Chauchilla en Cantayoc, Nasca
The Experience
Learn about the pre-Inca cultures that lived in this area long ago. During this excursion in Nazca, you will visit the Chauchilla cemetery and the Cantayoc aqueducts with our guide André.
Fun fact: We developed our Tura-Travel logo based on the shape of the Nazca aqueducts.
What's Included
- Private guide (André)
- Transportation by car with the guide
- Visit to:
- Chauchilla pre-Inca cemetery
- Cantayoc aqueducts
- Optional: El Mirador (lookout tower) if you are not taking the Nazca Lines flight
- Approximate 3-hour duration for the entire excursion
- Educational commentary about Nazca culture, mummies, and ancient aqueduct systems
What's Not Included
- Entrance fees to:
- Chauchilla Cemetery
- Cantayoc aqueducts
- El Mirador lookout tower
- Nazca Lines flight (explicitly mentioned as not part of this tour)
- Meals, drinks, or snacks
- Tips or gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Hotel pickup/drop-off (not clearly mentioned – may or may not be included)
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Our guide André would be happy to take you in his car for a visit to the pre-Inca burial site of Chauchilla and the aqueducts of Cantayoc. In total, this excursion lasts approximately 3 hours. If you are not planning to take a flight over the Nazca Lines, André can also take you to El Mirador (the lookout tower). From this lookout tower, you can partially see a number of Nazca Lines and figures.
The cemetery
The Chauchilla Cemetery, a half-hour drive from Nazca, dates back to the time of the Nazca culture, which is over 1,000 years old. Chauchilla was in use from around the 3rd century through the 9th century AD and was rediscovered in 1920. The cemetery was visited by looters for years, resulting in the unfortunate loss of almost all valuable items. Nevertheless, this cemetery remains interesting because it still contains many graves with mummies. These mummies have remained relatively intact thanks to the dry climate in this area. Since 1997, the cemetery has been secured by the Peruvian government, and a number of the graves have been restored.
The aqueducts
The Cantayoc Aqueducts are located 4 kilometers from the city of Nazca. In this arid region of Peru, an underground system of aqueducts was constructed starting in the 5th century AD. In this way, groundwater was utilized optimally, and crops such as cotton, potatoes, and beans could be cultivated in this dry region. The aqueducts are evidence of the high level of technical development possessed by pre-Inca cultures.