The Nasca Lines are an incredible sight that can only be properly appreciated from the air - giant geometric shapes and animal forms (some 200m across) are spread out over an area of 500 square kilometers. Whilst the designs are wonderfully clear and precise, their intended use is anything but clear.
They date from between 200BC and 700AD and were made by the Nasca culture. The lines were formed by clearing the rocks from the rocky desert surface and revealing the lighter coloured dust below. Although theories abound about why they were made and what their function was,the established consensus is that they served as a celestial calendar and played a role in the timing of agricultural activities - albeit a fairly extravagant way of achieving this. |
The Paracas Reserve, located about 150 miles north west of Nasca,
is Peru's most important marine wildlife reserve and contains Peru's answer to the Galapagos Islands - the Ballesta Islands.
The deep Pacific trench off the Peruvian coast is exceptionally rich in fish and plankton, providing abundant food for the larger fish and mammals that are plentiful in the reserve. A boat trip out to the islands is the best way to get close to the Sea Lions, Penguins, Dolphins, Pelicans and sometimes Killer Whales that live in and frequent the coastal waters. Land species like the Marine Cat and Desert Fox can be seen while walking or cycling the routes in the reserve.
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