We would like to see the Nasca Lines, either out of Lima or Cusco. We are on a budget. Is it really so much better to see them by plane? Also, I hear that by plane you need to do it very early in the
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Cat:Central and South AmericaForum:0EE6C5E8
Cat:Central and South AmericaForum:0EE6C5E8Discussion:0EF3DE11
We would like to see the Nasca Lines, either out of Lima or Cusco. We are on a budget. Is it really so much better to see them by plane? Also, I hear that by plane you need to do it very early in the morning. Not sure I can manage that with our itinerary. So, I'm curious to hear thoughts on how worth a side trip these Lines really are, and if I really need to splurge and do them by plane.
It depends on how badly you want to see teh Nazca lines as to whether or not you want to foot the expense, as it is a bit pricey. The lines are best seen from the air as they are so large that being on the ground just doesn't do it. The plane ride can be a bit hair raising as the pilots dip and turn so you can get a good view. The weather will determine how well you see the lines.
My mother and I did the overflight of the Nasca Lines on a trip to Peru nearly 10 years ago. It was a highlight of our trip and I actually did get many nice pictures.
They are massive in scale so you really want to see them from the air to appreciate them, but I agree it depends how badly you want to see them as it's out of the way and can be $$.
We heard the plane trip was hair raising but our experience wasn't that bad. We did, however, book the first flight of the day (rumor has it the air gets bumpier later in the day) and we skipped breakfast and used Dramamine. I sat in the front next to the pilot and had an amazing view. My mom sat behind and said she also had a good view, but really only to the one side. The woman next to her used her airsick bag!
I took the last flight of the day and was able to get the price reduced quite a bit (there were 4 of us). After seeing the Lines from the air, it becomes obvious that there's no way to see them from the ground. I took about 30 photos, and they all came out fine after a bit of fine-tuning in Photoshop to remove the haze/smog. If you are going to be in the area, then why not?
From the air is the only way to go. You can fly in from a distant city, or do what we did and fly right out of Nazca, where the fares are better. We had great views and the lines are very evocative.
I was there in 2004 and took a bus from Lima to Ica, flew over the lines, spent the night in Paracas and then went to Isla de Ballestras and then took the bus back to Lima. If I had to do it over again, I would have spent the money to fly from Lima to Ica, Fly over the lines and fly back to Lima. The bus trip down is aobut 4 hours with NOTHING to see but brown sand dunes. The lines are definatly worth seeing but the airplane ride upset my stomach but the coca tea works wonders. Had lunch at the Hotel Las Dunas and the food was very good. My pictures didn't come out too good and because you are in the air the lines looked smaller than what you see in the pictures. This is also where the Peru earthquake just hit, so this side trip may not be an optional for awhile, VJ
I was in Peru in April of this year. The Nasca Lines are wonderful, I would recommend seeing them. Air cost for tour is $56 - I don't know what price for transport from Lima and back would be. There is one observation tower at the lines that is based near the "tree" drawing. That is the only thing you'll see well from the land. Our flight was not scary; our pilot was professional and courteous. If you're only going to go to Peru once, I wouldn't miss the lines.
The Nazca Lines are well worth the price of the flight (@ $40/person @ 1 1/2 years ago). Go as early in the day as you can as the flight can be bumpy with afternoon winds. We took the bus from Lima, stayed a couple of nights at the Hotel Paracus (charming!), toured the Paracus Reserve and Ballestes Islands, bus down to Nazca, stayed at Hotel Nazca Lines (lovely!) and viewed the Lines by air. It was wonderful!! With that said, however, in 3 weeks in Peru, if necessary, this would be the one part we would have cut (but glad we did not!). Lima, Cusco, MP, Lake Titicaca, Iquitos, Amazon lodge would rate higher, but the Nazca Lines are truly amazing and well worth the time and money!!! Happy travels.
I,personally, would not miss the opportunity to fly over the Nasca Lines. We went in the afternoon & for some one who is prone to motion sickness in most circumstances, the flight didn't bother me. It was a decision I was glad I made despite price just as my balloon flight over Masa Mari (which was really costly) was. They were both (for me) a once in lifetime opportunity.
For me, the ride made me terribly sick (I had taken dramamine) and we had to wait 2.5 hours for our flight even though it had been booked by a tour company long ago.
The only way to see the Nasca lines is by air. Be ready with yr camera to see some amazing designs and scenery. Last yr I flew from Lima to Ica, in a smaller plane we overflew the lines, had a lovely lunch at a nearby resort and in the afternoon the same day returned to Lima. Not cheap, but a once in a lifetime experience I wld not have wanted to miss. Buen viaje.
It is definitely worthwhile by plane. You simply cannot see enough of them, or take in the massive scale of the lines and shapes, from the ground. Don't try too hard to take pictures while in the air; it can be difficult to frame a good shot and you'll spend most of your time trying to focus on that instead of enjoying the astounding and mysterious scenery. There are plenty of books and postcards you can buy that have good pictures of the lines. Word of advice: Take Dramamine and/or wear motion-sickness bracelets. Seeing the Nasca Lines was an experience my husband and I will never forget.
Hi - I'm going on an OAT travel tour to Peru, and they have an option to fly over the NAZCA lines, but it costs $375. Sounds like WAY more than anyone has mentioned on this page. I'll be in Lima and could sign up for the lines independently if there are tour operators there - just wondering if anyone has any experience with this. THANKS!
LadyPilot, we are going to do the Lima - Nasca Lines - Lima as you did in June 08. I have found two companies, prices are $800 and $1000 for two. What company did you go with?
I saw them in April 2009 and I do not think it was worth it. The flights were included as part of my total touring of Peru - but it was a long drive to get to Nasca, a long wait to get a plane, and very uncomfortable flight - turning at 90 degree angles, cramped, somewhat scary. Also, there was a GIANT waspe on my leg and the pilot just smashed it with a magazine into my leg, did not particularly like that. Honestly, I don't think its worth the price or trouble.
