Nazca Lines Flight Review: Is It Worth The Cost?

Alright, so you’re thinking about seeing the Nazca Lines, is that right? More specifically, maybe taking a flight over them? Well, it is such an iconic image of Peru, and there is just something very amazing about seeing these giant figures etched into the desert floor. But the burning question is: is coughing up the money for a flight really worth it? I mean, after all, we’re talking about a not-exactly-small chunk of change. This review is basically gonna tell you my experience, what to possibly look out for, and, you know, basically help you figure out if it’s actually something you wanna do.

What Exactly *Are* The Nazca Lines?

Okay, just a bit of background first. The Nazca Lines are these enormous geoglyphs that were created between 500 BC and 500 AD. That’s, you know, pretty old. They’re located in the Nazca Desert in southern Peru, and what’s particularly striking is that a lot of them are shaped like animals, plants, and also just simple geometric forms. The big question, and really the coolest part for me, is that nobody really has any idea why they were made! There are theories, of course – like maybe they had something to do with astronomy, or rituals, or water sources – but honestly, it’s all still mostly speculation, that’s fascinating, isn’t it?

Booking the Flight: Finding a Good Deal (Maybe!)

Alright, let’s jump into booking a flight. Now, this is where it can get a bit tricky, as it’s almost like haggling in a market. Loads of different tour companies are willing to fly you over the lines, and they each, in a way, have different prices. The prices tend to swing quite a bit depending on the season, so you’ll probably get higher rates during peak travel months. What I ended up doing was shopping around and comparing different agencies. Look online, and then see who’s at the local agencies. If you plan on heading that way, I might add.

What you want to really check is safety records. Don’t, just don’t, automatically go with the least costly. This, actually, isn’t something you should scrimp on. Read up on the company, ask around for recent experiences. Is that safety any good? What are their pilots like? Once I did all that, I had some idea of what to expect and what to, arguably, pay. Oh, and very, very, very important: double-check if the price includes the airport tax. Some agencies hide that fee to make their tour appear less costly. Don’t fall for that!

The Airport and the Pre-Flight Jitters

The Nazca airport? Small and very busy. Like, super busy. There are people running around and there is, kind of, a sense of organised chaos. Just go with it! After you’ve checked in with your airline and, you know, paid the airport tax (if that’s not already included), you will be directed to a waiting area. This is where the pre-flight jitters can really start kicking in. So, all these tiny planes constantly taking off and landing, combined with just thoughts of what could be up ahead…yeah, it’s intense.

The planes themselves are usually small Cessna aircraft that fit, perhaps, around 5-6 people, usually. Everyone usually gets a window seat, which, of course, is really important for seeing the lines. Before getting on board, the pilot usually gives you, kind of, a little briefing on what you can expect. I thought it was, sort of, helpful, but I was, too, busy trying to calm myself down.

The Flight Experience: G-Force Galore!

Right, now to the actual flight. Take off is smooth. Very smooth, really. However, once you get to the Nazca Lines, this is where things get really… interesting. The pilot, in a way, flies in a figure eight pattern around each of the lines so everybody on the plane gets to see them. And, I’ll just tell you now, those turns are sharp. Very sharp, very sharp. The first few minutes, perhaps, were exciting, but soon you actually get tossed around, so you’ll likely be grabbing onto your seat for dear life.

Looking out the window to see the lines? Fantastic, there really is just something really incredible about viewing these huge geoglyphs from above. I found that it actually gave you a better sense of their, you know, scale and the artistry behind them. But, just the constant banking of the plane starts to get a bit much. I mean, add in that the views of the desert landscape below aren’t really much to look at – it is, just, barren, dry land – you may start to feel unwell after too long, if that makes sense.

Another little pointer, arguably. Take a sick bag with you. Or ask for one the minute you get on the plane. People, basically, throwing up on these flights isn’t uncommon. No joke. So that means prepare, is what I mean!

The Lines Themselves: What Can You Really See?

The whole thing is great, I am sure, but the stars of the show are clearly the Nazca Lines themselves. From the air, you’ll probably get a chance to spot many of the best-known figures: the hummingbird, the monkey, the spider, and the condor. Seeing these huge drawings sprawled across the desert floor is something pretty mind-blowing, that’s right. That being stated, don’t anticipate super crystal-clear views all of the time.

Depending on, you know, the sunlight and the altitude, some of the lines, perhaps, might appear fainter than others. What’s more, because you’re trying to peep everything through a small airplane window, and that you’re, perhaps, battling turbulence, snapping good photographs can be a bit tough, perhaps even a job for Hercule Poirot. Regardless, it’s just that special thrill of actually seeing them and realizing how very old they are. They truly, really, leave you with a, well, memory.

Worth the Cost? Making Your Decision

So, is the Nazca Lines flight worth it? That’s the huge question, definitely. In my view, it’s yes… but with some strong reservations, maybe. Here’s the thing: seeing the Nazca Lines is super special. This is true. But the actual flight experience isn’t always super nice. Small aircraft, intense turns, and the very real possibility of motion sickness? Hmm. Yet, seeing these historical designs from a completely new angle can’t really be beaten. Plus, if, in a way, you enjoy a bit of a rush, that crazy aircraft experience might be something up your street. So you’ve got to want it for that too.

If, maybe, you decide to pass on the flight, there are alternate routes to see at least some of the lines. You might visit the viewing tower on the side of the highway, that’ll let you see a couple of the figures, but not many. What’s more, you might also take a ground tour to see the lines up close, that’s pretty much getting the gist of how huge they are and understanding the location, however that’ll not give you a feeling for their entire form. I feel if that’s all that you could do, then, very arguably, I would say see the viewing tower. Then if you enjoyed that? At the very least go for a ground tour.

Weigh the costs against what, you know, you could get out of the adventure and consider whether those, actually, outweigh anything about it that is not positive.

Tips for a Smoother Flight

• Book in Advance: Guarantee your spot and maybe get slightly less costly costs by arranging it in advance.
• Check the Weather: Make sure to actually fly on a clear day. Poor weather means lousy visibility.
• Eat Lightly: Don’t go chowing down at a huge dinner beforehand to assist avoiding motion sickness.
• Take Medicine: If, perhaps, you know that you’re susceptible to motion sickness, consider some treatment ahead of time.
• Focus on the Horizon: Trying to focus on the horizon will greatly help calm that queasy stomach.