If you spend too much time in the hot desert sun, you may experience the illusion of clear blue lakes under the shade of palm trees – a scene that would be hard to imagine in the middle of a giant sea of sand. However, this “illusion” is completely real among the sand dunes of southwest Peru.
Located 4 km from the coastal city of Ica, the Huacachina oasis appears like a surreal place straight out of a movie. Although it looks like a mirage, the lake El Cascajo in this oasis is actually formed from underground water of the desert.
Although Huacachina has only about 100 residents, it receives tens of thousands of tourists each year. News of this green oasis in the middle of the desert only began to spread in the 1940s, when a wealthy spa claimed that the waters of Huacachina’s lagoon could cure diseases. However, by the 1950s, Huacachina had faded into obscurity and was abandoned for decades.
It wasn’t until the 90s that curious tourists flocked to this beautiful oasis. Tour companies began organizing off-road driving trips, sandboarding… to attract adventurers to experience. Since then, enjoying the magical beauty of Huacachina oasis has become the dream of many travel lovers around the world.
Today, visitors to Huacachina can paddle on the lake in the middle of the oasis, explore the surrounding dunes in an ATV for $50 an hour, go sandboarding, or watch the sunset from the desert. If you want to rest, you can rent a room right in the village or camp in the adventure areas.
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