The mysterious Huacachina oasis in the middle of the arid desert.

If you spend too long under the scorching desert sun, you might experience the hallucination of clear blue lakes shaded by palm trees – a scene unlikely to exist amidst the vast expanse of sand. However, this "hallucination" is entirely real among the sand dunes of southwestern Peru.

Located 4 km from the coastal city of Ica, the Huacachina oasis appears like a surreal place straight out of a movie. Though shimmering like an illusion, the El Cascajo lake within this oasis is actually formed from underground desert springs.

Despite having only about 100 residents, Huacachina welcomes tens of thousands of tourists each year. News of this green oasis in the heart of the desert only began to spread in the 1940s, when a spa catering to the wealthy claimed that the water in Huacachina's lagoon could cure illnesses. However, by the 1950s, Huacachina faded into obscurity and was abandoned for decades afterward.

It wasn't until the 1990s that curious tourists flocked to this beautiful oasis. Tour companies began organizing off-road driving and sandboarding trips to attract adventure seekers. Since then, enjoying the magical beauty of Huacachina oasis has become a dream for many travel enthusiasts around the world.

Today, visitors to the Huacachina oasis can enjoy activities such as boating on the lake in the center of the oasis, exploring the surrounding sand dunes in off-road vehicles for $50 per hour, sandboarding, or watching the spectacular sunset from the desert. For relaxation, visitors can rent accommodation within the village or camp in the adventure zones.

My Tong