Discovering the Nazca Lines in Pérou

Many travelers consider a trip to Pérou incomplete without visiting the city of Nazca to observe the famous and mysterious Nazca Lines. The inhabitants of Nazca are well aware that this heritage from the past is their greatest asset, so much so that the entire city revolves around these drawings. You can see them everywhere—in shops, as souvenirs, on jewelry, on the main plaza as decorations, and more.

Although the Nazca Lines attract many travelers, it happens quite often that visitors don't actually spend time in Nazca, as the lines are visible well before arriving in the city. Tourists stop at the viewpoints or airfields to observe them, then turn back. This is fortunate for the city, as restaurant and hotel prices remain remarkably affordable, making it easy to enjoy a comfortable night's stay.

Learning More About the Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines are located in one of the planet's most arid deserts, in southern Pérou. It receives only 3 centimeters of rainfall annually, and temperatures reach record highs. Yet it was in this region that a highly enigmatic civilization flourished: the Nazcas. Using methods still not fully understood, they created drawings on the ground spanning an area of 3,900 km². Thousands of lines are visible, and researchers have identified over 350 large figures, including animals and geometric shapes. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Some Nazca Lines stretch over 300 meters in length, with one massive rectangle reaching dimensions of 800×100 meters—yet they weren't discovered until 1926! Another remarkable aspect: despite their great size and sometimes intricate design, the lines of a single figure never intersect. The Nazca Lines are over 2,000 years old, yet they remain unaltered, adding to their enduring mystery.

It's often said that the Nazca Lines were etched into the ground, but this isn't quite accurate—it's rather an optical illusion. The Nazca people simply removed all the rocks from a strip of land, revealing the fine sand underneath without any stones. This contrasts sharply with the rest of the darker, rocky terrain surrounding it.

Among the 350 figures, you can observe a spider, a monkey, a hummingbird, a condor, a pelican, a dog, a heron, an orca, and more. Plus spirals, triangles, ellipses, lines, and countless other designs. It's truly worth the visit! While certain shapes can be distinguished from ground level, it's clearly more rewarding to gain altitude. Several observation platforms have been built to help tourists better visualize the Nazca Lines, but the most spectacular way to experience them is to fly over them in small tourist aircraft departing from the local airfield.

How to See the Nazca Lines?

To reach Nazca, the simplest route is to take the Pan-American Highway (Carretera Panamericana) from Lima at km 448 in one direction, or from Arequipa in the other. If you're coming from Cuzco, you'll need to take the Cuzco–Abancay–Puquio route. It's also possible to fly to Nazca on domestic flights from major Peruvian cities. The taxi ride from the airport to Nazca's city center costs around 4 soles (2 km).

Numerous bus companies serve Nazca, so don't hesitate to check with them if you wish to see the Nazca Lines.

Once there, to admire the Nazca Lines from the sky and photograph them, you'll need to book through local tour agencies, which typically include 30 minutes of flight time. Compare prices, though be aware that the market has changed considerably in recent months. Previously, fares were very low, but following numerous airplane crashes, the government implemented regulations on the activity. Now only 4 companies are authorized to fly over the Nazca Lines. Safety has improved dramatically, but prices have increased and vary little between operators.

Note: Like all airports in Pérou, there's an airport tax in Nazca of approximately 20 soles (about 5 euros).

AeroIca Airlines

AeroIca operates offices in both Nazca and Lima. They offer flights to soar over the Nazca Lines. Km 447 on the Pan-American Highway.

Phone: 52-2434. From Lima: 01 445 0859

Website: www.aeroica.net

Aero Condor Peru Airlines

Aero Condor Peru has offices in Lima, Ica, and Nazca. It's ideal for observing the Nazca Lines and for reaching Nazca from other cities. In case of delays, the company has a partnership with a beautiful hotel nearby.

Phone: 52-2402. From Lima: 01 421 3105

Website: www.aerocondor.com.pe

Alas Peruanas Airlines

Another excellent company for discovering the lines, and they also partner with local tour agencies to organize circuits throughout the Nazca region.

Phone: 52-2444.

Website: www.alasperuanas.com