Chauchilla Cemetery
The path into Chauchilla is a dusty track through desert scrub, and then without much warning the dead are simply there — seated upright in open adobe tombs, facing east, hair reaching to their waists, teeth intact after more than a thousand years. The dry Nazca air did what no preservation technique could have planned: it kept them.
Twenty tombs are open to view across a site stretching two kilometres along the left slope of the Tranzas River. Between them, scattered on the pale ground, lie fragments of bone and old woven cloth — the residue of decades of looting before the Peruvian government extended formal protection in 1997.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who've been more than once tend to slow down at the mummified heads — some with holes drilled through the back of the skull, rope still threaded through. The small on-site museum beside the main grounds holds the most fragile remains and is easy to walk past; don't. It changes the scale of what you've just seen.
The story behind Chauchilla Cemetery
The Nazca buried their dead here from around 200 AD through to the 9th century — each body seated, east-facing, wrapped in embroidered cotton, painted with resin, and sealed into purpose-built mud-brick tombs. The practice was deliberate and consistent across centuries, suggesting a site of sustained cultural significance rather than ad hoc use.
The cemetery was largely unknown outside the region until the 1920s, when Peruvian archaeologist Julio C. Tello documented it. The decades that followed brought looting on a significant scale — bones and textiles displaced, tombs broken open — before the site came under government protection in 1997 and the remaining mummies were stabilised in place.
Good to know
Thirty kilometres south of Nazca with no public transport, so either rent a car or join a tour — guides add genuine context here. Open daily 8:00–16:00; adult entry is s/7.50. Go in the morning before afternoon sandstorms drift in. An hour on-site is enough; budget two hours door-to-door from Nazca.
The Nazca desert is arid year-round, but summer months (December to March) push daytime temperatures to 35°C and bring the risk of small afternoon sandstorms that coat everything in fine dust. May, September, and October offer milder days and clearer air — the more comfortable window for an outdoor site with no shade beyond the awnings over the tombs themselves.
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What travellers say about Chauchilla Cemetery
We visited Chauchilla Cemetery as part of a day exploring several Nazca culture sites after our flight over the Nazca Lines, and it turned out to be a very unique and memorable stop. It’s important to know that the site is not well signposted and can be difficult to find, so make sure your driver knows the way in advance. That said, the remoteness adds to the experience — when we visited, there were no other tourists, which gave the place a mysterious and almost timeless atmosphere. The cemetery itself is fascinating, with several well-preserved mummies visible, offering a striking glimpse into ancient burial practices. We were also very fortunate to meet Marcos, who was there at the site. He was incredibly kind and shared detailed explanations and stories that really brought the place to life. We combined this visit with other Nazca sites, including an aqueduct and a ceremonial temple, which made for a deeper understanding of the culture. If you’re curious about the Nazca civilization and open to something a bit off the beaten path, this is a very special place to visit — just be sure to plan your route carefully.
How was it there were no tourists here!!?? This was an amazing experience and HIGHLY recommended. Seeing actual mummified 2000 year old bodies in their crypt/tombs(?) and the field of bones and cloth and hair where grave-robbers had been, was an eirie and fascinating experience. It helped we had an amazing guide (we had Carlos, booked through Perú hop...he knew everything about the site and recollects seeing grave-robbers in action when he was young). This is a very underrated place and well worth the visit if going to Nazca.
Very interesting place. If you are in Nazca you must come here. Mummies are very impressive. The site is very big.
For only 8 soles per person, this site offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Nazca region. Visitors can explore the ancient burial sites and learn more about the people who once lived here. There is also a small museum on-site, which is still being developed, with some exhibits and pictures yet to be installed. What makes this place especially interesting is the remarkable preservation of the mummies. Due to the extremely dry environmental conditions around Nazca, many of the bodies still retain much of their hair and even skin, providing a unique and striking insight into the past. Overall, this is a very worthwhile visit for anyone interested in archaeology, history, or the ancient cultures of Peru. The entrance fee is modest, and the experience is both educational and memorable.
Very nice archeological site! Had to pay 8 soles per person for the entry and got some interesting knowledge while chatting with the ticket man
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