5-day “Highlights of northern Chile” sightseeing and walking tour, from Arica
Join one of our certified guides to see spectacular places in northern Chile. Explore several National Parks, visit beautiful salt lakes and cross the Giant Atacama Desert on this 5-day tour!
Private
Andes
5 Days
All year
Low
Highlights
- Walk through several National Park and discover diverse animal life.
- Witness incredible landscapes as you cross the Atacama Desert.
- See numerous geoglyphs and visit the famous nitrate mines in Chile.
Description
Join us as we take you through several national parks, past salt lakes, deep blue lagoons and across the Atacama desert in northern Chile. You’ll also see numerous geoglyphs including the Atacama Giant on this 5-day trip.
We’ll begin from the bustling markets of Arica and continue towards the famous Caves of Anzota. The caves provide a glimpse to the lifestyle of ancient Chinchorro people. Next, we’ll head towards the Morro of Arica, a steep hill where we will enjoy panoramic views. The Azapa Valley is our next stop, where we’ll spot the geoglyphs of Cerro Sombrero or the Geoglyphs de la Tropilla.
Mount Cerro Sagrado, Las Llosyas, the Archaeological Museum of San Miguel of Azapa, Pukara de Copaquilla fort, Iglesia de San Gerónimo, Chungara lake and the impressive nitrate mines of Chile, are just a few of the many attractions we’ll cover on this trip.
You will visit not one but three natural parks here- National Reserve of the Vicuñas, Vulcano Isluga National Park and the Lauca National Park. It will be enriching to explore the rich biodiversity of these areas. Look out for parinas, ducks, vicuñas, vizcachas and taguas.
The highlight of the trip is a visit to the Surire salt lake and the Arabilla lagoon. White salt deposits in contrast to the blue waters of the lagoons offer stunning sights. We’ll also come across two thermal baths- one at Polloquere and the other at Jurasi.
You’ll be stunned by the marvelous arid landscapes as we’ll pass through the Atacama Desert and spot the Atacama Giant at the flank of Cerro Unita. The National Reserve of the Pampa Tamarugal is another reserve we’ll visit before getting to San Pedro de Atacama, to mark an end to this incredible trip.
Book your place now to explore the impressive landscapes and unique culture of northern Chile.
Looking for a shorter trip? Then check out our 3-day tour where we’ll visit the Lauca National Park and its surrounding areas.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Price details
- Price per Person. Price Includes: Oxygen cylinders.
- Not Included: Tickets to National Parks or Museums.
Itinerary
Day 1: From Arica to Putre
We will set off from the beautiful city of Arica. Then, we will visit multiple locations including the market at Terminal Asoagro, Caves of Anzota and the prodigious Azapa Valley. On the way, we will see surprising geoglyphs on the Cerro Sombrero or the Geoglyphs de la Tropilla.
After, we will head towards the Cerro Sagrado (Holy Mountain) and visit the Lluta Valley to learn about the early settlers of Poconchile. We will stop at the Tambo Sapahuira for lunch. Then, we will continue towards the village of Socoroma to see its unique architecture. Finally, we will head to Putre.
Day 2: Putre to Lauca National Park & Lake Chungara
On day 2, we will go towards the massive Lauca National Park. We will hike through breathtaking landscapes of caves and highlands. Then, we will continue towards the unique ecosystem of Chucuyo and stop at Cotacotani lagoon before going towards the magical lake Chungara where we will see the marvelous reflection of Parinacota volcano in clear lake water.
Next, we will head towards Parinacota village. We’ll enjoy a bath in the thermal springs of Jurasi, before heading back to Putre.
Day 3: Putre to National Reserve of the Vicuñas & Salt Lake Surire
We will leave for the National Reserve of the Vicuñas. Then, we will continue towards the
beautiful Surire salt lake. Next, we’ll have a delicious picnic at the thermal baths of Polloquere.
We will head towards Vulcano Isluga National Park and explore its rich biodiversity. Then we will visit the Arabilla lagoon, surrounded by small bofedales(wetlands).
Aditionally, we’ll also visit the altiplano communes of Enquelga and Isluga before heading to Colchane, a village at the Bolivian border which represents the Aymara-culture.
Day 4: Colchane to Atacama Desert to Pica
On day 4, we will continue towards Cariquima to experience the Aymara life and appreciate their handicraft. We will visit Chusmiza and then continue towards the 86m geoglyph of The Giant of the Atacama, located at the flanks of the Cerro Unita. Then, we will stop at Huara village for lunch and head towards the most impressive nitrate mines of Chile.
Finally, we will reach the beautiful oasis of Pica by evening.
Day 5: Pica to San Pedro de Atacama
On the final day, we will go to see the geoglyphs pintados. We will cross an impressive forest in
the Atacama Desert to reach the National Reserve of the Pampa Tamarugal. Then, we will pass through the village of Quillagua and enjoy marvelous landscapes. Finally, we’ll cross the desert to get to San Pedro de Atacama.
Details
More info
Guides available in English or Spanish.
Meeting point
FAQs
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About the guide
Mayuru
4.8
(5)
Mayuru Tour is a family run tour operator. We offer a great variety of touristic circuits in the Chilean Altiplano (highlands).
Our programs include the most valuable places of our environment, an incredible nature, ancient cultures, observation of flora and fauna, ethno tourism, thermal baths and the development of our activities in silvestre areas.
Without doubt our aim is to make your trip an unforgettable experience, to satisfy all of your expectations and to give you an opportunity to live an incredible adventure. On top of all you will get to know the richness of our ancestral culture.
It lives within us to introduce you to the fascinating Ayamara culture, to support the local tourism, to communicate the hospitality of the Chilean highlands and to show you fascinating places which are part of the biosphere national parks, such as National Park Lauca.
The magic of a trip lies within the incredible sceneries and getting to know the local traditions, which are the characteristic services that our company offers.
Languages
English | Spanish | French | German
What people are saying about this trip
Rodney
Excellent trip, guide Helmut was fantastic, excellent local knowledge, great driver
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