Nazca and Ica are popular tourist destinations in southern Peru and for good reasons!
I visited Nazca and Ica in April 2017, travelling north from Arequipa. Following are some favourite photos and videos from the trip.
Nazca: Nazca Lines and Historic Sites
Nazca is famous for its ancient, world heritage-listed Nazca Lines. The best way to see these desert designs is via a light plane tour from nearby Maria Reiche Neuman Airport (April 2017: USD$70 / 238 soles + 30 sol departure tax).
In aeroplane awaiting take-off at Nazca’s Maria Reiche Neuman Airport
The Hummingbird Nazca line as viewed from aeroplane
The Spider Nazca Line
From the top: Lizard, Tree and Hands Nazca Lines. Cutting through the lizard is the Pan-American Highway. Note the viewing platform in the middle: a cheap way to see some lines.
The plane also flew over the ancient Cantalloc Aqueducts, Nazca
Flight video I took including take-off and landing:
The next day Roy from Nanasqa Hostel took four of us guests on a tour of the surrounding Nazca Desert including pre-Columbian Chauchilla Cemetery and Cahuachi Pyramids.
Chauchilla Cemetery in front of the green Poroma riverbed and mountains
Mummy at Chauchilla Cemetery
Cahuachi Pyramids
Sunset out in the desert on the back of Roy’s Hilux
Ica: Sandhills Galore
2 and a half hours by bus north of Nazca is Ica, capital of the eponymous region.
In Peru, Ica is known for its pisco and wine. However, international tourists come for its sand dunes and associated activities. Nearby Huacachina oasis is a popular backpacking hangout.
One afternoon I did the obligatory and worthwhile off-road buggy tour including rides up, down and around the sand dunes, awesome sandboarding and viewing the sun set across the desert.
Off-road buggy peak hour at Ica
Video of me sandboarding down a huge sand dune:
Doing a Handstand on an Ica Sandhill
Dusk at the Huacachina Oasis outside Ica
Content Cats at Upcycled Hostel, my excellent accommodation between Ica and Huacachina
People walking up a giant Ica sandhill
A wavy Ica sand dune
