Tours in Nazca

The Nazca Lines are one of the world’s great archaeological mysteries. Traced into the coastal desert of southern Peru between 500 BC and 500 AD by the Nazca culture, these enormous geometric and zoomorphic figures (the condor, the hummingbird, the monkey, the spider, the astronaut) are only fully visible from the air, which has fueled decades of theories about their origin and purpose.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, the Nazca Lines cover an area of 450 km². The small-plane flyover of the figures is the only way to appreciate them in their full scale and is, without a doubt, one of the most impressive and unforgettable experiences in all of Peru.

Machu Picchu Peru Tours runs the Nazca Lines tour as a 1-day excursion from Lima (8 hours round trip by bus) or from Ica/Paracas, with a small-plane flight, a visit to the viewpoint and optional tours to the Cantalloc aqueducts and the Cahuachi pyramids.

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Travel guide: Nazca

Practical info to plan your visit

Best time to visit

Nazca can be visited year-round. The climate is desert-like, arid and warm (20-35°C). Flight conditions are generally good, though strong afternoon winds can cancel or delay flights. It's best to fly early in the morning (8am-11am) when the air is calmer. In summer (December-March) temperatures are higher but flight demand is lower.

Getting around

Nazca is a small city and the tourist sites (airfields, Ground Viewpoint, Cantalloc aqueducts) are 2-10 km from downtown. Taxis are the way to get around: S/. 10-20 per ride. The Maria Reiche airfield (flights over the Lines) is 3 km from downtown. Machu Picchu Peru Tours coordinates all transport on its Lima-Nazca-Lima tours, including transfers to the airfield and the viewpoint.

What to pack

Motion sickness medication: The small planes bank frequently. If you're sensitive to motion, take an anti-nausea pill 1 hour before the flight. Pilots recommend it to everyone.
Camera or smartphone: Keep your phone or camera well secured. There's little stability in the small aircraft.
Light clothing: Nazca is hot. Bring summer clothes, sunscreen and sunglasses.
Cash: The small airfields and local museums prefer cash.

Must-see places

The small-plane flight (early morning): The main experience, 30-35 minutes over the figures. Fly before 11am for the best conditions.
Cantalloc aqueducts: An underground hydraulic system built by the Nazca culture that's still working 1,500 years later. A testament to pre-Inca ingenuity rarely mentioned in guidebooks.
Ground Viewpoint: For those who can't fly 3 figures visible from the ground (Hands, Tree and Lizard).
Antonini Museum: The best museum on the Nazca culture in the city, with ceramics and textiles.

Tourism in Nazca

Top attractions

Nazca Lines (UNESCO)
Chauchilla Cemetery
Cantalloc Aqueducts
Maria Reiche Museum
Natural Viewpoint
Interpretation Center

Main activities

Nazca Lines small-plane flyover
Cantalloc aqueducts tour
Chauchilla cemetery visit
Dune buggy tour over the pampas
Nazca Planetarium
Maria Reiche Museum visit

Climate in Nazca

Nazca has one of the most arid climates on the planet. Intense sun all year round.

Summer - November to April

20 to 35 C (very hot; get up early for the flight)

Winter - May to October

15 to 25 C (cool and sunny; best time for the flight)

How to get to Nazca?

From Lima

Bus: 7-8 hours (Cruz del Sur, Oltursa)
Plane: Private charter or flyover tour only

From Ica

Bus: 2 hours
Plane: Not applicable

From Arequipa

Bus: 10 hours
Plane: Not applicable

Where to stay in Nazca?

5★ Hotels

Nazca downtown - Nazca Lines Hotel
Casa Andina Select Nazca

3★ & 4★ Hotels

Nazca downtown (near the airfield)
Via La Encantada

Where to eat in Nazca?

Regional dishes

Via La Encantada Hotel Restaurant
Los Angeles Restaurant Nazca

National dishes

La Taberna (Nazca downtown)
El Huarango Restaurant

Festivities in Nazca

Tourist events

Nazca Lines Festival - October

Regional festivities

Feast of the Virgen de Guadalupe - December
Nazca Anniversary - September

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Nazca

How much does the Nazca Lines flyover cost?

The small-plane flyover of the Nazca Lines costs between $65 and $120 USD depending on the operator and flight duration. The standard 30-35 minute flight costs $65-80 USD per person. Airport fees of about S/.30 are added. Machu Picchu Peru Tours includes the flight in the total tour price.

Can the Nazca Lines be seen from the ground?

Yes, partially. From the free Ground Viewpoint you can see 3 figures: the Hands, the Tree and the Lizard. But to appreciate the most famous figures (Condor, Monkey, Spider, Hummingbird) you need the small-plane flight, since these lines are only recognizable from a height of 300-500 meters.

Is the Nazca Lines tour worth it?

Yes, especially if you combine the flight with a visit to the Cantalloc aqueducts and the desert surroundings. The flyover is a unique experience that can't be replicated anywhere else in the world. If the Lima-Nazca-Lima logistics in one day feel too long, consider combining it with a night in Ica/Paracas.

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Traveler experiences

Hear from Those Who Have Experienced the Magic of Our Tours

4.9 out of 5 from more than 1,200 reviews

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Carmelo G.

jun. 2026 • Parejas

Fue una linda experiencia y un servicio muy profesional de la agencia.

VIAJANDO CON GATITOS

jul. 2026

Recomendamos al 100% la agencia Machu Picchu Peru Tours. Nos atendieron desde el momento en que llegamos y estuvieron pendientes de nosotros durante todo el viaje. La atención al cliente fue excelente, siempre muy amables y atentos. Los hoteles fueron muy buenos y todos los servicios estuvieron muy bien organizados. Sin duda, una excelente opción para conocer Cusco y Machu Picchu. ¡Muchas gracias por hacer de nuestro viaje una experiencia inolvidable!

Agostina Z.

ago. 2026

Muy linda experiencia! El traslado y el guía estuvieron muy bien. Es una caminata exigente pero muy bonita. Estaría bueno tener una media hora más para recuperarse y subir hasta la cima donde salen mejores fotos. Al menos con mi estado físico no me dio el aire para hacer todo tan rápido!

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Travel guide: Nazca

Best time to visit

Getting around

What to pack

Must-see places

Tourism in Nazca

Top attractions

Main activities

Climate in Nazca

How to get to Nazca?

From Lima

From Ica

From Arequipa

Where to stay in Nazca?

5★ Hotels

3★ & 4★ Hotels

Where to eat in Nazca?

Regional dishes

National dishes

Festivities in Nazca

Tourist events

Regional festivities

Frequently Asked Questions

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Hear from Those Who Have Experienced the Magic of Our Tours

Carmelo G.

VIAJANDO CON GATITOS

Agostina Z.

Lucianna B.

Agostina Z.

Mónica B.

Ready to explore Nazca?