Sandboarding in Peru

V!VA User‘s Description

Sandboarding is a specialty in Peru, particularly in the Ica Desert region. Many of the hotels and hostels at the Huacachina Oasis rent or provide sandboards, and most of the local tour companies offer trips as well.

Sandboarding is a lot like snowboarding, only on sand instead of snow (duh). Typically, groups of tourists will select battered boards from a selection provided by the tour operator of their choice, and then pile into a questionable-looking dune buggy for a quick ride out into the desert. When a likely-looking dune is identified, the car will drop you off at the top. Helpful guides will show you how to "surf" down the dune without killing yourself. Before long, everyone will reach the bottom: the guide, who has effortlessly glided there on his board, and the tourists, who have either rolled ass-over-head after taking a sandy tumble or walked because there is no more wax on their board.

Boards should be waxed between runs, and your guide will show you how as the buggy brings you to another dune. On a typical day, you may get in about a half-dozen different runs before heading back to Huacachina.

If you're near Nazca and up for a challenge, you may want to check out Cerro Blanco, or "White Mountain." At 2070 meters, it is one of the tallest sand dunes in the world (if not the tallest). It is certainly the most massive sandboard-able peak in Peru. Dune buggies can only get you so close to the top of Cerro Blanco: you’ll have to leave your hotel early, drive for a while, and then walk three hours to get to the top, carrying your board, water, sunscreen, etc. The descent usually takes about an hour. Cost depends on the tour agency you choose, but averages about $50-60.

What to bring: a lot of water: perhaps three liters or so. Sunscreen, hat, strong, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, camera.

Copa Sudamericana: Every year, the Dune Riders International World Tour of Sandboard sponsors the Copa Sudamericana in Peru, a sort of South American championship of sandboarding. Contestants come from around the world to compete in categories like Boarder Cross and Parallel Slalom. The competition is still in its initial years, so it often changes dates, venues and events. A good place to find information on this event is: www.sudamericansandboardcup.com