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 Pukar? 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.
Your tour ends with hotel drop-off.