CHUQUICAMATA.
This is the largest "open cleft" mine in the world and the most productive copper deposit in Chile. Its name is translated as "land of Chuco Indians", referring to the natives who in former times lived in the area.

The rich deposits -whose industrial exploitation started in 1881- are formed by the Southern mine, the smaller one, producing a rusty mineral and the Chuqui Mine, where a sulfurous mineral is obtained that produces around 630,000 tons of fine copper a year, with up to 99.99% purity.

Near the deposits is the "dormitory" town of Chuquimata, which can be visited from Monday to Friday (except on holidays) so as to observe from a lookout point the copper treatment and smelting process. Only 16 kilometers separate Calama from this gigantic mine.

CHIU CHIU.
This is an attractive town located 33 kilometers from Calama and 2,525 meters above sea level. Formerly it hosted the densest indian population in the region, due to its productive lands. The story goes that it was the first settlement by groups of hunters and gatherers on the banks of the Loa as from the year 1,000 BC.

Lately, these lands would be traversed by the Inca Trail, generating a high level of trade up to 1830, when it was a mandatory pass on the Cobija - Salta route. Its apogee ended with the building of the railroad in 1890. At present, few more than 300 people live in this town.

Among its attractions is the San Francisco Church, one of the most beautiful churches in Chile, and declared a National Monument in 1951. The temple, built in 1675, shows sturdy walls and in its interior shelters a beautiful picture of Christ's passion, painted on both sides and a folding-armed crucifix, thus designed for transport during processions.

PUKARA DE LASANA.
This is a fortress built in the 12th century. It has rectangular and circular buildings, with stone watchtowers and barns. In total, there are around 110 buildings, each having from 2 to 5 rooms, joined by narrow passages for internal circulation. This site -declared a National Monument in 1982- is 41 kilometers northeast of Calama and 8 from Chiu Chiu.

CONCHI BRIDGE.
It has a length of 224 meters and was built in 1890 for railway use, being the second highest in the planet (3,048 meters above sea level). At present, only road traffic crosses it. It is 70 kilometers from Calama and is at a height of 105 meters above the Loa river.

CASPANA.
This traditional town is characterized by the use of liparite stone -a white volcanic rock- for the construction of its homes, which also feature picturesque adobe roofing. At present, the population is of barely 400 inhabitants, who are mainly devoted to the growing of vegetables, flowers and tubers for sale in Calama, 84 kilometers away.
Among its attractions are San Lucas Church, an explanatory museum of local culture and several handicraft shops, where one can buy various objects as well as clothes made of alpaca wool.

TOCONCE.
This is a modest town of pre-Hispanic origin sitting atop some cliffs, 91 kilometers from Calama and 22 from Caspana. It is notable for its stone constructions and its agricultural terraces, a valuable legacy from its ancient inhabitants. As you visit this town, located at 3,350 meters above sea level, you can also admire the archaeological centers of Alero del Rio Salado, Lican, Tchulqui and Patillon.

PUKARA DE TURI.
Formerly the largest fortress-city of the Atacaman culture, it was built in the 12th century from volcanic stone, featuring rectangular houses measuring 4 x 5 meters, silos and wine cellars. With the arrival of the Incas at the end of the 15th century, the use of sun-dried clay brick for the squares, streets and houses was introduced, and it became an important administrative center for the "Sons of the Sun". Declared a National Monument in 1982, it is located 75 kilometers east of Calama and at 2,980 meters above sea level.

AYQUINA.
Recently declared a "Typical Area", this is one of the most beautiful towns in the region, with its typical stone constructions and homes with adobe and straw roofs. The houses are built around the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a splendid temple which features a tower made of stucco-plastered stone which is beautifully decorated every year on September 7 and 8, for the "Our Lady of Guadalupe" festival. It is located 74 kilometers from Calama and at 3,000 meters above sea level.

OLLAGUË.
. This border town located near the salt pan bearing the same name at 3,696 meters above sea level has a population of around 400 inhabitants, most of whom work at the sulfur mines. Only 206 kilometers separate this town from Calama.
Nine kilometers from Ollagüe is the town of Amincha, with the sulfur plant receiving its raw material by cableway from the highest mine in the world, located at the top of the Aucanquilcha volcano, 5,580 meters above sea level. Other points of interest are Cosca, 25 kilometers from Ollagüe, a shrine built at the beginning of the 20th century, after a shepherd had found an image of Our Lady; and Rio Chaihuiri, 30 kilometers away from Ollagüe, surrounded by several queñuales, trees with twisted branches growing higher than 3,500 meters above sea level.

ACOSTAN SALT PAN.
This is part of the largest borax lake in the world. Of Pleistocene origin, it has been exploited since the beginning of the 20th century. It is 34 kilometers south of the town of Ollagüe, and when you visit it you can observe enormous salty basins surrounded by high peaks.
The salt pan is flat and white, with lagoons frequented by graceful flamingos and slender vicuñas.