The Nasca Lines, Peru

Idea About: place

Country: Peru
Nasca Lines

Nasca Lines
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Idea Description

General Information

Country: Peru (5)
Location Info:  City: Nasca  Province/State: Nasca
Idea About: place (99)
Type of Travel: history (63) | outdoor and adventure (46)
Features: helicopter flight (6) | mountain (29) | mystery (28)
Budget: budget (80) | mainstream (85)
Region: South America (10)

Description

The Nazca Lines are ancient drawings on the ground (negative geoglyphs) located in the Nazca Desert of Peru on the plateau which stretches more than 50 miles (80 kilometres) between the towns of Nazca and Palpa on the Pampas de Jumana. Some of the lines represent geometric shapes, others - straight lines and there are hundreds of them. There are more than seventy designs of human, animal, bird, fish contours. The largest forms are over 660 feet (200 metres) in size. All the drawings are so enormous that can be seen only from the air, from the ground they are shown as a senseless network of paths. They believed to be created between 400 and 650 AD by pre-Inca culture and are made by scraping soil and pebbles off in order to expose lighter-shade ground. Scientists interpret the designs differently, but most of them theorize that the lines and figures were part of religious practices. Some think that it is a form of a calendar. Others connect it with extraterrestrial activity.

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What Makes It Special

Nazca Lines are one of the most mysterious places in the world. What are these Nasca Lines which are seen only from the air as recognizable shapes? The alien airport with runways, or may be maps or messages for aliens? Many scientists from all over the world are trying to solve the designs of the moonscape dry plains in southern Peru, and more interesting findings challenge our imagination. But so far the Nasca Desert holds its secrets for itself.

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Useful Visitor Information and Tips

Nasca is a city which is located about 440 km south of Lima in the coastal area of Peru. You can get there by bus from Lima. The trip will take you about eight hours. You can also arrive to Nasca from Arequipa - ten hours along the coastal highway. Nasca is a common stop on the route along the coast Lima - Pisco - Ica - Nasca - Arequipa.

The climate of Nasca allows sightseeing the whole year. However, from December through March temperatures may be high. The best time to go is June - September. But costs of accommodations, tours and flights may be high at this time of the year.

The best way to see Nasca Lines is from the airplane, cost of the flight $35-$50 for a 30-40 minute flight. Flights may be bumpy but less so during morning hours. Access to area where the lines are located is strictly forbidden.

We recommend to stay: Nazca Lines Hotel - from $85 - charming old hotel in center of Nasca, Hacienda Cantayo Spa & Resort Hotel - from $130 - tranquility and oasis-like setting not far from the airport to fly over the Nazca Lines.

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Additional Information

Tags: Lima (3); Nazca; Nazca Desert; Nazca Lines; negative geoglyphs; Palpa; Pampas de Jumana; Peru (4); plateau (2)

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