Tour Nazca

Duration

1 Day

Difficulty

Moderate

Groups

Max. 12 people

Tour Location

Ica - Peru

It is possible to fly over the famous Nazca Lines in Peru. The Nazca Lines are a set of geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert, in the Ica region, created by the Nazca culture between 200 BC and 700 AD. These mysterious figures, which include animals, plants, and geometric shapes, are world-famous and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To properly appreciate the Nazca Lines, the best way is to take a flight over them in a light aircraft. Tourism companies in the city of Nazca offer panoramic flights over the Nazca Lines, allowing you to have a clear and detailed view of these ancient geoglyphs. During the flight, the pilot will guide you and point out different figures, such as the hummingbird, the monkey, the astronaut, and many others.

It is important to note that these flights are regulated by Peruvian authorities to protect cultural heritage and the environment, and are conducted under strict safety standards. Make sure to book your flight with a reliable and reputable company to ensure a safe and rewarding experience.

Also, the best time to visit the Nazca Lines is during the dry season, from May to December, as during the rainy months it may be difficult to see the lines due to mud and vegetation temporarily covering them.

5:00 AM to arrive in NAZCA, a 7-hour trip.
35-minute overflight
Bus from Nasca to Lima, another 7 hours

Chauchilla Cemetery:

The Chauchilla Cemetery is an important pre-Inca archaeological site and cemetery located in the Nazca Desert, in the Ica region of Peru. This site is famous for its impressive and well-preserved mummies, dating back to the Nazca culture, which flourished between 200 BC and 600 AD.

Mummies and human remains: The Chauchilla Cemetery is known for its well-preserved mummies, some of which still retain hair, skin, and clothing. These mummies offer a unique insight into the burial practices of the Nazca culture. The bodies were buried in deep pits, and due to the arid desert conditions, they have remained in an incredible state of preservation for centuries.

Tombs and geoglyphs: In addition to the mummies, the site has tombs in the form of burial pits and geoglyphs representing human figures, animals, and geometric designs engraved on the ground surface.

History and significance: The Chauchilla Cemetery provides valuable information about the beliefs and burial practices of the Nazca culture. It is believed that the Nazca practiced mummification and burial in a fetal position, with the mummies placed in ornate funeral blankets. The exact reasons for these practices are not fully clear but may be related to religious and spiritual beliefs.

Tourist visits: The Chauchilla Cemetery is a popular destination for tourists visiting the Nazca region. Visitors can explore the site, observe the mummies and tombs, and learn more about the Nazca culture and its burial rituals.

Conservation and protection: Due to the fragility of the mummies and the extreme desert conditions, measures have been taken to preserve the site. Protective structures have been built over the tombs to prevent damage from sun and wind exposure.

If you plan to visit the Chauchilla Cemetery, it is recommended to do so with a travel agency like Mit Viajes Cusco, which can provide detailed information about the site and its historical and archaeological significance.

It is also important to be respectful and careful when visiting this archaeological site to ensure its long-term preservation.

Cantalloc Aqueducts Nazca:

The Cantalloc Aqueducts are an impressive network of underground aqueducts located in the Ica region of Peru. These aqueducts are a marvel of pre-Inca hydraulic engineering and are attributed to the Nazca culture, which flourished in the region between 100 BC and 800 AD.

Purpose: The Cantalloc aqueducts were designed and built to transport water from underground sources in the surrounding mountains to agricultural areas in the Nazca desert. This network allowed the Nazca culture to cultivate crops in a desert environment, contributing to their agricultural development.

Design and function: The Cantalloc aqueducts consist of a series of underground channels built with carefully carved and fitted stones. These channels collect water from springs and transport it through the network to cultivation areas. Additionally, the aqueducts were designed to prevent water evaporation and contamination.

Aqueduct labyrinth: What makes Cantalloc unique is its intricate labyrinth of underground aqueducts, forming a complex system of intersecting channels. It is believed that there are more than 40 kilometers of aqueducts in the area, although most of them are not accessible to visitors.

Geoglyphs: Next to the aqueducts, there are geoglyphs on the ground surface, representing figures such as hands, trees, and lizards. These geoglyphs add additional archaeological and tourist interest to the site.

Tourist visit: The Cantalloc Aqueducts are a popular tourist attraction in the Ica region. Visitors can explore a series of accessible aqueducts via marked trails and walk through the underground channels to experience firsthand the engineering skill of the Nazca culture. They can also appreciate the geoglyphs on the ground surface.

Conservation and protection: Due to their historical and archaeological value, the Cantalloc Aqueducts have been declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation by the Peruvian government. Conservation measures have been implemented to protect the site from damage and deterioration, such as limiting visitor access and maintaining the structures.