Table of Content
General information
The Nazca Lines are located in the Ica region, in the city of Nazca, at an altitude of 588 meters above sea level. It’s important to know that there are no direct commercial flights to Nazca, so you must arrive by land and then take a flight from the María Reiche aerodrome.
From Lima (The most popular option)
Distance: 447 kilometers via the South Pan-American Highway Travel time: 7 hours by bus
By regular bus:
Best companies:
- Cruz del Sur: Highly recommended for safety and comfort
- Departure: 3:45 AM, arrival: 11:00 AM
- Return: 4:30 PM, arrival in Lima: 11:00 PM
- Price: 73-97 soles per trip
- Services: Semi-reclining seats, WiFi, restroom
- Oltursa, Tepsa, Flores, Civa: Other reliable options
- Prices: 45-100 soles depending on the service
- Varied schedules throughout the day
Bus travel tips:
- Purchase tickets online in advance
- Bring motion sickness pills (it’s a winding trip)
- Bring water and sunscreen
- The Cruz del Sur terminal is on Av. Javier Prado (convenient location)
Organized tours from Lima (All inclusive):
1-day tour (Full Day):
- Hotel pickup: 4:00 AM
- Round-trip tourist transportation
- 35-minute flight
- Visit to a winery in Ica
- Return: 11:00 PM
- Price: 290-460 USD per person
Includes:
- Transfers to/from hotel
- Transportation in a tourist minivan
- Flight ticket
- Explanatory video
- Bilingual guide
- All taxes
From Ica/Huacachina (The closest option)
Distance: 142 kilometers Travel time: 2 hours 40 minutes
By bus:
- Buses every 30 minutes from Ica to Nazca
- Price: 12 soles
- Companies: Soyuz, local lines
Tours from Ica:
- Pickup from hotel in Ica or Huacachina
- Private transfer to Nazca
- 30-35 minute flight
- Return to Ica
- Price: 240 USD per person
- Total duration: 4-5 hours
From Arequipa
Distance: 565-566 kilometers Travel time: 9-10 hours
Bus schedules:
- Night buses: Departures between 6:30 PM-10:20 PM, arrival 7:00-9:00 AM
- Companies: Cruz del Sur, Peru Hop, local lines
- Price: 80-150 soles
- Terminal: Arequipa Terrapuerto (Av. Arturo Ibañez)
Recommendation: Travel at night to make the most of your day in Nazca and save on a night in a hotel.
From Cusco
Distance: 661-688 kilometers Travel time: 12-15 hours
Travel information:
- Companies: Cruz del Sur, Civa, Tepsa, Oltursa, Móvil Bus
- Price: 89-190 soles depending on the service
- Departures: From the Terrestrial Terminal (Av. Micaela Bastidas)
- Recommendation: Travel at night on a sleeper bus to save on hotel costs
Note: Known as “the route of motion sickness” due to the mountain curves. Bring motion sickness medications.
From Paracas/Pisco
Premium option: Some tours offer flights from Pisco airport
- Flight duration: 90 minutes (30 minutes over the lines)
- Price: 380-500 USD
- Advantage: Longer flight with views of Paracas Bay
The flight: What you need to know
Flight information:
- Duration: 30-35 minutes over the lines
- Figures you will see: Hummingbird, spider, monkey, astronaut, whale, dog, lizard, among others
- Flight price: 90-120 USD per person
- Airport tax: 77 soles additional (to be paid in cash)
Requirements:
- Passport or ID required
- Maximum weight for safety (check with the airline)
- Favorable weather conditions
Best flight companies:
- AeroNasca: Travelers Choice winners 2024
- Aero Paracas
- Alas Peruanas
- Nazca Trips
Flight conditions:
- Cessna aircraft with 6-12 passengers
- All seats have a window
- The plane turns to both sides so everyone can see
- Altitude: 2,500-3,000 feet over the lines
Land option: Observation tower
If you don’t want to fly, you can see some lines from the ground:
- Location: Observation tower on the South Pan-American Highway
- Price: 20 soles for taxi + 50 soles for the tour (includes María Reiche Museum)
- Limitation: You can only see 2-3 figures partially
Indicative prices
Transportation:
- Bus Lima-Nazca: 45-100 soles
- Bus Ica-Nazca: 12 soles
- Bus Arequipa-Nazca: 80-150 soles
- Bus Cusco-Nazca: 89-190 soles
Flight:
- Basic flight: 90-120 USD
- Airport tax: 77 soles
- Tours from Lima: 290-460 USD (all inclusive)
- Tours from Ica: 240 USD
Accommodation in Nazca:
- Budget hotels: 50-100 soles per night
- Mid-range hotels: 150-300 soles per night
Practical tips
When to travel:
- Best time: April to October (dry weather)
- Avoid: January to March (rainy season, possible cancellations)
- Best time to fly: Early in the morning (less wind)
What to bring:
- Passport or ID
- Sunscreen (the desert sun is intense)
- Hat and sunglasses
- Motion sickness pills
- Cash for airport taxes
- Camera (no flash during the flight)
Important recommendations:
- Don’t eat heavy meals before the flight
- Confirm the flight the day before (depends on the weather)
- Flights can be canceled due to strong winds
- If canceled, some companies offer an 80% refund
Recommended itineraries
From Lima (1 day):
- 4:00 AM: Departure from Lima
- 11:00 AM: Arrival in Nazca
- 12:30 PM: Flight
- 2:00 PM: Free lunch
- 4:30 PM: Departure to Lima
- 11:00 PM: Arrival in Lima
From Ica (Half day):
- 9:00 AM: Departure from Ica
- 12:00 PM: Arrival in Nazca
- 1:00 PM: Flight
- 3:30 PM: Return to Ica
Combining destinations:
- Paracas → Ica/Huacachina → Nazca → Arequipa/Cusco
Final recommendation: If you have limited time, take an organized tour with ILLA KUNTUR TRAVEL from Lima. For the more adventurous, include Nazca in a longer route through southern Peru.
