About this tour
Mystery Peru offers you this fantasic trip departing from the city of Lima. Our program takes you by land to the city of Pisco from where we take a plane to fly over the mysterious Nazca desert. On this program we offer you a flight with a Caravan plane that travels over the Pisco and Ica desert till the enigmatic zone of Nazca. The images you will see from above on the ground are so huge, that the only way to fully observe them is only from the sky. Its real purpose is unknown, nobody actually knows who made them or why? Flying over the Nazca desert you can marvel looking at the perfect shape of a monkey, a spider, a while, and various types of birds.
Tour Itinerary
CLASSIC FLIGHT OVER THE NAZCA LINES
Stop 105:00 h. You will be picked up from your hotel in Lima by our representative and then will take a private vehicle to the city of Pisco. We will travel along the Peruvian Coast directly to the city of Pisco, the car ride to the city of Pisco lasts about 3 hours and allows you to travel on good comfort. Upon your arrival at the airport of Pisco our local guide will assist you with all the information you need before you board the airplane. While we wait for our flight, our local guide will inform you about the most popular theories concerning the Nazca Lines and also will give you a map of the archaeological zone so that you can orient yourself during the flight. Mystery Peru operates the only Cessna Caravan aircraft based at the Pisco airport. Our aircraft offers leather seating, quiet air conditioned comfort and great viewing for all passengers.
Later on we will take off and will first pass over the zone known as Pozo Santo where you can spot 2 strange figures that resemble a Condor and a kind of dog. Due to the antiquity of the images it is a bit difficult for archaeologist to identify what those figures actually represent. Our pilot will point them up when flying over them and then we will continue south to towards the Nazca desert, enjoying from above great views of the Peruvian coast. After some time we will reach the Nazca Lines zone. Once there you will be marveled by huge geometrical designs, very similar to giant airstrips. According to Swiss writer Erick von Daniken these geometric forms were ancient runways for visitors from another planet. These trapezoids are about 2 kilometers long and their perfection is stunning. Nearby you can also see a triangle figure which was etched over a small hill featuring 3 points. Some kilometers further west we will find one of the strangest creatures on the Nazca desert "The Astronaut". Unlike the other drawings, the astronaut was etched on the slope of a small hill, and not on the desert surface. His body is facing to the south and according to Maria Reiche it does not represent an astronaut, but a shaman or ancient Nazca priest, someone with magic powers who could predict the weather. Later on we will fly over the monkey figure, an enormous drawing that measures about 90 meters in length, and shows at one hand five fingers and on the other just four, symbolizing the 9 month of drought the Nazca people suffered every year. The monkey figure was discovered in 1954 by Maria Reiche, and according to her point of view it is associated to the big deeper constellation. After the monkey, we will fly over the dog figure, a small drawing that according to some scholars it represents a divinity worshipped by the Nazca people. Then it comes one of the best preserve figures of the whole area "The hummingbird", a gorgeous design perfectly made on a dark plateau located at one corner of the archaeological complex. According to Maria Reiche this figure is associated with the summer solstice, as one of the lines connected to its beak, points towards the place where the sun rises every year during our summer solstice. Not very far from the hummingbird, you will find the spider, a figure that according the local knowledge, represents the fertility and water, as this insect used to appear when it is going to rain or the water in the rivers is about to come. Some meters away we will find the huge condor figure, featuring a straight line that crosses its wings and points towards the place where the sun sets every year on summer solstice. Our next figure will be the flamingo, which is the longest figure on the desert, with over 300 meters. According to Maria Reiche the beak of this bird points towards the place where the sun rises every year on winter solstice. Then we will fly over the parrot figure, a huge bird with about 230 meters in length. In addition to the parrot you will also see several geometric designs around, and the beautiful valley of Ingenio. Later on we will fly over the Pan-American Highway, where you will see 2 figures; the hands and the Huarango tree. If you look carefully, you will find next to the tree, another figure representing a big lizard. Unfortunately when the people built the highway in 1937, they had no idea that ancient figures were drawn there, so the cut the lizard figure in two, destroying mainly the central part of its body, leaving the tail on one side of the road and on the other side part of its back, and its complete head with its two hands. After flying over these figures, we will head north over the zone of Palpa where you will see s strange bird with something at its center that resembles a human face (very weir). Finally you will spot a particular figure made up by groups of stones, forming something that resembles a Star. Eventually we will leave the Palpa region and will return to the airport of Pisco. Upon your arrival at the airport of Pisco our representative will contact you at the exit gate and then we will board our private vehicle and will return to Lima. We will be back in Lima around 14:00 h. Upon your arrival in Lima you will be dropped off at your hotel.
End of our service.
Top Highlights
Tour Duration:
- From 05:00 h. to 16:00 h.
Included
- 05:00 h. Pick up from your hotel in Lima.
- Transportation; Lima - Pisco Airport - Lima.
- 09:00 h. Classic flight to the Nazca Lines taking off from the Pisco airport + Airport Taxes.
- 12:00 h. Lunch on route at the city of Chicha.
- 16:00 h. Drop off at your hotel in Lima upon arrival.
Not included
- Extras & gratitudes.
Recommendations
- On this tour you must bring light clothing, as the weather in Pisco used to be very hot, especially in summer time (from December to March) when temperatures can reach 40º C / 104 ºF sometimes.
Important Information
Important information:
- The airplanes used for this aerial tour are of highest standard available. All the planes are equipped with cloth-seats and safety belts. All the planes have a capacity of 12 people plus pilot. Our Pilot will be able to speak to you through the intercom. Manoeuvres like loops and rolls are not allowed. All flights are subject to weather and air traffic control. This tour is operated in English unless otherwise stated. You must send all your personal information, if booking this tour. This tour departs from the Maria Reiche airport, located in Nazca. Daily departures available all year round.
- This tour should be booked al least 2 weeks in advance during the months of July, August and September (high season).
- We also offer especial flights over the Nazca and Palpa Lines with helicopters. For further information, please check the link further down.
Additional information:
- All your personal information is required at the moment of your booking.
- Confirmation of the excursion will be received at time of booking.
- All tours are operated in English unless otherwise stated.
Travel voucher:
- You will receive an electronic voucher via e-mail once your booking is confirmed.
- For every confirmed booking you will be required to print your electronic voucher for presentation at the moment we start the excursion. The electronic voucher acts as a confirmation for all the services you request.
Local Operator Information:
- We will send you complete operator information, including phone numbers at your destination.
- Our Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.
