Tulor Village
San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta
Despite its altitude and aridity, the Atacama Desert has hosted human settlement for thousands of years. The ruins of the village of Tulor are one of the most tantalizing archaeological clues left behind by some of the earliest peoples in the region. As one of the oldest archaeological sites in Chile, it dates back to 300 BC, according to carbon dating.
The basics
Only about 10 percent of Tulor Village, a cluster of circular adobe structures, has been excavated. You can explore the structures independently, but you’ll learn more about the site’s history, and enjoy a richer experience, if you visit on a guided tour. Tulor is a popular day trip from San Pedro de Atacama, often combined with visits to other top destinations such as Pukará de Quitor, the Valley of the Moon, and El Tatio Geysers.
Things to know before you go
- Tulor is a must-visit for those interested in Chile’s pre-Columbian history.
- There is an entrance fee.
- Spanish-speaking attendants are available at the site.
How to get there
Tulor Village is about 6.5 miles (10.4 kilometers) southwest of San Pedro de Atacama, where you can rent a car or bicycle. San Pedro's small airport has regular flights to Santiago.
When to get there
Due to the heat in the arid desert, it's best to visit Tulor in early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Photographers will find the enigmatic earthworks a tempting subject at these times as well.
Pukará de Quitor
Just 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) from Tulor, Pukará de Quitor National Monument is an easy add-on. The former fortress was built by the Atacameño people to defend themselves from the Incas, then used by the Incas to defend themselves against the Spanish. Today, it’s one of Chile's most important archaeological sites.
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