Aerial view of the Nazca lines - UNESCO World Heritage Site, Peru

Things to do in  Nazca

Stories in the sand

Taking a bumpy, small-plane flight over the Nazca Desert in southern Peru to view the ancient Nazca Lines—a collection of more than 300 animal, plant, and geometric geoglyphs—is a thrill. With the largest of the gigantic shapes comparable in size to the Empire State Building, an aerial view is the only way to see them in all their glory. The handful of other things to do in Nazca all tie in with the UNESCO-listed lines, from a deep dive into their archaeological excavation at the Maria Reiche Museum to exploring additional Naza culture ruins.

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Top 2 attractions in Nazca

#1

Nazca Lines

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The enigmatic Nazca Lines (or Nasca Lines) are second only to Machu Picchu as the most famous archaeological site in Peru. The mysterious geoglyphs at the UNESCO World Heritage Site range from geometric shapes and swirls to a hummingbird and monkey. Theories on their purpose include astronomical markers, irrigation canals, and alien messages—an enigma that has spurred intrigue since their 1927 discovery. The spectacular etchings likely date from between 500 BC and AD 500.More
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#2

Cantalloc Aqueducts (Acueductos de Cantalloc)

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Built deep beneath the desert of Nazca in southern Peru, the Cantalloc Aqueducts (Acueductos de Cantalloc) are a marvel of engineering from the ancient Nazca culture. Thought to have been constructed more than 1,500 years ago, these subterranean waterways offer a glimpse into this pre-Inca period.More
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Explore Nazca by interest

Top activities in Nazca

Nazca lines from Nazca airport

Nazca lines from Nazca airport

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30
From
$120.00
Nazca and Palpa Lines one-hour flight

Nazca and Palpa Lines one-hour flight

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5
From
$290.00
Flight over the Nazca Lines from Nazca (35 min)

Flight over the Nazca Lines from Nazca (35 min)

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21
From
$100.00
Nazca Lines Overflight Tour from Nazca

Nazca Lines Overflight Tour from Nazca

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5
From
$128.33
Nazca Lines and Chauchilla tour combo

Nazca Lines and Chauchilla tour combo

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13
From
$139.00
Nazca Lines + Cantalloc Aqueducts Tour

Nazca Lines + Cantalloc Aqueducts Tour

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102
From
$103.00
Nazca Lines Tour by Land

Nazca Lines Tour by Land

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11
From
$50.00
tour operators in Nasca in buggy archeology and adventure

tour operators in Nasca in buggy archeology and adventure

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7
From
$45.00
Visit the Lookouts to see Palpa and Nazca lines

Visit the Lookouts to see Palpa and Nazca lines

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10
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$69.00
Fly Nasca lines - Discover Nasca mummy with a local archaeologist

Fly Nasca lines - Discover Nasca mummy with a local archaeologist

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2
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$130.00
VIP Tours Nazca Lines

VIP Tours Nazca Lines

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$95.00
 VIP Tours of the Nazca Lines

 VIP Tours of the Nazca Lines

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$128.21
VIP Tours Nazca Aqueducts

VIP Tours Nazca Aqueducts

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$117.95
Overflight Nazca Lines ,Trip Cantalloc Aqueduct, Ceramic: NASCA

Overflight Nazca Lines ,Trip Cantalloc Aqueduct, Ceramic: NASCA

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1
From
$160.00
VIP Photo Tour through the Nazca Lines

VIP Photo Tour through the Nazca Lines

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$153.85
Private Tour of the Nazca Lines

Private Tour of the Nazca Lines

From
$138.47
Vip Tours, A Special Day In Nazca: Cahuachi And Chauchilla

Vip Tours, A Special Day In Nazca: Cahuachi And Chauchilla

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$148.72
Private Day Trip To Visit Nazca And Its Surroundings

Private Day Trip To Visit Nazca And Its Surroundings

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$184.62
Private Tour To Learn The Beauty Of The Pacific Ocean From Nazca

Private Tour To Learn The Beauty Of The Pacific Ocean From Nazca

From
$251.29
VIP Night Tour in The Nazca Lines

VIP Night Tour in The Nazca Lines

From
$287.18
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All about Nazca

When to visit

Nazca's desert climate is hot and dry year-round—the exact conditions that have preserved the Nazca Lines for up to 2,000 years. Flights over the geoglyphs run most days of the year if conditions allow, but the most popular time to visit is November through March. Opt for an early morning flight for the smoothest flying conditions and best visibility, and skip breakfast—the small planes make tight turns and often encounter turbulence, so motion sickness is a common complaint.

Getting around

Nazca, which sits between Lima and Arequipa, can only be reached by bus—but once you've arrived in the city, you can get to many of the central hotels on foot. Nazca Lines flights leave from the non-commercial Maria Reiche Neuman Airport, about a 10-minute drive from the city, and many tours include transfers. Several companies operate flights over the lines, but be wary of just booking the cheapest—there have been valid safety concerns raised over some of the flights.

Traveler tips

Most visitors zip in and out of Nazca with one thing on the agenda, but it's worth sticking around after your Nazca Lines flight to learn more about the mysterious lines. The Maria Reiche Museum and Planetarium Maria Reiche, both named after the German archaeologist who devoted her life to studying the Nazca Lines, offer some fascinating insights. You can also learn about the Nazca people, who are believed to have created the lines, by visiting the Cantalloc Aqueducts, Chauchilla Cemetery, and Cahuachi archaeological complex.

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Tours
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Reviews
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People Also Ask

Is it worth visiting Nazca?

Yes, Nazca is a long journey from Lima (almost seven hours by bus), and flights over the Nazca Lines can be pricey. However, a visit to Nazca affords the rare opportunity to fly over the desert and see one of the world's most unique and mysterious archaeological wonders up close.

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How long should I spend in Nazca?

One day is enough to enjoy a flight over the Nazca Lines, but the city's distance from nearby attractions means you'll need to spend the night in Nazca or nearby Ica or Paracas. It's worth taking extra time to visit the Maria Reiche Museum and other Nazca ruins, too.

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What is Nazca Peru famous for?

Nazca became known to archeologists after the discovery of the Nazca Lines in the 1930s. The vast collection of geoglyphs—more than 1,200 lines, geometric shapes, and animal outlines so immense they can only be viewed from above—have puzzled experts ever since and are now a popular tourist attraction.

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Can you walk around the Nazca Lines?

No, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains the Nazca Lines is a protected area, and visiting on foot is prohibited to avoid damage and erosion to the ancient site. However, it is possible to view three of the geoglyphs—the Tree, Hands, and Lizard—from an observation tower.

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What is the best way to see Nazca Lines?

The only way to appreciate the immense size and scope of the Nazca Lines is with an aerial view, and small-plane flights let visitors view 12 of the main figures, including the monkey, hummingbird, and spider. Alternatively, you can glimpse three of the peripheral geoglyphs from a viewing tower.

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Why are the Nazca Lines a mystery?

Archeologists attribute the Nazca Lines to the Nazca people sometime between 500 BC and AD 500, but the sheer size, scope, and quantity of the geoglyphs have puzzled experts ever since. Possible theories involve a celestial calendar, religious rituals, or sourcing water.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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