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| Northern
Chile is a world of minerals characterized by one of the driest deserts
on the planet: the Atacama Desert. However, life in the Andes sprouts
alongside turquoise and emerald lakes. Condors, pumas and flamingos
live under the quiet shadow of impressive snow capped volcanoes such
as Parinacota (6,342m), and Licancabur (5,916m). This roundtrip takes
us from Calama through the desert up to Arica, on the Peruvian border,
allowing us to discover the main attractions of the Altiplano. The
solitude of the altiplano becomes infinitely powerful in the areas
around San Pedro de Atacama, the bizarre rock formations of the Valley
of the Moon, or the huge Salt Lake of the Atacama, with its slender,
stylized, rose colored flamingoes silhouetted against the clear blue
sky. Archaeology, pre-Columbian villages, geyser fields, amazing scenery
all converge to give a truly unique experience. |
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| DAY
01 CALAMA-THE VALLEY OF THE MOON-SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA |
| Reception
at the airport in Calama and drive to the village of San Pedro de
Atacama, about 8000'. Along the way, we will cross the "Cordillera
de la Sal". Years ago, the area was a lake bottom. When the South
American and Nazca plates collided, pushing up the Andes, the lake
bottom too was thrust higher. Continual folding of the earth's crust,
combined with wind and rain, turned the horizontal lake bottom into
a series of strange vertical shapes. These strange shapes, sculpted
by the elements, have come to be known as The Valley of the Moon.
Arriving in San Pedro, we will head to our lodging. (L) |
| DAY
02 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA-HIGH-PLATEAU LAGOONS |
| Our morning
drive will take us to the oasis town of Toconao. Note how the fields
are cultivated in the small, irregular patches typical of traditional
pre-Hispanic settlements. The white volcanic stone of the village
is called liparita, and is quarried nearby. From Toconao, we will
continue our drive through the desert towards the Miscanti and Meñiques
lagoons to enjoy of terrific views. Our route takes us past Socaire,
a succession of terraced fields on a high slope with picturesque stone
houses. Drive back towards the huge Atacama Salt Flat, boasting the
world's largest reserve of lithium. From our vantage point, fantastic
Chaxa Lake appears, its shores thickly encrusted with salt. Lake Chaxa
is a flamingo breeding ground. We will stay here, enjoying a very
special sunset, before returning to San Pedro for the night. (B, L). |
| DAY
03 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA |
| This morning
we will do a hiking through the "Cordillera de la Sal".
Back to San Pedro. On our walk through town we will visit the Church
of San Pedro, whose origins date from 1641; the Inca House, oldest
in town, and the Archeological Museum, founded by the Belgian Jesuit
priest, Gustavo Le Paige. In the afternoon, we will drive out to Tulor
Village, the oldest relic of human habitation in the valley, dating
from 100 BC to 100 AD. Ironically, the shifting desert sands that
destroyed the village are also responsible for its preservation throughout
time. Near the village and carved into the side of a cliff is Pukara
(fortresses) Quitor, dating from the 12th century. If faded in importance
with the arrival of the Incas and was destroyed in 1540 by the Spanish.
We return to San Pedro for the night. (B, L) |
| DAY
04 SAN PEDRO-TATIO GEYSERS-CASPANA-LASANA-CHIU-CHIU-CALAMA |
| Leaving
very early in the morning, we will drive to one of Chile's most interesting
geothermal phenomena, the Tatio Geysers at 14.107', is the highest
geyser field in the world. To view the steaming fumeroles against
the extraordinary sunrise of the Atacama Desert, with its crystalline
clear sky, is an unforgettable, incredibly beautiful sight. From the
geysers, we will tour some of the desert villages - Caspana, fertile
valley in the middle of the barren desert with an old and new town,
a museum, and craft center; Lasana, a pukara or fortresses village
dating from 12th century that is the best preserved Atacameño
cultural relic, Chiu-Chiu, with its exquisite church and the highest
concentration of natives in the area; and Calama, with its nearby
copper mine. We will spend the night in Calama (2.250m). (B, L) |
| DAY
05 CALAMA- TOCOPILLA - IQUIQUE |
| Driving
along the coast, our route takes us past Tocopilla, the terminal port
for the nitrate railway. We continue to come to the port of Iquique,
sitting on a narrow terrace at the foot of the coastal range. Once
a sleepy town, Iquique grew with the increase in nitrate production
in the region. Today, Iquique's major source of income is from fishing,
and it claims the distinction of shipping more fishmeal than any other
port in the world. Transfer to the hotel. (B, L). |
| DAY
06 IQUIQUE - PICA - IQUIQUE |
| From Iquique,
we head to the ghost town of Humberstone, a well-preserved
former mining settlement, complete with rusted swimming pool, plaza,
and theater. We continues across the great Pintados Salt Flat,
the largest in Tarapaca to reach in the Cerro Pintados geoglyphs,
one of the largest displays of ancient aboriginal art. Its hillslopes
are decorated by more tan 400 figures depicting humans, animals, birds
or abstract shapes, isolated or arranged into thematic groups. Arrival
to the Pica oasis village, old town dating from pre-Conquest
times. We will enjoy a thermal bath. Late afternoon we drive back
to Iquique, visiting Matilla and La Tirana villages.
(B, L) |
| DAY
07 IQUIQUE - ARICA |
| Long drive
strait north to reach Arica City. Visit to the Hacienda de Tiviliche
a farmer ranch where the English landowners used to come to rest.
Continue our trip we will visit the Azapa fertile valley, the museum
and interesting archeological sites, especially ancient geoglyphs.
Arrival to Arica, transfer to the Hotel. (B, L) |
| DAY
08 ARICA - PUTRE |
| Morning
drive towards Putre village (3.500m), dating from pre-Hispanic times
and located in the middle of the Andes mountains. We will visit the
Lluta valley, and the archaeological sites of Copaquilla, Zapahuira
and Socoroma villages. Night in Putre. (B, L). |
| DAY
09 PUTRE - SALAR DE SURIRE - PUTRE |
| Continuing
down south through the altiplano, we head to the Surire Salt Flat,
a strikingly white expanse dotted with lakes and ponds, perched high
in the hills at almost 14.000'. The whiteness of the flatland contrasts
with the clear blue sky and the snowy tops of Lliscaya, Arintina,
and Pacocahua Mountains. Against the background are the pink of the
myriad flamingoes - James, Andean, and Chilean - and the more earthy
colors of other waterfowl and geese. We have the opportunity to enjoy
a thermal bath in Surire hot springs. Drive back to Putre
for the night. (B, L) |
| DAY
10 PUTRE - LAGO CHUNGARA - ARICA |
Today we
have the special chance to explore Lauca National Park, a high
altitude steppe, characterized by rich spongy ground, grass, and ponds
teeming with waterfowl. Herds of llamas and alpacas graze on the fields,
and the sparkling snow-covered, volcanic peaks of Parinacota and Pomerape
pierce the blue sky. We can marvel at the emerald-green lakes and
ponds, whose water flows were blocked by volcanic eruptions. Perhaps
the most striking is Lake Chungara, almost 15.000' high. Here, surrounded
by sky-touching peaks - Parinacota, Sajama, Quisiquisini, Quimsacheta,
and the smoking Guallatiri Volcano - peaks that often appear to vanish
in the water of the lake, is perhaps one of the most incredible sights
nature has to offer. Finally, leaving Lauca, we will begin to head
back towards Arica.
The climate will shift from the altiplano to the green, subtropical
LLuta Valley, with its geoglyphs, petroglyphs, and Inca fortresses
or pukaras. Night in Arica. (B, L) |
| DIA
11 ARICA |
| During
the morning we will visit the fertile Azapa Valley which hides several
archaeological sites. Transfer to Arica airport. (B) |
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April 2 & 16
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May 1 & 21
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June 4 & 18
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July 10 & 24
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August 7 & 21
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September 4 & 18
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October 2 & 16
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November 6 & 20
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December 4 & 18
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January 8 & 22
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February 5 & 19
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March 5 & 19
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April 2 & 16
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May 1 & 21
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June 4 & 18
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Min. 4 persons
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US$ 1650
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Single supplement
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US$ 300
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| Note:
Other departures available upon request and cost will be according
to final numbers of passengers. |
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INCLUDED :
- All transportation during the whole itinerary.
- All accommodations quoted per person based on sharing a double
room.
- Meals according to the itinerary: breakfast and lunches.
- Park entrance fees.
- Bilingual speaking guide only Spanish or English.
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NOT INCLUDED :
- Any type of insurance.
- Tips and extra expenses as laundry, meals and drinks out of
program and other items not mentioned.
- Other languages like German, French or Italian speaking guides.
- Air local flights.
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| Easy. Hiking
and treks are optional. Members are expected to be in good physical
condition. |
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