of orange and gold.
The formation of Huacachina Oasis itself is believed to be due to a natural underground water source that was forced to the surface by seismic activity in the region. The water that feeds the oasis comes from the melting of the Andes Mountains, which then travels underground for hundreds of miles before surfacing in Huacachina.
Over time, the water created a natural lagoon that eventually became surrounded by palm trees and other vegetation, forming an oasis in the middle of the desert. The oasis was originally discovered by locals in the 1940s, and it has since become a popular destination for tourists seeking adventure in the sand dunes.
In recent years, the oasis has faced some environmental challenges due to increased tourism and development in the area. However, efforts are being made to preserve and protect the oasis and its fragile ecosystem. For example, the government has implemented regulations to limit the number of dune buggies allowed to operate in the area to reduce the impact of tourism on the environment.
Dune buggy adventures in huacachina peru
The sand dunes are an open invitation to adventure. There are a variety of activities to choose from, including sandboarding, dune buggy rides, and even paragliding. Part of the camping experience we booked with Huacachina Tours was a dune buggy adventure. It was WILD! The drivers know the dunes like the back of their hands and drive like they are in a scene straight out of Mad Max. We love riding UTVs with our friends Kat and Colton, but this was next level. Open engine, hauling ass, up and down HUGE dunes with crazy pitches. It was like the coolest roller coaster you could ever imagine.
We stopped at a particularly large and steep dune, and I decided to try my hand at sandboarding. I lied down flat on the board and pushed off with a little help fro our driver / guide. Flying headfirst down a huge sand dune is a blast, but you’re going to get sandy. Super sandy. Like “I’m pretty sure I still have sand in my beard writing this months later” level sandy. But it’s worth it.
We even talked Zanna into joining me on some inflatable tubes to be whipped around behind the buggy for a while. The day was a blast, and we’d 100% recommend booking a day with a dune buggy driver.
As the sun began to set over the desert, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, our driver took us to the top of a particular dune that he said had one of the best views. We sat atop the dune with nobody else in site, took a ton of pictures, played with the golden sand, and watched one of the most spectacular sunsets you can imagine.
I felt a sense of peace and contentment that I’ll carry with me always. Huacachina is a place that’s full of wonder and magic, and it’s a reminder that even in the midst of the most barren landscapes, there’s still beauty and life to be found.
Camping in the Atacama Desert outside of Huacachina
We arrived at our camp greeted by the most wonderful setup you can imagine as well as some moist towels for cleaning up some of the sand from the day.
We had an amazing meal of Peruvian BBQ waiting for us along with a bottle of wine. A fire was already roaring, music was playing (an absolute dime of a playlist, by the way), and orb lights lit the path from our tent to the amazing cushions and camp table.
After dinner our hosts left via dune buggy headed back home for the night. We were now truly alone in this place. The silence and tranquility of the desert was on a level we had never experienced. We’ve camped in the Colorado wilderness way off the beaten path and even there you have forrest noise. The desert is still. Perfectly still. The sand absorbs sounds like a giant warm blanket keeping your ears safe. Zanna and I sat around the camp fire just talking. Often sitting silent for a minute just staring at our surroundings. It was a pinch me moment again and again. We sat in the dark for about an hour at that odd time between sunset and moonrise.
If sunset was the appetizer, the moon rise was the main course of our evening. By total happenstance, we timed the night perfectly. It happened to be our anniversary. It was a full moon. Specifically a full, strawberry moon.
As the neon pink orb peeked it’s way over the dunes, clouds lit up like a second sunset. The sand was lit up shimmering in the moonlight nearly as vibrantly as it had under the intense sun just hours earlier.
The lunar light show lasted all evening. We hiked the dune nearest our camp and gazed in childlike wonderment as the entire desert was seemingly in view lit in a fiery pink glow that’s indescribable. DJ laid down to try to capture the moon on camera, but as with many of the very most special moments, they just didn’t do it justice.
We could have sat on that dune forever in that moment, and we did for hours.
We were both so drained from the day that the comfy embrace of the large queen sized bed in the amazing tent made for a great night’s sleep in the desert. One of the best night’s sleep you can ever ask for.
Enjoying the oasis
The next morning we woke up to the gentle warming sun of the early morning desert. Our hosts from Huacachina Tours picked us up in a truck and drive us back to Ica for a shower and an amazing breakfast before returning us to the oasis.
We decided to spend an extra day in Huacachina so we could experience the Oasis and have a day of R and R. We spent the morning walking around the water, drinking coffee and then beers on a patio.
We stayed at the Hotel Mossone which is one of the more upscale options and was totally worth it. Lounging by the pool was an amazing way to spend the afternoon under the desert sun.
We grabbed drinks and some appetizers at Huacafuckingchina (yep you read that right), which was a blast. We made fast friends with the host who happened to have spent some time living in the states and was an avid collector of vintage starter jackets. He was rocking a Hartford Whalers jacket that night and was a huge help suggesting the best drinks in the menu. As we sat on the patio we continued to chat about his daughter and his wife who still lived in the states, his plan for saving up to move back with them full time, his favorite sports stars. This was so similar to so many connections we made in Peru. Peruvians are so warm and easy to talk to. They ask about your life and are excited to share about theirs. People are truly one of the most beautiful treasures in peru.
After drinks we had dinner at the hotel Mossone restaurant and called it a night, excited for our early morning transit to Nazca and then Arequipa.
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