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(CNN) - Peru is home to Machu Picchu, one of the seven modern wonders of the world, which attracts travelers from all over the world.
But if you ask any Peruvian, Machu Picchu is next to the Nazca Lines, the formations in desert landscape in the southern part of the country.
From simple lines to geometric and zoomorphic shapes, these crevices extend along the barren plateau of Pampas de Jumana, some extend up to 365 meters (almost as much as the Empire State building).
Even the national tourism board, PromPerú, uses Nazca Lines shapes in its official brand, with the P in Peru similar to one of the iconic eddies.
Despite its great historical importance, the number of visitors to the Lines is reduced by the amount that Machu Picchu or the capital Lima visits each year.
That means you can get a specialized experience without having to spend a lot of money, and you don't need to spend several days walking or getting used to the altitude.
This is what you need to know.
What are they?
Part of what makes the Nazca Lines so fascinating is its mystery. Although these geoglyphs in the sand were made around the 1st century AD. C., were virtually unknown until the early twentieth century. Many theories abounded about how the lines got there and what they meant.
The Nazca Lines became a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1994. At that time, Unesco wrote: “They are the most prominent group of geoglyphs anywhere in the world and are unparalleled in terms of their extent, magnitude, quantity, size, diversity and ancestral tradition than any other similar work in the world ”.
Different people see different things when they look at the Lines from the sky. Some of the formations have nicknames such as El sparión, La iguana and La flor according to their forms.
Although the Incas are probably the most famous pre-Columbian group that lived in what is now Peru, the Nazca had a prosperous civilization in the desert for hundreds of years.
The most exciting thing about the Nazca Lines is their relative simplicity. The lines are not dug deep into the ground, they are simply made of the top layer of desert sand and could probably be recreated by a group of people in a few days.
The relative ease of doing them makes it even more impressive that the Nazca Lines have remained intact for so long, accustomed to strong winds.
What do they mean?
“For a long time, many generations of Peruvians and the international community grew up learning that these lines referred to astronomical cycles, such as constellations and star movements,” explains Javier Puente, a specialist in the travel company Expert Guide of the Incas
“But recent research has shown that this is not the case. They seem to be related to ritual and water. ”
Puente, a native of Peru who is now an associate professor of Latin History at Smith College in Massachusetts, has heard almost all conspiracy theories of the Nazca Lines.
"They were not drawn by aliens, that's for sure," he says. This theory has endured over time because many people believe that some of the figures, in particular, a nickname The astronaut, seem anachronistic. But no sophisticated technology or intelligence was needed to make them.
For desert people, water is everything, and many scholars believe that these roads could have indicated where the water sources were. It is also possible that they were elements of a spiritual practice, with people walking the same paths over and over again to deepen the lines.
How can I see them?
First, you will need to get to Peru. Fly to Lima, then drive or take a bus 400 km (250 miles) on the Pan-American Highway to the coastal town of Paracas.
This sunny community of surfers recently organized sailing events during the 2019 Pan American Games, and there are several nice hotels, including a DoubleTree by Hilton complex.
The best way to see the Nazca lines is from the air. There are several daily flights, which last approximately 75 minutes each, departing from the Pisco airport.
If you've ever been frustrated by a long security line at an airport, Pisco is about to be your new favorite place. Despite being fully equipped with all the modern technology of an airport, Pisco is basically empty, except for these Nazca flights. You can navigate through check-in and security in approximately two minutes if you walk slowly.
However, the ease of the airport is offset by the challenges of the flight itself. Only 10 to 12 people fit on each plane, and everyone is guaranteed a seat by the window, so travelers who are tall or need a lot of legroom will feel very tight.
The desert is notoriously windy around the Lines, and in a small plane you are more likely to feel every fluctuation. In addition to that, the pilots will submerge the plane at low altitude so that people on both sides can see different line formations and take pictures.
It feels a bit like being on a stunt plane, and even the most experienced travelers will probably feel dizzy. Invest heavily in the nausea medication you prefer before boarding, and look for plastic bags in each seat in case you need it.
Still, surviving the flight will only make you feel more like an intrepid explorer once you return to the mainland. Especially once you publish the photos and have the rights to brag.
If you are a nervous traveler, there is another option: an observation tower. You won't be able to see so many formations, but it's a solid Plan B, and one with less vomit involved.
Why should I visit?
Like so many natural wonders around the world, the Nazca Lines could easily disappear in our time. Despite surviving thousands of years, the Lines could easily be swept away by a significant rain storm, a risk in the era of the climate crisis.
However, the greatest threat to the Nazca Lines are human beings.
"The danger is urbanization, road construction and modernity," says Puente. "The Nazca Lines are more threatened by that than for any natural reason."
Perhaps it is that impermanence, not symbolism, that really makes the Nazca Lines so magical.
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