Things to do in Nasca

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Peru

Nazca Lines

Nazca Lines are a series of giant geoglyphs carved into the Nasca Desert in southern Peru, created by the Paracas and Nasca people over 2,000 years ago. The ancient people removed the dark, iron oxide-coated gravel from the surface to reveal the lighter-colored sand beneath, and they drew thousands of straight lines on the ground, as well as geometric shapes like triangles and spirals, and dozens of animal and plant figures such as hummingbirds, monkeys, spiders, and condors. The total length of the lines exceeds 1,000 km, stretching across the arid plateau between the towns of Nasca and Palpa. It is precisely because of the dry, windless climate here that these patterns have been preserved in their original state to this day. The scale of these patterns is far beyond imagination. The hummingbird figure alone is nearly 100 m long. It is difficult to recognize the full picture while standing on the ground. Only by ascending into the air can one see the complete outline. Therefore, taking a small aircraft for a low-altitude flight has become the iconic way to tour this site.

Plaza de Armas de Nazca

AeroNasca

Plaza Mayor Turística de Vista Alegre

Didactic Museum Antonini (Museo Antonini)

Didactic Museum Antonini (Museo Antonini) is located east of Nasca and features replica tombs and scale models of the Nazca Lines, which provide a general overview of the Nasca culture. The back garden also contains an original pre-Columbian aqueduct, which is a highlight.

Acueductos de Cantalloc

Los Paredones

Planetarium María Reiche

Cerámicas Emilia

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Peru

Las Ballestas

Las Ballestas are often called the "Galápagos of Peru." The desert coast, steep cliffs, and rugged rocky islands create a desolate yet unique natural landscape. The islands are home to tens of thousands of seabirds, including Humboldt penguins, Peruvian pelicans, cormorants, and Peruvian boobies. The Humboldt Current, which flows along the coast of Peru, is responsible for this ecological wonder. The current brings nutrient-rich deep-sea water to the surface, nourishing vast amounts of plankton and fish, providing an abundant food source for seabirds and marine mammals. Birds have nested on the cliffs for years, and the accumulated guano covers the entire rock face—historically, these guano layers were once dozens of m thick and were once an important source of natural fertilizer for Peru. Today, when touring the islands by boat, in addition to the dense flocks of birds, you can also see South American sea lions basking on the rocks, and occasionally dolphins appearing in the nearby waters.