When it comes to Peru, all we know is the 15th century citadel of Machu Picchu, but the South American country has much more to offer to tourists - in terms of sight-seeing, adventure and gastronomy. There is a boat ride in Lake Titicaca, which is the highest navigable lake in the world; one can visit the Colca and Cotahuasi Canyons, the deepest canyons in the world; go fishing in the mighty Amazon River; or simply experience the modern lifestyle in the streets of Lima, which is the only capital in South America facing the Pacific Ocean. On a recent trip to Peru, one heard a lot about the Nazca Lines, which are said to be the tracings of mysteriously preserved drawings in the desert sand. In fact, Nazca Lines is among the top places to visit in Peru among seasoned travellers. Drawn on the surface between 550 and 600 AD, the Nazca Lines were declared a World Heritage Site in 1994. These are believed to the greatest known archaeological enigma, owing to their size, continuity, nature and quality. These lines are associated with some astronomical functions also. The images on the ground are so big in size that the best way to get a full view of them is overflying them. Flying over Nazca Lines left us spellbound as we glared at the perfect shapes of a spider, a lizard, birds, a monkey, a whale and even spot the design of powerful Andean Condor. The daily aeroplanes accommodate 4-12 passengers at a time, but one can prebook to avoid last-minute disappointment. You can reach Nazca by bus from Pisco or Lima, or even take a short flight from these places.
