Peru - In the midst of one of the driest climates in the world is an oasis town with lush palm trees, flourishing foliage, and a tranquil lagoon which is said to have curative properties.
The magical town is called Huacachina, and it can be found not only on adventurers’ bucket lists, but also in a barren desert in Peru. Visitors can visit the surreal settlement and the 96 residents who thrive on running small businesses on their greatest resource; sand.
The lake is naturally formed, but there is a legend that a young princess was bathing when she was discovered by a hunter and fled, leaving behind a pool of water. Her flowing cloak was said to have created the surrounding sand dunes.
Now, descendents of the Inca people make their living by hosting guests coming from afar to climb to the top of a wind-sculptured sand dune and watch the sunset illuminate the golden landscape, before sailing down the slopes on rented sandboards or dune buggies.
Fear not if you have visions of stumbling around lost in the desert, with a few droplets of water left in your flask.
The paradise Huacachina is situated a handy 4km from the southern city of Ica, a former Spanish colonial town located on the borders of the desert.
When you arrive at the “Oasis of America”, one of the last oases in North and South America, you are greeted by the sights of rustic hotels, quaint shops and even an oasis library, surrounding the blue lagoon.
The luscious town was popular with wealthy Peruvians in the 1940s, who used to come to bathe in the lagoon, as it was thought the waters had healing powers.
Due to landowners building wells to access groundwater, coupled with evaporation during summer high temperatures, the lagoon water levels have dropped over the past few years.
In an effort to combat this, water has been pumped into the the lake from Ica for Huacachina inhabitants.
The area has been declared a national cultural heritage site, by the National Institute of Culture, and it is hoped that this tranquil oasis will never become a mirage in the desert.
Daily Mail