Nazca Lines
Why visit the Nazca Lines (and why you should see them from the air)
Giant drawings in the desert, a short flight you will talk about for years and four airports to choose from. Here is everything you need to plan your Nazca Lines trip.
In this article
Some places look great in photos. The Nazca Lines are the opposite: photos never quite do them justice. You have to be up there, looking down from a small plane, when a hummingbird the size of a football field suddenly appears under the wing.
If Peru is on your list, this is a stop worth planning around. In this guide we cover what the lines are, why the flight is the way to see them, how it feels on board, which airports you can fly from and a few practical tips we share with every traveler.
What are the Nazca Lines?
The Nazca Lines are huge drawings (geoglyphs) made on the surface of the desert in southern Peru, about 400 km south of Lima. Most researchers link them to the Nazca culture, which lived in this area roughly between 500 BC and 500 AD.
The technique was simple and clever. The ancient Nazca removed the dark, iron-rich stones that cover the ground and exposed the lighter soil underneath. Because it almost never rains here and the wind is gentle at ground level, the drawings have survived for centuries.
There are hundreds of straight lines, triangles and trapezoids, plus a group of famous figures: the Hummingbird, the Monkey, the Spider, the Condor, the Whale, the Astronaut and more. In 1994 UNESCO added the Lines and Geoglyphs of Nazca and Palpa to its World Heritage list. Want the full list of figures? We cover it in how many Nazca Lines there are.
Why you need to see them from the air
The catch is that from the ground, most of the figures are almost impossible to recognize. They are so big that at eye level they look like shallow paths in the sand. The Hummingbird, for example, is close to 100 metres long.
There is a viewing tower (mirador) next to the Pan American Highway, and it is a nice quick stop. But from up there you only get a partial view of two figures, the Hands and the Tree. That is why almost everyone who travels to Nazca ends up booking a flight.
From the plane you see the full picture: the figures, the long lines crossing the pampa for kilometres, and how everything sits in the landscape. It is also the only way to understand the scale of the whole site in one go.
What the flight feels like
The overflight is done in small Cessna aircraft, with a pilot and co-pilot up front. Everyone gets a window seat and a headset, so you can hear the crew call out each figure as it comes up.
Over each geoglyph, the pilot banks the plane first to one side and then to the other, so passengers on both sides get a clear view. Those turns are the part people remember most. They are smooth, but you will feel them in your stomach.
From Nazca airport, the standard circuit takes about 30 to 35 minutes. It goes by fast, so the best advice is to put the camera down for a couple of figures and just look.
Nazca Lines Flight from Nazca Airport
The classic circuit from the Nazca aerodrome, just minutes away from the first figures.
FromUS$ 100per person
See detailsWhere you can fly from: Nazca, Ica, Pisco or Lima
You do not have to sleep in Nazca to see the lines. There are four starting points, and the right one depends on how much time you have and where else you are going in Peru.
From Nazca airport
The most direct and affordable option. The aerodrome sits right next to the pampa, so you are over the first figures within minutes of takeoff. Ideal if you are already in Nazca or traveling by bus along the south coast. See the flight from Nazca.
From Ica airport
A great choice if you are staying in Ica or at the Huacachina oasis. The route crosses a long stretch of coastal desert before reaching the geoglyphs, so you get more scenery for your time in the air. Check the flight from Ica.
From Pisco airport
Pisco is about three to four hours south of Lima by road and a popular base for visiting Paracas. The flight is around 1 h 40 min round trip and returns you to the coast, so it fits nicely into a day with the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas beaches. See the flight from Pisco.
From Lima
Short on time? The flight from Lima is a full day plan: pickup at your hotel, a private charter flight south and the overflight of the lines, back in Lima the same day. If you prefer to travel by road, the Nazca Lines Full Day Tour from Lima takes you to Nazca by land and includes the flight from the local aerodrome.
Flight over the Nazca Lines from Pisco plus a visit to Paracas, all in one day from Lima.
FromUS$ 495per person
See detailsPractical tips before you fly
- Bring your original passport. It is required to board the aircraft, and a copy or a photo on your phone is not accepted.
- Weight limit. For safety and balance, the limit is 90 kg per passenger. Let us know when you book if you are above it, since an extra seat may be needed.
- Book the morning slots. The air is usually calmer early in the day and the light makes the figures stand out.
- Allow for small extras. Airport taxes and the tourist ticket are paid separately on most flights. Each flight page lists what is included.
- Be flexible. Flights can be delayed by wind or visibility. Leave some margin before any bus or connection later that day.
- Pack light. Sunglasses, sunscreen and a small camera or phone are enough. Big bags stay on the ground.
Planning the rest of your trip? Our guide to the best time to visit Peru explains how the seasons work on the coast and in the Andes, so you can decide when to come.
Is it worth it? Our honest take
Yes. The Nazca Lines are one of the great archaeological puzzles on the planet, and they are best understood from the air. Half an hour over the pampa turns a picture you have seen in books into something you actually saw with your own eyes.
Pick the airport that suits your route, book in advance during high season and keep your passport handy. You can compare all options on our flights section or look at the day trip packages if you want everything organized from Lima.
Nazca Lines flight: frequently asked questions
How long is the Nazca Lines flight?
From Nazca airport the circuit takes about 30 to 35 minutes. Flights from Ica and Pisco are longer because of the distance, and the trip from Lima is a full day. See all options in our flights section.
Can I see the Nazca Lines without flying?
You can visit the viewing tower on the Pan American Highway, but it only shows part of two figures. To see the main geoglyphs clearly, the flight is the way to go.
Is the flight safe for children and older travelers?
Yes, as long as they can sit through the turns comfortably. Everyone needs identification (the original passport for foreign visitors), and the 90 kg per passenger limit applies.
Can I do the Nazca Lines as a day trip from Lima?
Yes. You can take the flight from Lima, or join the Nazca Lines Full Day Trip, which combines the flight from Pisco with Paracas.
