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Nazca Lines

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Historical site
—°5
Nazca Lines (Peru)

Weather…

The Nazca Lines are a series of enormous geoglyphs etched into the soil of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru, created by the Nazca culture between 500 BC and 500 AD. Spanning an area of roughly 450 square kilometers, the site features hundreds of individual figures, ranging from simple geometric lines to complex zoomorphic shapes like a monkey, hummingbird, and spider. The lines were formed by removing the dark, iron-oxide coated pebbles from the desert surface to reveal the lighter-colored clay and lime subsoil underneath. Because of the hyper-arid, windless climate of the region, these fragile structures have remained remarkably preserved for over 1,500 years. Maria Reiche, a German mathematician, dedicated most of her life to documenting and protecting the lines, theorizing they served as an astronomical calendar. Since 1994, the Nazca Lines have been a UNESCO World Heritage site, and new figures continue to be discovered using modern satellite imaging and drones.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C191919191818171818181818
Rain mm23221956132481221

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The Nazca Lines are an archaeological site that can be viewed from observation towers along the Pan-American Highway. Access to the lines themselves is prohibited for protection.
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Typical hours
The observation towers are typically open daily from sunrise to sunset. Overflights are usually offered in the morning or late afternoon.
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Photography
Photos from the observation towers are allowed and offer good perspectives. A camera with a telephoto lens is recommended for the best aerial shots.
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Time needed
Visiting the observation towers typically takes 30 minutes to an hour. A scenic flight over the lines takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
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Combine with
Combine the visit with nearby Nazca town and the Chauchilla Cemetery. The Maria Reiche Museum also provides in-depth information.
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Getting there
The observation towers are directly on the Pan-American Highway, about 20 km north of Nazca. They are accessible by car or taxi.
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Insider tip
Book a scenic flight early in the morning when the air is calmer and lighting is convenient. Wear sunscreen and a hat as it gets very hot in the desert.

Geography

Coordinates
-14.73300, -75.13000

Facts

  • The geoglyphs cover an area of approximately 450 square kilometers.
  • Some of the largest animal figures measure over 200 meters in length.
  • They were created by the Nazca people between 500 BC and 500 AD.
  • Maria Reiche studied and protected the site from 1940 until 1998.
  • Over 300 distinct figures and thousands of lines have been identified so far.
  • The Nazca Lines were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Nazca LinesNazca Lines2 km · NEExplore →
CahuachiCahuachi3 km · NWExplore →
Marcona MineMarcona Mine14 km · WExplore →
Port of San Juan de MarconaPort of San Juan de Marcona18 km · WExplore →
NazcaNazca21 km · NExplore →
Chauchilla CemeteryChauchilla Cemetery24 km · NExplore →
Tacama VineyardTacama Vineyard69 km · SExplore →
IcaIca69 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Nazca Lines (5)

Monolítico🏺 historical

An ancient monolithic structure standing solitary in the vast, arid expanse of the Nazca archaeological region.

Serpiente Grande🏺 historical

A giant geoglyph tracing the undulating, serpentine form of a large snake across the dry desert floor.

Giant📍 landmark

An enormous anthropomorphic geoglyph etched into a desert hillside, forming part of the world-famous Nazca Lines.

Geoglifo de un cabeza animal? con diente y lengua🏺 historical

A curious geoglyph outlining an animal head, featuring distinctly carved details that resemble teeth and a tongue.

Llamas📍 landmark

Ancient desert ground drawings outlining the figures of llamas, an animal of central importance to pre-Columbian Andean cultures.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How to best see the Nazca lines?
By small plane from Nazca or Ica.
Are the flights suitable for everyone?
No, because they are very bumpy, motion sickness is a possibility.
Can you see the lines from the ground?
Only very limited from an observation tower.
When is the best time to fly?
Early in the morning, when the air is calmer.
What is the best season?
All year round, as it barely rains.
Nazca Lines: where is it located?
Nazca Lines is located in Peru.
Nazca Lines: what is there to see?
Highlights include Monolítico, Serpiente Grande, Giant.
Nazca Lines: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Sep.
Nazca Lines: why is it worth visiting?
The Nazca Lines are a series of enormous geoglyphs etched into the soil of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru, created by the Nazca culture between 500 BC and 500 AD.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
South America
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Nearby cities

Ica — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Ica
The heart of Peruvian wine and pisco production, surrounded by desert and sand dunes.
Huancayo — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Huancayo
Cultural center in the central highlands.

History & landmarks

Nazca Lines — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Nazca Lines
Huge geoglyphs in the desert of Peru depicting geometric figures and animals, best seen from the air.
Nazca — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Nazca
Famous for the mysterious Nazca Lines, giant geoglyphs etched into the arid Peruvian desert.

Nature

Huacachina Oasis — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Huacachina Oasis
The Huacachina Oasis is a natural desert lake surrounded by massive sand dunes.

More places

Cahuachi — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Cahuachi
A large ceremonial center of the Nazca culture with adobe pyramids.
Marcona Mine — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Marcona Mine
The only major iron ore mine in Peru, located near the coast in the Ica region.
Port of San Juan de Marcona — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Port of San Juan de Marcona
This port in the Ica region is primarily used for exporting iron ore from nearby mines.
Chauchilla Cemetery — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Chauchilla Cemetery
A desert cemetery of the Nazca culture, where extremely well-preserved mummies can be seen in open tombs.
Tacama Vineyard — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Tacama Vineyard
One of the oldest vineyards in South America, producing wine and pisco in the fertile Ica oasis.
Paracas National Reserve — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Paracas National Reserve
A protected coastal desert area serving as an important habitat for many marine animals and migratory birds.
Hacienda San José Agriculture — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Hacienda San José Agriculture
A historic agricultural estate in Chincha, known for its sugarcane and cotton production.
Paracas Peninsula — Nazca Lines (Peru)
Paracas Peninsula
A desert coastal peninsula known for its rich marine biodiversity and prehistoric cultures.