Nazca Travel Guide

  Dusty streets and breezeblock buildings
by Orchid
  • Dusty streets and breezeblock buildings
      Dusty streets and breezeblock buildings
    by Orchid
  • Astronaut
      Astronaut
    by Orchid
  • Dry hills and flat plains
      Dry hills and flat plains
    by Orchid
  • Quente the Hummingbird
      Quente the Hummingbird
    by Orchid
  • Hand, Tree and tower
      Hand, Tree and tower
    by Orchid

Pro

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 Nasca Lines 


Con

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 Nothing else to see there 


In a nutshell

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 Go, but don't spend more than a day here 

 

Explore Nazca

Things to Do  

Search for ancient astronauts (not)

Search for ancient astronauts (not), Nazca

 Orchid Says:  You need to leave at least an the entire morning (and then some) for your flight across the Nazca lines. Our experience was that delays are common, and this should be allowed for in one's schedule. The fights themselves take only about 30 minutes, but including waiting time... 

THE LINES

THE LINES, Nazca

 davidjo Says:  Flying over the Nazca lines is pretty amazing, just to see in detail the figures below, spider, astronaut, toucan etc. How did these people make these, when and why. Syill nobody can provide the answer--aliens! I don't think so. Plenty of places in Nazca offer flights in... 

PARACAS TRIDENT

PARACAS TRIDENT, Nazca

 davidjo Says:  Best way to see this is to be on a boat out at sea, as you can still glimpse it from 10 kms out. The Paracas Candelabra, as its known locally is 2 feet deep into the rocky hill and probably more than 2000 years old. Locals believe that it is the representation of the staff... 

BALLESTAS ISLANDS

BALLESTAS ISLANDS, Nazca

 davidjo Says:  When you are in Nazca and after you have seen the Lines take a trip to see the Ballestas islands where you will see Humboldt Penguins and Pacific Sea Lions in their natural habitat, and there will be many! While on the boat you should have a chance to see dolphins too. Birds... 

View the lines

View the lines, Nazca

 adelinemmc Says:  Of course that is The thing to do in Nazca.The weather can be a concern. Bad viz means no flights as you could see nothing at all. We went early in the morning but sometimes fligts cannot go that early and have to wait for the mist to clear. Maybe the best tactic is to go... 

Aerial Tour of Nazca Lines

Aerial Tour of Nazca Lines, Nazca

 corinha Says:  Overview The Nazca Lines in the Nazca desert in Peru have been intriguing mankind ever since they were discovered in 1901 by Max Ulhe, a Peruvian archaeologist. Hailed as one of the world's unresolved mysteries, they were declared an Archaeological World Heritage Site by... 

Take a small air craft ride to see Nazca Lines

Take a small air craft ride to see Nazca Lines, Nazca

 VZ-Pam Says:  To see Nazca lines from air, you can either go directly to the Airport Maria Reiche to buy a ride from numerous companies there....or contact your local tour agent for drop off & pickupairport tax is 20 soles as of feb 2010About USD $50 to $55 a ride 

Soar over the Pampas

Soar over the Pampas, Nazca

 staindesign Says:  Let's get right to it, las lineas de Nasca are the main reason to visit the city. And what is the best way to see the drawings: flying of course! This is quite an adventure. Like i said in the Nazca intro, ask around town at the various travel agencies for the best price.... 

Restaurants  

Reataurant The Grumpy's: They aren't really

Reataurant The Grumpy's: They aren't really, Nazca

 Orchid Says:  The Grumpy's has it sights set firmly on the travelers riding the Gringo Trail from Lima to Arequipa. The bright sign says it all, but we did not find the proprietors at all surly, ill-tempered or sullen. Maybe they got the translation wrong?The food is freshly cooked by the... 

I can't remember! Oh no!: Right next to Gracia Pisco House

I can't remember! Oh no!: Right next to Gracia Pisco House, Nazca

 staindesign Says:  I really liked this place. Very relaxed and family owned. The food is typical Peruvian dishes. I liked that it was so relaxed that their pets walked in and out of the restaurant as they pleased, and the cat slept behind my head in a plant!They have a great lunch deal: 13... 

Pollo a la brasa: Locals vs. Tourists

Pollo a la brasa: Locals vs. Tourists, Nazca

 staindesign Says:  What I noticed is that Peruvians love some roasted Chicken! You'll see locals at the chain chicken restaurant in town more than the tourists. And the tourists seem to frequent the small more "locally owned" restaurants. It seems for two main reasons, the chicken restaurant... 

Transportation  

Cruz del Sur

Cruz del Sur, Nazca

 Orchid Says:  We chose Cruz del Sur for our bus trip from Lima to Nazca. The tickets were easily purchased on line, and the bus station (at Javier Prado) was modern, spick and span, with shops and places to eat before departure.The journey was uneventful, though not spilling ones drink as... 

Day trip from Lima

Day trip from Lima, Nazca

 staindesign Says:  Taking the bus from Lima to Nasca can be a little confusing, they don't offer round trip tickets. So if you must return to lima, make sure you buy both tickets at the same time. They may recommend you wait, but i wouldn't because the bus station in Nasca is like an old shed... 

Local Customs  

Yum Pisco

Yum Pisco, Nazca

 staindesign Says:  In case you are unaware, pisco is a name of a town in Peru. I'm assuming that it might be where pisco was first made/invented. In Nasca, by a local, I was told that there are 4 main producers of pisco. All the locals recommend Gracia as the best brand, using uva italia. At... 

Tip your Pilot!

Tip your Pilot!, Nazca

 staindesign Says:  The pilots that do the tours are fantastic! They are more or less bi-lingual (spanish & english). They are very good at telling you which side and when each drawing is coming on the tours. They provide excellent angles for taking photos. Over all i thought our was just funny... 

The spelling situation...

The spelling situation..., Nazca

 staindesign Says:  A quick little bit of info: via VT this town is spell NAZCA, yet in the town itself it is spelled NASCA. I've seen both spelling around the internet while i was researching the place before i went. I think it is important the spellinf NASCA while in Peru because that will... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Nazca tour flights over Nazca lines

Nazca tour flights over Nazca lines, Nazca

 VZ-Pam Says:  Basically everything have risk factors. Accidents happen and we cannot gurantee anything in life ...that is why we have insurance companies.I took a small tour aircraft ride at Airport Maria Reiche for an aerial observation of the Nazca lines on Feb 9 2010. It was... 

Nazca Lines Flights in busy season

Nazca Lines Flights in busy season, Nazca

 bvpshenvalley Says:  Many times agencies in Nazca (as elsewhere in Peru) will lose your reservation. I had booked a tour in the middle of busy season for $65. When I arrived in Nazca, I was told that they lost my reservation and the price would be $80 or $85. We looked around for another agency,... 

Tourist Traps  

Pay to use the Airports, oh Please!

Pay to use the Airports, oh Please!, Nazca

 staindesign Says:  Ok OK OK i should just get over this, perhaps it is the wording. It really annoys me to pay to "use" the airports in Peru. Sure I've been to countries where you have to pay to leave the country. But why can they just say it as is, a tax we charge because we can and want to!... 

What to Pack  

Layers are your friend!
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staindesign 205 reviews

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Layers are the best during the winter months. I assume that since Nasca is near the pampas the weather has the effects of the desert. During the day it was almost hot, and by night it was cold! Keep this in mind and you'll be great!

Photo Equipment: You definitely want a camera with a zoom to take pictures while in the airplane above the lineas de nasca!

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: They offer sand boarding, i was dying to do it. Therefore you may want to consider the appropreite clothing for this activity! I did notice they will provide the actual sand board itself, basically it is a snow board.

Updated Aug 12, 2009

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Map of Nazca