Flying over the Nazca Lines: what Canadian travellers should know

A Nazca Lines flight is a short scenic flight in a small plane over the geoglyphs of the Nazca Desert, and it is the best way to take in the famous figures, which are hard to make out from the ground. From the Nazca aerodrome the classic flight lasts about 35 minutes; from Pisco it is a longer scenic flight of around 1 hour 40 minutes that the Government of Canada describes as the safest option. Below you will find everything practical: where to fly from, what it costs, how to handle motion sickness, and how to fit it into a relaxed private trip.

Nazca or Pisco: which airport should you fly from?

This is the first decision, and it shapes the rest of your itinerary. There are two main departure points, plus a few combined options.

• Nazca aerodrome: the classic choice. The flight over the lines takes about 35 minutes and the Nazca Lines Flight starts from USD 100 per person. You need to be in Nazca, which is roughly 440 to 454 km south of Lima.
• Pisco International Airport: the Nazca Lines Scenic Flight From Pisco Airport starts from USD 350. The flight itself is about 1 hour 40 minutes and the whole outing from Paracas takes around 3 hours. It suits travellers staying in Paracas who prefer not to drive to Nazca.
• Ica and San Martin Port: the Nazca Lines Flight From Ica (6 h outing, from USD 250) and the Nazca Lines Flight From San Martin Port (4 h outing, from USD 350) are handy if your hotel is in Huacachina or on the Paracas coast.

On safety, the Government of Canada travel advice for Peru states that Pisco International Airport is the safest option for Nazca overflights and recommends using a certified operator. We think Canadian travellers should know that before booking. If you choose Nazca, the flights on our tour pages run with certified aircraft and experienced pilots, and we plan the day so you are never rushed. Our guide on where to fly over the Nazca Lines compares the airports in more detail.

Flight options and prices at a glance

Prices below are per person, in US dollars, and are the starting prices published on our tour pages.

• Nazca Lines Flight: 35 min, from USD 100.
• Nazca Lines Private Flight: 1 h, from USD 150. Just your group in the plane, a good fit for couples and families who want space and a calmer pace.
• Nazca Palpa Lines Flight: 1 h, from USD 230. Adds the Palpa geoglyphs, many of them drawn on hillsides.
• Scenic Flight From Pisco Airport: about 2 h, from USD 350.
• From Lima in one day: the Nazca Lines Full Day Tour From Lima (from USD 375) with private transport, pickup at 05:00, the flight, airport fees and the viewing tower included.

If you are still deciding how to get south, see all the options on our Nazca Lines tours page.

Airport fees, cash and what is included

At the Nazca aerodrome each passenger pays an airport tax of S/ 30 plus a tourist ticket of S/ 47, a total of S/ 77 per person, before boarding. That is about USD 20. Unless your tour says the fees are included, bring Peruvian soles in cash for this.

On flights from Pisco, the airport fees are paid at the airport and are not included in the flight price. Our full day tour from Lima already includes the flight fees, so there is nothing to pay on the spot.

Weight limits and seat assignment

Small planes are balanced carefully, so each airline sets a weight limit per passenger. It varies by route: on our Nazca and Ica flights the reference is 95 kg, and on the Pisco flight it is 90 kg. If you are above the limit, let us know by email before booking, because an extra seat may be needed and additional fees may apply.

It is simply part of how a safe, balanced flight is planned, and telling us early lets us sort out seating before the day rather than at the counter. Remember to bring your original passport, because you need it to board.

Motion sickness: how to enjoy the flight

Every seat is a window seat, and the pilot tilts the wings to both sides over each figure so everyone gets a view. That is great for photos and less great for sensitive stomachs. A few simple habits help a lot:

• Eat a light meal before the flight, not a big breakfast and not an empty stomach.
• If you get motion sickness, take your usual medication about 30 minutes before takeoff. Check with your doctor at home before you travel.
• Look at the horizon between figures and keep the camera down for a moment if you start to feel unwell.
• Arrive at the airport 30 minutes early so you start the flight relaxed, not rushed.

If the idea of banking turns makes you nervous, the Land Tour To The Nazca Lines (3 h, from USD 30) takes you to the viewing tower beside the Pan-American Highway. From there you see only a few figures, such as the Hands and the Tree, but it is a gentle alternative.

Best time of day, fog and delays

Flights only take off when visibility is good enough, and coastal fog can push departure times back. On Pisco flights the first departures are usually from around 8:00, with the exact slot assigned by the airline. Our advice for a stress free day:

• Do not plan the flight on the same morning as a long drive or a domestic flight connection.
• Keep a spare half day in Nazca or Paracas in case of a delay.
• Stay flexible: a short wait for clear skies is worth it, because the view is the whole point.

Weather in the Nazca Desert is dry all year, with an average of about 4 mm of rain annually, so the flight works in every season. That makes it a good fit for March Break or a winter escape from Canada.

What you will see and how to take good photos

Before takeoff the pilot gives a short briefing and a map of the figures, and in the air the plane circles each one. Among the best known are the Hummingbird, the Monkey, the Spider and the Astronaut on a hillside, along with long straight lines, spirals and trapezoids. For the full list and what each figure is, read our guide to the Nazca Lines figures or our blog post on the Nazca Lines.

• A phone works well. Set it up before takeoff and switch off the flash.
• Keep your gear light: the cabin is small, and a phone or a compact camera is easier to handle than a large lens.
• Wear dark clothing to reduce reflections on the window.
• Take a few photos of each figure, then put the camera down and simply look. The figures pass quickly.

Combine the flight with Chauchilla, Cahuachi or Paracas

The flight only takes a morning, so it pairs well with other visits. In Nazca itself, add the Tour To Chauchilla Cemetery (2 h, from USD 25), where ancient mummies rest in their original tombs, the Pyramids of Cahuachi (3 h, from USD 40) or the spiral Aqueducts of Cantayo (2 h, from USD 25).

If you prefer to combine the Nazca Lines with the coast, these tours combine both:

• Tour To The Ballestas Islands And Nazca Lines From Lima: 1 day, from USD 395.
• Nazca Lines And Paracas Bay Tour: 1 day, from USD 580.
• Paracas And Nazca Lines Tour: 2 days, from USD 495, a calmer rhythm with a night on the coast.
• Nazca Lines, Huacachina And Paracas 2 Days Trip: 2 days, from USD 595.

Planning a longer trip that also includes Cusco? Our guide to Machu Picchu and Nazca in 12 days shows how to link both, and our Peru packages are a ready made starting point that we adapt to your dates.

Plan your Nazca Lines flight with us

Tell us your dates, where you are staying and who is travelling, and we will suggest the right airport, flight and pace for your group, with private transport and our local team at every step. Write to us and a travel advisor will reply with a tailored proposal, or try our trip planning assistant to sketch your itinerary first.