Violetanunez @ MindSay

The activities of this trip were very well organized and classified.

On Saturday, the activities were focused from an historical and archaeological point of view. On Sunday, the tours took place in tourist and typical places of this zone such as the Toconao village, the Chaxa Lake, the Valley of the Moon; and on Monday morning, the students had free time to do whatever they wanted. We had dinner every day in the same restaurant. The restaurant is located very near the main street of San Pedro de Atacama.

Daily Program

June 24th, 2005

We arrived to the Calama airport at 6:10 p.m. At 6:30, we left the airport to go to San Pedro de Atacama. The arrival to the village was about 8:00 p.m. The transfer driver was very kind with us because he explained everything and showed the street names and different places; this way, we were able to become familiar with this place. At 8:20 p.m. we arrived to the Terracota Hostal and left our bags and suitcase in our rooms. The owner of this Hostal received us gently and explained to us how to deal with the heater and other devices. After that, we went to dinner together, ten students, Universidad Católica del Norte coordinator, and Mr. Promis. Dinner took place at about 9:00 p.m. Then we came back to the hostal to sleep because we were very tired.

June 25th, 2005

This day, we got up very early, at 7:00 a.m. since we had to be in the Archeological museum at 8:30 a.m. Archeological Museum of San Pedro de Atacama The archeological museum of San Pedro de Atacama displays an extraordinary collection of mummies, figures, textiles, ceramics, and various other objects that belonged to the notable culture of the Atacama peoples, its founder was the Belgian Jesuit Priest Father Gustavo Le Paige, who started his great collection and study of Andean archaeology back in 1955. Today, this celebrated museum is run by the Catholic University of the North, which received the prestigious establishment as a donation, so safeguarding an important part of the national patrimony. The tour in the museum was guided by an archaeologist: Patricia Ayala, she explained to us very well the development of the Atacama culture.

The Tulor Village

After visiting the museum, we went to the Tulor Village. This village is located at 10 Km. southeast from San Pedro de Atacama, between the emblematic Cordillera de la Sal and the sand dunes which show evidence of the progressive erosion of the surrounding dunes. This old village whose existence was made public in 1956 by Gustavo Le Paige was made of a series of interconnected circular structures which had different uses and functions according to the activities carried out inside it day by day Nowadays, the Tulor village is the first experience of tourisitc administration and cultural patrimony in Chile handled by an indigenous community. Through the years, The Coyo community has clearly demonstrated confidentiality and self support which was recognised in public during the year 2002 by the State of Chile, when the Coyo community in Atacama was given the prize for the National Monument Preservation.

Pucará de Quitor

After having a snack, we continued our interesting trip and visited Pukará de Quitor. It is located 3 kms. away from San Pedro de Atacama, and it was built on a slope of the Cordillera de la Sal. It overlooks the San Pedro River and helped to control an ancestral trafficking route, which was also used under Inca rule. This fortress not only had strategic and defensive purposes but surface archeological remains and domestic constructions reveal it was inhabited.

Katarpe

Finally, we visited Katarpe, an Inca fortress located pretty close to Pukará de Quitor. June 26th, 2005 The main purpose of this day was to visit and appreciate diverse natural landscapes and villages of this area. The trip started later, it started at 9:00 a.m. The first place to visit was the Toconao village or village of white stones. The Toconao Village is located at an altitude of 2, 475 meters, it is an oasis where all kinds of fruits are grown. Its first inhabitants are from the year 11000 B.C. Its current population is of 500 villagers who practice ancient tradition and customs. At the same time they own activities which they carry out with the conviction of feeling joined to the environment that surrounds them: animals, vegetation, water, earth, sun, and mountain. Toconao is characterized for being a town built entirely by Liparita stone of volcanic origin which has been taken out from the quarry. Its touristic attraction is a Bell Tower built in 1750. It is formed by three bodies of stone and mud which gives the town square, a great aesthetic and architectural value.

The chaxa Lake

Our next visit was The Chaxa Lake, “Soncor” area. It is a lake and damp terrain system, located to the eastern sector of Atacama Salt Lake, at a distance of approximately 62 Km. from San Pedro de Atacama and 24 Km. from Toconao town. It has a surface of 5016, 7 hect. This place is famous for its National Reserve Los flamencos Alter having a snack, we continued our adventure and our last place to visit was the wonderful

Valley of the Moon

The valley of the Moon is an amazing and surprising place due to its similar conformation with moon surface During this tour, students showed a big enthusiasm and admiration for these interesting natural landscapes. Today ´s dinner was very special. Since it was our last dinner in San Pedro de Atacama, students felt satisfied and happy for the adventure experienced.

The Universidad del Norte Coordinator gave every student a certificate for their participation in “The San Pedro de Atacama Program”

June 27th, 2005

This day was free for the students. They decided what time to get up and what to do We met in the Hostal at 3:00 p.m. to collect our bags and we left the hostal at 4:00.p.m. Personal Opinion I believe the trip to San Pedro de Atacama was an unforgettable experience for every student including the teachers who went with us. I invite every International student to participate in this program because it is an educative experience that will allow you to know more about our northern culture.

By María Alejandra Flores

On Site Coordinator of the International Office of the Universidad de Viña del Mar.

Ms. Flores was the Assistant Coordinator of Mr. José Promis, Director of the Summer Program in Chile 2005 at the Universidad de Viña del Mar with the cooperation of the Universidad Católica del Norte.