Nazca Lines

There are two ways to see the Nazca Lines: from an airplane tour and from an observation tower. The tower is accessible from the Pan-American Highways and allows for views of two mysterious shapes from above: hands and a tree. Bus tours often stop here for a look at the lines, but those with more time and a bigger budget may want to book a flight. Air tours typically last 30 minutes and fly over 15 shapes, including the famous geoglyphs of a dog and an "astronaut." It’s best to book in advance, as flights to this top attraction fill up quickly. Guided day trips around Nazca can include stops at local attractions including Huacachina Oasis.

• Request a morning flight (before 10:30am) for the best visibility.

• Book travel to Nazca Lines early, as it’s one of the top attractions in South America.

• If visiting on a cruise, look for shore excursion tours to the site.

• Those flying in from another country may want to bring cash for the airport tax (sometimes included in tours).

• Nazca Lines flights operate from Nazca, Ica, Lima, Paracas, and Pisco, with flights from further destinations offering faster and more convenient transportation at higher prices.

While it’s possible to take a public bus from Lima to the high desert of southern Peru, it’s faster to get to the Nazca Lines via a 7-hour tourist shuttle. Look for tours that include round-trip transportation from Lima for convenience. If coming from Cusco, it’s best to fly to Pisco or Lima and take a shuttle from there; those coming from Arequipa can take a long bus ride to Nazca or fly to Pisco or Lima first. The Maria Reiche Neuman Airport is only used for viewing the Nazca Lines.

Tours of the Nazca Lines run year round. You may get better views during the dry months, from June through August, but crowds will be smallest in early spring and fall.

Though less famous, the Pampas de Jumana Lines are almost 1,000 years older and depict equally astonishing subjects, including people and a complex calendar. Some tours offer hour-long flights over both sites.

There are two ways to see the Nazca Lines. The best viewpoint (and splurge-worthy) option is to book a flight and see the landmark from above, which costs about $100 per person. It is also possible to see the lines from a viewpoint on the ground for about $2 per person.

Yes, it is worth flying over the Nazca Lines. A bird’s eye view offers the best option for a comprehensive look at this site. However, visitors should be aware that flights often include sharp turns, which can leave some people feeling nauseous; take precautions with anti-nausea medication beforehand.

It depends on which route you take. People who fly to see the Nazca Lines will see the site over an approximate 20-minute airplane ride. Those who view the site from the ground typically spend an hour or less at the tower that offers views of the Nazca Lines.

Yes, you can see the Nazca Lines without flying. While an airplane ride does offer the best viewpoint of the Nazca Lines, there is also a tower to visit that provides a vantage point of Nazca Lines. However, it is not possible to walk among the Nazca Lines themselves.

No, you cannot walk on the Nazca Lines. While it’s impossible to get up close to this site on foot, there are two main ways to see it. The landmark can be seen from a viewing tower on the ground or above during a scenic airplane ride.

Morning is the best time of day to see the Nazca Lines. Scenic flights over the site begin early because wind conditions and visibility are often best in the morning. The high season to visit this landmark is December through March, or summer in the southern hemisphere.