Chug-Chug Geoglyphs

The Chug-Chug Geoglyphs are located in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, specifically in the Antofagasta Region. They are situated along ancient trade routes that connected the high Andean mountains to the Pacific coast. This area features one of the largest concentrations of geoglyphs in the region.

These ancient geoglyphs primarily depict large caravans of llamas, along with human figures and birds. They serve as a historical record of the llama caravans that transported goods across the desert around 1000 CE. The figures were created by arranging dark stones over the lighter desert floor.

The Chug-Chug Geoglyphs date back to roughly 1000 CE, making them significantly younger than Peru's Nazca Lines, which were created around 2,000 years ago. However, the Chug-Chug site is notable for its massive concentration of over 500 individual figures. They were continuously created and maintained by various indigenous cultures over centuries.

Yes, the site is accessible to visitors, though it requires a rugged vehicle to navigate the desert terrain. The geoglyphs are located near the town of Calama and are often visited via guided off-road tours. Visitors are strictly prohibited from walking on or touching the fragile stone arrangements.