Flying Over the Nazca Lines

These geometric patterns, lines, and figures of humans, plants and animals were etched into the desert plateau between the Nazca and Ingenio Rivers 1400-2200 years ago. Despite covering a large 500km² area, the lines were only discovered in the 1920s when they were noticed by pilots flying from Lima to Arequipa for the Faucette airline. The dry and relatively non-windy environment has preserved the amazing, and somewhat confounding lines for which the town of Nazca, located about 275 miles south of Lima, is now famous. Since you can only see these impressive creations from above, airborne is pretty much the only way to go.

All tours use Cessna planes which fly out of the Nazca aerodrome. Many local companies offer different options, the cheapest being in a larger plane which can’t flight low enough for the best views. Another is a four-passenger plane that flies over each figure just once, which doesn’t allow passengers on both sides of the plane to get a good look at every figure. The most expensive option is the same plane, but it flies over each figure twice. Considering that the difference between the cheapest option and the most expensive option is only 100 soles (approximately US$32) you are best served by requesting the most expensive option and having an experience that’s worth the time and effort you expended getting to Nazca.

Flights run from 7am to 4pm and can take from 30 to 60 minutes, with passengers often feeling slightly nauseous during the flight due to the sharp twists necessary to offer good views of the stunning landscape and the Nazca Lines. If you’re worried that you’ll be one of those people who are more affected, consider taking some medication beforehand as a protective measure.

You can reach Nazca from Ica in 2 to 3 hours, vía small buses known as colectivos that only cost 12 soles. Overnight buses from Cusco take about 14 hours, and from Arequipa, 9 hours. Prices range from 60 to 170 soles. Before a few years ago, buses were the only option for visiting Nazca. Now, flights over the Nazca Lines are offered from Paracas, often as part of a stopover during a flight from Lima to Cusco or as a daytrip from Lima. The first short flight drops you off in Paracas, allowing you to change to a small Cessna plane that will take you to nearby Nazca and fly over the Nazca Lines before returning you to Paracas. From there, you can return to Lima or continue on to Cusco.