A 12th-century Incan fortress placed on the side of a hill and protected by a gorge, Pukara de Quitor are known locally as the "Castle of the Heads." Spaniards took over the fortress in 1540, after killing 300 leaders of the Atacama people who guarded it. The European conquerors mounted the severed heads of Atacama chiefs on poles and then placed them around the fortress. See the homage to these native warriors at the top of the hill, where you can also soak in panoramic views of the desert and the mountains. This pre-Columbian archaeological site was declared a national monument in 1982. To visit Pukara de Quitor on your holiday in San Pedro de Atacama, and find out what else San Pedro de Atacama has to offer, use our San Pedro de Atacama.
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Pukara de Quitor reviews
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Stunning and extraordinary views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, and a sense of achievement at having got somewhere on your own feet - a powerful memorial to the indigenous inhabitants of the...
Stunning and extraordinary views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, and a sense of achievement at having got somewhere on your own feet - a powerful memorial to the indigenous inhabitants of the... more »
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This is a great half day adventure close to town, a short bike ride away. This is a good activity for adventurous independent travelers who have cabin fever with the large tour buses. Hire a bike...
This is a great half day adventure close to town, a short bike ride away. This is a good activity for adventurous independent travelers who have cabin fever with the large tour buses. Hire a bike... more »
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It’s currently closed due to Covid restrictions however if you walk to Cruz Papal from San Pedro de Atacama you will be able to get great views of the valley, you can then walk onto the valley floor which is 10/10
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This is meant to be a site of Inca ruins and stone carvings. The ruins are there but they have closed off access to them, and you can’t see them from the viewing platforms. There seems to have been a lot of recent damage to the stone carvings as most of the access is blocked off to these too, and the pictures you see on the web do not resemble what it currently looks like. If you’d like to pay 3000 pesos for a walk up a hill and some nice views then visit this place. If you’re interested in Inca history, don’t bother.
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