Chauchilla Cemetery

About Chauchilla Cemetery

Chauchilla Cemetery is a pre-Columbian burial ground and archaeological site in the Ica Region of southern Peru, associated with the Nazca culture. The site is famous for its preserved human remains, burial shafts and funerary textiles exposed in sand-lined tombs.

Visitors encounter mud-brick tombs, skeletal remains and bundles of grave goods that survived in the arid desert environment; many of the mummies display preserved hair and textiles. Conservation measures and an on-site visitor area allow viewing while protecting the better-preserved tombs and remains.

The cemetery is located in the desert to the south of the town of Nazca in the Ica Department, accessible by road from Nazca and situated within the wider Nazca archaeological landscape.

Nazca mummies and textiles: The cemetery contains well-preserved mummies and funerary textiles of the Nazca culture and is one of the best-known ancient burial sites in southern Peru.
Access from Nazca: Located along the desert south of the town of Nazca, the site can be visited by road from Nazca as a short excursion off the Pan-American Highway.

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Chauchilla Cemetery

Visit during the dry season (May-October) for the most comfortable conditions and best visibility.

Dry season

May-October · 15-28°C (59-82°F)

Cooler, clearer skies-best for photography and combining with Nazca flights.

Shoulder months

March-April, November · 17-30°C (63-86°F)

Warmer and drier; fewer tourists outside peak months.

Weather & Climate near Chauchilla Cemetery

Climate

Chauchilla Cemetery's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 12°C to 29°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 37 Good

Best Time to Visit

MayJuneOctober

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

31°

Warmest Month

9°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

Month	Comfort	Temp	Feels	Rain	Sky	Humidity	Wind	UV	Daylight
January	Excellent	17° - 28°	23°	1 mm	partly cloudy	70%	3.1 m/s	2.8 extreme	12.8h
February	Excellent	17° - 29°	23°	1 mm	overcast	70%	3.1 m/s	2.6 extreme	12.5h
March	Excellent	17° - 29°	23°	0 mm	partly cloudy	69%	3.2 m/s	2.5 extreme	12.1h
April	Ideal	15° - 27°	21°	0 mm	some cloud	67%	3.0 m/s	2.5 extreme	11.7h
May	Ideal	14° - 25°	19°	0 mm	mostly sunny	65%	2.5 m/s	2.2 extreme	11.3h
June	Ideal	12° - 23°	18°	0 mm	clear	65%	2.4 m/s	1.9 very high	11.2h
July	Excellent	12° - 22°	17°	0 mm	clear	64%	2.4 m/s	2.0 extreme	11.2h
August	Excellent	12° - 22°	17°	0 mm	clear	60%	2.6 m/s	2.3 extreme	11.5h
September	Excellent	12° - 23°	17°	0 mm	mostly sunny	60%	3.0 m/s	2.7 extreme	11.9h
October	Ideal	13° - 24°	19°	0 mm	mostly sunny	60%	3.1 m/s	3.1 extreme	12.3h
November	Ideal	14° - 25°	20°	0 mm	some cloud	62%	3.2 m/s	3.3 extreme	12.7h
December	Ideal	16° - 27°	21°	0 mm	partly cloudy	66%	3.2 m/s	3.0 extreme	12.8h

Getting There & Around

How to Get to Chauchilla Cemetery

From the town of Nazca, the site is a roughly 30-40 minute drive south along the Panamericana Sur (Route 1). Local colectivos and tourist buses stop at the small visitor center; many travelers hire a taxi or join an organized tour from Nazca.

Tips for Visiting Chauchilla Cemetery

Combine a visit with the Nazca Lines schedule-many visitors fly over the lines in the morning and drive to Chauchilla afterward.
Hire a local guide at the small visitor center; guides can point out grave goods and explain motifs that are easy to miss.
Bring sun protection and water-there's very little shade at the excavation park.