Grandfather of Adobe

Travel back nearly three millennia in Tulor Village, one of northern Chile’s most important archaeological sites and among the oldest known settlements in the Atacama Desert. Often called the “Grandfather of Adobe,” Tulor was founded around 800 BC by the ancestors of today’s Licanantay people. As you explore these preserved circular dwellings and ceremonial spaces, your guide will divulge how this thriving oasis community flourished through ingenious architecture, agriculture, and water management in one of the world’s harshest environments. You’ll learn how homes built from earth, straw, and other local materials provided natural insulation against the desert’s extreme temperatures. The experience concludes with a hands-on clay workshop hosted by a local artisan. As you shape your own piece using techniques inspired by generations of Atacameño craftsmanship, the story continues as you hear about the enduring importance of adobe and clay in local culture.

This experience offers a rare opportunity to connect ancient history with a living cultural tradition. Rather than simply visiting an archaeological site, you’ll hear how the knowledge that shaped Tulor continues to influence life in the Atacama today. Adobe is far more than a building material: it represents centuries of environmental adaptation, allowing communities to create comfortable homes using the earth beneath their feet. As climate-conscious architecture gains attention around the world, Tulor stands as a remarkable example of how sustainable design first appeared thousands of years ago. Meeting a local artisan transforms this history into something tangible, revealing how ancestral skills are still passed between generations and adapted for the present day. Seeing the ruins and partaking in a clay workshop consolidate a story of resilience and the enduring relationship between people and desert that has sustained them for almost 3,000 years.

Mirko and Nicolás are friends, certified guides, and business partners operating tourism experiences in the Atacama Desert. A professional landscape and wildlife photographer, Mirko has devoted his career to capturing the raw beauty of the Atacama Desert and the rugged terrains of Patagonia. Nicolás is a cultural project administrator specializing in ecotourism. As a local, Indigenous guide, with extensive knowledge of the Atacama’s territory, culture, history, and natural heritage, his experiences focus on Indigenous peoples and the natural environment. Your experience may be hosted by Mirko, Nicolás, or one of two certified guides. If you have a particular interest in photography and wildlife, you may prefer to book Mirko. If you are interested in Indigenous culture, you may wish to book Nicolás. Please feel welcome to write to the Experience Makers via Fernwayer Chat before booking your experience.

Sunscreen, lipbalm, sunglasses, and sunhat. Comfortable clothing/footwear: bear in mind that the conditions vary from cold to hot throughout the day and wind can be ferocious in the Atacama. Camera and binoculars are recommended but not essential.