Excursion Scanning the past: mining in chile tour at Antofagasta

Explore Chile's history on this afternoon tour of old mining communities. Mining has played a leading role shaping Chile's economy, and the early settlements are living proof of a glorious past. Learn about the tenacity of 19^th century miners and their hard work in the solitude of the desert.

Begin with a 90-minute drive to visit the village of Baquedano, which stands as a testament of a time gone by and the golden years of "white gold," as nitrate was known. One of the key buildings dating back to that period is the train station, with all machinery and even steam engines remaining as they were in the 19^th century.

Then drive across the Pampa to Chacabuco, often referred to as a "Ghost Town," one of the many abandoned nitrate towns in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. Like many others, the town fell into ruin at the end of the 1930's when German synthetic nitrate took off, thus crippling northern Chile's nitrate industry. Chacabuco is also significant for its difficult history of serving as the site of a concentration camp for political prisoners shortly after the General Pinochet-led military coup in 1973. At this time the camp held up to 1,800 people, including professional citizens like doctors, lawyers, professors and artists. This sad period of Chacabuco's history lasted just one year, but certainly left its scars in the abandoned town.

Chacabuco has had a population of 1 since 1991, when a former political prisoner of Chacabuco, Roberto Saldívar, returned to live in the abandoned town and guard it against vandalism and pillaging. In 2006, Pedro Barreda replaced Roberto when he left and lives alone in Chacabuco today as a steward of the town.

One of the highlights of Chacabuco is the splendid theater, which during the nitrate boom was able to attract European opera companies, competing with the continent's traditional cultural meccas like Buenos Aires.

After your visit make the one-hour return trip to Antofagasta.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Chacabuco Ghost Town, Chacabuco theater, Baquedano train station

Note

Please note: There is a moderate amount of walking, sometimes on uneven terrain. Personalized assistance from a friend or escort is recommended for guests with walking difficulties or other mobility limitations to thoroughly enjoy the visit. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothes. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as well as sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat.