Mummies at Chauchilla Cemetery, Nasca
Nasca

Chauchilla Cemetery, Nasca

Posted In: Peru

While visiting Nasca we had a morning free before taking a flight over the famous Nasca lines.  So we decided to visit the Chauchilla Cemetery.

You will find the cemetery located 30km south of Nasca.  After our visit to the cemetery we stopped at the Nasca airport for our flight over the Nasca lines.  Then we headed back into Nasca for the night.

There is a small fee to enter the cemetery.  Once you have paid the entrance fee you are able to wonder the area yourself.  However, the best way to see it is to hire a guide who can explain the historical significance of the area.

The history of the cemetery is really interesting.  It is believed the cemetery dates back to 200 AD with most burials happening in the 600 to 700 years following.

As with so many historical sites, grave robbers have taken their toll with artefacts and mummies stolen over the centuries.  As a result, the cemetery is now protected by Peruvian law.  

What Is There to See?

The area surrounding the cemetery is desert (as is the entire area around Nasca).  You walk through the entrance and head to burial sites along a dusty path.  Along this walk you find bones and old cloth scattered across the ground.

Bones

The area you visit is quite small.  Most of the mummies located at the cemetery were discovered elsewhere around Nasca.  Over time they have been moved to the burial chambers open for viewing.  You look down into the burial chambers where adult and infant mummies are located.  Each burial chamber is covered by a timber structure to shade it from the sun.

Bones
Chauchilla Cemetery, Nasca
The burial chambers are under these structures.
Chauchilla Cemetery, Nasca
Chauchilla Cemetery, Nasca

The mummies are in the open air and not protected from the elements, apart from the sun.  As a result of the dry weather, the mummies apparently do not deteriorate any faster by being in the open air.   Even with the reassurance, I still was saddened to think these centuries old mummies were not protected in any way.

Chauchilla Cemetery, Nasca
Chauchilla Cemetery, Nasca

Recommendation

If you have two to three hours spare while in Nasca, the cemetery is definitely worth a visit.  Just remember that it is 30km outside of the town so you will need to factor travel time into your visit.

Planning a trip to Peru?  Make sure you also include the Ballestas Islands on your itinerary.

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Chauchilla Cemetery, Nasca

Chauchilla Cemetery, Nasca
  • Megan
    January 18, 2020

    Fascinating! I love visiting cemeteries when I travel. You can learn a lot about a place by how they honor their dead.

    • Lisa
      Megan
      January 18, 2020

      Absolutely Megan. I thing that was one of the reasons I found that the bodies were left in open air a bit disturbing.

  • Aswani
    January 18, 2020

    So interesting!

    • Lisa
      Aswani
      January 18, 2020

      Definitely an interesting place.

  • Sue
    January 18, 2020

    I was fascinated by this place – especially the hair! Totally blew my mind & I agree, it’s definitely worth a visit.

    • Lisa
      Sue
      January 18, 2020

      Totally agree Sue. To see the mummies with long dreadlocks was amazing.

  • Catherine Boardman
    January 18, 2020

    How absolutely incredible, added to my list

    • Lisa
      Catherine Boardman
      January 19, 2020

      It’s definitely worth visiting Catherine.

  • Bliss
    January 19, 2020

    This sounds like a fascinating place to visit. Also I’ve noted the recommendation on hiring a guide. Will definitely do this if I go.

    • Lisa
      Bliss
      January 19, 2020

      The guide is well worth it to get the history of the area Bliss

  • Taylor
    January 19, 2020

    This seems like such an interesting experience. Might just have to add it to my itinerary for my Peru trip in May!

    • Lisa
      Taylor
      January 19, 2020

      It’s definitely worth visiting Taylor if you get time.

  • Anita
    January 19, 2020

    I have never heard about Chauchilla Cemetery before. It looks like a very special place for visiting. Thanks for sharing!

    • Lisa
      Anita
      January 19, 2020

      It is definitely an interesting place to see Anita.

  • Holly
    January 19, 2020

    Wow it just looks like some random huts stuck up in the middle of nowhere! Not what you’d expect from a cemetary at all!

    • Lisa
      Holly
      January 19, 2020

      Totally agree Holly. It’s more tombs.

  • Francesca
    January 19, 2020

    Nasca sounds like an interesting place to visit. I did not know it existed when I visited.

    • Lisa
      Francesca
      January 22, 2020

      Hi Francesca. Nasca has a lot to see apart from the cemetery. It’s also home to the famous Nasca Lines.

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