Chile : Tours : World of the Chilean Highlands

Arica is ideal as a tourist area and place to live. Its pleasant climate draws tourists all year round, and invites them to participate in all kinds of activities. It is a vast oasis in the middle of the desert. Travelers can enjoy some of the cleanest water, whitest sands, and freshest air in the world. Some of the main tourist attractions are just miles away: Las Vicuñas National Reserve and National Park boast mountains and volcanoes. Chungara lake, Cotacotani lagoon and the town of Parinacota are found here as well. The culture dates back a thousand years and is unique in the world because of the archeological discoveries uncovered from the large desert. You can see them in the San Miguel de Azapa Museum where some of the most ancient mummies are also on display.

Day 1. Arica - Putre
Arrival to Arica. Reception at the airport and departure heading inland passing the Lluta oasis. Enormous geoglyphs from the Tiawanaku culture can be seen and a petroglyph area is visited. Poconchile, an ancient prehispanic settlement with an interesting church dating from the XVII century, is passed through. Heading on through the desert, Pukara de Copaquilla, an ancient fortress, is reached. Arrival to Putre, a town with colonial gridlines located at 3,500 m (11,500 feet) above sea level where we will overnight and acclimatize.

Day 2. Putre - Surire Salt Flat - Putre
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the Surire salt flat, 127 kms (80 miles) South East of Putre at 4.300 m (14,000 feet) above sea level. Las Vicuñas National reservation is visited (where the Vicuña is a protected species) as well as the stone-built towns of Ancuta, Guallatiri and Viluvio where the Aymara indians live from alpaca and llama breeding. The excursion continues along the altiplano in the shadow of numerous snow capped peaks amongst which one will find the Guallatiri Volcano which is permanently smoking. One may see en route ñandues (american ostrich) known as "suri" in the Aymara language and which gives the name to the Salt Flat "Surire" (place of Suris) The salt flat, declared a national monument, is a breeding ground for three types of flamingoes. In the afternoon return to Putre. Overnight in Putre.

Day 3. Putre - Chungara Lake - Arica
Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to the Lauca National Park with its impressive sights and wide variety of andean flora and fauna. Stop to partake in an andean ritual, "Apacheta", a ceremony dedicated to the sacred spirits of the high peaks of the Andes that invokes their protection and well being for the road ahead. The excursion continues visiting Lake Chungara, surrounded by the impressive Payachatas volcanoes, and then on to Parinacota, an aymara ceremonial village and one of the oldest in the area. Return to Arica, brief city tour and visit to the Miguel de Azapa Museum. Overnight in Arica.

Day 4. Arica
Breakfast at the hotel. At the agreed time transfer to the airport for the departure flight.

The Program Includes

• 1 Night of accommodation in Arica, according to category, with breakfast included.
• 2 Nights of accommodations in the Hotel Qantati de Putre (Tourist Category), with breakfast included.
• Regular transfers, according to the program.
• Entrance passes to the museums.
• Box Lunch.

Notes

• Minimum 2 passengers in regular basis.
• This Program operates all year round. Private services upon request.
• Due to high altitude (4500 meters / 15000 feet during Lake Chungara excursion) this program is not recommended for pregnant women, children under 8 years old, and people suffering from heart conditions.
• In the Tourist Category, the Hotel in Arica is the Azapa Inn Hotel.
• In the Superior Category, the Hotel in Arica is the Arica Hotel.

Rates

Want to book this trip ? click HERE

Need more information ? click HERE

Seasons/Departures

Cancellation Policy

Once the reservation has been confirmed by Gotolatin, the following charges will apply for cancellations made by the passenger, according to the program departure date:

• Between 30 and 15 working days before the beginning of the program:
  Charge of 30% of the total program value per passenger.
• Between 15 and 7 working days before the beginning of the program:
  50% of total program value per passenger.
• Between 7 and 0 working days before the beginning of the program: No devolution applies.
• There are no refunds for portions of the program not used, hotel accommodations, etc.
• We recommend considering Travel Insurance for any reason.