Atacama Desert heritage projects underway in Chile and Bolivia

Cultural and historical preservation efforts are advancing across the Atacama Desert region, spanning Chile and Bolivia. In Chile, the Chug Chug Archaeological Park has commenced construction on new infrastructure, including an interpretive museum, parking facilities, and viewpoints oriented toward ancient geoglyphs. This project, initiated through a partnership between the Chunchuri and Quillagua communities and Codelco Operaciones Norte, aims to protect local heritage and improve access for tourists.

In the broader Andean Altiplano, the region serves as a historical corridor connecting Chile and Bolivia. The route through the Atacama Desert toward the Uyuni salt flats has historically functioned as a commercial path, once part of the ‘Silver Route’ linking Potosí in Bolivia to Atlantic ports. Today, the landscape remains a significant site for exploring geological and cultural history, from the high-altitude oasis of San Pedro de Atacama to the arid landscapes of the Antofagasta region.