Tour/Excursion from San Pedro de Atacama — 9 Days and 8 Nights

Descripcion

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Welcome to our 9-day, 8-night tour that will take you from the magical oasis of San Pedro de Atacama through some of the most spectacular landscapes in northern Chile. During this journey, you’ll discover the grandeur of the world’s driest desert, vibrant high plateaus, endless salt flats, high-altitude lagoons, Andean villages rich in history, and a unique connection with the local culture.

Day N°1

We begin our tour by picking up travelers from their accommodations in San Pedro de Atacama. Our first destination is the Quillagua area, considered the driest place in the world, before heading to the impressive Pintados Geoglyphs. These are an extraordinary collection of figures and symbols etched into the hillsides of the Atacama Desert. The images include geometric shapes, stylized humans, animals (such as llamas and birds), and abstract symbols.

We continue to the fascinating Humberstone saltpeter office, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we delve into the history of Chile’s saltpeter boom. Then, we make a stop in the town of Pozo Almonte to enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we visit the iconic town of La Tirana, known for its famous religious festival, where we’ll have time to explore its iconic church. Later, we head to the oasis of Pica, where you can relax in the warm waters of La Cocha Hot Springs, surrounded by a unique natural setting.

We end the day with a visit to Pica’s main square and the picturesque area of Matilla, before enjoying a delicious dinner and resting at a cozy local lodging.

Day N°2

We start the day visiting the picturesque town of Huara, from where we head to the impressive Giant of Tarapacá, the largest anthropomorphic geoglyph in the world and a symbol of northern Chile’s rich cultural heritage. We continue exploring the Tarapacá Gorge, a place full of natural beauty, where we will also visit the traditional Tarapacá Church, a key site in the region’s colonial heritage.

Our route then takes us to the spectacular Puchuldiza Geysers, a magical spot where you can admire the impressive jets of water and steam constantly emerging from deep within the earth, forming natural sculptures due to the high plateau’s low temperatures.

We will enjoy lunch on the way as we cross the captivating Valley of Happiness, a place that feels like it’s straight out of a dream thanks to its unique landscapes and contrasts. We end the day in Cariquima, a peaceful highland village, where we will have a traditional dinner and a well-deserved rest in a cozy local lodging, surrounded by the tranquility and majesty of the Andes mountains.

Day N°3

We start the day exploring the fascinating Cactus Forest, a stunning landscape in the middle of the high plateau, where these enormous plants stand like guardians of the desert. Then, we head toward the majestic Coipasa Salt Flat, one of the most impressive salt flats of the high plateau, with its endless white expanse and reflections that seem to merge sky and earth.

We continue to Isluga Volcano National Park, a place of stunning natural beauty, where you will have the opportunity to visit the charming village of Enquelga, with its traditional architecture and unique landscapes combining lagoons, wetlands, and mountains.

Finally, we arrive at Namá, home to one of the most emblematic highland churches in the Tarapacá region. These churches, built during the evangelization process led by Spanish missionaries, stand as a testament to the meeting of Andean and European cultures.

The day concludes with accommodation at a cozy local lodging, where you’ll enjoy a peaceful night surrounded by the serenity of the high plateau.

Day N°4

We begin the day by picking up travelers in Namá to head toward some of the most remarkable spots in the Chilean high plateau. We pass through Mocomocone and Mulluri, two areas full of unique landscapes and typical regional biodiversity.

Our next destination is the majestic Surire Salt Flat, a highland paradise with spectacular saline lagoons surrounded by flamingos and mountains. Here, we will take a relaxing break in the warm waters of the Polloquere Hot Springs, perfect for resting and enjoying this unique natural environment.

We continue with a picnic-style lunch on the road, surrounded by the tranquility and beauty of nature. Then, we visit the Chinchillani Flamingo Viewpoint, where you can observe these elegant birds in their natural habitat, surrounded by otherworldly landscapes.

Later on, we arrive at the picturesque village of Guallatire, known for its Andean traditions and its proximity to the impressive volcano that shares its name. We end the day in Putre, a charming highland town where we’ll enjoy a cozy dinner and a well-deserved rest at a local guesthouse.

Day Nª5

We leave Putre and head towards the spectacular Lauca National Park, one of Chile’s natural treasures. Our first stop is the impressive Chungará Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world, where its waters reflect the majestic Parinacota and Pomerape volcanoes. We then continue to the Cotacotani Lagoons viewpoint, a series of interconnected lagoons surrounded by volcanic formations that create a truly dreamlike landscape.

We continue to the charming village of Parinacota, famous for its traditional architecture. There, we’ll visit its historic church and the picturesque wetland that surrounds the town, home to llamas, alpacas, and other local species.

We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Flamenco Lagoon, a place that combines natural beauty with birdwatching. Afterwards, we explore the Cuevas Trail, where you can see the friendly vizcachas and graceful vicuñas up close in their natural habitat. We then return to our cozy guesthouse in Putre.

Day Nª7

We start the day by picking up travelers from their accommodation in Putre, ready to choose between two exciting options that offer a unique experience in the highlands:

1. For trekking and adventure lovers, this journey takes us to the spectacular Suriplaza, known as the Rainbow Mountain of the Chilean highlands. The hike starts at 5,300 meters above sea level, with a moderate trail that takes about 2 hours to reach the first summit. From there, we continue for another 2 hours to reach the second summit, which is slightly more technically challenging, and finally ascend to the third summit in approximately 1 more hour. The descent requires skill and focus due to its steep slope, but the panoramic views more than make up for it.
2. For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, we start the journey at the Taapaca Viewpoint, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the canyon and highland landscapes. We visit the Ayane Canyon before arriving at Suriplaza to admire the famous Rainbow Mountain from a strategic viewpoint. We then continue to Cosapilla, a charming village where we explore its plaza and church and enjoy spotting llamas, alpacas, and highland birds. After that, we head to the remote village of Visviri, the northernmost point of Chile, before returning to Putre, passing through the Parinacota area. Both options offer a unique connection with nature and the highland culture, catering to different levels of adventure and exploration.

Day Nª7

Day Nª8

The day begins with a visit to the archaeological sites of Caragua and the Canyon, accompanied by a local guide who will reveal the secrets and history of these fascinating areas. For the more adventurous, there’s the option to do a trek up the Tangane archaeological hill, a climb of about 3 hours that offers spectacular views and a unique connection to the cultural richness of the highlands. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, you can also choose to go horseback riding around the outskirts of Caragua.

Depending on your preferences, we can spend an extra night in Caragua or continue towards Codpa at sunset. Along the way, we stop at the Ofragía petroglyphs, rock art that connects us with the ancestral civilizations of the region, and pass through the picturesque Viscachani Canyon, known for its natural formations like the Candelabra. We also visit the peaceful village of Timar, famous for its landscapes and traditions.

We finally arrive in Codpa, where we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and a restful night at a local hostel that blends comfort with the natural and cultural surroundings of the valley.

Day Nª9

We start the day heading to the Codpa Museum, a space that displays artifacts and items telling the story of this valley and its people. Then, we visit the traditional chacras, where typical local crops like fruits and vineyards are grown. Here, you’ll learn more about the agricultural practices inherited from the indigenous peoples. We’ll also visit the nearby villages, the Ofragía geoglyphs area, and enjoy the community’s stories and legends.

We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to Arica. On the way, we stop at the impressive Presencias Tutelares, a set of monumental sculptures designed by artist Juan Díaz Fleming.

We finally arrive in Arica, where this wonderful highland journey comes to an end—filled with landscapes, history, and culture that will stay with you forever.