More Than Lines: The Rest of Nazca, Peru

December 17, 2014 Pirwa

As world-famous as the Nazca Lines are, it’s no wonder that other worthy attractions nearby are often overlooked by rushed tourists. As proponents of slow, purposeful travel, we think that’s a shame. These other sights might lack the iconic status of the lines, but they can give you the insight you need to understand the mysterious Nazca culture, and to enjoy a few adrenaline rushes in the process…

The world’s largest adobe city may hold the secret of the Nazca Lines. The 2000 year old city of Cahuachi (Home of the Clairvoyants) predated the Nazca, but became a pilgrimage site and the ceremonial center of their civilization, which some speculate had some connection to the nearby lines. Cahuachi was abruptly abandoned after a series of devastating floods and the Huari invasion, and is still being excavated today. However, you can still visit its terraces, Great Pyramid, Necropolis, and Staggered Temple- just 20 minutes from downtown Nazca. Visit Cahuachi… by high-octane sand buggy, then stop by Huacachina Oasis for some extreme sandboarding!

The Mummies of Chauchillas

Thousand year old mummies so well-preserved that some still have their hair and skin, macabre trophy heads, headless bodies with ceramic ‘head jars’ with faces painted on them, skulls bearing the marks of brain surgery and deformation… the residents of this city of the dead provide intrepid visitors with a unique insight into the Nazca and their world. Visit Chauchillas Cemetery.

Cantayoc Aqueducts

Vineyards in the desert? The Nazca Civilization left their mark along the desert region of Peru in more ways than one: their network of underground aqueducts have a unique design unlike any you’ll see elsewhere, and are still in use after a milennia, bringing a green fertility into the region’s valleys. Visit Cantayoc Aqueducts.

Where to Stay in Nazca

You’ll find Pirwa Nazca only a few blocks from the main road along which lies the bus terminal and the Plaza de Armas, or main square, of Nazca- putting you within walking distance from restaurants, cafés, ATMs, banks, and sites of interest. A bright and cozy hostel with a sunny courtyard perfect for barbecuing or relaxing in a hammock, it offers a variety of communal spaces from guest kitchen to TV & movie lounge, both private rooms and shared dorms, and facilities including internet and wi-fi, and hot water 24/7. Pirwa Nazca receives consistently positive reviews from its guests and friends from all over the world.

Getting There Overnight buses to Nazca run from Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa. In Lima, you can make the trip during the daytime as well. From nearby Ica, travelers can get to Nazca in 2-3 hours by taking a shared taxi or small bus known as a colectivo, which will only set you back S/12 soles. Rather than arrive at a single terminal, most buses have their own stations, but you’ll find it difficult to avoid the hassle of touts trying to sell tours and to divert you to other hostels (with lies as to your hostel’s closure, lack of availability, etc) in order to extract commissions from local businesses.
Getting Around Once there, you’ll find that Nazca is quite small and it doesn’t present many security concerns- just be wary of pickpockets. You’ll be able to get almost anywhere you want by foot. If you choose to take a taxi, keep in mind that Peruvian taxis don’t have meters. Negotiate the price before getting in- S/.3.00 is the standard rate for pretty much any part of town except for the bus stations, where drivers will charge more.