This tour takes us to explore the majesty of the Chilean highlands, visiting unique landscapes from San Pedro de Atacama such as Chungará Lake, the Cotacotani Lagoons, Lauca National Park, Salar de Surire, hot springs, and archaeological sites. Along the way, we discover the region’s wildlife and culture, finishing with a relaxing return to Arica.
Day Nª1
We start the day with pickup from our accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama and head towards the Quillagua area, where we can admire the mighty Loa River winding through the arid Atacama Desert. Along the way, we stop in Huatacondo, a picturesque village where we’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we venture into the natural wonder of Devil’s Throat, an impressive geological formation, and explore dinosaur footprints that take us back to prehistoric times. We continue our journey with a visit to the fascinating Rainbow Waterfall, a truly unique visual spectacle. At night, we return to a local guesthouse to enjoy a comforting dinner and end this adventure-filled day.
Day Nª2
The next day, we explore the fascinating Painted Geoglyphs area, a roughly one-kilometer trail that takes us through four stations, each offering a unique view of anthropomorphic figures, animals, and cultural and spatial representations carved into the rock. We then continue to the historic Humberstone Saltpeter Office, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we’ll explore the remains of one of the largest saltpeter plants in the region. Among the restored buildings, we’ll see the theater, the pulpería (general store), the plaza, the chapel, the swimming pool, and the old offices, all transporting us back to the past of this ancient industry. Later, we head to see the imposing Giant of Tarapacá, a massive geoglyph towering over the desert landscape. We continue to Tarapacá Canyon, the picturesque village of San Lorenzo, and finally arrive at Chuzmisa, where you’ll have the chance to relax and enjoy the hot springs before ending the day with a delicious dinner at a cozy local guesthouse.
Day Nª3
The next day, we begin our journey by visiting the impressive Puchuldiza Geysers, a natural spectacle where jets of steam and hot water burst from the ground, creating a unique landscape. Next, we cross the charming Valley of Happiness, a place of serene beauty that leads us to the village of Cariquima. There, we explore the majestic Cactus Forest, a fascinating natural formation that amazes us with its towering vegetation, and we visit the Panavinto area, known for its desert landscapes and rock formations. We continue on to the Coipasa Salt Flat, a vast and silent salt flat that reflects the sky on its surface. Along the way, we enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the tranquility of nature. After lunch, we head to Isluga, a picturesque village with Andean traditions, and then to Enquelga, a place full of history and beauty. Finally, we arrive at Namá, where we end the day with a comforting dinner and a warm night’s rest at a rural guesthouse, surrounded by the peaceful landscape.
Day Nª4
Desde Namá, emprendemos el viaje hacia la fascinante Laguna Roja o "Paricota" en lengua aymara, un lugar rodeado por tres impresionantes lagunas: la Roja, la Verde y la Amarilla, cada una con su color vibrante y su propio encanto. Disfrutamos de este paisaje único antes de continuar nuestro trayecto, realizando una parada para un almuerzo en ruta, rodeados por la majestuosidad del altiplano. Luego, pasamos por el vasto Salar de Surire, un inmenso desierto de sal que se extiende ante nuestros ojos, antes de llegar a las Termas de Polloquere, donde podemos relajarnos en las aguas termales que brotan de la tierra caliente. Después de esta experiencia revitalizante, seguimos nuestro camino hacia Putre, un pintoresco pueblo en la región andina, donde finalizamos nuestra jornada, inmersos en la belleza natural que nos ha acompañado todo el día.
Day Nª5
The next day, we set off early towards Lauca National Park for a day filled with natural beauty. We begin by visiting the impressive Chungará Lake, whose crystal-clear waters reflect the majestic surrounding mountains. Then, we head to the Cotacotani Lagoons viewpoint, offering spectacular panoramic views of the lagoons and the surrounding landscape. We continue our route to the picturesque village of Parinacota, where we explore its historic church and the beautiful bofedal, a vibrant wetland ecosystem. During the trip, we enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by nature. Afterwards, we head to Flamenco Lagoon, known for its population of Andean flamingos, and visit the archaeological site of Chacu, where you can see traces of ancient cultures. Finally, we follow the Cuevas Trail, an ideal spot to observe vizcachas and vicuñas in their natural habitat. At the end of the day, we return to Arica, where you can rest at your accommodation or, if needed, head to the local airport to conclude our journey.
Incluye. Transporte compartido, primeros auxilios, chofer guía en español. Desayuno, almuerzo, cena y alojamientos. Si necesitan el viaje privado o un guía en inglés el precio podemos negociarlo. Hay bastante tiempo para planificar vuestra visita. Son grupos pequeños y comenzamos con un mínimo de 2 pasajeros. No Incluye. Tickets, English-speaking guide, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks or juices, and hot or cold water are not included. Valor Ticket. Laguna roja $5.000 y geyser $5.000, Humberstone $4.000.