Peru Image
Nazca Lines Map Preview

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).

Nazca Lines
Nazca Lines
Nazca Lines
Nazca Lines
Nazca Lines
Nazca Lines

More about Nazca Lines

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.

Nazca Lines HIGHLIGHTS

Moments to look forward to

14 days | $$

The VIP Experience in Peru

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!
The VIP Experience in Peru
Itinerary
View Details
Pisco Nazca Total
Pisco

Pisco Nazca Total

14 days | $$$

A Family Journey of a Lifetime

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.
A Family Journey of a Lifetime
Itinerary
View Details
Pisco Nazca Total
Paracas

Pisco Nazca Total

14 days | $$$

First Class Family Adventure in The Andes

Without doubt!!! Thank you for making our vacation perfect! We are truly grateful
First Class Family Adventure in The Andes
Itinerary
View Details
Nazca Classic Tour
Nazca

Nazca Classic Tour

15 days | $$$

Peruvian Highlights for One

Take yourself to a whirlwind adventure through one of South America’s most vibrant countries with this ‘best of’ expedition through Peru.
Peruvian Highlights for One
Itinerary
View Details
8 days | $$$

Romantic Journey to Machu Picchu

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.
Romantic Journey to Machu Picchu
Itinerary
View Details
Make the adventure yours

My dream trip in

Peru

That I’ll spend with Group type

Is filled with Trip type

Start my Adventureor
5 Starts
Loading...
View all reviews
Let’s dream together

Sign up to receive the latest news and offers from Anywhere

We care about the protection of your data.
Read our Privacy Policy.
© 2024 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.