450 km south of Lima, in a fertile valley surrounded by mountains, lies the city of Nazca, which still preserves the secrets of its ancestors, great master potters and creators of the enormous and impressive network of lines and drawings that stretch across its plains. Founded in 1591, Nazca was known for producing a grape spirit — similar to Peruvian pisco — intended for consumption by slaves, which they called “nazca,” hence its name. Its capital is a quiet, peaceful city, startled by the constant arrival of millions of tourists drawn by the mystery of its amazing geoglyphs. The Nazca Lines are more than a source of pride for the inhabitants of this area; they are also the livelihood of a tourism industry that has been growing steadily for several decades.
Tourist Attractions
Paredones Cacsamarca
On the slope of a not-very-high mountain, 2 km east of Nazca, lies an ancient Inca settlement. An archaeological site featuring a large square, storage rooms, barracks, a ceremonial area, niches, trapezoidal windows and other structures that define it as an Inca administrative center.
Aqueducts
4 km from Nazca lie the Cantayoc aqueducts, a complex underground system that makes use of groundwater. Still in operation today, they demonstrate the technological development achieved by this culture in its use of the land.
Nazca Lines
Spread over more than 50 km of plains and some hills, the famous Nazca Lines can only be fully appreciated from the air.
Made up of more than 70 giant figures representing animals and plants, and more than 10,000 lines etched into the ground about 20 cm deep, they are considered one of the greatest mysteries in the world, and have also been declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Although there is no scientific theory that explains their meaning, it is believed they form a giant calendar, closely related to water worship.
Paracas
Ubicada a 250 Km. de Lima, en el Dpto. de Ica, se encuentra la península de Paracas, con su Reserva Nacional de 335.000 hectáreas, que no sólo son un paraíso natural sino un importante centro arqueológico. En este lugar mágico de desiertos salitrosos y mar azul, se hallan las huellas de la antigua cultura Paracas con una antigüedad que data del 600 a.C., un pueblo de grandes tejedores cuyos mantos de variados colores constituyen verdaderas obras de arte.
Paracas es refugio de lobos marinos, pingüinos de Humboldt, gatos marinos, delfines y una gran variedad de aves residentes y migratorias. Ofrece además a sus visitantes, diversas playas en las que se puede nadar, pescar, bucear o practicar windsurf.