What is Nazca and Why Was It Declared a World Heritage Site?

The Nazca lines and geoglyphs form a unique and magnificent artistic achievement that is unrivalled in its dimensions and diversity anywhere in the prehistoric world. This unique form of land use bears exceptional witness to the culture and beliefs of this region of pre-Hispanic South America.

Spread across an incredible 500 sq km of arid, rock-strewn plain in the Pampa Colorada (Red Plain), the Nazca Lines remain one of the world's great archaeological mysteries. Consisting of more than 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures and, concentrated ina relatively small area, some 70 spectacular animal and plant drawings, the Lines are almost imperceptible at ground level. It's only when viewed from above that they form their striking network of enormous stylized figures and channels, many of which radiate from a central axis. The figures are mostly etched out in single continuous lines, while the encompassing figures form perfect triangles, rectangles or straight lines running for several miles across the dessert.

The lines were made by the simple process of removing the dark sun-baked stones from the surface of the desert and piling them up on either side of the lines, thus exposing the lighter powdery soil below. The most elaborate designs represent animals, including a 500 ft long lizard, a monkey with an extravagantly curled tail, and a condor with a 300 ft wingspan. There's also a hummingbird, a spider and an intriguing owl-headed person on a hillside popularly referred to as an astronaut because of its goldfish-bowl-shaped head, though some are of the opinion that it's a priest with a mystical owl's head.

You can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Website and find out more about the Nazca lines.

 

Here is your Itinerary for your 2 night/2 day Optional Nazca tour

Day 14: Lima-Ica-The Nazca Lines

We've spent our first night in Lima at the Hotel Faraona after the end of the main tour. In the morning , we travel by bus south to Ica

In the afternoon, we fly over the Nasca Lines, one of the most impressive and mysterious patterns which connect us with the Cosmos.

(Breakfast)

Overnight in Nasca.

Day 15: Nasca-Lima-Flight Home

Early departure for Paracas. There, we sail by motor launch to the Ballestas Islands where we will observe marine wolves, penguins and marine birds in the National Reserve of Paracas.

On the way back we will see the famous "Candelabro" which is a drawing in the sand with the shape of a candelabrum.

Return to Lima to the airport. For evening flights northward. ¡Buen viaje!

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