The Nazca Lines
Located in southern Peru are a group of pre-Columbian geoglyphs etched into desert sands. Covering an area of nearly 1,000 sq. kilometers, there are about 300 different figures, including animals and plants. Composed of over 10,000 lines, some of which measure 30 meters wide and stretch more than 9 kilometers, the figures are most visible from the air or nearby hilltops. They were created between 500 BC and 500 AD. Most lines run straight across the landscape, but there are also figurative designs of animals and plants, made up of lines. The individual figurative geoglyph designs measure between 0.4 and 1.1 km across. The combined length of all the lines is over 1,300 km, and the group cover an area of about 50 sq km.
The lines are typically 10 to 15 cm deep. They were made by removing the top layer of reddish-brown iron oxide-coated pebbles to reveal a yellow-grey subsoil.The width of the lines varies considerably, but over half are slightly over one-third meter (just over 1 foot) wide. In some places they may be only a foot (30.5 cm) wide, and in others reach 6 feet wide. Some of the Nazca lines form shapes that are best seen from the air, though they are visible from the surrounding foothills and other high places.The shapes are usually made from one continuous line. The largest ones are about 370 m (1,200 ft) long.[8] Because of its isolation and the dry, windless, stable climate of the plateau, the lines have mostly been preserved naturally. Extremely rare changes in weather may temporarily alter the general designs. As of 2012, the lines are said to have been deteriorating because of an influx of squatters inhabiting the lands. The figures vary in complexity. Hundreds are simple lines and geometric shapes; more than 70 are zoomorphic designs of animals such as a hummingbird, spider, fish, llama, jaguar, monkey, lizard, dog and a human. Other shapes include trees and flowers.[2] Scholars differ in interpreting the purpose of the designs, but in general, they ascribe religious significance to them. They were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
CD653DK
Jorge Chavez International Airport Lima Peru (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
The Nazca Lines in southern Peru are a group of pre-Columbian geoglyphs etched into desert sands. Covering an area of nearly 1,000 sq. kilometers, there are about 300 different figures, including animals and plants. Composed of over 10,000 lines, some of which measure 30 meters wide and stretch more than 9 kilometers, the figures are most visible from the air or nearby hilltops.
Location: Nazca Desert, Peru
Area: 75,358.47 ha
Departure by bus Crucero or Royal Class from Lima to Nazca.
Arrival and transfer to chosen hotel.
AM NAZCA LINES OVERFLIGHT: We will go to the airfield so you can take the 30-minute Traditional Nazca flyby where you can see 12 figures from the Nazca Lines. Among the larger geo glyphs are a bird of almost 300 m, a lizard of 180 m, a pelican of 135 m, a condor of 135 m, a monkey of 135 m and a spider of 42 meters. Among the designs of the animals that are perceived in Nazca are: a whale, a dog with long legs and tail, two llamas, various birds such as the heron, the crane, the pelican, the seagull, the hummingbird and the parrot. In the category of reptiles, a lizard, which was cut when the Pan-American South was built, an iguana and a snake. On the other hand are the imposing figures of the monkey, the spider and the snail, among others.
Hotel Night Nazca
Breakfast at the Hotel
At an agreed time return to Lima by bus.
