Nazca Lines Holidays
Nazca Lines
Holidays
One of the world's great archaeological mysteries — enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert floor, visible only from the air
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Flight Time
12–14h to Lima, then 4h bus south to Ica/Nazca
Best Time
Year-round (desert climate — dry and sunny)
Country
Peru
Suppliers
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Nazca Lines Holiday Guide
The Nazca Lines are one of the world's great archaeological mysteries — enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert floor of southern Peru, depicting animals, plants and geometric shapes, some over 370m long. Created by the Nazca culture between 500 BCE and 500 CE, they are only fully visible from the air.
Getting there: Nazca is 450km south of Lima — a 7-8 hour bus journey on the Panamericana Sur highway (Cruz del Sur and Oltursa operate comfortable overnight buses). Alternatively, fly from Lima to Ica (1 hour) and take a taxi to Nazca (2 hours). Most visitors combine Nazca with Paracas and the Ballestas Islands in a 3-4 day trip from Lima.
The overflight: Light aircraft flights from Nazca airport (30-45 minutes) are the standard way to see the lines. Several operators offer flights — book in advance during the high season (June-August). The flights can be bumpy (the desert thermals are strong) — take motion sickness tablets if you are susceptible. Flights from Ica are also available (slightly longer, passing over more figures).
The Nazca region has a desert climate — hot and dry year-round, with very little rain. The best time to visit is May to October (cooler temperatures, clearer skies for the overflight). December to March is the hottest period.
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Popular Areas in Nazca Lines
Average Temperatures
Jan
28°C
Feb
29°C
Mar
28°C
Apr
26°C
May
23°C
Jun
20°C
Jul
19°C
Aug
19°C
Sep
21°C
Oct
23°C
Nov
25°C
Dec
27°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Nazca Lines
The ancient geoglyphs, desert oases, wildlife islands and mummy cemeteries that make the Nazca region one of Peru's most extraordinary and mysterious destinations.
The Nazca Lines — Overflight by Light Aircraft
The Nazca Lines are only fully visible from the air — light aircraft flights from Nazca or Ica (30-45 minutes) are the standard way to see them. The most famous figures are the Hummingbird (96m long), the Spider (46m), the Monkey (93m), the Condor (134m), the Whale (68m) and the Astronaut (30m, on a hillside and visible from the ground). The lines were created by removing the reddish-brown iron oxide-coated pebbles to reveal the yellowish-grey ground beneath.
The Mystery of the Nazca Lines
The purpose of the Nazca Lines remains one of archaeology's greatest mysteries — theories range from astronomical calendars and irrigation maps to alien landing strips (the most colourful but least credible theory). The most widely accepted theory is that the lines were created for ritual purposes — walked as ceremonial pathways during religious festivals. The Nazca culture (200 BCE to 600 CE) also created extraordinary polychrome pottery and the Nazca aqueducts (puquios) that still function today.
Paracas National Reserve
The Paracas National Reserve on the Pacific coast, 2 hours north of Nazca, is one of Peru's most extraordinary natural areas — a desert peninsula jutting into the Pacific with dramatic red cliffs, turquoise water, flamingos in the lagoons and the Candelabra geoglyph (a 180m figure etched into the hillside, visible from the sea). The reserve has excellent birdwatching — Humboldt penguins, Peruvian pelicans, Inca terns and Peruvian boobies.
Ballestas Islands — The Galapagos of Peru
The Ballestas Islands off the Paracas coast are known as the 'poor man's Galapagos' — boat tours from Paracas visit the islands to see extraordinary concentrations of wildlife. Humboldt penguins (thousands of them), sea lions, Peruvian boobies, Inca terns, Peruvian pelicans and (in season) humpback whales. The boat passes the Candelabra geoglyph on the way. The 2-hour tour is one of the best wildlife experiences in Peru.
Chauchilla Cemetery — Nazca Mummies
The Chauchilla Cemetery, 30km south of Nazca, is one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in Peru — an open-air cemetery where the mummified remains of the Nazca people (dating from 200-900 CE) are displayed in their original burial positions in underground tombs. The mummies are extraordinarily well-preserved by the desert climate — hair, skin and textiles are all intact. The site is visited on a guided tour from Nazca.
Huacachina — Desert Oasis
Huacachina is one of the most extraordinary landscapes in South America — a small oasis village surrounding a natural lagoon in the middle of enormous sand dunes, 5km from the city of Ica. The dunes reach 100m high and are the best in Peru for sandboarding and dune buggy rides. The oasis was once a fashionable resort for Lima's elite — the colonial-era hotels and palm trees give it a surreal, dreamlike quality. A 4-hour bus journey from Lima.
Ica — Pisco & Wine Country
Ica is the centre of Peru's wine and pisco production — the Ica Valley has been producing wine since the 16th century and is the source of the best pisco in Peru. The Tacama and Ocucaje wineries offer tours and tastings. The Ica Regional Museum has an excellent collection of Nazca and Paracas artefacts. Ica is the best base for visiting the Nazca Lines (2 hours south) and the Ballestas Islands (1 hour west via Paracas).
Nazca Aqueducts — Ancient Engineering
The Nazca aqueducts (puquios) are one of the most impressive engineering achievements of the ancient world — a network of underground aqueducts built by the Nazca culture to bring water from the Andes to the desert coast, still functioning after 1,500 years. The aqueducts tap into underground water tables and use a series of spiral access shafts (ojos, or 'eyes') to allow maintenance and ventilation. The Cantalloc aqueducts, 4km from Nazca, are the most accessible.
Explore Nazca Lines on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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