Cahuachi is one of the largest archaeological sites in southern Peru, stretching across a chain of treeless hills that overlook the Nazca Lines. The site contains adobe pyramids, ceremonial plazas, and the ruins of rooms and huts. Despite its scale, it remains only partially excavated — leaving many of its secrets still hidden beneath the desert sands.
Early archaeologists once believed Cahuachi was the capital of the Nazca civilization. Today, evidence suggests a different story: Cahuachi was a sacred ceremonial center. For most of the year it was nearly deserted, inhabited only by priests and caretakers. But once a year, tens of thousands of devotees would gather here in a great pilgrimage, taking part in rituals whose meaning remains unknown.
One of the site’s most unusual features is the way natural hills were reshaped to resemble monumental pyramids. Why the Nazca chose to modify nature instead of constructing massive buildings is still a matter of debate — a mystery that continues to fascinate archaeologists.
Your Tour Experience
Your private driver will meet you at your hotel in Nazca or at the Nazca airport. You’ll travel 45 minutes to the west, accompanied by your professional English-speaking guide, until you reach the entrance of Cahuachi.
On arrival, you’ll explore the ruins on a privately guided tour, learning about the latest archaeological theories and uncovering the enigmatic history of this sprawling site. After your visit, you’ll return comfortably to your hotel in Nazca.
Many travelers also choose to FLY OVER THE NAZCA LINES before taking this tour. We guarantee that our clients will fly with an airline of excellent reputation for safety and reliability.
#1 Rated Nazca Lines tour operator in Ica
Average rating of 4.8 of 5 stars by our clients
Explore must-see destinations like Machu Picchu, and also take travelers to “off the radar” places that are likely to be famous and in demand in the next few years.
For more than a decade, we have planned and operated unforgettable private tours to the Nazca Lines, and throughout Peru. How can we assist you?
With the Dune Buggy and Sandboarding tour
When travelers select this optional tour, we schedule their flight from the airport in Ica, located just 10 minutes away from the oasis where the dune buggy tour begins. We can also offer a two hour group dune buggy tour instead of a one hour private tour, if you are willing to arrive back to Lima very late at 11:45 PM. Let us know if you prefer this.
Pickup at your hotel, transfer to bus station
6:10 AM - 6:30 AM
First-class bus from Lima to Ica
6:55 AM - 11:00 AM
Check-in, security procedures, boarding flight
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Purchase and eat lunch at the oasis
1:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Private dune and sandboarding tour
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Return to Lima by first-class bus
5:00 PM - 9:40 PM
Transfer to your hotel
9:40 PM - 10:00 PM
With the Paracas National Reserve tour
Please note that the flight departure times at the airport in Pisco change every day, depending on the weather and the arrival times of the other passengers. So the listed times below are just an example; you might be picked up earlier or later than this. And your flight might be before your Paracas Reserve tour or afterwards. It is important to be flexible and patient.
Pickup at your hotel, transfer to bus station
6:10 AM - 6:30 AM
Touristic Bus from Lima to Paracas
6:55 AM - 10:45 AM
Check-in, security procedures, boarding flight
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines
11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
Paracas National Reserve private tour + time for lunch
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Return to Lima by first-class bus
4:10 PM - 8:10 PM
Transfer to your hotel in Lima
8:10 PM - 8:30 PM
With a private Tambo Colorado Tour
When our clients add the dune buggy tour to this tour package, we will schedule the Nazca Lines flight from the airport in Ica, which is just a few minutes away from the oasis where your dune buggy tour begins.
Private transport from Lima to Paracas
7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Paracas National Reserve private tour, eat lunch
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Sleep in Paracas
Pickup at your hotel
7:40 AM
Ballestas Islands boat tour
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Tambo Colorado tour and time for lunch
10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Private transport back to Lima, end of tour
2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
With the Dune buggy Tour
When our clients add the dune buggy tour to this tour package, we will schedule the Nazca Lines flight from the airport in Ica, which is just a few minutes away from the oasis where your dune buggy tour begins.
Private transport from your hotel to Ica airport
6:50 AM - 11:10 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines from Ica airport
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Eat lunch, relax at the oasis
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Dune buggy and sandboarding tour
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Private transport to Paracas
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sleep in Paracas ( kindly reserve whichever hotel you prefer)
Pickup at your hotel in Paracas
7:40 AM
Ballestas Islands boat tour
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Paracas National Reserve private tour
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Private transport to Lima
2:00 PM - 6:30 PM
with a private tour to Hacienda San Jose
Sometimes the airline may need to change your flight time, meaning we may need to pick you up later or earlier than this schedule indicates.
With this optional tour, we will schedule your flight from the airport in Ica, located just 10 minutes away from the oasis where your dune buggy tour will begin. We can also offer a two hour group dune buggy tour instead of a one hour private tour, if you are willing to arrive back to Lima very late at 10:45 PM.
Private transport from Lima to Paracas
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Paracas National Reserve tour
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sleep in Paracas
Private transport to Ica
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Visit archaeology museum (optional)
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines from Ica
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Winery tour, lunch
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Dune buggy tour of the desert, with option
to try sandboarding
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Private transport back to hotel in Paracas
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sleep in Paracas
Pickup at your hotel
7:40 AM
Ballestas Islands boat tour
8:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Private transport to Hacienda San Jose
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Tambo Colorado private tour
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Time for lunch nearby
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Private transport back to Lima
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
with Tambo Colorado
Sometimes the airline may need to change your flight time, meaning we may need to pick you up later or earlier than this schedule indicates.
With this optional tour, we will schedule your flight from the airport in Ica, located just 10 minutes away from the oasis where your dune buggy tour will begin. We can also offer a two hour group dune buggy tour instead of a one hour private tour, if you are willing to arrive back to Lima very late at 10:45 PM.
Private transport from Lima to Paracas
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Paracas National Reserve tour
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sleep in Paracas
Private transport to Ica
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Visit archaeology museum (optional)
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines from Ica
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Winery tour, lunch
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Dune buggy tour of the desert, with option
to try sandboarding
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Private transport back to hotel in Paracas
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sleep in Paracas
Pickup at your hotel
7:40 AM
Ballestas Islands boat tour
8:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Tambo Colorado private tour
10:15 AM - 1:15 PM
Time for lunch in Paracas
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Private transport back to Lima
2:15 PM - 5:45 PM
With the Dune Buggy and Sandboarding tour
Sometimes the airline may need to change your flight time, meaning we may need to pick you up later or earlier than this schedule indicates.
With this optional tour, we will schedule your flight from the airport in Ica, located just 10 minutes away from the oasis where your dune buggy tour will begin. We can also offer a two hour group dune buggy tour instead of a one hour private tour, if you are willing to arrive back to Lima very late at 10:45 PM.
Private transport from Lima to Ica
6:50 AM - 11:00 AM
Check-in, security procedures, boarding flight
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Purchase and eat lunch at the oasis
1:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Private dune buggy and sandboarding tour
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Return to Lima by private transport
4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
With the Paracas National Reserve tour
Please note that the flight departure times at the airport in Pisco change every day, depending on the weather and the arrival times of the other passengers. So the listed times below are just an example; you might be picked up earlier or later than this. And your flight might be before your Paracas Reserve tour or afterwards. It is important to be flexible.
Private transport from Lima to Paracas
7:00 AM - 10:40 AM
Check-in, security procedures, boarding flight
10:40 AM - 11:00 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Paracas National Reserve private tour + time for lunch
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Return to Lima by private transport
4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
With the Ballestas Islands tour
Please note that the flight departure times at the airport in Pisco change every day, depending on the weather and the arrival times of the other passengers. So the listed times below are just an example; you might be flying later in the day. But you will be picked up at 4:20 AM in Lima.
Private transport from Lima to Paracas
4:20 AM - 7:30 AM
Ballestas Islands boat tour
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Transfer to Pisco Regional Airport
10:30 AM - 10:40 AM
Check-in, security procedures, boarding flight
10:40 AM - 11:00 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Time for lunch in Paracas
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Return to Lima by private transport
1:45 PM - 5:45 PM
