Azapa Valley Archaeological Excursion

General information

Destination	Category
Arica, Chile	Attractions/Entertainment

Program details

Discover the amazing Azapa Valley just east of Arica with this fascinating morning tour. As introductions go, few could be more fragrant and evocative than the entry into the Azapa Valley through the old road amid the olive, mango and passion fruit plantations. The first stop is at the Cerro Sagrado (Sacred Hill) and its ancient geoglyphs, which are large designs produced on the ground and typically formed by clastic rocks or similarly durable elements of the landscape, such as stones, stone fragments, live trees, gravel or earth.

A positive geoglyph is formed by adding elements (like in petroforms) while a negative geoglyph is formed by removing elements (like in petroglyphs). We will visit an unusual miniature golf course in Cerro Sagrado: the Pampa Alto Ramírez. All the ancient beliefs of this place are shown in these geoglyphs. We will also go to Pukará de San Lorenzo, a defensive village raised on artificial terraces supporting cane houses.

Afterwards, visit the Archaeological and Anthropological Museum of San Miguel de Azapa, which belongs to University of Tarapacá. Here you will find the mummies of the Chinchorro culture. Their mummification process involved a very complicated embalming and drying process and their mummies are the most oldest in the world, dating back as far as 7000BC, much earlier than Egyptian mummies. A visit to the craftsmen's village will be made, which will give us the chance to get closer to the beliefs of the artisans. We will then return to the hotel or to the residence.

Meeting/pick-up point: Collection from hotel.
Duration: Three hours.
Start/opening time: 8am.
Languages: Spanish for shared tour, English, Portuguese and Spanish for private tour.