South Coast - Peru - page 265

the observation tower from Nazca, catch any bus or colectivo northbound along Carr Pa-
namericana Sur (S1.50, 30 minutes). Some tours (from S50 per person, Click here ) also
combine a trip to the mirador with visits to another natural viewpoint and the Maria
Reiche Museum. About 1km south of the man-made mirador there a Mirador Natural on
a small knoll-like hill with a close up view of one of the geometric lines made by remov-
ing reddish pebbles from the grey earth.

Museo Maria Reiche
(admission S5; 9am-6pm) When Maria Reiche, the German mathematician and long-
term researcher of the Nazca Lines, died in 1998, her house, which stands 5km north of
the mirador along Carr Panamericana Sur, was made into a small museum. Though disap-
pointingly scant on information, you can see where she lived, amid the clutter of her tools
and obsessive sketches, and pay your respects to her tomb. Though the sun can be punish-
ing, it's possible to walk here from the mirador in a sweaty hour or so, or passing colect-
ivos can sometimes take you (S1). To return to Nazca, just ask the guard to help you flag
down any southbound bus or colectivo . A visit to the museum can also be arranged as
part of a tour to the nearby mirador .

MUSEUM

OVERFLIGHTS OVERVIEW

Bad publicity wracked the Nazca Lines in 2010 when two small aircraft carrying tourists on sobrevuelos (over-
flights) crashed within eight months of each other causing a total of 13 fatalities. The crashes followed an equally
catastrophic 2008 accident that killed five French tourists, along with another incident when a plane was forced to
make an emergency landing on the Carr Panamericana Sur in 2009.

In reaction to the incidents some changes have been made. Fifteen plane companies have been streamlined into
half a dozen, all planes now fly with two pilots, and prices have gone up to ensure that companies don't cut
corners with poorly maintained aircraft or over-filled flights.

Nonetheless, it still pays to put safety before price when choosing your overflight company. Question anyone
who offers less than US$80 for the standard 30-minute excursion and don't be afraid to probe companies on their
safety records and flight policies. Aeroparacas ( www.aeroparacas.com ) is one of the better airline companies.
Other longstanding operators include Aerodiana ( 444-3057; www.aerodiana.com.pe ) and Alas Peruanas
Offline map Google map ( 52-2497; www.alasperuanas.com ) . Some countries, including the UK and
USA, still place warnings about overflights on their foreign office websites.

If you do opt for a flight, bear in mind that, because the small aircraft bank left and right, it can be a stomach-
churning experience, so motion-sickness sufferers should consider taking medication. Looking at the horizon may
help mild nausea.