Raices Andinas
Day 1. Arica-Putre
The tour begins at 10:30 a.m. with a visit to the Terminal Agropecuario (agricultural market) of Arica, where you can enjoy a typical market atmosphere. Then we enter the Azapa-valley, see the La Tropilla Geoglyph and visit the San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum. On our way to the Lluta Valley, you have the opportunity to enjoy the panoramic views of the valleys. After a lunch break in the Ecotruly ecological community, our tour takes us to the Cactus Candelabro and the magnetic zone, as well as a pre-Inca fortress in Copaquilla. We conclude the trip with a one-hour hike to Socoroma, a traditional town in the 3,000-meter altitude Precordillera, where we take a break with coffee and cookies before continuing our journey to Putre. Arrival in Putre at approximately 6:30 pm Dinner and lodging.
Day 2. Putre – Lauca National Park – Putre
Our second day begins at 8:30 am. Or have breakfast in Putre or in the Bofedal de las Cuevas where we will do a 40-minute walk. During this tour you have the opportunity to see wild animals, such as vicuñas and vizcachas, and we will visit bofedales, the base of the ecosystem in the altiplano (Mirador Bofedal de Parinacota). In addition, you have the opportunity to admire a wide variety of birds such as Northern pitios, guallatas and coots, for example. Around noon we arrive at the crystalline Chungara Lake (4,510 m above sea level) and the Cotacotani lagoons where we offer an optional 3-hour walk-tour so you can observe the Andean flora and fauna. After visiting the town of Parinacota with its typical 17th century church and a picnic-lunch, we enjoy a relaxing bath in the Jurasian hot springs before returning to Putre at 6:00 pm Dinner and accommodation.
Day 3. Putre – Surire Salt Flat – Isluga Volcano National Park – Colchane
We leave Putre at 8:00 in the morning and have breakfast at the Bofedal de Las Cuevas. We visit Ancuta and Guallatire, two towns located at the foot of the active volcano Guallatire in the altiplano (4000 m altitude). At around noon we arrive at the Salarde Surire and Chilcaya visit where we give you the opportunity to take photos of the flora and fauna during a one hour walk around this natural monument. Then we go to the hot springs of Polloquere at 4270 m altitude, where we have a picnic and enjoy a relaxing bath. After the rest we head towards the Isluga Volcano National Park, crossing the highlands through the pampas and bofedales, observing the scarce flora and fauna. You will see several altiplanic viewpoints, such as Arabilla and Enquelga, as well as small queñua groves. Finally we will visit the town of Isluga and arrive at Colchane at 7:00 pm, a small town located on the border with Bolivia, 3730 m above sea level. Here we will enjoy dinner and accommodation.
Day 4. Colchane – Cariquima – Huara – Iquique
After breakfast at 8:00 am our first stop will be at the legendary and gigantic cacti on the Rio Grande. After that we go to the town of Cariquima, famous for its traditional work. You will be able to experience the life of the locals. In addition, our trip takes us through several canyons, for example the Quebrada de la Felicidad. There we have a few stops at certain points such as observation post-Chuzmiza and Pachica, where you can take some photos. Pachica is also the entrance to the Atacama desert. You will be able to discover the changes in the landscape. Also in the desert you will be able to admire the Gigante de Atacama geoglyph, the largest human archaeological representation in the world (86 m high). Lunch in Huara. Later we discover the ghosttowns of Humberstone and Santa Laura. Humberstone was a nitrate mining town that was abandoned in the 1960s. From there we will arrive in Iquique at 5:00 pm Dinner and overnight.
Day 5. Iquique – Pintados Geoglyphs – Quillagua – San Pedro de Atacama
After breakfast in Iquique we head to the Pintados geoglyphs. There they will have the unique opportunity to see about 400 figures representing human beings, animals, birds and abstract drawings that were made by human beings. 800 years ago. We leave this place through the Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve to reach the small town of Quillagua, an oasis next to the Loa River. You have to go through customs. After that it is driving us towards the desert to reach Calama or San Pedro de Atacama.
Day 6. San Pedro de Atacama – Salar Salar de Atacama – Altiplanic Lagoons – San Pedro de Atacama
Breakfast at the hotel. We leave San Pedro de Atacama at 8:30 am We head towards the town of Toconao, which is an oasis on the edge of the Salar de Atacama. From there we go to Socaire (3,218 m), which will take us to the altiplanic lagoons of Miscanti and Meñiques at 4,350 m in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. After having lunch in Socaire we are descending to the edge of the Salar de Atacama, where we finally reach the Chaxa lagoons that are famous for their flamingo populations. Return to the hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 7. San Pedro de Atacama – from Pukará de Quitor – Tulor – Valley of the Moon (Valley of the Moon) – San Pedro de Atacama
We leave San Pedro at 4:00 a.m. to arrive at the Tatio geysers at 7:30 a.m. In this geothermal space you can admire the sunrise while having breakfast. Then we head to Calama, passing through the picturesque villages of Caspana and Chiu Chiu. We had lunch at Lasana. Transfer to the airport or Calama.
Day 8. San Pedro de Atacama – Calama or Airport
We leave San Pedro at 4:00 a.m. to arrive at the Tatio geysers at 7:30 a.m. In this geothermal space you can admire the sunrise while having breakfast. Then we head to Calama, passing through the picturesque villages of Caspana and Chiu Chiu. We had lunch at Lasana. Transfer to the airport or Calama.
Includes:
Accommodation:
1 night in a hotel/hostel in Putre (according to availability).
1 night at the Refuge in Colchane.
1 night in a hotel/hostel in Iquique.
3 nights in a hotel/hostel in San Pedro de Atacama.
Feeding:
6 breakfast in Putre, Surire (CONAF), Colchane, Pica, San Pedro.
8 lunches (Ecotruly, picnic in Parinacota and Polloquere, Surire, Huara, Socaire, San Pedro, Lasana).
3 dinners at the restaurant with wine included in Putre, Colchane, Iquique.
Soft drinks and mineral water without gas.
Fruits, coffee, cookies.
Guide:
Experienced guide/driver in English.
Vehicle:
Minibus (van) with oxygen equipment.
Others:
Entrance fees for the Museum of San Miguel de Azapa and Padre Le Paige, the hot springs of Jurasi, Humberstone, Valle de la Luna, Altiplanic Lagoons, Chaxa Lagoons.
Walks in Socoroma, Bofedal de las Cuevas, in the Lagunas de Cotacotani, Salar de Surire el, Lagunas de Chaxa, Valle de la Luna.