If you've just crossed over into Peru from Chile, through the Atacama Desert, you probably wouldn't be expecting a desert to compare to Atacama - supposedly the driest desert in the world with the clearest skies in the Southern hemisphere. But you'd be surprised...
Check in at Nazca, on the Southern Peru coast and at 4am be picked up by your guide who will drive you along the Pan American Highway to the foot of Cerro Blanco, the world's highest sand dune at over 2000 metres. At 5am you will begin a three hour trek up the sand mountain, equipped with a sand board and plenty of water. The desert scenery as you ascend is breathtaking in the solitary dawn. At the summit Nazca's immensity can be truly appreciated. Then begins your descent - on a sandboard, waxed to increase your speed, down the world's biggest sand dune! The experience (and speed) is sheer.
Try to leave at 4am to avoid other people as most guides leave from Nazca around 5am. When I went, my boyfriend, the guide and me were the only people for as far as the eye could see.

Nazca, Peru
Google map: bit.ly/hxMfKm

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Stay where you like but the Nazca Lines Hotel has a pool which is guests only, but if you buy a sandwich and a beer, you can use it all day.

www.peru-hotels.com/nazlines.htm

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends