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See Chile's Atacama Giant Etched into the Desert Plains
The Experience
The Atacama Desert in Chile is well documented as the driest place on earth. It is also the site of the world-renowned Atacama Giant geoglyph (geoglyphs are large designs or motifs etched into the earth), located at Cerro Unitas. Chile’s Atacama Giant stands 390-ft tall and was a deity for the Atacama people who existed in 1000 CE. It is also believed that the Atacama Giant was used as an astronomical calendar so people could tell when the moon would set. They could tell the time of the day, the crops cycle and the various seasons. It was a strange science that these people followed by using the sides of the Giant’s figurative head to interpret the season based on its alignment with the moon. Seasons have always played a very important role in the lives of the Atacama people. Receiving the rains was a form of blessing from this deity that they regularly worshipped, and they waited for rain throughout the year in Chile’s barren Atacama Desert.
There are more than five thousand glyphs in the Atacama Desert, but the Atacama Giant is the king of them all. Unlike the Nazca Lines, the Chilean glyphs are more varied in style. They also cover a huge region that is big enough to dominate the entire U.S. state of California. The Atacama Desert glyphs had symbolic meaning to rituals. However, the exact reason as to why these glyphs were built is unknown. Most of them still remain as theories. Based on the quality of construction, these Chilean glyphs of the Atacama Desert have been segregated into various categories. What’s interesting is that some were built using additives and external material that were not available in the desert.
The Atacama Giant is unique because of its isolated site. It is the only glyph that stands tall in an area spreading thousands of kilometers. To see the giant you have to come to Cerro Unitas where it is found on an isolated hill on the Western slope. It is also called the “Lord of the Atacama,” and may represent the supreme Inca deity called the Wiracocha, because they look similar.
There are more than five thousand glyphs in the Atacama Desert, but the Atacama Giant is the king of them all. Unlike the Nazca Lines, the Chilean glyphs are more varied in style. They also cover a huge region that is big enough to dominate the entire U.S. state of California. The Atacama Desert glyphs had symbolic meaning to rituals. However, the exact reason as to why these glyphs were built is unknown. Most of them still remain as theories. Based on the quality of construction, these Chilean glyphs of the Atacama Desert have been segregated into various categories. What’s interesting is that some were built using additives and external material that were not available in the desert.
The Atacama Giant is unique because of its isolated site. It is the only glyph that stands tall in an area spreading thousands of kilometers. To see the giant you have to come to Cerro Unitas where it is found on an isolated hill on the Western slope. It is also called the “Lord of the Atacama,” and may represent the supreme Inca deity called the Wiracocha, because they look similar.
When to Go to Atacama Giant
The best time to travel to Chile's southernmost region and visit the glyphs in the Atacama Desert is from November through March.
Odds n' Ends
Visiting the Atacama Giant is a one-day trip, but you will want to explore other such interesting glyphs spread out in that area of the Atacama Desert. You have to travel by jeep mostly, and once you reach the nearest city, you can make arrangements for an Atacama Desert tour.
The Atacama Desert can be desperately hot, so be sure to wear covered shoes, a hat and sunglasses. Remember to carry hydrating drinks. Other things like food and time for relaxation are made available on an Atacama Desert tour. It is not possible to take a jeep to all the places, for some you will have to travel by foot.
The Atacama Desert can be desperately hot, so be sure to wear covered shoes, a hat and sunglasses. Remember to carry hydrating drinks. Other things like food and time for relaxation are made available on an Atacama Desert tour. It is not possible to take a jeep to all the places, for some you will have to travel by foot.
Places to Eat
- Café Adobe
- The local favorite centers on a crackling bonfire. Try the lomo a lo pobre, a traditional Chilean dish of grilled beef served with crispy French fries, sautéed onions, and a pair of fried eggs.
- Restaurante Ckunna
- Located in what was once San Pedro de Atacama's first schoolhouse, the restaurant offers contemporary twists on Altiplanic staples: filet of novillo (young bull) with new potatoes topped with wild mushrooms and chanar-berry sauce.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Hotel Altiplanico
- Cozy Atacamena design with simple style rooms, located just outside town.
- Hotel Awasi
- A beautiful boutique hotel on the edge of town with spacious rooms and fine food.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
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More Experiences Nearby
- Cruise The Churches Of Arica Parinacota
- Located on the borders of Peru and Bolivia, the Arica Parinacota region of Chile boasts a diverse natural landscape that includes deserts, lush green valleys, and the breathtaking vistas of the Andes. In addition to its natural beauty, the Arica Parinacota region in Chile has a diverse culture that is represented by thirty churches, most of which were constructed in the mid 16th century. These churches reflect a combination of traditional Andean culture with Spanish architecture and religion. Conquerors from Spain travelled to Chile in the mid 16th century, and the influence of European culture is evident. Each church is ...111 miles away.
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