SURROUNDINGS

CHUQUICAMATA. This is the largest "open cleft" mine in the world and the most productive copper deposit in the country. Its name means "land of Chuco Indians", in reference to the natives who in former times lived in the area.
The rich deposits -whose industrial exploitation started in 1881- are formed by the Southern mine, the smaller one, which produces a rusty mineral and the Chuqui Mine, where a sulfurous mineral offers around 630,000 tons of fine copper a year, with up to 99.99% purity. Near the deposits is the "dormitory" town of Chuquicamata, which can be visited from Monday to Friday to observe from a lookout point the copper treatment and smelting process. This gigantic mine is only 16 kilometers away from Calama.

CHIU CHIU. This is an attractive town located 33 kilometers from Calama and 2,525 m.a.s.l.. Formerly it hosted the densest indian population in the region, due to its productive lands. The story goes that it was the first settlement 1,000 BC.)by groups of hunters and gatherers on the banks of the Loa.
Lately, the Inca Trail would go by these lands, generating a high level of trade up to 1830, when it was a mandatory pass on the Cobija - Salta route. Its importance ended with the arrival of the railroad in 1890. Now, few more than 300 people live in this town.
Among its attractions is the San Francisco Church, one of the most beautiful churches in Chile, and declared a National Monument in 1951. The temple, built in 1675, shows sturdy walls and in its interior keeps a beautiful painting of Christ's passion, worked on both sides of the canvass and a folding-armed crucifix, both designed for to be taken out during processions.

PUKARA DE LASANA. This fortress, built in the 12th century, has rectangular and circular buildings with stone watchtowers and barns. In total, there are 110 buildings, each having from 2 to 5 rooms joined by narrow passages for internal circulation. This site -declared a National Monument in 1982- is 41 kilometers northeast of Calama and 8 from Chiu Chiu.

CONCHI BRIDGE. It has a length of 224 meters and was built in 1890 for railway use, being the second highest in the planet (3,048 m.a.s.l.). At present, it is part of the road vial system. It is 70 kilometers from Calama and 105 meters above the Loa River.

CASPANA. This traditional town is characterized by the use of liparite stone -a white volcanic rock- for constructions which also feature picturesque adobe roofing. At present, the population is of barely 400 inhabitants, who are mainly devoted to grow vegetables, flowers and tubers for sale in Calama, 84 kilometers away.
Among its attractions are San Lucas Church, a museum of local culture and several handicraft shops, where one can buy clothes made of alpaca wool as well as handicraft utensils.

TOCONCE. This is a modest town of pre-Hispanic origin sitting atop a cliff, 91 kilometers from Calama and 22 from Caspana. It is notable for its stone constructions and its agricultural terraces, a valuable inheritance from the Atacama culture. As you visit this town, located at 3,350 m.a.s.l, you can also admire the archaeological sites of Alero del Rio Salado, Tchulqui, Lican and Patillon.

PUKARA DE TURI. Formerly the largest fortress-city of the Atacama culture, it was built in the 12th century from volcanic stones. It had rectangular houses measuring 4 x 5 meters, and great deposits for food. With the arrival of the Incas at the end of the 15th century, the use of adobe bricks for the squares, streets and houses was introduced. It became an important administrative center for the Incas. Declared a National Monument in 1982, it is located 75 kilometers east of Calama and at 2,980 m.a.s.l.

AYQUINA. Recently declared a "Typical Area", this is a beautiful town of the area, with its typical stone constructions and homes with adobe and straw roofs. The houses are built around the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a splendid temple with a tower made of stucco-plastered stone which is beautifully decorated every year on the feast of "Our Lady of Guadalupe". It is situated 74 kilometers from Calama and at 3,000 meters above sea level.

OLLAGÜE This border town located near the salt pan bearing the same name at 3,696 meters above sea level has a population of nearly 400 inhabitants, most of whom work at the mines. Only 206 kilometers separate this town from Calama.
Nine kilometers from Ollagüe is the town of Amincha, where the sulphur plant receives its raw material by cableway from the highest mine in the world, sited at the top of the Aucanquilcha volcano, 5,580 meters above sea level. Other points of interest are Cosca, 25 kilometers from Ollagüe, a shrine built at the beginning of the 20th century, where a shepherd had found an image of Our Lady; and Rio Chaihuiri, 30 kilometers away from Ollagüe, surrounded by several trees with twisted branches growing higher than 3,500 m.a.s.l.

ACOSTAN SALT PAN. This is part of the largest borax lake in the world. Of Pleistocene origin, it has been exploited since the beginning of the 20th century. It is 34 kilometers south of the town of Ollagüe, and you can observe from it the enormous salty basins surrounded by high peaks.
The salt pan is flat and white, and its lagoons are visited by graceful flamingos and slender vicuñas.

CARCOTE SALT PAN. Surrounded by the peaks of the Ollagüe and Aucalquincha volcanoes, it has a peculiar bird fauna consisting of flamingos, wild ducks, huallotos, hawks, etc.
It is 125 kilometers northeast of Calama, and near the border with Bolivia. This area has low temperatures, little humidity, strong winds and summer rainfall.

SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA. The "Archaeological Capital of Chile" was acknowledged a "Typical Area" in 1980. It was the center of Atacama culture, whose Pre-Columbian fortresses and enclosures are still intact. Likewise, some towns still maintain some of the ancient customs, such as the ayllu, a social organization based on mutual help between the families thas form part of it.
Aside from its archaeological and cultural attractions (Pukara de Quitor, Padre Le Paige Archaeological Museum), Atacama surprises us with its barren landscape and its natural wildlife sanctuaries, the extensive Atacama desert, which is the driest in the world and the Tatio geysers, among its other beautiful spots. It's sited 103 kilometers away from Calama and 2,438 meters above sea level.