Review: Lima Nazca Lines & Huacachina Oasis Private Trip

Okay, so you’re thinking about a trip from Lima that hits both the famous Nazca Lines and the sweet Huacachina Oasis? That is a very exciting idea! I thought it might be useful to lay out exactly what you can expect from a private tour. Let’s have a look at the whole experience to help you decide if it’s really the way you want to go. Think of it like looking over someone’s shoulder as they actually live out that tour.

What’s the Big Deal About Nazca and Huacachina?

Before we go further, it’s a fair question, is it not? Well, the Nazca Lines, located near the city of Nazca, are huge geoglyphs etched into the desert sand. Created between 500 BC and 500 AD, so that’s like, a super long time ago! No one actually knows for absolute certain why they were created! Yet some guess it had to do with religious ceremonies. Pretty mysterious, eh?

Then there’s Huacachina. This small village, built around a desert oasis, it seems almost unreal. Imagine tall sand dunes that roll gently away. Suddenly, BAM! there’s this bright blue-green lagoon surrounded by palm trees. It’s the place to go in Peru for dune buggy rides and sandboarding! Seriously, that is cool, don’t you think?

Choosing a Private Trip: What Should You Keep in Mind?

Now, choosing a private trip for this adventure has perks. It can be a bit more expensive, of course, though! One thing that you get for sure, is flexibility. You aren’t stuck trying to keep pace with the huge tour groups.

When picking a private tour company, have a good think, too, about a few things, because a little thought is worthwhile here:

• Reviews: Take a good look at what previous travelers mention. Those little details can tell you a lot.
• Itinerary: Does it line up with exactly the kinds of things you love to do? Do they have the options available for stuff that grabs your attention?
• Inclusions: Clear out exactly what’s covered and, basically, what’s not. It will sting, won’t it, to think your fees covered lunch only to find out that, uh, you’re on your own?

My First Hours: Getting from Lima to Nazca

So, okay, the tour starts super early – think, really early. That is kind of annoying, but, hey, it helps beat the crazy traffic heading out of Lima. What’s important is that it’s quite a long drive to Nazca. Now this might not be a deal breaker, but maybe you get carsick. Then, boy oh boy, you will be having some moments of strife!

Most of the trip just has you driving along the Pan-American Highway. Okay, this really isn’t the most exciting road to stare at, too! However, lots of tour operators build in stops to give you a chance to get a feel for the local culture and actually snap some neat shots.

The Nazca Lines Flight Experience

Now, it’s a tiny aircraft to get your peek at the Lines from above, it is. So, you know, heads up! It can be kind of turbulent, that is just reality. If tiny planes aren’t actually your favorite, perhaps you want to, you know, prepare a bit?

Yet, look here! Staring down at the huge figures carved into the ground, you actually do forget the queasiness quickly. The pilot helpfully points out each of the famous geoglyphs: the Monkey, the Hummingbird, the Spider. Actually seeing it is so cool. The mystery of them, you start to get into it.

Huacachina: An Oasis of Fun

Leaving Nazca, it’s a drive to Huacachina, too. Yet what waits for you there just sings!

So here it is: Time for dune buggy rides and sandboarding. Oh yeah! The dune buggy ride? Now that’s a wild rollercoaster ride across the dunes. It could be bumpy, surely. Yet so, so neat! And sandboarding? More tricky, huh? It takes some practice. I’ll say this, tumbling down a dune gives you memories, that is assured. I’m sure your social media feed will enjoy it. So remember to post it online!

Food and Local Flavors

Many tours will actually sort of direct you toward places to get a meal, or include them. Actually tasting the real Peruvian food, man, is so delightful after a day out there.

Here is my tip, you ought to consider asking your guide where THEY actually like to eat. Perhaps, that’s something I will never not do from now on!

What Makes a Private Tour the “Best” Choice?

Okay, remember way back at the start of this whole thing I brought up flexibility? That is the huge difference, too. Basically the small groups or the personal setup allow you the chance to stay somewhere longer. Or, say, skip something that turns out not to have sparked something inside you.

Here is what’s great, also: The local guides share things! Having that personal experience, okay? Getting to ask stuff and connect, I think that gives a very enriching experience.

Things that Could Be Better

Truthfully, these tours may turn out to be long! Sitting down, for hours! Now you want to be thoughtful and realize it ahead of time, eh?

Furthermore, the Nazca flight? Yes it may cause that seasick kind of thing, that is all the truth. Also there is what this will all actually cost you. Budget trips these are surely not!

Overall Thoughts

Doing the Lima-Nazca Lines-Huacachina thing is a really fun way, for sure, to get to peek at very unlike things, culture and nature both.

Actually shelling out a little more for that private trip? You are then going to get way more bang for the buck! Just line up, eh? That your goals all sync up, it really does matter. I sure did learn a lot, plus had one really wonderful time. Now isn’t that nice?