Chinchorro Mummies

A Millennial Legacy in the Desert

In the far north of Chile, specifically in the region of Arica y Parinacota, lies a treasure that defies time: the Chinchorro Mummies. This town of fishermen and gatherers who inhabited the coasts of the Atacama Desert developed preservation techniques that exceed those of Egypt by more than 2,000 years, becoming a global milestone of human ingenuity.

Since 2021, the settlements and artificial mummification of the Chinchorro culture have officially been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting their sophisticated belief system and their deep knowledge of anatomy.

Visit website

Plan your trip to Chinchorro Mummies

How to get there

How to get there by air

The quickest way to get to the “City of Eternal Spring” (Arica) is by flying to Chacalluta International Airport (ARI).

From Santiago: There are direct daily flights (approx. 2 hours and 40 minutes) operated by LATAM, Sky, and JetSmart.

How to get there by land

From southern Chile, access is via Route 5 North (Pan-American Highway). If you are coming from Iquique, the journey is about 310 km (approx. 4 to 5 hours) crossing the impressive Chiza and Camarones slopes.

Must-Know Tips

The sun in the northern desert is constant and intense; the use of sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV filter glasses is vital. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes for tours of museums and archaeological sites, in addition to arriving with your tickets or reservations managed in advance. Do not forget your reusable water bottle to combat the aridity, maintain respectful behavior towards the ancestral remains and, as a mandatory measure, deactivate your camera’s flash to preserve the delicate millennial pigments of the mummies.