DISCOVERING NASCA
Discovering Nasca, Peru: Lines, Legends, and Local Treasures
When travelers think of Peru, Machu Picchu and Cusco often come to mind first. But tucked away in the desert plains of the southern coast lies Nasca (or Nazca), a destination shrouded in mystery, history, and culture. Known worldwide for its enigmatic geoglyphs, Nasca offers so much more than the famous lines. From ancient aqueducts to traditional pottery, local cuisine, and hidden desert landscapes, this region rewards visitors who take the time to explore.
A Brief History of Nasca
The Nasca civilization flourished between roughly 100 BCE and 800 CE, in one of the harshest desert regions in the world. Despite the extreme dryness, the Nasca people developed ingenious methods to survive and prosper. Their most remarkable achievement was the creation of the puquios, a system of underground aqueducts and spiraling ventilation shafts that allowed them to channel groundwater to irrigate crops. These structures are still functioning today, proving just how advanced their engineering skills were.
The Nasca were also exceptional artisans. Their ceramics are some of the most colorful and detailed in pre-Columbian America, often depicting animals, plants, and mythological beings. Their textiles, woven from cotton and alpaca wool, were equally impressive, with vibrant dyes and intricate patterns. These artistic creations often carried religious or ritual meaning, reflecting a worldview deeply connected to nature and the supernatural.
Perhaps the most enduring legacy of the Nasca culture is the Nasca Lines, immense geoglyphs covering about 500 square kilometers of desert. The figures range from simple geometric shapes to animals like monkeys, hummingbirds, and whales, as well as mysterious humanoid shapes. Theories about their purpose range from astronomical calendars to ritual pathways connected to water worship, which was central to the Nasca’s survival in the desert.
By around 800 CE, the Nasca civilization declined, likely due to a combination of climate change (prolonged droughts) and natural disasters like El Niño floods, which damaged their irrigation systems. Eventually, the region came under the influence of the Wari Empire, and later the Incas, who left their own mark on the Nasca Valley with administrative centers like Paredones.
Today, Nasca’s legacy continues not only through archaeological sites and museums but also through the living traditions of its people, pottery, agriculture, and festivals that echo ancient practices.
Main Attractions
1. The Nasca Lines
The crown jewel of Nasca, these giant geoglyphs carved into the desert are one of archaeology’s greatest mysteries. Spanning an area of over 500 square kilometers, the figures include geometric shapes, plants, and animals such as the Hummingbird, Monkey, Spider, Condor, and Whale. Some stretch up to 300 meters in length.
How to See Them: The most breathtaking way is by airplane tour from Maria Reiche Airport, with flights lasting about 30–40 minutes. Pilots make sure to circle each figure from both sides so everyone gets a clear view.
For Budget Travelers: Visit the Mirador de Nasca, a 12-meter observation tower along the Pan-American Highway, where you can spot the Hands and the Tree.
Why They Matter: Their exact purpose remains unsolved—were they ritual walkways, astronomical calendars, or offerings to water deities? The mystery is part of the experience.
2. Cantalloc Aqueducts
The desert around Nasca is bone-dry, but the ancient Nasca people found a way to bring water to their fields. They built puquios, underground aqueducts lined with stone and dotted with spiral-shaped vents. Many of these aqueducts still work today, providing water to local farmers.
Walking through Cantalloc feels like stepping back in time—spiraling stone funnels descend into the earth, where you can see water flowing beneath.
It’s an incredible demonstration of the Nasca civilization’s engineering genius and resilience in one of the driest places on Earth.
3. Chauchilla Cemetery
Located about 30 km from Nasca, this ancient burial ground dates back nearly 1,000 years. Open tombs reveal mummies, bones, textiles, and pottery, preserved by the dry desert climate. Many of the mummies still have long braided hair and skin intact, making the experience both eerie and fascinating.
The site is not only about the dead—it also teaches visitors about Nasca burial rituals, their social structures, and their beliefs about the afterlife.
Local guides add layers of history, pointing out the differences between tombs of nobility and common people.
4. Paredones
While the Nasca are most famous for their geoglyphs, the Incas also left their mark on the region. Paredones was an Inca administrative center, used to control trade routes and oversee the fertile valley below.
You’ll find the remains of stone walls, terraces, and storehouses.
The site is small compared to Cusco’s Inca ruins, but it shows how the empire integrated Nasca into its vast network.
5. Antonini Archaeological Museum
If you want to truly understand what you’re seeing in Nasca, the Antonini Museum is essential. Managed by the Italian Archaeological Mission, it houses artifacts uncovered in local excavations.
Inside, you’ll find ceramics, textiles, tools, and even a model of the aqueduct system, helping you visualize how the Nasca people lived.
There’s also a scale model of the Nasca Lines, perfect for visitors who may not be taking a flight.
The museum’s garden includes reconstructed aqueducts and native plants, bringing the desert environment to life.
6. Cerro Blanco. The Giant Dune of Nasca
For those looking to mix adventure with desert beauty, Cerro Blanco is an unmissable stop. Rising about 2,080 meters (6,824 ft) above sea level, The highest sand dune in the world. From its summit, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the Nasca Valley, the surrounding mountains, and the endless desert stretching toward the coast.
Getting to the top isn’t easy, it’s a strenuous hike of 3–4 hours through shifting sand and steep inclines. But the reward is unforgettable: adrenaline seekers often bring sandboards or arrange tours with local operators to ride down the dune’s massive slopes. Imagine sliding for several kilometers on soft, golden sand with the Andes as your backdrop—it’s one of the most unique adventure experiences in Peru.
For those who prefer to take it slower, Cerro Blanco is also perfect for sunrise or sunset hikes. The light paints the desert in surreal shades of orange and purple, making it a photographer’s dream.
Because of its difficulty and relative obscurity, Cerro Blanco tends to stay off the main tourist radar, giving you a chance to experience the desert in near solitude—something rare in Peru’s more famous destinations.
Tours and Experiences
Flight over the Lines: The most iconic tour, available daily from morning until midday (winds increase in the afternoon).
Nasca Desert Tour: Explore archaeological sites, aqueducts, and cemeteries with a knowledgeable local guide.
Adventure Tours: Sandboarding and dune buggy rides can be arranged in the nearby desert, similar to Huacachina but less crowded.
Cultural Workshops: Join local artisans to learn about traditional pottery and weaving techniques.
Getting to Nasca
From Lima: Take a bus (7–9 hours) along the scenic Pan-American Highway. Cruz del Sur and Oltursa are reliable options.
From Arequipa: Buses take around 9–10 hours, making Nasca a good stop between Arequipa and Lima.
From Cusco: The bus ride is long (14–16 hours), but many travelers break the journey in Arequipa or Ica.
Food and Local Flavors
Nasca’s desert climate influences its cuisine, with dishes rich in corn, beans, and meats. Some highlights:
Rostro Asado (Roast Pork Face): A unique traditional dish often served during festivals.
Pachamanca: Meat and vegetables slow-cooked underground with hot stones.
Chocotejas: Chocolate-covered sweets filled with manjar blanco, nuts, or fruit.
Pisco Sour: While Ica is the official home of pisco, Nasca also has vineyards producing this national spirit.
Lesser-Known & Off-the-Beaten-Path
Cahuachi Ceremonial Center
One of the most important, yet least visited, archaeological sites in Peru, Cahuachi was the religious capital of the Nasca culture. This massive adobe complex stretches across 24 square kilometers and includes pyramids, temples, and ceremonial plazas. Archaeologists believe it was a pilgrimage site where rituals connected to fertility and water took place.
Excavations continue today, slowly revealing its importance.
Few tourists make the journey, so walking among the partially restored pyramids feels like discovering a hidden city in the desert.
Ingenio Valley
Located just outside of Nasca, the Ingenio Valley is where you can see how the ancient puquios aqueducts still sustain life in the desert. The valley is green and fertile thanks to these underground channels.
Farmers here still grow crops like maize, beans, and cotton, much like the Nasca did centuries ago.
A visit offers a more authentic, rural glimpse of daily life that most tourists miss.
Los Paredones de Nasca (Expanded Area)
Beyond the better-known ruins of Paredones, the surrounding area has smaller, less-visited Inca structures scattered across the desert. Some tours include short hikes to explore these remnants, showing how the Incas managed resources in a harsh climate.
El Telar & Llipata Petroglyphs
For those fascinated by ancient art beyond the Lines, the petroglyphs of Llipata and El Telar are a treat. These rock carvings feature spirals, animals, and human figures, and are thought to predate or complement the geoglyph tradition.
They’re harder to reach (usually by guided tours), which keeps them quiet and uncrowded.
Dunes & Stargazing
The desert around Nasca is one of the clearest skies in Peru. Away from city lights, the stars blanket the night sky. Local guides sometimes offer stargazing tours, blending astronomy with ancient Nasca cosmology.
San Fernando National Reserve (Day Trip)
A bit further afield, near the coast, lies the San Fernando National Reserve—a hidden gem for wildlife lovers. Here, desert meets ocean, creating a unique ecosystem where you can spot sea lions, Andean condors, and even Humboldt penguins. Very few tourists make it here, making it a true off-the-grid adventure.
Culture & Festivals
Virgen de Guadalupe Festival (October): Religious processions, music, and dancing fill the streets of Nasca.
Local Handicrafts: Pottery inspired by ancient designs and woven textiles are popular souvenirs.
Daily Life: Wander the central plaza to see how locals live today in a town that blends modern Peru with echoes of its ancient past.
Tips for Travelers
Best Time to Visit: April to November, when skies are clear for flights.
Altitude: Unlike Cusco, Nasca sits at a low elevation (~520 m), so no altitude sickness.
Weather: Hot and dry year-round, bring sunscreen, a hat, and water.
Flights: Book your Nasca Lines flight in advance, but always reconfirm on arrival as weather conditions can delay flights.
Why Visit Nasca?
Nasca is more than just a stopover, it’s a place where mystery, history, and desert beauty converge. Whether you’re flying over the geoglyphs, exploring ancient aqueducts, or enjoying local food and culture, Nasca offers a journey into one of Peru’s most fascinating civilizations.
If you’re traveling between Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco, don’t miss the chance to pause here. The desert may look barren from afar, but within it lies a wealth of stories waiting to be uncovered.
