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The hummingbird, one of the many massive geoglyphs that make up the famous Nazca Lines.
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Nazca

The mysterious Nazca Lines and Paracas are must-see highlights in the southern desert region of Peru. Browse our complete Nazca destination guide for interesting historical insights, top attractions, and travel tips.

Overview

Homebase for Nazca Lines tours, the city of Nazca (also spelled Nasca or Naska) is usually a quick stopover on the overland route between Lima and the Andes of Peru. But for travelers seeking full immersion into the mysteries of South America’s most puzzling archaeological site, a longer stay is in order.

The main thing to do in Nazca is to embark on a flight tour. After that, enjoy a small collection of museums and archaeological sites that delve into Nazca culture. Visit the Maria Reiche Museum, the Cantalloc aqueducts, and book a spot for the evening show at the Nazca Planetarium.

Climate & Weather

High temperatures and extreme aridity characterize the desert region of Nazca. With annual precipitation around 4mm, rainfall is almost nonexistent throughout the year, making this area between the Pacific Ocean and the Peruvian Andes one of the driest deserts in South America.

Summer in the southern hemisphere extends from December to March. For the city of Nazca, this means a lot of sunshine and daytime highs of 90°F (32°C). Winter months from May to September experience slightly lower daytime highs of around 80°F (27°C) and cooler nighttime lows 55°F (13°C).

The Humboldt Current and the El Niño Oscillation System are key elements in the region’s geography and climate. Flowing up the Pacific coast from Antarctica, the cold water current cools air temperatures. This prevents the accumulation of moisture and results in minimal rainfall. These dry, windless conditions have also been key in the preservation of the Nazca Lines over thousands of years.

Best Time to Visit

The desert weather and nearly zero rainfall make Nazca a year-round destination for travelers intent on getting a glimpse of the Nazca Lines. The high season is from December to March when it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

Flights over the Nazca Lines take off as early as 7 am to continue throughout the day. Usually, wind conditions and visibility make mornings the best time to fly over.

Geography & Map

  • The city of Nazca in the Ica region of Peru is situated on a coastal plain about 280 miles (450 kilometers) south of Lima. The surrounding desert is fairly flat until it meets the western ridges of the Andes Mountains. East of Nazca city, Cerro Blanco reaches an elevation of 6,820 ft (2,078 m) and is one of the world’s tallest dunes.
  • Elevation 1,710 ft (520 m) Population: ~ 40,000

History

The pre-Inca Nazca culture flourished in Peru’s river valleys of the Rio Grande and Ica, and are most famous for the Nazca Lines, ancient geoglyphs etched into the hard desert floor between 200 BC and 500 AD. (The Nazca culture was directly descended from the Paracas culture.)

Scientific understanding of the lines of Nazca is still very limited. Since their discovery in 1927 by Peruvian archaeologist Toribio Mejia Xesspe, who believed the lines were sacred roads, researchers have sought answers to lingering queries: Why were they constructed? Were aliens involved?

In 1939, US scholar Paul Kosok first observed the now-famous geoglyphs when he hired a plane to take him over the abounding desert terrain while investing irrigation systems nearby. Finding that some of the Nazca geoglyphs align with the winter solstice and constellations, Kosok called the lines “the world’s largest astronomical book.”

German mathematician Dr. Maria Reiche took over the study of the lines from her mentor Kosok. For the next five decades, she devoted her life to deciphering the enigma of the geoglyphs. She proposed that Nazca Lines were a very complex system of agrarian calendars and sites of astronomical observations that allowed the Nazca culture to thrive in an otherwise hostile environment. She wrote a seminal study of the Nazca Lines titled The Mystery of the Desert in 1949.

Another more colorful contributing theory about the Nazca Lines was offered by science-fiction writer Erich von Daniken who suggested the lines were airstrips for alien spacecraft.

The perplexing riddle of the Nazca Lines caught the attention of UNESCO and in 1994 they were declared an Archaeological World Heritage Site. The debate regarding the significance of the lines rages on, generating more questions than answers. But one must also acknowledge that the lingering mystery is part of the appeal.


Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines extend across a surface area of 175 square miles (450 square kilometers). There are two main groups of lines, the first and most famous near Nazca city, and the second further north near Palpa. The shapes create the outlines of seventy animal and plant shapes, plus a hodgepodge of geometric designs such as swirls, rectangles, straight lines, and trapezoids.

Among the most famous Lines are the Hummingbird, Monkey, and Spider found near the town of Nazca. The so-called Nazca Lines Astronaut has received a lot of attention because of its resemblance to an extraterrestrial. Maria Reiche suggested the symbol represents a shaman, a religious and spiritual leader. Their role was to mediate between the deities represented on the ground and the agrarian cycles Nazca people intended to decipher.

The enormous scale of these ancient lines boggles the mind and suggests highly complex geometric calculations and an even more sophisticated system of cords to trace the lines and draw figures. The Monkey, for instance, measures 277 feet (84.5 meters) from outstretched arm to twirled tail – that’s approximately three-quarters the length of an official FIFA soccer field! Consequently, the best way to admire the Nazca Lines is from a low-flying aircraft.

Curiously, the Nazca Lines have resisted significant erosion over the years because they exist in one of the driest spots on earth with very limited rainfall that might wash away the remains. Today encroaching squatters in the region pose the largest threat to the preservation of the lesser-known Nazca Lines.


Things to Do

Nazca Lines Flights

The only way to fully appreciate the size and scale of the Nazca Lines in Peru is from a bird’s-eye view. Hop on a small aircraft and let your imagination soar as you fly over figures including the Monkey, Whale, Spider, Compass, Condor, Hands, Tree, and giant-headed Humanoid (i.e Astronaut), among others. The exact shapes you’ll see depends on the plane route. Flights depart from the small airport in Nazca, as well as from airports in Pisco and Ica. Check out Travel Tips and FAQ below for details about planning a flyover tour.


Torre Mirador (Observation Tower)

If you would love to see the Nazca Lines, but motion sickness is the major reason why you would not book a flight, you can instead climb the Observation Tower (43 feet, or 13 meters high) for a satisfying look at the Tree and Hands Nazca Lines up close. Further in the distance and on clear days, you can see the highway cutting through the Lizard glyph.

Torre Mirador is 12.5 mi (20 km) to the north of Nazca city along the Panamerican Highway.


Maria Reiche Museum

Formerly the home of Dr. Maria Reiche, a German mathematician who dedicated her life to the study of the enigmatic Nazca Lines. This small museum preserves a clutter of maps, diagrams, photographs, artifacts, and a scale model of the Nazca Lines, as well as Reiche’s personal belongings. She was a devoted scholar whose work led to the Nazca Lines’ UNESCO world site designation in 1994. Museo Maria Reiche is worth a stop in combination with the Observation Tower. Read more about Maria Reiche in the History section above.

Km 421 Panamerican Highway


Cahuachi

Cahuachi was a pre-Columbian ceremonial center in use from 1 AD until 500 AD. The type and number of artifacts uncovered at the site indicate that this was a pilgrimage site occupied for pan-Andean ceremonies. Its importance began to wane with the decline of the Nazca culture around 300 AD. Significant structures include a large adobe pyramid of 490 feet (150 meters) long and 90 feet (28 meters) tall, as well as 40 natural mounds topped with adobe structures. Wander the archaeological complex on your own or a guided tour.

Cahuachi is 15 mi (24 km) west of the city of Nazca.


Cantalloc Aqueducts

Acueductos de Cantalloc preserve is the best example of the ingenious aqueducts constructed by the Nazca culture. They constructed amazing works of hydraulic engineering that allowed them to thrive in the arid environment. With access to water, the Nazca culture could irrigate the desert land for agriculture and grow crops. More than thirty of these still function today, which locals use to irrigate their farms. Openings in the channels, called puquios, are arranged in spirals or concentric circles and provide access to the channels for maintenance and cleaning.

The Cantalloc Aqueducts are 3 mi (5 km) from the Plaza de Armas of Nazca.


Antonini Archeological Museum

The small but extensive Museo Arqueologico Antonini displays Nazca mummies, artifacts, pottery, textiles, and more. Learn about the geography of the desert coast where early civilizations flourished and how to decipher the symbols and iconography that decorate Nazca pottery and textiles. Additional holdings include photos of famous glyphs and trophy heads found at Cahuachi.

Avenida La Cultura 600, Nazca


Nazca Planetarium

Planetarium Maria Reiche lets visitors see the stars, moon, and planets through modern telescopes while also remembering Reiche’s intensive research and incredible accomplishments in fostering recognition for one of Peru’s most popular tourist attractions. Interesting lectures on the lines, based on Reiche’s teachings and focused on astronomy and archaeology, are given daily.

Jr. Bolognesi (no number), Nazca


Chauchilla Cemetery

The pre-Inca necropolis of Chauchilla is home to mummies and other ancient remnants perfectly conserved by the arid Nazca desert. Most of the site has been sacked of its archeological treasures, yet Cemeterio Chauchilla is unique because its mummies are still in original tombs - rare in Peru - and it was used successively by the Wari, the Poroma, and the Inca cultures. The Chauchilla Cemetery has been protected since the late 1990s.

Chauchilla is 18 mi (29 km) from the Plaza de Armas of Nazca.


Ancient ruins in Nazca on our travel guides page.

Los Paredones (The Walls)

“Los Paredones” represents the remnants of an Incan administrative complex that monitored passage between the mountains and the coast. Built during the reign of Tupac Yupanqui and on top of Nazca ruins, the archaeological site includes a central plaza, buildings for administrative, ceremonial, and residential purposes, and a mix of adobe and stone walls. The latter is rarely seen on the Peruvian coast and displays the Inca style of polished stone architecture.

Los Paredones is 1 mi (1.6 km) from the Plaza de Armas of Nazca.


Cerro Blanco

Duna Cerro Blanco sits at 6,820 feet (2,078 meters) above sea level, making it the tallest dune in Peru and one of the highest in the world. Get up close to this geographic landmark in the Nazca region during a guided sandboarding tour. Dune buggies can’t get to the top. Instead, you walk yourself and your board about three hours to the summit. The last hour on soft sand is especially tough, but the payoff is an incredible descent paired with astounding views of the desert landscape.

Cerro Blanco is about 12 mi (20 km) outside of Nazca city.


Hotels

The once sleepy desert town of Nazca has increased with popularity, though the number of comfortable hotels are still quite limited compared to other destinations in Peru. For this reason, our recommendation is for travelers keen on doing a flyover tour to use Paracas as their base for exploring the country’s southern coast highlights and depart from the airport in Pisco.

However, for travelers who desire an extended stay in Nazca for a deeper investigation into the Nazca culture, the established Casa Andina Standard Nasca is our preferred option.





See all Nazca Hotels


Restaurants

The following top-ranked restaurants in Nazca are near the Plaza de Armas. If you are passing through town to catch a bus to your next destination, these dining options are within convenient walking distance to stations for Cruz del Sur, Civa, and Oltursa.

La Choza

This eatery serves a variety of foods in a rustic setting decorated with woven chairs and features a thatched roof. Come for dinner and enjoy live music played daily.

Bolognesi 290, Nazca | website

La Kañada

A reasonably-priced restaurant with a varied menu (set lunch specials), a great selection of wine, and a delicious Pisco Sour. Local art adorns the walls of this Nazca restaurant and English-speaking staff will make you feel welcome.

Calle Lima 160, Nazca | website

La Maison Blanche

Casual cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also enjoy fresh fruit juices, coffee, and wifi all day long.

Bolognesi 388, Nazca | website

Mamashana Cafe-Restaurant

Sample Peruvian classics such as lomo saltado and pasta dishes. A vegetarian menu is available. A great option in Nazca city just a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas.

Avenida Bolognesi 270, Nazca | < website

Mom’s Cafe

Enjoy breakfast or lunch at this cozy cafe close to the roundabout where long-distance buses stop. The menu includes waffles, sandwiches, burgers, fruit juices, coffee, and desserts. Best of all, there’s wifi.

Calle Lima 168A, Nazca | website


Tour Packages

#5 Capture Historical Peru

Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lima, Arequipa & Colca, Paracas
11 Days / from $2769

#6 Discover Peru

Machu Picchu, Cusco, Titicaca, Amazon, Lima, Paracas, Arequipa & Colca
16 Days / from $3869

See All Tour Packages


Travel Tips

How to Get to Nazca from Lima

The town of Nazca is connected to Lima by the Panamerican Highway. Taking the bus from Lima to Nazca is easy and takes between six and seven hours. There is no commercial airline service between Lima and Nazca. The small airport in Nazca, Aeropuerto Maria Reiche Neuman, is a few miles outside the city but it’s mostly used for flight tours.

Total distance from Lima (Miraflores district) to Nazca: ~300 mi (~480 km)

Nazca Flyover Tour Tip

Seasoned pilots fly at tilted angles and in tight circles to give passengers the best views of the Nazca Lines. This jerky movement, paired with some turbulence, can definitely make you feel queasy. It’s best to plan ahead and bring a motion sickness patch or remedy for your flyover tour. If you tend to get motion sick, consider skipping a flight and opt instead to learn about the giant glyphs on a tour to the Maria Reiche Museum and Observation Tower.

Safety

Nazca and the Ica region are fairly safe and travelers are advised to take precautionary measures in Nazca as well as other South American destinations. Only carry what you’ll need for your daily outing and leave extra cash, bank cards, and valuables in your hotel room lock box. At night, stick to well lit, populated streets.

The biggest “threats” are the touts in front of the bus station who are always looking to arrange hotels and tours at exorbitant prices. It’s best not to deal with them at all.

We don’t recommend hailing a taxi from the street. Instead, have your hotel receptionist arrange a safe taxi ride for you to get around quickly or call a ride on your phone using Uber, Beat, or Easy Taxi.



FAQ

The city of Nazca, Peru is located about a 280-mile (450-km) drive south of the country’s capital of Lima. The most famous group of Lines are near Nazca city, and the others are north near Palpa.

The lines of Nazca are ancient drawings that have been etched in the Nazca desert of Peru. Today, the Lines and Geoglyphs of Nazca are a UNESCO World Heritage Center and one of the country’s most popular archaeological sites. Using artificial technology, a team of scientists have found more than 140 new Nazca Lines, including glyphs of humans, animals, and abstract shapes etched in the Peruvian desert floor.

A lot about the history of the Nazca Lines remains unknown and the question of why the ancient Nazca culture created figures that could only be fully appreciated from high above the land - in a time long before the first airplane - is a mystery that has fueled many theories. Even the most plausible hypotheses are inconclusive, and the more colorful alternative proposals are downright entertaining.

You need one to two days to visit the Nazca Lines. There are two main ways to fit the Nazca Lines into your itinerary.

  • Option 1 is a 2-day side trip from Lima.
    • Day 1: Lima to Paracas by car/bus and then go to the Pisco airport for a Nazca Lines flight, overnight in Paracas
    • Day 2: Ballestas Islands tour, option for Paracas National Reserve tour, return to Lima
  • Option 2 is as part of a longer overland trip across southern Peru. There are multiple ways to split the trip. It is possible to arrive on an overnight bus (from Paracas or Lima), fly over the lines, and continue to your next destination in the evening. You can also stay one to two nights in Nazca city to explore archaeological sites and museums.

Flights over the Nazca Lines operate from 7 am to around 4 pm daily. Usually, wind conditions and visibility are better in the morning.

Nazca is swarming with tour representatives eager to sell Nazca Lines fights for a good rate. Before booking a trip with just any local airline, be sure to double-check their safety regulations and reputation.

Safety is of utmost importance for our Nazca Lines flyover provider. Pilots are highly experienced and complete yearly simulator training. Each Cessna aircraft is modern, undergoes regular maintenance, and complies with safety regulations and policies issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, or Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC). A first-aid kit, oxygen system, and fire extinguishers are aboard each aircraft.

No flyover tours of the Nazca Lines depart from Lima. Flights over the Nazca Lines only depart from small airports in Pisco, Ica, and Nazca.

There are a ton of things to do in Nazca to keep you busy for a few days. On a tour to Peru, few can resist the temptation to see one of Peru’s greatest pre-Columbian mysteries. Combine your Nazca Lines flight with a tour to Paracas and the Ballestas Islands, and get an in-depth view of the ancient cultures that preceded the Inca civilization by many centuries. If you’ve got some hours to spare before a bus ride to your next destination, visit the Antonini Museum in Nazca on Avenida La Cultura 600.

The ancient Nazca civilization etched figures into the desert floor on a scale so large that they’re impossible to see from the ground.

The size and intricate detail of the geoglyphs suggests highly complex geometric calculations and an even more complex system of cords to trace the lines and draw figures. Experts believe that the lines were made by the Nazca people by removing a top layer of dark red surface stones and revealing the lighter colored soil underneath.

Geoglyphs are large shapes that have been created by digging into the landscape or arranging natural objects, like stones. The Nazca Lines are ancient geoglyphs and a Peru famous landmark. Another geoglyph along the country’s desert coast in Paracas is called Candelabra.

Yes, the Nazca Lines are visible from space. In fact, the giant spider and spiral are among the Nazca shapes the Ikonos satellite captured while flying over the Nazca desert.

The Nazca Lines bear the name of the ancient civilization responsible for creating them. Evidence shows that the Nazca culture flourished in the Ica region of present-day Peru as early as 100 BC. Examples of Nazca ceramics and textiles are on display in the Museo Arqueologico Antonini in Nazca, the Regional Museum in Ica, and the Anthropological and Archaeological Museum in Lima. Between 550 AD and 750 AD, the unity of the Nazca people started to wane as the Wari (or Huari) culture began its ascent, shifting pre-Columbian power from the coast to the Andes.

 

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