REVIEW · NAZCA
From Nazca: Chauchilla Cemetery Tour and Artisans Workshop
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A cemetery visit in the desert hits differently. The Chauchilla Cemetery tour near Nazca lets you walk among ancient tombs and see well-preserved mummies that date back over 1,000 years. Add in desert scenery on the drive and an artisan pottery stop at the end, and you get a day that feels both eerie and educational.
What I really like is how the visit isn’t just sightseeing. Your English/Spanish guide walks you through the site’s cultural meaning and funerary practices, so you understand what you’re looking at instead of just staring at bones. I also appreciate that there’s a moment to explore and take photos on your own after the guided portion.
One thing to consider: the sun is real here, and the entrance fee is not included (8 soles per person). Plan for outdoor time, and bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sun hat so the day stays enjoyable rather than miserable.
Key highlights worth your attention
- 1,000+ year mummies: you’ll see remains that are unusually well preserved
- Funerary practices explained: your guide connects the burial site to Nazca beliefs
- Time to photograph and wander: you’re not rushed through every corner
- Artisan pottery workshop: traditional pottery-making techniques close out the tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off: less hassle in Nazca, more time actually seeing things
- English and Spanish guides: helpful if you want a real back-and-forth
In This Review
- From Nazca Pickup to Desert Drive: how the day starts
- Chauchilla Cemetery: walking among tombs and understanding what you’re seeing
- What to expect from the guide: bilingual explanations that answer the real questions
- The post-cemetery pottery workshop: why it’s a smart add-on
- Price and value: is $40 fair for this Nazca outing?
- Timing, comfort, and common-sense prep for the desert
- Who this tour suits best (and who might want to skip it)
- Should you book? My take on the Chauchilla Cemetery and pottery combo
- FAQ
- How long is the Chauchilla Cemetery and art workshop tour?
- Where does the tour start?
- What’s included in the price?
- Is the entrance fee included?
- Do I need to bring sun protection?
- What language will the guide speak?
- Is food included?
- What is the main stop besides the cemetery?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
From Nazca Pickup to Desert Drive: how the day starts
Your tour begins with pickup in Nazca, so you don’t have to figure out transport on your own. You’ll head out through desert scenery, and it’s the kind of drive that quietly sets the tone: dry air, bright light, and wide open views.
This matters because Chauchilla doesn’t feel like a typical museum stop. It’s a real burial site, outdoors, and the atmosphere is part of the experience. If you’re arriving on a tight schedule, I’d still keep this as a dedicated block of time since it’s not the sort of place where you want to feel rushed.
The whole outing is about 150 minutes. That short window is a plus if you like focused tours, but it also means you should be ready to pay attention and move at a steady pace.
Chauchilla Cemetery: walking among tombs and understanding what you’re seeing
Chauchilla Cemetery is the heart of the tour, and it’s easy to see why people remember it. You’ll take a guided walk among ancient tombs, with your guide explaining the history and cultural significance of the site to the Nazca people.
The most striking part is the mummies themselves. You’ll have the chance to see remains that date back over a thousand years, and some are described as being adorned with hair and traditional textiles. Even if you’re expecting something unusual, it still lands as a very human reminder that this wasn’t “history” in a book—it was someone’s life, family, and community.
Your guide also talks about funerary practices and beliefs. That’s the difference between a photo stop and a meaningful visit. When you learn why bodies were arranged the way they were and what the burial practices meant, you start noticing details instead of treating everything like shock value.
And here’s another practical plus: after the guided portion, you get time to explore on your own. That free-wandering time is where you can slow down, frame photos, and decide what details you want to linger on.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Nazca
What to expect from the guide: bilingual explanations that answer the real questions
This tour is led by an English and Spanish guide, and that bilingual setup helps a lot if your group has mixed comfort levels. I like it when the guide can switch gears easily—especially at a place where you’ll naturally have questions.
In the experience, guides don’t just recite facts. They explain the cultural meaning of what you’re seeing and give context as you walk. A name that shows up often is Alex, described as friendly and eager to answer questions, which is exactly how you want a guide to be at a place like this. When the guide is good, the site feels clearer rather than confusing.
If you’re the type who asks questions at the wrong time (no judgment), you’ll usually be fine here. The guide’s job is basically to turn your curiosity into understanding, while still keeping things moving through an outdoor site.
The post-cemetery pottery workshop: why it’s a smart add-on
After Chauchilla, the tour ends with a visit to a local pottery workshop. This part can feel small compared to the cemetery, but it actually complements the whole day in a useful way.
The goal here is not a quick sales pitch. Artisans demonstrate traditional pottery-making techniques, so you’re connecting what you learned about Nazca culture with a living craft. It’s a change of pace: less silence, more hands-on process and observation.
I like pairing sites like this because it keeps the day from becoming one-note. You get to see the past as a burial tradition, and then you get a glimpse of skills and cultural expression that are still happening in some form today.
Price and value: is $40 fair for this Nazca outing?
At $40 per person, this tour is priced in the “good value if you’re here anyway” zone. Here’s what you’re paying for: hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation, and an English/Spanish guide.
Those inclusions matter in Nazca because the logistics of getting to out-of-town sites can eat time. Paying for transport and guidance is often cheaper than you think once you factor in the hassle of figuring out transport, timing, and where to go.
Two things to remember for your budget:
- The entrance fee is not included: 8 soles per person
- Food and drinks are not included, so you’ll want to plan your day accordingly
If you’re already thinking about using paid transport for activities in the area, the tour’s structure is sensible. You get the cemetery experience plus the pottery workshop, in a compact time block.
Timing, comfort, and common-sense prep for the desert
Chauchilla is outdoors, and Nazca’s sun can turn a short walk into a sweaty chore fast. I’d treat this like a daytime desert activity, not an indoor afternoon.
Bring the items listed for the tour:
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
That’s not just “nice to have.” It’s what lets you enjoy your time wandering among tombs and taking photos without feeling miserable. Also, wear clothing that you’re comfortable moving in, because you’ll be walking around the cemetery.
One more practical thought: the day is short. If you prefer long, slow museum-style browsing, you may wish the tour gave more time. For me, that limitation is manageable because the guide’s context helps you make the most of the time you do have.
Who this tour suits best (and who might want to skip it)
This experience is a strong fit if you:
- Want a guided cultural explanation, not just photos
- Enjoy history and anthropology-style learning in real places
- Appreciate combining a serious site with an arts-and-craft stop
- Like tours that don’t drag on for half a day
It’s also a great option if you’ve already seen the Nazca Lines and want something completely different. The cemetery is the opposite of what most people expect from Nazca, and that contrast makes the day memorable.
If you generally dislike cemetery settings, you’ll likely find the atmosphere heavy. This is a respectful site, but it’s still a burial ground. In that case, consider a different kind of Nazca tour.
Should you book? My take on the Chauchilla Cemetery and pottery combo
I’d book this tour if you want a solid, guided Nazca experience without the stress of logistics. The combination works: you get context and explanation at Chauchilla, then you finish with a practical, human-scale cultural craft at the pottery workshop.
The best reasons to go are simple: you’ll see well-preserved mummies, and you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what burial practices meant to the Nazca people. The main drawback is also simple: bring sun protection and remember the entrance fee isn’t included.
If your schedule allows, this is one of those Nazca activities where the time feels well spent because the guide helps you read the place instead of just passing through it.
FAQ
How long is the Chauchilla Cemetery and art workshop tour?
The duration is about 150 minutes.
Where does the tour start?
Pickup is from your location in Nazca.
What’s included in the price?
The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an English and Spanish tour guide, and transportation.
Is the entrance fee included?
No. The entrance fee is 8 soles per person.
Do I need to bring sun protection?
Yes. The tour recommends sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen.
What language will the guide speak?
The guide speaks English and Spanish.
Is food included?
No. Food and drinks are not included.
What is the main stop besides the cemetery?
At the end, you’ll visit a local pottery workshop where artisans demonstrate traditional pottery-making techniques.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
