ALTIPLANIC ROAD TRIP – 5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS

Welcome at your hotel or Chacalluta airport (Arica) and departure towards Putre to start our adventure, visiting “San Miguel de Azapa” Archaeological Museum that keeps a very interesting collection of artifacts showing 12.000 years of human history, with Chinchorro Mummies, the oldest artificially preserved bodies ever found in the world. Lunch at a typical local restaurant. We will penetrate towards Lluta Canyon. On the slopes of this deep valley is possible to see several panels with Geogliphs (rock art of big dimensions). Climbing up the road and reaching the foot of The Andes range, we will reach “Quebrada de Cardones” Natural Monument. Short hike to observe curious Candleholder cactus. Continuing to Putre on the way it will be possible to appreciate the interesting geography from Copaquilla viewpoint. Deep canyons cross the desert on the way to the Pacific Ocean. Arrival to the hotel at 16:00. Rest of the afternoon free to walk around town and acclimatize to the altitude (11483 feet of altitude). Dinner at the hostel. Night at selected hostel. (L, D)

Breakfast at hotel. Depart towards Lauca National Park Drive crossing part of Lauca National Park and Chungará Lake, with impressive views of twin volcanoes Parinacota 20.767 feet and Pomerape 20472 feet. We will visit the small town of Parinacota to see its beautiful church with typical Andean colonial architecture, it remains almost all year closed and only opens for religious holidays that brings back for some days the descendants of the original inhabitants. We will make stops depending on the fauna that we can observe in the route. Night in Putre. (B, BL, D)

After breakfast, we will continue to “Las Vicuñas” National Reserve. Vicunas could be seen close enough to make great pictures. On the way visit Guallatire village, at the foothills of an active volcano and next to a creek were many lamas and alpacas walk freely. Drive on scenic cross-country roads to Surire saltflat, where is possible to observe flamingos of three different southamerican species. On the banks of this ancient lake, almost dried, we will find the geothermal natural field of Polloquere. Picnic lunch and optional bath. We will continue southwards and crossing a mountain pass at 15419 feet of altitude we will arrive at Volcán Isluga National Park, were we will find more settlements of lama and alpaca herders. The cultivation of quinoa and potatoes complements the economy of these communities. The villages of Enquelga and Isluga stand out for their agricultural activity and beautiful church, respectively. The Isluga volcano, like Guallatire, elevates its smoke to the sky, evidence of its magmatic activity. We will arrive at the town of Cariquima at 12400 feet to stay in a simple hostel run by an aymara family. Night in Cariquima. (B, BL, D).

Breakfast at the hostel and start our descension to Iquique. On the way down, we will see the Ancovinto giant cactus, and the Atacama Desert will begin to appear before our eyes, and the vegetation is being replaced by dust, stones, and sand. In this inert immensity, and on the hillside of a lonely hill, we will discover the Atacama Giant Geoglyph, the largest anthropomorphic figure in the world with 86 meters long. As we arrive to the Pan-American highway, we will have lunch at Huara, an old railway town built due to the nitrate mining activity at the end of the 19th century. We will continue to Humberstone, World Heritage Site by UNESCO. A complete and very well-arranged sample of this important mining activity will close the day. Night in Iquique. (B, L)

Breakfast and at agreed time, transfer to airport. (B) Optional transfer to San Pedro to continue your experience along the desert!