Peru is an unparalleled country with too much to offer. It is considered a high tourist center with many destinations to visit and discover. Some places within the vast spectrum of places to visit are full of history and mystery.
One of these famous destinations is Nazca Lines, where the ancient ruins still contain unsolved mysteries that leave historians thinking. For this reason, together with Machu Travel Peru, we have prepared a small article on the best things to do in Nazca. When you visit this beautiful place, you will be ready and not miss anything.
As we know, Nazca is a beautiful place full of mysteries. One of its main attractions is visiting its famous lines, but it is not necessarily the only one. The Nazca Lines are shrouded in a lot of mystery, and to this day, their origin is totally unknown. One of the great unknowns that certain scholars ask themselves is how were the Nazca Lines made?
Many theories surround this issue, but it will be better to do your research and hypotheses on the matter. So, as we will see below, inside Nazca, you can do much more than fly over its well-known geoglyphs.
Some of the best things to do in Nazca
- Fly over the Nazca Lines
- Cantalloc Aqueducts
- Explore the Museo Antonini
- Chauchillas Cemetery
- Los Paredones Ruins
- Cahuachi Pyramids
- Visit the Museo Maria Reiche
- Observation Tower
- Sandboarding in the dunes
Fly over the Nazca Lines
The lines are the main attraction in Nazca. The best way to appreciate this work of art is by a light aircraft flights over the Nazca Lines. The lines, geometric figures, animals, and anthropomorphic figures are visible above. One of the most iconic figures is the Nazca Lines hummingbird, which reaches an astonishing 305 feet in height.
These lines have a great history, and many Nazca Lines theories surround them. Some theories suggest that aliens created the Nazca Lines. Others propose that they were used as a calendar. Some believe they were used for irrigation purposes. Still, others think they were created for religious reasons.
No historian knows for sure what these beautiful lines in the middle of the desert mean. However, many believe they could be an astrological calendar. To take the plane, you can make a reservation with a tourist agency or operator, and you will not miss anything. Remember that many people are interested in observing these beautiful geoglyphs, so the best thing to do is make a reservation before leaving and get your Nazca Lines flights.
Exploring the Nazca Lines is a fascinating and visually spectacular journey. It also invites travelers to reflect on the mysteries and wonders hidden in every corner of our world. Don’t wait any longer and fly over Nazca Lines.
Cantalloc Aqueducts
The Nazca Lines map is practically deserted and extremely dry. So the big question is, how did ancient civilizations survive? The answer is quite simple: through a set of intelligent irrigation channels. Among its main irrigation channels are some known as the Aqueducts of Cantalloc.
Thousands of years ago, the Nazca people built a system of “Puquios“. The word Puquios can be translated from Quechua to “natural spring”. This incredible archaeological site is worth a visit if you are around. Therefore, if you are looking for things to do in Nazca, we highly recommend a visit to this site. It is located on the city’s outskirts, and you can witness the ancient ingenuity of the first civilizations. Without a doubt, exploring the acueducto de Cantalloc is a must!
Explore the Museo Antonini
The Antonini Museum is a didactic place dedicated to the Nazca culture. It has an archaeological park where archaeological finds recovered between 1982 and 2011 can be viewed. The park also contains reconstructions of tombs, micro cave paintings, models of geoglyphs, and bisambra aqueducts.
Visit the Antonini Museum to learn about pre-Columbian cultures. The museum is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Chauchillas Cemetery
Another attraction to enjoy within Nazca is to visit the Chauchillas Cemetery. After appreciating the different Nazca Lines images, visiting this necropolis is a good idea. Chauchillas is an ancient necropolis ideal for discovering the remains of the Nazca culture. This was the filming location for the classic Indiana Jones movie, the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. So you will have a great time while taking beautiful photos of the place.
There you can get an idea of the early life of the ancestral cultures that lived in the desert since you will be stepping on a burial place that is more than a thousand years old. Not only will you enjoy a place with a lot of history, but you will also see dozens of mummies on display.
Many tours in Peru show you the different mummies and trophy heads. Some companies also usually combine the tour with a ceramic production class. If you want to do things in Nazca, visit this cemetery.
Los Paredones Ruins
No more than two kilometers from the city of Nazca, you can find the ruins of Paredones. Inside this small archaeological site, you will see remains of what used to be an ancient city. It is believed to have been built sometime in the 1400s and was an important administrative center.
The site is neglected because most of its construction is done with Adobe. A central structure can be distinguished; warehouses, ceremonial areas, and other buildings surround it.
It is not a huge tourist attraction, but if you want to walk outside the city, it is a perfect opportunity. This one is not very well known among the different tourist sites in Peru, but it is an ideal option to unwind. Don’t forget to bring drinking water and some snacks for your tour.
Cahuachi Pyramids
An ancient ceremonial center not far from the region is worth a visit. The famous adobe pyramids of Cahuachi are located about 28 kilometers from Nazca on the left bank of the Nazca River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean.
The Cahuachi pyramids cover 360 acres and have over 40 mounds that look like pyramids. Many of these structures were built with adobe, so it is expected to see that they are not in excellent condition. These ruins are very little known, but they are among the most intriguing in the region. It’s one of the most underrated things to do in Peru.
Visit the Museo Maria Reiche
This museum is an iconic place in Nazca. It is inspired by the life and research of the German mathematician and archaeologist Maria Reiche. In Museo Maria Reiche, you can observe and explore more than 50 years of studies on the mysterious Nazca Lines.
In the museum, you can see Maria Reiche’s tools and utensils, which allowed her to investigate and gather information. You will also find didactic models using the ritual agricultural calendar, where the Nazca Lines represented the movement of the stars and planets.
This museum is significant because, thanks to Maria Reiche, UNESCO recognized the Nazca Lines as a world heritage site.
Observation Tower
Did you know there is a unique way to observe the Nazca Lines? It is through an impressive metal observation tower that is 20 meters high and can accommodate 25 people.
Climbing the observation tower to see the Nazca Lines is an absolutely once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will be able to contemplate different angles of each geoglyph from afar. Also, the average distance by catching a bus car from the Plaza de Armas of Nazca to the observatory located on the Panamerican Highway is 25 km, with an interval of 30 minutes.
Sandboarding tours
If you still don’t have enough, there is an opportunity for those eager for adrenaline and adventure. Adventure fans can try one of the best things to do in Nazca. In the deserts that surround the city, you will find a multitude of dunes such as Cerro Blanco, Tanaka or Toro Mata, to take advantage of different routes, from Buggy tours to Sandboarding. Depending on your taste, you can do both activities in an incredible combined tour.
During the tour, you can visit different points of the desert, such as the underground aqueducts of Cantalloc, the ruins of Cahuachi, and much more. If you are planning a trip to Peru, don’t miss out on this incredible activity and our Nazca Lines travel guide.
“THE DESERT IS A NATURAL EXTENSION OF THE INNER SILENCE OF THE BODY”
As you will see, Nazca has much more to offer than its renowned lines. Together with Machu Travel Peru, we hope we have been of assistance regarding the many places you will find in Nazca. Remember that it is not just about the lines; there are many more things to do in and out of the city. If you want to find out more about the different routes in the area, you can consult with our team of qualified advisers. We look forward to your early visit to the Andean Country.
