Private Day Trip to Chiu Chiu & Pukara de Lasana

Embark on a day trip to Chiu Chiu and Pukara de Lasana from Calama, uncovering the cultural heritage of the Alto del Loa region in the Atacama Desert.

Tour Highlights

At the designated time, our team will pick you up from your hotel in Calama, starting our journey in an off-roading vehicle to Chiu Chiu and Pukara de Lasana. Covering approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles), this expedition explores the history and culture of the main villages in the Alto del Loa.

The first stop is Santa Margarita, known for its marble quarries and scenic location alongside the Loa River. Next, we visit the Inca Coya Lagoon, an enclave surrounded by legends. By 1 pm, we will arrive at San Francisco de Chiu Chiu, where you have one hour of free time to sample local cuisine. After lunch, we will delve into the history of Chiu Chiu, a town founded by the Spaniards, originally named Atacama la Chica.

We will pause at the San Francisco Church, the oldest in Chile, recognized as a National Monument. Its structure is primarily made from cactus wood.

At 3 pm, we continue to Pukara de Lasana, home to remnants from the 6th century representing early communities in the Atacama Desert. We will discuss their agro-pottery-based culture at this archaeological site.

As the day wraps up around 7 pm, we will return to your hotel.