Pukara de Quitor
Pukara de Quitor
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
104 within 3 miles
Attractions
29 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,264 reviews
Excellent
509
Very good
503
Average
213
Poor
30
Terrible
9
Berthaki
Arequipa, Peru235 contributions
Feb 2023
The archaeological ruins are amazing and only this is enough to make the visit worthy. However, there are things that they could improve. First of all, it's only possible to pay the ticket with credit or debit card, not with money. Second, they don't have brochures to offer to the tourists. Third, if you are interested in archaeology, to go up to the first viewpoint it's enough, you will have a full view of the pukará, although the best photos are in the way to this first point because you are closer to it. If you are interested in the landscape, you can climb to the second and third viewpoint, however, the views are the same if you take any tour that includes a meal. Sincerely, there's no point to climb so high. To me the pukará is the most important thing there, so it was worthless to climb until the end. Fourth, since the pukará cannot be visited since 2018, they could make a new trail to go around it, that would make happy many people interested in the local culture.
Written February 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan H
Cairns, Australia1,353 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
Pukara de Quitor is an archaeological site containing the remains of a 12th century pre-columbian fortress. I visited this with my partner in November 2015. There is an entrance fee of 3000CP paid at the small building near the entrance.
GETTING HERE
Pukara de Quitor is located 3km Northwest of San Pedro De Atacama. Most of the guidebooks recommend biking here but unless you are planning on continuing onto the Quebrada de Diablo this is completely unnecessary. The walk will take you around 40 minutes along a well established dirt road and unlike bike hire will not cost you a cent! Also remember once you get to the site itself your bikes will be useless and you will have to climb up the two paths by foot anyway.
THE SITE
There are two main things to do.
The first are the ruins themselves which are impressive although not amazing. As you enter the site there are two paths, one which comes off to the right and another which comes off to the left. The one to the right will take you to within the ruins and takes about 20 minutes to get to the top.
The second attraction is the excellent panoramic views offered from the larger hour long trail (one way) that comes off to the left as you enter the site. At the top of this hill is a homage to the natives who were slaughtered (specifically - beheaded) during the Spanish takeover. Along this pathway you are afforded excellent views of not only San Pedro De Atacama but also Valle De La Muerte. The base of this trail has a bathroom and shaded picnic area.
Overall this is definitely a place worth visiting if you have the time although it's certainly not the most impressive site in San Pedro. If you exclusively visit the ruins by walking including both paths you will need around 4 hours including travel time to and from San Pedro. As with all places in San Pedro bring plenty of water, sunscreen and polarised sunglasses.
Please take the time to rate my review.
GETTING HERE
Pukara de Quitor is located 3km Northwest of San Pedro De Atacama. Most of the guidebooks recommend biking here but unless you are planning on continuing onto the Quebrada de Diablo this is completely unnecessary. The walk will take you around 40 minutes along a well established dirt road and unlike bike hire will not cost you a cent! Also remember once you get to the site itself your bikes will be useless and you will have to climb up the two paths by foot anyway.
THE SITE
There are two main things to do.
The first are the ruins themselves which are impressive although not amazing. As you enter the site there are two paths, one which comes off to the right and another which comes off to the left. The one to the right will take you to within the ruins and takes about 20 minutes to get to the top.
The second attraction is the excellent panoramic views offered from the larger hour long trail (one way) that comes off to the left as you enter the site. At the top of this hill is a homage to the natives who were slaughtered (specifically - beheaded) during the Spanish takeover. Along this pathway you are afforded excellent views of not only San Pedro De Atacama but also Valle De La Muerte. The base of this trail has a bathroom and shaded picnic area.
Overall this is definitely a place worth visiting if you have the time although it's certainly not the most impressive site in San Pedro. If you exclusively visit the ruins by walking including both paths you will need around 4 hours including travel time to and from San Pedro. As with all places in San Pedro bring plenty of water, sunscreen and polarised sunglasses.
Please take the time to rate my review.
Written January 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karla G
Santiago, Chile801 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We visited this place on our own as we couldn't go to Salar de Tara or Piedras Rojas since the roads were closed due to snow. We walked from our cabin to the Pukara and the road is flat, so it's an easy walk. There are three different paths you can choose from: the view point (quite short); the long one (with the cross on top) and the one taking you to the cave. We did the two first in about 3 hours and 1/2 (counting from the moment we left home). You have beautiful views along the way and it is only 3.000 CLP per person. Make sure you take water, some snacks, sun screen, hat and sunglasses, as there are no shops in the area, but just nearby. The place opens at 8:00 am and closes around 5:00 pm. I recommend this place.
Written August 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curlgolf
Toronto, Canada56 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
This is open in the sense that staff are there to take your money, but the only thing you can do there is climb up paths to view the surroundings from progressively higher heights. The paths to the historic areas are closed. But if you want to get some exercise, this gives you somewhere to walk that’s not the dusty streets of San Pedro. You can also bike there. There are bike racks at the entrance.
Written November 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ecfiliano
Melrose, MA90 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
I didn't really know what to expect at Pukara de Quitor, but it was great! The hike at the viewpoint might have been even better than the ruins!
We were a bit pressed for time, so the site manager advised us not to do the walk around the ruins, but begin the hike to the viewpoint directly, as you still get a good view of the ruins from the path.
The path wasn't long, but pretty steep. We're in pretty good shape, and it probably took us less than 45 minutes to get to the top, including time to stop and take pictures.
At the top of the hill, there is an homage to the Atacameñens beheaded in the Spanish takeover. The views are breathtaking, looking down on Valle de la Muerte and out into the valley toward Catarpe. It was historically interesting, moving, beautiful, and totally worth the trip.
If you like to bike, make a day of it. Rent a bike early and do Pukara de Quitor. Then, you can continue toward Catarpe and bike through Quebrada del Diablo. From there, if you still have time, you can check out some of the other stuff in Catarpe, such as the tunnel, Piedra Achos, y Tambo de Catarpe.
We were a bit pressed for time, so the site manager advised us not to do the walk around the ruins, but begin the hike to the viewpoint directly, as you still get a good view of the ruins from the path.
The path wasn't long, but pretty steep. We're in pretty good shape, and it probably took us less than 45 minutes to get to the top, including time to stop and take pictures.
At the top of the hill, there is an homage to the Atacameñens beheaded in the Spanish takeover. The views are breathtaking, looking down on Valle de la Muerte and out into the valley toward Catarpe. It was historically interesting, moving, beautiful, and totally worth the trip.
If you like to bike, make a day of it. Rent a bike early and do Pukara de Quitor. Then, you can continue toward Catarpe and bike through Quebrada del Diablo. From there, if you still have time, you can check out some of the other stuff in Catarpe, such as the tunnel, Piedra Achos, y Tambo de Catarpe.
Written August 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Max_NL
Utrecht, The Netherlands27 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
The ruins itself are not that special but the views from the mountains are amazing!
It cost only 3000 (2500 students) and it is easily reached by bike or foot (40 to 60min walk from the center). The way towards is already nice.
In my opinion these sights are more worth of money and time than the moon valley and geysers. So dont miss this attraction, it cost only half a day.
It cost only 3000 (2500 students) and it is easily reached by bike or foot (40 to 60min walk from the center). The way towards is already nice.
In my opinion these sights are more worth of money and time than the moon valley and geysers. So dont miss this attraction, it cost only half a day.
Written May 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
barbf59
Wellesley, MA31 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
This is the site of an ancient fortress that is just amazing. It is quite a hike to the top, so make sure you wear hiking shoes. The story of the indigenous people and the reason they built the fort at this site is fascinating and reminiscent. The view from the top is stunning in every direction.
Written January 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gen7771
Montreal, Canada447 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
We rented a bike in San Pedro and headed to Pukara de Quitor. It's a 10 minutes bike ride. You have to pay the park entry fees (3000$cl). There is 2 differents paths. The first one is a 20 minutes walk up the hill to see some archeological ruins. The second walk is to access the Mirador. The view is awesome ! It's about 45 minutes up and 30 minutes to come down. Don't forget you sunscreen, a hat, water and some good shoes.
Written October 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
onlyinboulder
Boulder, Colorado36 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
It was a comfortable walk from town but many others rode bicycles. Walking to the top was great exercise and allowed not only great views of the site but also amazing 360 degree vistas of the high desert and mountains. I highly recommend visiting this site.
Written August 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
czep
Austin, Texas123 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
This is an interesting Atacama Desert ruin very close to a quaint Chilean restaurant. Both have good photo opportunities and the restaurant is worth a lunch. It is close to other interesting sites such as Valley of the Moon. By itself the fort is not spectacular but if in the area worth visiting. Be prepared to do some climbing as it is on the top of a low hill. It is close to the desert town of San Pedro which is also worth visiting.
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lu0niculi
Turin, Italy25 contributions
Ciao, andròin Cile il prossimo dicembre. È' possibile visitare Tulor e Pukara de Quitor da soli oppure solo tramite un tour organizzato?
grazie, Rossana
Lu0niculi
Turin, Italy25 contributions
Thanks, i went through a tour because one of us is a disable people that can't go for a bike.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingPukara de Quitor, San Pedro de Atacama
Frequently Asked Questions about Pukara de Quitor
- Hotels near Pukara de Quitor:
- (0.26 mi) Nayara Alto Atacama
- (0.29 mi) Cabanas Altos de Quitor
- (0.36 mi) Lodge Incanorth
- (0.39 mi) Hostal Rincon de Quitor
- (1.63 mi) Terrantai Lodge Andino
- Restaurants near Pukara de Quitor:
- (1.40 mi) PizzerÃa El Charrúa
- (1.62 mi) Emporio Andino
- (1.57 mi) Inca's Restaurant San Pedro
- (1.72 mi) Aura Andina Restaurant
- (1.60 mi) La Pica Del Indio
Pukara de Quitor Information
Excellent Reviews | 509 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 503 |
Pukara de Quitor Photos | 840 |