Zorbing and a UTV tour on the same day in Huacachina

Yes, you can do zorbing and a UTV tour on the same day in Huacachina, and it's the combination we recommend most to anyone with a single day in the desert. The order that works: UTV first, then a light meal and some time in the shade, and zorbing last, meeting at 4:30 pm. That way you drive with a clear head, and by the time you roll there's nothing left for you to control.

That's the short answer. Here's why that order works, and how to set yourself up so both go well.

Zorbing or UTV first: which order works best?

The only fixed time is the zorbing: 4:30 pm. It sits in the middle of the afternoon for two concrete reasons. You go into the zorb barefoot, and midday sand genuinely burns. And afternoon light is far better for the photos and videos our team shoots from outside.

We coordinate the time of day for the UTV with you on WhatsApp. What we'll tell you plainly is why we'd rather you drive before you roll.

Coming out of the zorb, a lot of people feel a bit disoriented. It's nothing serious and it passes, but while your body is still working out which way is up is not the moment to take the wheel of a UTV on sand. For driving you want full reflexes and your eyes on the guide ahead. The other way round is fine. You get out of the UTV, eat something, rest, and zorbing needs no reflexes whatsoever: you climb into the ball and gravity does the rest.

There's a second, more practical reason. In the UTV you wear closed shoes, a helmet and a harness. For zorbing you're barefoot with nothing on you. Getting shoes back on and buckling up with sandy feet is slower and more annoying than just stripping it all off at the end of the day.

Why two opposite activities work so well together

We see it all the time: a group turns up sure the big moment of the day will be the UTV, and leaves talking about the zorbing. Or the other way round.

On the UTV tour you're in charge. Within the marked route you set the speed and decide when to brake, and you quickly feel how the machine handles soft sand. You're held in by a 4-point harness across your shoulders and hips, with a factory rollover cage over your head and the guide up front on the radio. It's the part of the day where you're paying attention to everything.

In the zorb it's the opposite. You don't decide a thing. You get into a double-layer inflatable ball and the team lets it go down a dune picked for the purpose. There's nothing to learn, and almost everyone ends up laughing so hard they can't stop.

Do both and you get both sides of the desert in one day. Plenty of people looking for things to do in Huacachina pick one and wish afterwards they'd done the other too.

Something the brochures won't tell you: zorbing is a great way to shake off the tension some people build up in the UTV. The one who gripped the wheel the whole route, jaw clenched, is usually the one laughing loudest inside the ball. And the friend who rode along as a passenger often enjoys the zorb most, because finally there's something that's all theirs.

What to wear for zorbing and a dune buggy tour

Good news: you don't need a full change of clothes. This is what works:

• Light long trousers and a thin long-sleeved shirt. They protect you from sun and sand in the UTV, and inside the ball they're no trouble.
• Closed trainers with a firm sole for the UTV. For zorbing they come off.
• Socks you don't mind filling with sand, in case you want to walk around between the two.
• Hair tied back and a bandana or buff for the UTV dust, without big metal clips.

Best left at your hotel from the morning: earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets and piercings. Nothing hard or pointed can go inside the zorb, because it can tear the ball while you spin, and taking jewellery off halfway up a dune, with sand everywhere and no mirror, is a pain. Same with your phone, keys, watch and glasses: for zorbing they stay outside, and the team takes the photos. More than one visitor has learned here that a phone that spends the day in a pocket in the desert comes back with sand in the charging port.

If you wear prescription glasses, bring a strap for the UTV and be ready to take them off for the zorb.

More on all this in our guide on what to bring to the Ica Desert.

What to eat between the UTV and the zorb

This is where people go wrong. The UTV ends, the group's buzzing and hungry, and someone suggests a big lunch with a couple of beers. After a long, lazy meal, it's time to climb into a ball that's about to roll down a dune.

Bad idea. The NHS page on motion sickness advises against heavy meals, spicy food and alcohol shortly before travel. Spinning inside a zorb counts as motion, and plenty of it.

What works for us is a simple, not-too-greasy plate after the UTV, no feast, and lots of water even if you're not thirsty, because the desert dries you out without you noticing. Alcohol waits until everything's done; the pisco will still be there. And in the middle of the day, find shade. The NHS advises staying out of the sun in the middle of the day (NHS on heat exhaustion), and that break in the shade is exactly the rest your body wants before the zorb.

Meals and drinks aren't included in either activity, so plan that break yourself. For ideas, see our guide on what to eat before a dune tour.

Who should only do one of the two

Let's be straight about this, because it's part of safety: not everyone should do both.

Zorbing is not for pregnant women, and if you have back, neck or joint problems, it's best to skip it. Children have to meet a minimum age and size. If someone in your group is in that situation, they can do the UTV, driving or riding along, and watch the zorbing from outside, which is pretty entertaining in itself.

For the UTV, families with children or older travellers can join in many cases, but it depends on the vehicle and the ages. Message us with your situation. More on who can roll in this zorbing guide, and our full protocol on the safety page.

This goes for any trip onto the dunes: if the wind or visibility aren't right, we reschedule. No argument.

To plan your day, message us on WhatsApp at +51 967 564 701. Tell us the date you want, how many of you there are and your ages, who wants to drive the UTV and who'd rather ride along, and who's getting into the ball (or who can't, for the reasons above). Let us know where you're staying too, because transfers aren't included by default and we sort that out separately. With that, we'll confirm the 4:30 pm zorb and tell you which part of the day suits the UTV.

Frequently asked questions

Should I do zorbing before or after the UTV? After. It's normal to feel a little disoriented when you come out of the ball, and for driving you want your reflexes intact. The 4:30 pm zorb also gives you the best afternoon light.

Do I need a change of clothes? Not really. Light, comfortable clothes work for both; the only difference is that for zorbing you take off your shoes and everything you've got on you.

Can I eat between the UTV and the zorb? Yes, but keep it light. A heavy meal or a few drinks before rolling down a dune inside a ball is a recipe for a bad time.