Machu Picchu, Incan marvel nestled in the Peruvian Andes, epitomizes the grandeur of pre-Columbian architecture and culture.
CHAUCHILLA CEMETERY TOUR
“Step off the beaten path and explore one of Nazca’s most fascinating archaeological sites with our Chauchilla Cemetery Tour. This private experience takes you deep into the Nazca desert, where ancient tombs reveal perfectly preserved mummies, funerary textiles, and pottery over 1,000 years old. Guided by a local expert, you’ll walk through open-air burial chambers, learn about pre-Inca funerary customs, and gain a deeper understanding of a pre-Columbian culture beyond the famous lines. With modern transportation, flexible departure times, and English-speaking guides, this tour is a must for travelers passionate about history, archaeology, and unforgettable desert landscapes.”
“Discover the Secrets of Nazca’s Ancient Burial Traditions—Up Close and Uncovered”
“Experience the Desert and Its Forgotten Civilization”
Begin your journey through one of the driest and most hauntingly beautiful regions on Earth, the vast desert of Chauchilla, nestled at the edge of the Andean foothills. Here, rust-colored plains stretch to the horizon, rocky ridges cut across the landscape, and silence dominates the air. It’s more than just a scenic backdrop, it’s a place where history still lingers in the sand.
As you explore this powerful setting, you’ll also uncover the story of a little-known pre-Inca culture that thrived here around 1000 AD, long after the Nazca had disappeared. Your expert guide will explain how these desert people adapted to their environment, developed their own cultural identity, and were eventually absorbed into the expanding Inca Empire. This tour offers a rare opportunity to see how lesser-known societies shaped the cultural fabric of ancient Peru, and how their legacy still survives in the desert landscape today.
“Uncover Ancient Burial Traditions at the Cemetery and On-Site Museum”
One of the most compelling aspects of the Chauchilla Cemetery Tour is the opportunity to see ancient Peruvian burial practices up close. Inside the excavated tombs, you’ll observe human remains placed in sitting positions, still wrapped in layers of finely woven textiles and surrounded by symbolic offerings—ceramics, food, tools, and other objects meant for the afterlife. Your guide will explain how the extreme dryness of the Nazca desert naturally preserved these mummies for over 1,000 years, offering remarkable insight into pre-Hispanic beliefs about death, ancestry, and community.
To enrich the experience, the tour also includes a visit to the Chauchilla Site Museum, located at the entrance to the cemetery. This small but informative space features original artifacts—funerary ceramics, textiles, ropes, and burial masks—along with interpretive panels that explain the site’s archaeological importance, the excavation process, and ongoing conservation efforts. The museum offers valuable context that deepens your understanding of what you’ve just witnessed in the field.
SUMMARY
This 2-hour private tour begins with hotel pickup and takes you deep into the desert, where you’ll explore the mysterious Chauchilla Cemetery, a site filled with ancient tombs, real mummies, and stories that have lasted over a thousand years. Then, visit a local pottery studio to watch a traditional artisan recreate the colorful ceramics once made by the Nazca people. It’s an unforgettable mix of archaeology, culture, and local tradition, all in just a few fascinating hours.
Starting Point
Your hotel in Nazca.
Tour Duration
3 Hours approx.
Departure Time
At Request.
Language
English
“Why Travelers Choose This Destination”
A Rare Archaeological Experience
Walk through real ancient tombs and see mummies still in their original desert graves, very well preserved.
Authentic Cultural Insight
Learn about a forgotten pre-Inca culture, their burial traditions, and how they fit into Peru’s rich historical timeline.
Stunning Desert Landscapes
Explore the dramatic beauty of the Nazca desert, with panoramic views of sand dunes, mountains, and open skies.
Hands-On Tradition
Visit a Nazca pottery studio and see how artisans keep ancient ceramic techniques alive—an unforgettable cultural stop.
Chauchilla Cemetery Tour
Full Itinerary
Tour Description
Tour to the Chauchilla Graveyard
Full Description
I. Journey to the Desert Cemetery
Your experience begins with hotel pickup in Nazca, where one of our local guides will greet you in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. From there, we travel south along the desert plains for about 30 minutes, passing through the wide, open landscapes of the Nazca Valley—an ideal introduction to the region’s rugged beauty and timeless atmosphere.
II. Explore the Ancient Chauchilla Cemetery
Upon arrival at Chauchilla Cemetery, your guide will take you through this fascinating open-air archaeological site. You’ll walk along marked paths and visit excavated tombs where ancient pre-Inca mummies remain in their original positions—seated, wrapped in handwoven textiles, and surrounded by ritual offerings. Along the way, you’ll learn about funerary practices, the mummification process, and the desert culture that lived here around 1000 AD. Thanks to the dry climate, many of these remains are astonishingly well-preserved.
III. Traditional Pottery Demonstration & Return
After your cemetery visit, the tour continues with a stop at a traditional Nazca pottery workshop. A local artisan will demonstrate how ancient ceramics were shaped, dried, and painted using natural pigments—techniques passed down through generations. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the artistic heritage of the Nazca culture and may even take home a hand-crafted souvenir. At the end of the tour, your guide will return you safely to your hotel in Nazca.
Inclusions:
- Pick up from your hotel in Nazca.
- Private transport and entrance fees.
- English speaking guide.
- Drop off at your hotel at the end of the tour.
Exclusions:
- Extras & Gratuities.
Transport & Guide
Our Services
Transport
“Transportation for the tour”
Modern Vehicles
Safe & Comfortable
Guide
“Tour Guided in English”
Local Guide
Years of experience
Customer Reviews
Authentic, Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience
“This was one of our favorite experiences in Peru. The Chauchilla Cemetery is quiet, eerie, and completely fascinating. You can feel the history in the air. We learned so much about the pre-Inca cultures and how they were later incorporated into the Inca Empire. The artisan at the pottery studio was very passionate too.”
“Great Guide and Fascinating Site”
“Our guide picked us up right on time and made the whole tour feel relaxed and personal. Chauchilla is unlike anything I’ve seen before, actual mummies in open tombs, preserved by the desert! It was educational but never boring. The pottery studio visit was a nice surprise, we even got to try painting a little”
Trip Essentials
Cancellation Policy
Tour Date Change Policy:
You have the flexibility to change the date of your tour with ease, provided that you make the request at least 5 days in advance.
No charges will be applied for rescheduling within this timeframe.
Cancellation Policy:
If there’s no choice but to cancel, please be informed of any related fees.
Please notify us at least 7 days before the scheduled tour date to avoid any significant charges.
In such cases, only an administration fee of 10% will be deducted from the total amount paid.
Last-Minute Cancellations:
We regret to inform you that last-minute cancellations are not accepted.
No Shows:
In the event of a no-show, where a customer fails to appear for the tour without prior notice, a 100% cancellation fee will be levied, and no refunds will be issued.
Suggestions
Suggestions
Book in Advance: Private tours have limited availability, especially in high season. We recommend booking early to secure your spot.
Dress Comfortably: Wear light clothing and closed shoes (sneakers or sports shoes). The sand gets warm, and you’ll be moving around.
Protect Your Eyes: Sunglasses are essential! They protect you from both the sun and blowing sand during the ride.
Bring Sunscreen: The desert sun can be intense, apply sunscreen before and during the tour.
Carry Water: Stay hydrated! Bring a bottle of water to sip during stops.
Bring a Small Backpack: Handy for keeping personal items like your phone, camera, and water bottle.
Don’t Bring Valuables: Leave unnecessary valuables at your hotel, the buggy ride is fast and bumpy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 3 hours, including travel time, the guided visit to Chauchilla Cemetery, and a stop at a traditional Nazca pottery studio.
2. Where does the tour start and end?
The tour includes round-trip transportation from your hotel in Nazca. We’ll pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation for your convenience.
3. Is this a private tour?
Yes, all our Chauchilla Cemetery Tours are offered on a private basis, with your own English-speaking guide and private vehicle, ensuring a more personalized and flexible experience.
4. What should I bring with me?
We recommend bringing sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), comfortable walking shoes, water, and a camera. The site is exposed to the sun with very little shade.
5. Is the Chauchilla Cemetery suitable for children?
Yes, the tour is suitable for children, especially those interested in history or archaeology. However, some young children may find the mummies unsettling, so we suggest it for ages 8 and up.
6. Will I be able to take photos at the site?
Yes, photography is allowed and encouraged throughout the cemetery and the pottery studio. However, we ask that you be respectful when photographing human remains.
