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Nazca

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Nazca is a town in [wiki=84c8fa2341f7d052a1ee3a36ff043798]Peru[/wiki]'s [wiki=7744f3dab26db9b5645fd93fa0ecfad4]Southern Coast[/wiki] region. It is most famous for the so-called Nazca Lines, a mix of long lines, geometrical figures, and giant drawings in the desert sand.

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Understand
Today's Nazca town is on the site of where the ancient Nazca civilization was based after the fall of its first capital, Cahuachi, in around AD 400. It has an exotic, dusty, desert setting but holds little enchantment in itself. It can provide between a few hours' and a few days' entertainment depending on one's interest in the ancient Nazca people.
- The ancient Nazca people
  
  For much of their history, the Nazca people were based in the Ceremonial City of Cahuachi, an ancient pilgrimage center 28 km southwest of modern Nazca. The society emerged in around 100 BC and was active untill around AD 750. Its influence stretched from Cañete in the north to Acari in the south. The lower section of the Nazca Valley was likely chosen to situate Cahuachi due to its abundent underground water, which allowed extensive irrigation for improved agriculture.
  
  This civilization was responsible for the famous Nazca lines, giant representations of animals and other designs that are also seen on Nazca pottery and textiles found at Cahuachi. Discovered pottery fragments also suggest that the Nazca people gathered in the desert to perform religious ceremonies, with objects being smashed as offerings to the gods in the sky. The fragments found in the desert among the Nazca Lines are mainly pieces of panpipes and whistles, suggesting the importance of music in the religious rites.
  
  A series of natural disasters, climatic and tectonic, began to undermine the civilization in around AD 350. An earthquake finished the capital, Cahuachi, in around AD 400, leaving the society to limp into oblivion for the next few centuries from its new base in what would become modern Nazca.
- Discovery of Nazca culture
  
  Nazca culture first aroused academic interest through its pottery. In the 1890s, archaeologist Max Uhle was studying ceramic samples at the Anthropologisch-Ethnografische Museum in [wiki=19ed5f8ceab486afbee6b3ba5c88884d]Dresden[/wiki]. The consignment contained many works from South America, including some striking and colourful work from the Nazca people. In 1901 he travelled to Peru to examine their origins. After months of searching he arrived at the Valley of Ica at a place called Ocucaje, where he met farmers who told him about the ancient cemeteries where these colourful ceramics were frequently found. Uhle excavated the sites and found Nazca ceramics at many of them. His work introduced Nazca culture to the wider world.
- Discovery of the Nazca lines
  
  The Nazca Lines were first spotted when Faucette, an early Peruvian airline, began flying from [wiki=0cb9cde516c38ed84dc1f3f2b5556ed3]Lima[/wiki] to [wiki=171a98f4722267176bd0fe81f8980074]Arequipa[/wiki] in the 1920s. The pilots noticed lines criss-crossing the desert between the valleys of Palpa and Nazca.
  
  The pilots' discoveries led Toribio Mejia Xesspe, an archaeologist, to come to Nazca in 1926. His research arrived at the conclusion that the lines were part of ancient sacred roads. Xesspe never flew over the area and so only saw straight lines; he missed the figures.
  
  A more worthy discovery of the lines was made in 1939 by Paul Kosok of Long Island University. Kosok came to Nazca to study the ancient irrigation systems, the puquios (see below). He surveyed the channels and noted that over 50 of the underground aqueducts were still in used. He was told of other, even older, ancient channels and so set out to the Nazca desert but found only long shallows furrows. He thought that perhaps these other ancient channels were located very far away and so hired a small crop-dusting aircraft to go and find them. On the flight he saw hundreds of lines and geometrical forms in the desert. He later recalled asking the pilot to follow one particular line and being somewhat surprised at it leading to a bird! Kosok later met Maria Reiche, who then devoted her life to studying and preserving the lines.
- Nazca channels or puquios
  
  After the fall of Cahuachi, the Nazca people still achieved some notable, though oft overlooked feats. An extensive series of underground channels, the puquios (a Quechua word to describe a natural spring), are one of the greatest legacies of the Nazca culture. This underground system is unique in South America, and perhaps the world, because of its very intricate construction. Over 50 underground channels were built over one hundred years starring in AD 400; many of them are still in use! Some of the best preserved channels are at [wiki=6106eedc6425162eaa1ec61afdd171d3]#See|Cantalloc[/wiki], also known as Cantayo, where visitors can see a series of spiral blow holes, which were probably used to allow cleaning of the channels' interiors and also to restore them after earthquakes.
- Nazca ceramics
  
  The cemeteries along the Nazca River contained the colourful ceramic works that first drew attention to the Nazca people. The high-quality work on vessels shows realistic and complex depictions of the ancient Nazca world: everyday life, animals, plants, fruits, birds, insects and gods are all represented. Vessels showing stylized creatures, including zoomorphic and anthropomorphic designs, sometimes contain over ten colours. Bridge-handle bottles with two landfills are the most common find, but spherical pots were also produced, as well as cups and glasses. The best examples of Nazca ceramics are in museums, such as the [wiki=f434806d687cc4fd45c48b775892460c]#See|Museo Arqueologico Antonini[/wiki] in Nazca, the Anthropological and Archaeological Museum in [wiki=0cb9cde516c38ed84dc1f3f2b5556ed3]Lima[/wiki], the Regional Museum of [wiki=967f96d98b992e7efffc9116266e7dbc]Ica[/wiki], and many others in Peru and around the world.
- Nazca textiles
  
  The Nazca people's belief in life after death led to mummification of their corpses. The shrouds wrapping the dead were fine textiles, which still retain their quality and colours. The Nazca people, like many other pre-Inca peoples, believed textiles to be spiritually important, leading their textiles to be skillfully produced and depicting sophisticated artistic scenes on fabrics of cotton and the fibre of Andean camels.
  Samples from the ancient capital of Cahcuachi can be seen at the [wiki=f434806d687cc4fd45c48b775892460c]#See|Museo Arqueologico Antonini[/wiki] in Nazca.
Get in

There are frequent collectivos (small buses) to and from [wiki=967f96d98b992e7efffc9116266e7dbc]Ica[/wiki]. They leave when full, it takes 2-3 hr and cost 12 soles. PeruBus/Soyuz offer seats on regular buses for S/.12, departures every half hour.

There are several direct overnight buses from [wiki=fcf87620f0ea6fdbe6085c37e13ab585]Cuzco[/wiki] (14 hours) and [wiki=171a98f4722267176bd0fe81f8980074]Arequipa[/wiki] (9 hr). Delays can occur in the wet season. Prices vary between 60 and 170 soles. If you get a 4pm bus from Cusco you should arrive just after 6am, have time for breakfast, then be able to catch a taxi to the airport, bargain a good price for your Nazca Lines flight, before continuing on to [wiki=eb4fb838ecfb44dc6f0698f34e34c800]Huacachina[/wiki], Ica or Lima, without having to spend any time in Nazca town itself.

Another option to go from Cusco, Lima, Paracas, Ica or Huacachina is to take one of the Peru Hop buses. This service allows you to hop on or hop off at any of these places. Peru Hop includes hotel/hostel pick-ups and drop-offs and also includes a short stop at the Nazca lines viewing tower free of charge. It is also ridiculously expensive, even compared to the overpriced Cruz del Sur buses.

There are also buses to [wiki=0cb9cde516c38ed84dc1f3f2b5556ed3]Lima[/wiki]. Cruz del Sur and Oltursa buses go via [wiki=967f96d98b992e7efffc9116266e7dbc]Ica[/wiki] and [wiki=277e1440628b2fef199aca97ab610c3a]Paracas[/wiki]) throughout the day and overnight (as do many other cheaper bus companies). The journey takes about 6-8 hr.

Nazca is a small city that does not have a proper bus station, but most of the bus companies are clustered together near the main roundabout (Óvalo de Nazca).

If you're traveling in a small group (2-4 people), it's fairly easy to arrange a one day all-inclusive side trip to Nazca from Lima with private transportation. One-day trips are generally paired with a stop in the Ballestas and include the airplane ride to see the lines. A private trip isn't particularly cheap (running around 900 soles per person), but can be worth it if you really want to see the lines and don't have a lot of time in Peru. One-day trips from Lima leave early (around 4:00 AM) and return late (around 10:00 PM).
Get around

Getting around in Nazca is easy. You can walk almost anywhere and a taxi inside of town really costs around 3 soles although every taxi driver might try to charge you more.

The big hassle in Nazca are the touts that hang out at the bus stations and on the streets. They represent shady or nonexistent hotels and travel agents, claim to work for your hotel or to offer cheap flights for viewing the Nasca lines. Ignore them and have your hotel pick you up from the bus station.
See
Museo Arqueologico Antonini, Av de la Cultura 606 (follow Jr Bolognese about 1km east). Informative museum about the surrounding archaeological sites. It also has a collection of pottery and textiles. In the garden there is a working aqueduct and a scale model of the lines. Entrance US$6.

* Nazca channels or puquios at Cantalloc The pre-Inca Nazca people developed a system of underground aqueducts to irrigate the dry lands that lacked surface water. Therefore despite the harsh desert climate, the Nazca region hosts fields of cotton, corn, beans, potatoes and fruit still watered by over 30 of these underground channels. Nearby are various geometric lines etched on the desert. There are also the Inca ruins of Paredones.

* Cemetery of Chauchilla For many years the Chauchilla Cemetery was looted by treasure hunters, who destroyed the place completely, taking away all the treasures the mummies kept in their tombs for centuries. Grave robbers just left behind the corpses, which can be seen today all over the ground. In addition to skulls and bones, visitors also can see several tombs centuries old, as well as long human hairs, ceramic fragments and others remains scattered on the desert surface. It is the only archeological site in Peru, in which ancient mummies are seen in their original graves, along with ancient artifacts, dating back to 1000 AD. This archaeological excursion is combined with the visit to a Nasca Ceramic workshop, where visitors will learn about the old technique of making Nasca pots and also a visit to the gold extraction centre to see an old way of extracting gold using huge mortars.

* Chicchitara Carving Rocks, in the Palpa Valley.

* The Palpa Lines
- Nazca Lines
  
  The Nazca Lines are the star (and only) attraction. Scattered over 500 km² of an arid plateau between the Nazca River and Ingenio River, they are huge representations of geometric patterns, animals, humans figures and thousands of perfectly straight lines that go on for kilometers. They were created by removing surface stones, revealing the lighter-colored soil below. They're unquestionably ancient (dating back 1400-2200 years), and remarkably precise (with straight lines and clean curves). The images are so huge that they are only appreciable from the air, a fact which has led to speculation that the ancient Nazca people either had access to hot air balloons or alien helpers. Most academics attribute the lines' precision to low-tech surveying techniques, but nobody actually knows who made them or why.
Do
Eat

For fast and cheap street food try one of the stands at the south-east corner of the Plaza de Armas.

* Picante's fastfood café, Calle Bolognesi 464. Simple and cheap burgers, with a friendly owner who likes to talk to gringos.

* The restaurants you find all over town that are used by natives offer a full menu (soup, a choice of 3-5 main dishes, and a drink) for 5-10 soles.
Drink

There are several bars along Jr. Bolognesi.
Sleep

3 star hotel with A/C rooms. For some reason the only English channel on TV is FoxNews.

* Swimming pool.

* Opened in March 2007, a cheap, quiet, safe and clean small hostel, one block from the main square. The Dutch-Peruvian owners provide a family atmosphere, great service, good breakfast, roof terrace, games, internet, and laundry. They also organize flights over the Nazca Lines and other tours. Bus terminal pick-up day or night, just call or mail them before. Multiple languages spoken. People hanging around the buses when you arrive do not work for this hostel, they are attempting to mislead for their own personal gain. The dormitory is used as luggage storage too, so it can be very busy.

* A quite and safe place to stay in Nazca, located just 3 blocks away from downtown.

Although it has Pirwa labelled outside and the logo inside, the name is actually Camaluz and the prices probably different to those advertised on hostel websites. for a twin room we paid 90 Soles per night, breakfast included (7-10am). Showers have hot water.

* On the right side of the Nazca River, 3 blocks from the main square, in a very quite zone away from the commercial centre and traffic. Swimming pool surrounded by a garden with comfortable hammocks and furniture to chill out on, free tea and coffee, English spoken and lots of information about Nazca. On the south side of the river and therefore in a very dangerous part of town.

* Services: free pick up, free internet access, free continental breakfast and more.

Although it has Pirwa labelled outside and the logo inside, it also goes by Camiluz. For a twin room we paid 90 Peruvian soles per night, breakfast included (7-10am). Showers have hot water.

* Swimming pool, free internet and free wifi and friendly service in several languages (en-fr-de-nl-es), enquire about laundry service and burning CDs or DVDs of your pictures. Quiet neighbourhood. Travel agent at reception. The rooftop terrace has a great view of the town and surroundings. (UPDATE: March,2014. This place changed its name and ownership a few years ago and no longer rents rooms by the day.)

*Cheap beds to sleep, however Micky the tour guy will bug you for his tours. Often they are over pricing cost more 5 times the normal value on the main street. Also, the owner will try to pick you up at the bus station, insisting that whatever hotel you have reservation for, he is from that hotel, then drive you to his hotel instead. He will then tell you a high price (like 80 soles) then drop down after much haggling. He is not threatening or anything, just hilariously amusing
*Hacienda style accommodation in individual bungalows with common swimming-pool and a view out to the biggest sand dune in the world.
*Formerlly known as the Inti Wasi Hostel, this establishment should be avoided at all costs. Owner will approach you at bus stop, beware he is a SCAM ARTIST. While rooms may be reasonably priced he is notorious for ripping people off on tours and meals and being creepy.
Stay safe

There are various travel agents in town though having an office in Nazca does not guarantee trustworthiness. Be very careful and never buy from people that address you on the street or wait the bus stop.

* If you think that the Peruvian government is worthy of your money, only work with tax paying business that will give you a legal tax invoice (called either a "boleto" or a "factura"). This document will have the name of the business and their VAT number printed on it, together with a unique number.

* The agency El Mochilero is NOT registered and has been officially closed by the government few years ago, but still continue to sell overpriced (up to double) flight tickets from the bus stop or the Hotel Mirador close to the main square.
Get out

Cruz del Sur run daily buses to [wiki=0cb9cde516c38ed84dc1f3f2b5556ed3]Lima[/wiki] at 11:30AM and at 2:30PM. The trip takes 7 hr approximately.
[wiki=171a98f4722267176bd0fe81f8980074]Arequipa[/wiki] is 8 hrs away by bus. Soyuz/PeruBus have buses approximately every half hour to Ica, leaving from their terminal near the main roundabout and stopping along the Panamericana Sur on request until full - S/.11.

[wiki=967f96d98b992e7efffc9116266e7dbc]Ica[/wiki] is 2.5-3 hrs away, various companies run buses throughout the day. Prices start from 7 soles.

The long trip to [wiki=b44067e19ae59a94102cd6dee0605fd2]Cusco[/wiki] from Nazca can be broken up into three legs if you don´t mind being called "gringo" when hanging out in the intermediary towns. Hourly colectivos ply the paved, but curvacious, road to Puquio where you will find 3 simple hostals near the main plaza (18 soles a night for doubles with bano privado). From there, buses head another 6 hr (40 soles) to [wiki=2e5372dc36a187d0cfbe7d359b7fc384]Abancay[/wiki]. In Abancay, you will find that the Hotel Paraiso next to the bus terminal is your best bet. From there, Cusco is a 5 hr bus (20 soles) ride on an equally winding, but paved, road.

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[wiki=c5cce5804a44b094f77167f67362e0fe]wts:Category:Nazca[/wiki]

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The ancient Nazca people

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