Sights in Nazca
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Nazca Lines
Spread over 500 sq km (310 sq mi) of arid, rock-strewn plain in the Pampa Colorada (Red Plain), the Nazca Lines are one of the world's great archaeological mysteries. Comprising over 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures (geoglyphs) and 70 animal and plant drawings (biomorphs), the lines are almost imperceptible on the ground. From above, they form a striking network of stylized figures and channels, many of which radiate from a central axis.
The figures are mostly etched out in single continuous lines, while the encompassing geoglyphs form perfect triangles, rectangles or straight lines running for several kilometers across the desert.
The lines were made by the simp…
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Mirador Observation Tower
You'll get only a sketchy idea of the lines at the Mirador Observation Tower , on the Panamericana 20km north of Nazca, which has an oblique view of three figures: the lizard, tree and hands (or frog, depending on your point of view). It's also a lesson in the damage to which the lines are vulnerable: the Panamericana runs smack through the tail of the lizard, which from nearby seems all but obliterated. Signs warning of landmines are a reminder that walking on the lines is strictly forbidden.
It irreparably damages them, and besides you can't see anything at ground level anyway. To get to the observation tower from Nazca, catch any bus or colectivo northbound along the P…
reviewed
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Chauchilla Cemetery
The most popular excursion from Nazca, the Chauchilla Cemetery , 30km south of Nazca, will satisfy any urges you have to see ancient bones, skulls and mummies. Dating back to the Nazca culture around AD 1000, the mummies were, until recently, scattered haphazardly across the desert, left by ransacking tomb-robbers. Now they are seen carefully rearranged inside a dozen or so tombs, though cloth fragments and pottery and bone shards still litter the ground outside the demarcated trail.
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Cantallo Aqueducts
The Pardeones ruins, 2km southeast of town via Arica over the river, are not very well preserved. About 5km further are the underground Cantallo aqueducts, which are still in working order and essential in irrigating the surrounding fields. Though once possible to enter the aqueducts through the spiraling ventanas (windows), which local people use to clean the aqueducts each year, entry is now prohibited; instead, you can take note of the Nazca’s exceptional stonework from outside. It’s possible, but not necessarily safe, to walk to the aqueducts; at least, don’t carry any valuables. It’s better to catch a minibus leaving from the first block of Arica (S0.80, 20 minutes),…
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Mirador
You’ll get only a sketchy idea of the Lines at the mirador on Carr Panamericana Sur 20km north of Nazca, which has an oblique view of three figures: the lizard, tree and hands (or frog, depending on your point of view). It’s also a lesson in the damage to which the Lines are vulnerable: Carr Panamericana Sur runs smack through the tail of the lizard, which from nearby seems all but obliterated. Signs warning of landmines are a reminder that walking on the Lines is strictly forbidden. It irreparably damages them, and besides, you can’t see anything at ground level. To get to the observation tower from Nazca, catch any bus or colectivo northbound along Carr Panamerica…
reviewed
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Mirador
You’ll get only a sketchy idea of the Lines at the mirador on Carr Panamericana Sur 20km north of Nazca, which has an oblique view of three figures: the lizard, tree and hands (or frog, depending on your point of view). It’s also a lesson in the damage to which the Lines are vulnerable: Carr Panamericana Sur runs smack through the tail of the lizard, which from nearby seems all but obliterated. Signs warning of landmines are a reminder that walking on the Lines is strictly forbidden. It irreparably damages them, and besides, you can’t see anything at ground level. To get to the observation tower from Nazca, catch any bus or colectivo northbound along Carr Panamerica…
reviewed
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Museo Maria Reiche
When Maria Reiche, the German mathematician and long-term researcher of the Nazca Lines, died in 1998, her house, which stands another 5km north along Carr Panamericana Sur, was made into a small museum. Though disappointingly scant on information, you can see where she lived, amid the clutter of her tools and obsessive sketches, and pay your respects to her tomb. Though the sun can be punishing, it’s possible to walk here from the mirador in a sweaty hour or so, or passing colectivos can sometimes take you (S1). To return to Nazca, just ask the guard to help you flag down any southbound bus or colectivo. A visit to the museum can also be arranged as part of a tour to t…
reviewed
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Museo Maria Reiche
When Maria Reiche, the German mathematician and long-term researcher of the Nazca Lines, died in 1998, her house, which stands another 5km north along the Panamericana, was made into the small Museo Maria Reiche . Though disappointingly scant on information, you can see where she lived, amid the clutter of her tools and obsessive sketches, and pay your respects to her tomb outside in the garden.
Though the sun can be punishing, it's possible to walk here from the mirador in a sweaty hour or so, or passing colectivos can sometimes take you. To return to Nazca, just ask the guard to help you flag down any southbound bus or colectivo.
reviewed
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Museo Didáctico Antonini
On the east side of town, this excellent archaeological museum boasts an aqueduct running through the back garden, as well as interesting reproductions of burial tombs, a valuable collection of ceramic pan flutes and a scale model of the Lines. You can get an overview of both the Nazca culture and a glimpse of most of Nazca’s outlying sites here. Though the exhibit labels are in Spanish, the front desk lends foreign-language translation booklets for you to carry around. To get to the museum follow Bolognesi to the east out of town for 1km, or take a taxi (S2).
reviewed
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Chauchilla Cemetery
The most popular excursion from Nazca, this cemetery, 30km south of Nazca, will satisfy any urges you have to see ancient bones, skulls and mummies. Dating back to the Ica-Chinca culture around AD 1000, the mummies were, until recently, scattered haphazardly across the desert, left by ransacking tomb-robbers. Now they are seen carefully rearranged inside a dozen or so tombs, though cloth fragments and pottery and bone shards still litter the ground outside the demarcated trail. Organized tours last three hours and cost US$10 to US$35 per person.
reviewed
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Reserva Nacional Pampas Galeras
This national reserve is a vicuña sanctuary, high in the mountains on the road to Cuzco. It's the best place in Peru to see these shy animals, though tourist services are virtually nonexistent. Every other year, in late May or early June, is the biannual chaccu, when hundreds of Andean villagers round up the vicuñas for shearing and three festive days of traditional ceremonies, with music and dancing, and of course, drinking.
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Cahuachi
A dirt road travels 25km west from Nazca to Cahuachi , the most important known Nazca center, which is still undergoing excavation. It consists of several pyramids, a graveyard and an enigmatic site called Estaquería, which may have been used as a place of mummification. Tours from Nazca take three hours and may include a side trip to Pueblo Viejo, a nearby pre-Nazca residential settlement.
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Planetarium Maria Reiche
This small planetarium is in the Nazca Lines Hotel and offers scripted evening lectures on the Lines with graphical displays on a domed projection screen that last approximately 45 minutes. Call ahead or check the posted schedules for show times in Spanish or English (French and Italian by reservation only).
reviewed
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Planetarium Maria Reiche
This small planetarium offers scripted evening lectures on the Nazca Lines with graphical displays on a domed projection screen that last approximately 45 minutes. Call ahead or check the posted schedules for show times in Spanish or English (French and Italian by reservation only).
reviewed
