South America 2019-2023
unknown length - solo travel - Suzuki DR650

El Tatio to San Pedro de Atacama

November 20, 2019  —  Chile

Looking at the map, you will notice I made a big detour through the city of Calama after leaving the El Tatio Geysers. I was not in need of any supply and I could have driven to San Pedro staying in the high mountains, but my goal was to visit the mine of Chuquicamata, near the city.

The open-pit mine of Chuquicamata is one of the biggest one in the world. Unfortunately, after getting in the city, it ended up with a big disappointment. Due to the ongoing protests in Chile, the visits had been cancelled for an indefinite time...

This detour allowed me to discover some nice additional sites.

Road from El Tatio to Calama

Road from El Tatio to Calama - Chile
Road from El Tatio to Calama - Chile
Road from El Tatio to Calama - Chile
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Village of Caspana

Caspana - Chile
Caspana - Chile
Caspana - Chile
Caspana - Chile
Caspana - Chile
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Pukará de Lasana

Road from El Tatio to Calama - Chile
Valley where the ruin Pukará de Lasana is located.
Road from El Tatio to Calama - Chile
Pukará de Lasana - Chile

The word pukará means fortress in the Quechua language.

The fortress was built in the 12th century.

Pukará de Lasana - Chile
Road from El Tatio to Calama - Chile
Leaving the village.
Road from El Tatio to Calama - Chile
Notice the boulder covered in petroglyphs.
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Chiu Chiu

Chiu Chiu - Chile

Chiu Chiu, also known by its complete name San Francisco de Chiu Chiu, is home to the oldest church of Chile. It was built in 1540 using adobe bricks. The roof and doors are made of cactus wood.

Chiu Chiu - Chile
Chiu Chiu - Chile
Cactus wood door.
Chiu Chiu - Chile
Chiu Chiu - Chile
Chiu Chiu - Chile
Chiu Chiu - Chile
Chiu Chiu - Chile
Chiu Chiu - Chile
It has been a long time since I ate such a nice and good meal.
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Yerba Buena Petroglyphs

Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Lama

This site protects more than a thousand petroglyphs, with a few of them still looking good and well preserved.

The petroglyphs were created by the Atacama culture some 10,000 years ago.

Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Petroglyphs are hidden in rock formations like this one.
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
A dog?
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
A cat?
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
A cow?
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
A cow and a llama.
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
A herd of llamas.
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Two llamas.
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
A llama in the centre.
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Llama
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
A priest?
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Overlay of human forms and llamas.
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
A cat.
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Three flamingos.
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Three flamingos in the centre.
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
A vicuña.
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Three flamingos.
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile

From this point on, the petroglyphs are not very old and authentic. I am in an isolated part of the main site where the ranger’s protection is minimal.

Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Not very old, there is a car.
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
Yerba Buena Petroglyphs - Chile
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Valle del Arco Iris

Valle del Arco Iris - Chile

The valley Arco Iris (Rainbow Valley) is a magnificent place with awesome landscapes.

Its name comes from the numerous colours of the rock formations. There was no better place to spend a night wild camping.

Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
The entrance to the Valle del Arco Iris.
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
A nice campsite.
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
A vicuña lost in this nice scenery.
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile
Valle del Arco Iris - Chile