Nazca Lines
Known by professionals as “geoglyphs,” the Nazca Lines always provoke a strong reaction in visitors to the area. Giant illustrations of plants and animals spread out over 280 square miles (450 km) of desert plateau in Peru’s southern lowlands. No one has yet proposed a compelling explanation for their placement or their location. There are approximately 70 designs—the most famous and frequently photographed of these designs are the monkey, the spider, and the hummingbird. Other illustrations depict fish, killer whales, lizards, and sharks. Some of the designs have dimensions as large as 660 feet (220 m).
Surrounded by shifting dunes, it may seem odd that such ancient designs would have remained intact, since their creation sometime around the 5th century. They owe their preservation to the windless conditions in the desert. The lines aren’t very deep, created by simply removing the reddish upper crust of the terrain. Below the red rocks is a much paler layer of rock, creating a striking contrast.
On your visit, you’ll probably hear the theory that the Nazca Lines served as landing strips for alien space crafts. It’s easily laughed off, but the fact remains that we have yet to discover the designs’ true purpose. Some of the other discoveries in the areas – of altars and clay flutes – have prompted some historians to speculate that it served a religious function.
Maybe you won’t come up with a prize-winning theory, but try to get a good look at the lines anyway. Hike one of the nearby dunes to see the lines from a distance—Cerro Blanco is an enormous dune with a great view of the glyphs. You won’t be able to see the designs in their entirety, but as far as we know, neither did the Nazca. This adds to the mystery – how did the Nazca make such geometrically precise designs, without ever seeing them in full?
Luckily, you won’t have the same disadvantage. It has become popular to see the lines by plane, so you can see all of the designs in about 30 minutes. To get a closer look at the area from the ground, visitors often incorporate sandboarding, biking, and dune buggies into their exploration of the desert surrounding the Nazca Lines.
Experiences in Nazca Lines
Explore hand-picked Nazca Lines tours and experiences led by local insiders, from wildlife encounters to cultural deep-dives.
Where to stay in Nazca Lines
From boutique lodges to luxury resorts, every Nazca Lines accommodation is hand-picked by our local insiders for location, comfort, and character.
Casa Andina Classic Nasca
Casa Andina Classic Nasca is set within the town of Nasca. The hotel has comfy rooms and is a central location in Nasca.
Kunan Wasi Hotel
Nazca’s economy depends largely on a busy tourist trade, a result the local attractions, including the mysterious Nazca Lines. Kunan Wasi Hotel offers a calm, quiet respite to travelers in need of a good night’s sleep before they go see some of the most famous wonders of the ancient world.
El Majoro
Get a cozy room at El Majoro and embrace the calm of this rustic hotel in Nazca. The Majoro building was built in the late 17th century, and spent most of its life as a convent. Remodeled with guest rooms and modern amenities, you’ll get a glimpse of a small slice of Peru’s history and culture just by wandering around its spacious grounds.
Nuevo Cantalloc
The Nuevo Cantalloc hotel is designed to look like a charming colonial-era building. Set just a short distance from several famous ancient Nazca and prehistoric sites, this hotel is an oasis in the desert. The Nuevo Cantalloc provides lots of creature comforts to travelers who need to unwind after a long day of trekking through rough terrain while unraveling the mystery of the Nazca people.
Nazca Lines itineraries
Explore hand-picked Nazca Lines itineraries designed by local insiders who know every hidden corner. Each trip is completely flexible, customized to your pace, travel style, and budget.
19 days · Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Arequipa +5
Family
Elisa and her Greek family explored Peru’s diverse landscapes on a memorable 20 day adventure. They journeyed from the Paracas desert and Huacachina dunes to the high Andes of Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, and Machu Picchu. Friendly local guides shared traditions and stories, letting the family feel Peru’s warm hospitality and leaving them with a deeper appreciation for its vibrant heritage.
Peru
15 days · Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Arequipa +4
Solo
Take yourself to a whirlwind adventure through one of South America’s most vibrant countries with this ‘best of’ expedition through Peru.
Peru
14 days · Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, Aguas Calientes +1
Family
Without doubt!!! Thank you for making our vacation perfect! We are truly grateful
Peru
8 days · Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Paracas
Couple
Peru is a beautiful country and we’re blown away by all the things we’ve seen. We were caught completely by surprise by the breathtaking coastline views.
Peru
14 days · Lima, Puerto Maldonado, Cusco, Aguas Calientes +1
Family
Anywhere made this so easy! No glitches in our travels at all. From the hike to Machu Picchu to speeding through sand dunes in a buggy, the entire experience was out of this world.
Peru
14 days · Lima, Cusco, Puno, Arequipa +2
Couple
I really could not be happier. The Anywhere Team made me feel like a VIP my entire time in Peru. The hotels were very nice & safe. The food was fantastic. Transportation was smooth, nice trains, safe airlines. I recommend Peru to all travelers!
Peru
