Nazca awaits you with ancient secrets etched in the sands of the Peruvian desert. This city in the Ica region holds archaeological treasures that challenge our understanding of the past, while offering contemporary experiences that connect directly with the living culture of the area.
Archaeological and cultural attractions
Nazca Lines
The famous lines drawn between 200 BC and 700 AD cover approximately 450 square kilometers of desert pampas. You’ll see geometric figures, straight lines stretching for kilometers, and representations of animals like the hummingbird, spider, and monkey. A flight in a small plane will allow you to appreciate the magnitude of these creations from a height of 500 meters, although you can also observe some from the metal tower located at kilometer 420 of the Panamericana Sur.
The flight experience lasts between 30 and 35 minutes, and the best weather conditions occur between 8:00 and 10:00 AM. During the aerial tour, the pilot will make turns to both sides so that all passengers can photograph the figures from different angles.
Cahuachi ceremonial center
Just 24 kilometers from the city of Nazca, you’ll discover the most important ceremonial complex of the Nazca culture. This site spans 24 square kilometers and includes stepped pyramids built with adobe, ceremonial plazas, and residential areas. The Great Pyramid reaches 28 meters in height, and from its summit, you’ll have a panoramic view of the valley.
Excavations have revealed textiles, polychrome ceramics, and remains of offerings that highlight the religious importance of the site. You’ll walk along paths that connect different sectors of the complex, while a specialized guide explains the rituals that took place in each area.
Los Paredones
These adobe structures represent one of the few Inca architectural remnants in the region. Located 2 kilometers from the center of Nazca, the constructions served as an administrative center during the Inca expansion towards the coast.
You can explore the walls that still stand, some reaching heights of up to 3 meters. The Inca construction technique is evident in the trapezoidal niches and the arrangement of the spaces around central courtyards. The site offers a unique perspective on how the Incas adapted their mountain architecture to the desert conditions of the coast.
Chauchilla Cemetery
This pre-Hispanic cemetery confronts you with the reality of death in ancient Peruvian cultures. The graves, looted for decades, show natural mummies preserved by the extreme desert conditions. The bodies retain hair, skin, and textile remains after more than a thousand years.
You’ll walk among open graves where you can observe the fetal position in which they buried their dead, wrapped in cotton blankets and accompanied by ceramics and offerings. The visit lasts approximately one hour, and it’s recommended to bring sun protection, as there is no natural shade along the route.
Antonini Archaeological Museum
This private museum houses the most complete collection of artifacts from the Nazca culture. Its founder, Giuseppe Orefici, directed excavations at Cahuachi for over three decades. You’ll find polychrome ceramics, textiles, musical instruments, and trophy heads that reveal ritual and everyday aspects of this civilization.
The main hall exhibits an exact replica of a Nazca tomb with its complete funerary goods. The explanatory panels are in Spanish, English, and Italian, and the guided tour delves into the artisanal techniques and the iconographic patterns characteristic of the Nazca culture.
Palpa Geoglyphs
Just 40 minutes from Nazca, in the province of Palpa, you’ll discover over 600 geoglyphs created by the Paracas and Nazca cultures. These figures include human representations, animals, and geometric shapes different from those in the Nazca pampas. From the natural viewpoint of Mirador de Sacramento, you can see figures like “The Royal Family” and “The Solar Clock.”
The Palpa geoglyphs exhibit distinct technical characteristics: many were created by removing dark volcanic stones, revealing the light sand underneath. The visit allows you to contrast the different techniques used by these cultures to create monumental art in the desert.
María Reiche Planetarium
This interpretation center pays tribute to the German mathematician who dedicated her life to studying the Nazca Lines. The planetarium presents evening lectures that combine astronomy with archaeology, showcasing the possible connections between the lines and celestial bodies.
During the 45-minute projection, you’ll see how the constellations relate to some geographical figures while learning about the research María Reiche conducted over more than 50 years. The planetarium operates from Tuesday to Sunday, and sessions are held in Spanish and English.
Natural wonders and adventure
Usaka Dunes
These fine sand dunes rise up to 100 meters high, providing a perfect setting for sandboarding and tubular rides. The golden sand contrasts with the blue desert sky, creating a photogenic landscape throughout the day.
The dunes constantly change shape due to the winds, so each visit presents a different landscape. You can rent sandboards on-site and receive basic instructions for sliding down the slopes. Sunsets from the top of the main dunes offer panoramic views of the Nazca valley.
Cerro Blanco
At 2,078 meters high, this dune is considered the highest in the world. The ascent to the summit takes between 2 and 3 hours of intense walking on loose sand, but the view from the top encompasses the entire Nazca valley and the surrounding mountain ranges.
The descent can be done on a sandboard or simply by running down the sand, which takes only 15 minutes. It’s essential to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and start the climb early in the morning to avoid the high midday temperatures. Some local agencies offer transportation services to the base of the hill.
Pampas Galeras Landscape Reserve
Two hours from Nazca, this reserve protects the most important population of vicuñas in Peru. During the 3-kilometer tour, you can observe herds of these Andean camelids in their natural habitat, along with vizcachas, Andean foxes, and various bird species.
The interpretation center explains the conservation programs and the community shearing process of vicuñas that takes place every two years. The marked trails allow you to walk among the animals while maintaining a respectful distance, as local guides share knowledge about the highland ecology.
Ingenio Valley and its aqueducts
The underground aqueducts of Cantallo represent a feat of hydraulic engineering from the Nazca culture. These channels, built over 1,500 years ago, continue to transport water from underground sources to current farmland.
You can descend through “eyes” (spiral openings) that allow access to the aqueducts for maintenance. The system includes 36 aqueducts that irrigate approximately 100 hectares of agricultural land. The visit includes a walk through the valley where you’ll see how ancient technology keeps the desert green.
Tradition, faith, and local life
Santiago Apóstol Church
This 17th-century colonial church features a sober architecture adapted to the seismic conditions of the region. Its interior houses golden baroque altarpieces and an image of Santiago Apóstol, the city’s patron saint, which is especially venerated during the festivities in July.
The thick adobe walls and the huarango wood structure withstood the 1996 earthquake that destroyed much of modern Nazca. During the visit, you’ll observe colonial architectural elements such as the coffered ceiling and the confessionals carved from local wood.
Main Square (Plaza de Armas) of Nazca
The heart of the rebuilt city retains the original colonial layout with the central square surrounded by arcades. The gardens include drought-resistant native species and a central fountain that serves as a meeting point for locals.
From the square, you can easily access restaurants, craft shops, and tourism agencies. The surrounding buildings showcase contemporary architecture developed after the 1996 earthquake, featuring anti-seismic structures that respect the traditional urban scale.
Local craft centers
Family workshops perpetuate ancestral techniques of pottery, following the iconographic patterns of the Nazca culture. You can observe the complete process from modeling to firing and participate in workshops where you’ll create your own pieces under the supervision of local artisans.
The textiles made from native cotton and dyed with natural pigments reproduce the designs found in pre-Hispanic tombs. Each piece requires weeks of manual work, and artisans explain the symbolism of the geometric and zoomorphic motifs characteristic of the region.
Markets and typical cuisine
The central market operates from 6:00 AM, offering agricultural products from the valley irrigated by ancestral aqueducts. You’ll find fruits like figs, pomegranates, and avocados, along with vegetables grown using traditional methods that make the most of available water.
The local cuisine incorporates ingredients from the desert and culinary techniques adapted to the arid climate. The zarandaja bean, grown only in this region, is prepared stewed with goat or pork. The picarones made with loche squash and purple sweet potato are served with chancaca honey, while the fermented chicha de jora represents the ceremonial drink inherited from pre-Hispanic cultures.
Tips for your trip
Recommended routes and combined tours
Organize your visit starting with the flight over the Nazca Lines early in the morning when weather conditions are most stable. Continue with a visit to the Antonini Museum to contextualize what you’ve observed from the air, and dedicate the afternoon to the Cantallo aqueducts.
The second day combines Cahuachi with the Chauchilla Cemetery, as both sites are in the same direction. For the third day, if you have time, schedule an excursion to Pampas Galeras or an adventure in the dunes based on your preferences for nature and adrenaline.
Safety tips and practical recommendations
Always bring sunscreen with a factor of 50 or higher, as ultraviolet radiation in the desert reaches extreme levels year-round. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeved clothing will protect you during outdoor walks.
Stay hydrated by drinking water constantly, especially during physical activities like climbing Cerro Blanco or walking through archaeological sites. Daytime temperatures can exceed 35°C while nighttime temperatures drop drastically.
For the flight, avoid eating a heavy breakfast and take motion sickness medication an hour beforehand if you’re prone to this issue. Airlines have weight restrictions, so confirm these details when making your reservation.
Hire services from established companies for archaeological tours and dune adventures. Official guides have specialized knowledge and insurance that covers risky activities. Keep your identification documents with you at all times, as some archaeological sites require data verification for entry.