Mirador and Cerro

Location:
Approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) North of Nasca
Nasca, Peru

Ruin Types:
Nasca lines

By Lorraine Caputo

The Nasca Lines can be viewed from a plane weaving the sky above them, or from other, more down-to-earth vantage points. The cerro is a solitary hill in the midst of this vast desert. Climbing to the top, you can see lines criss-crossing the desert. One series of lines to the northeast join to form a giant triangle pointing to a source of water in the mountains. Another line further west is over seven kilometers (4.2 miles) long and perfectly designates the winter solstice day. A kilometer up the highway is the mirador, a 12-meter (39-foot) high metal lookout tower. From the top you can view the Tree and the Hands. As well, the remnants of the Lizard, which construction of the Pan-American Highway cut in two. (Look for the tail on the west side of the road, and a paw on the east side.)

Getting There
Tours, which include the Cerro, Mirador and the Casa-Museo Maria Reiche, cost on average $15 per person (check if entries are included).

To get there on your own, take a bus heaing for Ica or other northern destination and hop off at the Cerro (there is no roadside sign, so inform the driver; $0.70). The look-out tower is one kilometer up the road, on the same side of the highway.

Travel Tips: It is best to do this outing in the early morning or late afternoon, to avoid he mid-day heat and strong sun. This outing can be combined with a trip to Casa-Museo Maria Reiche, three kilometers north. However, the highway is quite dangerous as it goes through a narrow cut. It’s best to await another bus to go up there ($0.70).

Price Description: $0.35 (mirador)

Relative price: Budget

Open Hours from:Dawn

Open Hours to:Dusk

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: Bring along water, snacks and protection against the sun (hat, sun screen).

Flights over the Lines; Casa-Museo Maria Reiche, Planetario Maria Reiche, the Museo Antonini, various archaeological sites in the region.

Currencies accepted
Nuevo Sol