About this tour
When Roo from the Global Hobo crew strapped a board to their feet in the Ica dunes, they discovered sandboarding and sandskiing are legit desert thrills. This 2 hour 45 minute tour kicks off near Huacachina, where local instructors teach you to carve down massive sand slopes whether you're a first-timer or someone who's done snowy winters. The outfit handles the kit — board, boots, helmet, the lot — and captures the action on GoPro. The payoff? A desert sunset viewed from the dunes, stripped of crowds and commercialness.
Highlights
- Sandboards and skis on proper slopes, not gimmicky tourist fluff
- Professional instructors dial in technique for total beginners
- GoPro footage of your runs included, not upsold
- Desert sunset framed by endless sand and sky
- Smaller groups dodge the Huacachina hype machine
- Equipment sorted — no surprise rental markups
- Views quiet enough to actually hear the dunes shift
What to expect
You'll roll up to the dunes outside Huacachina, kit up with a helmet and board or skis, then get coached through the basics on easier slopes before tackling steeper runs. Expect wobbly first attempts, some genuine speed once it clicks, and the guide filming your best moments. The rhythm is steady — instruction, practice, a few full runs — rather than rushed. Ica's dunes are vast and feel properly remote despite the town's tourism buzz; you're not queuing or fighting crowds here.
By the end of the afternoon, you'll ride up to a vantage point for sunset or dusk, when the sand turns gold and the light softens everything. It's the kind of moment worth the sore legs, and totally beats watching it from a café. The whole thing runs about three hours, so you're back in town before dark.
What travellers say
- Instructors coach beginners and intermediates without condescension
- All equipment included — no hidden rental fees
- GoPro footage delivered same day, no upselling
- Sunset timing beats the Huacachina tourist trail
- Small groups allow proper attention and pacing
- Physically demanding — expect sore quads the next day
- Private transport to dunes not included, adds cost
- Not suitable for pregnant or cardiovascularly vulnerable travellers
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you fancy snowsports but don't have snow nearby, this scratches that itch properly — same technique, actual speed, no gimmick. Small groups mean the guide knows your name and adjusts coaching on the fly. The GoPro inclusion is genuine value; you get actual footage, not a sales pitch. Sunset over dunes is worth timing the tour for.
It's genuinely physical — your legs will know about it. Not recommended if you're pregnant or have heart concerns (they're serious about this). Early mornings work better for light, so don't expect afternoon slots. Bring sunscreen and water; the sun bounces off sand and dehydration sneaks up. Transport to the dunes isn't included, so budget a local taxi or arrange pickup separately. Kids are welcome if sitting on a parent's lap — fine for toddlers, awkward for bigger kids. Peak times (June–August) get busier.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.