Everything you need to know to fly over the Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa

The enigmatic Nasca Lines, a marvel that to date cannot be explained how they were made due to the conception and complexity of these geoglyphs: they are monumental figures made in a single stroke in the middle of the desert of the pampas of Jumana, located in the city of Nasca, which belongs to the homonymous province of the Ica region, which is located south of Lima, the capital of Peru.

There are several theories about their creation. The truth is that they are a legacy of the Nasca culture, some of the newly discovered lines belong to the Nasca culture, which dominated the area from 200 A.D. to 700 A.D. However, archaeologists suspect that the previous cultures of Paracas and Topará constructed many of the newly discovered images between 500 B.C. and 200 A.D. Currently, almost 800 designs can be seen, of which a total of 70 are inspired by animals.

Its greatest scholar was the German archaeologist María Reiche. However, the one who discovered them (in 1927) was the American anthropologist Paul Kosok, who hypothesized that the Nasca Lines were a great astronomical calendar. Since 1994, they have been considered a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).

The Astronaut. Credit: PromPeru.

At their maximum splendor

We already knew the most relevant data about these beautiful and enigmatic figures and lines that are drawn in the Nasca soil. Now, it's time to know how to appreciate them. There are two ways to see them: in the case of the city of Palpa, the geoglyphs and lines can be seen from a metal tower, and these figures are found on the slopes of the hills. While, in the city of Nasca, they can also be seen from a metal tower, but you can also fly over them to appreciate them.

Currently, there are tour companies that offer an overflight tour, in which experienced pilots comply with rigorous maintenance and safety standards. There are usually two types of flights offered by these tour companies.

If you're traveling alone, you can take the classic system, which flies over 13 of the most important and popular figures on a 30-minute tour. The pilots, who are also the guides in charge of explaining the details of the terrestrial designs, are bilingual (Spanish and English). In addition, they offer transfer services to the hotel -if you are staying in Nasca- and luggage care. At the end of the trip, you will receive a certificate for having completed this adventure.

Small plane in the airport of Nasca. Credit: Enrique Castro Mendivil / PromPeru.

The second service is preferable if you are traveling in a group (up to a minimum of four people). Unlike the classic flight, this one lasts 60 minutes because, in addition to flying over the 13 most important figures of the Nasca Lines, you will also get to know 8 figures of Palpa, which were discovered in 2018. The cost of these services varies from US$ 70 (30-minute flight) to US$ 180 (1-hour flight, which includes Nasca and Palpa). Prices do not include the US$ 10 fee.

Secure your trip

An important piece of information to keep in mind is that flight schedules are only established when passengers are already at the airport. These are assigned by the control tower. The schedule may vary as it is subject to air traffic and weather changes. If the latter is not optimal for the trip, it will be cancelled, although the companies offer to wait until the weather improves and reschedule the same day or change the flight date for the next day.

It is very important to note that all passengers must present their original identity documents to fly over. For Peruvians, the DNI is required, and for foreigners, the original passport. Without these documents, it will not be possible to board the flight.

Remember that the high season is in July and August, so it is recommended to book air flights in advance. Likewise, these are subject to weather conditions, since during this season there is usually a lot of fog at dawn, which delays the start of flight operations until the fog clears.

We suggest that, upon arrival at the Maria Reiche airport, travelers approach the IPERÚ Tourist Information and Assistance service module to obtain official information that will ensure an incredible experience.

Sources: TripAdvisor / aeronasca.com

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