Monkey and hummingbird
Seen only from the air.
Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0
Giant figures etched into the floor of the Nazca Desert, made by the region's ancient people between about 500 BC and AD 500 by removing the dark surface pebbles to expose the pale soil beneath. Some are straight lines running for kilometres, others huge figures of animals and plants that can only be seen whole from the air; they are on UNESCO's list. The lines add up to more than 1,300 kilometres over an area of about 50 square kilometres, the best-known figures being the monkey with its curled tail, the hummingbird, the spider, the dog and the «astronaut» on a hillside. Their purpose is still a mystery: suggestions include an astronomical calendar or ritual paths linked to water. The best way to see them is a flight in a small plane from Nazca's airfield, about half an hour, banking left and right so every passenger sees the figures. The cheaper option is a metal viewing tower on the highway, from which only a few figures can be seen. The plane banks sharply and many people feel airsick, so do not eat much beforehand. Choose an airline with a good safety record, avoid untrustworthy middlemen, and fly in the morning for the clearest views.
Seen only from the air.
Half an hour over the desert.
The budget option.
Nazca Desert, southern Peru; the airfield near Nazca town, and the viewing tower on the Pan-American Highway
Yes if you want to see the full figures, which are only visible from the air. The plane banks a lot, though, so if you suffer from motion sickness, settle for the roadside tower.