Visit the ancient ruins that surround San Pedro de Atacama on this archeological tour with a local guide. Start at Tulor, a village settled by the Atacama people around 300 BC. Then visit Pukará de Quitor, a stone fortress and national monument. Finally, gain a deeper understanding of the Atacama people and their roots when you visit downtown San Pedro de Atacama. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.
After hotel pickup in San Pedro de Atacama, head to the archeological site of Tulor, about 5 miles (8 km) outside of town. Spend about 45 minutes to an hour at the site with your guide, checking out the ancient village’s circular mud walls and learning about the site’s history, which dates back to 300 BC, according to carbon dating.
Next, head to Pukará de Quitor, another set of archeological ruins just north of San Pedro de Atacama. Spend 45 to 60 minutes at this site, which was a fortress built out of stone by the Atacama people to defend against potential enemies. Dating back to the 12th century, the fort was built on a summit overlooking the San Pedro river. Explore the defensive wall, watchtowers and crumbling walls, reconstructed several centuries after Spanish conquistadors took the fortress by force in 1540.
Then continue your tour back to San Pedro de Atacama to visit its historic downtown where you will gain a deeper insight of the Atacama culture. Listen to your guide as you visit the Church of San Pedro de Atacama, a national monument built from adobe and cactus wood.
Note: Entrance fees are not included; you may pay cash on site.
A short, yet pleasant tour that gives a good insight into Atacama history.
Review by: Vania K, September 2015
Educative!
Review by: mobart, August 2015
In Tulor was nothing to see only replica of the house. Quitor was nice. Unfortunately we did not have free time to hike to the top of the side hill to take a nice picture the whole fortress. I think the trip was overpriced
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