Day 1. Arica - Putre
The tour begins at 10:30 a.m. with a visit to the Terminal Agropecuario (agricultural market) of Arica, where you can enjoy a typical market atmosphere. Then we enter the Azapa-valley, see the La Tropilla Geoglyph and visit the San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum. On our way to the Lluta Valley, you have the opportunity to enjoy the panoramic views of the valleys. After a lunch break in the Ecotruly ecological community, our tour takes us to the Cactus Candelabro and the magnetic zone, as well as a pre-Inca fortress in Copaquilla. We conclude the trip with a one-hour hike to Socoroma, a traditional village in the 3,000 m high Precordillera, where we take a break with coffee and cookies before continuing our journey to Putre. Arrival in Putre at approximately 6:30 pm Dinner and lodging.
Day 2. Putre – Lauca – Putre National Park
Our second day begins at 8:30 am Either have breakfast in Putre or in the Bofedal de las Cuevas where we will do a 40-minute walk. During this tour you have the opportunity to see wild animals, such as vicuñas and vizcachas and we will visit bofedales, the base of the ecosystem in the altiplano (Mirador Bofedal de Parinacota). In addition, you have the opportunity to admire a great variety of birds such as Northern pitios, guallatas and coots, for example. Around noon we arrive at the crystalline Chungara Lake (4,510 m above sea level) and the Cotacotani lagoons where we offer an optional 3-hour walk-tour for you to observe the Andean flora and fauna. After visiting the town of Parinacota with its typical 17th century church and a picnic lunch, we enjoy a relaxing bath in the Jurasi hot springs before returning to Putre at 6:00 pm Dinner and overnight.
Day 3. Putre – Salar de Surire – Isluga National Volcano Park- Colchane
We start our tour in Putre at 8:00 am and after breakfast in the Bofedal de las Cuevas at 4310 m altitude we visit Ancuta and Guallatire, two towns located at the foot of the active Guallatire volcano in the altiplano (4000 m altitude ). At about noon we arrive at the Salar de Surire and visit Chilcaya where we give you the opportunity to take photos of the flora and fauna during a one-hour walk around this natural monument. Then we go to the hot springs of Polloquere at 4270 m altitude, where we have a picnic and enjoy a relaxing bath. After the rest we head towards the Isluga Volcano National Park, crossing the highlands through the pampas and bofedales, observing the scarce flora and fauna. You will see several altiplanic viewpoints, such as Arabilla and Enquelga, as well as small queñua groves. Finally we will visit the town of Isluga and arrive at Colchane, a small town located on the border with Bolivia, 3730 m above sea level. Here we will enjoy dinner and accommodation.
Day 4. Colchane – Cariquima – Huara – Pica
After breakfast at 8:00 am our first stop will be at the legendary and gigantic cacti on the Rio Grande. After that we go to the town of Cariquima, famous for its traditional work. You will be able to experience the life of the locals. In addition, our trip takes us through several canyons, for example the Quebrada de la Felicidad. There we have a few stops at certain points such as observation post-Chuzmiza and Pachica, where you can take some photos. Pachica is also the entrance to the Atacama desert. You will be able to discover the changes in the landscape. Also in the desert you will be able to admire the Gigante de Atacama geoglyph, the largest human archaeological representation in the world (86 m high). Lunch in Huara. Later we discovered the ghost town of Humberstone and Santa Laura. Humberstone was a nitrate mining town that was abandoned in the 1960s. From there we headed to Pica and arrived around 7:00 pm Dinner and overnight.
Day 5. Pica – Pintados Geoglyphs – Quillagua – Calama / San Pedro de Atacama
After breakfast in Pica (1,325 m), we walk to the Cocha Resbaladero. It is one of the largest water sources in the Atacama desert. The water is famous for its healing abilities. After a relaxing bath we head to the Pintados geoglyphs. You have the unique opportunity to see about 400 figures representing human beings, animals, birds and abstract drawings that were made by approximately human beings. 800 years ago. We leave this place through the Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve to reach the small town of Quillagua, an oasis next to the Loa River. We're going through customs. After that we will go through the desert until we reach Calama or San Pedro de Atacama.
The tour includes:
Accommodation:
2 night in a hotel/hostel in Putre (according to availability).
1 night in a Refuge in Colchane.
1 night in hotel / hostel in Pica.
Feeding:
4 breakfasts in Putre, Parinacota, Colchane and Pica.
5 lunches (Ecotruly, picnic in Parinacota and Polloquere, Huara, Pica).
4 dinners in the restaurant with wine included in Putre, Parinacota, Colchane and Pica.
Soft drinks and mineral water without gas.
Fruits, coffee, cookies.
Guide:
Guide/Driver experienced in English.
Vehicle:
Minibus (van) with oxygen equipment.
Others:
Entrance fees for the San Miguel de Azapa Museum, Jurasi Hot Springs, Humberstone and Cocha Resbaladero.
Walks in Socoroma, Bofedal de las Cuevas, in the Cotacotani and Salar de Surire Lagoons.
If you are in Punta Arenas, you have to visit the National Park Torres del Paine. Get to know the Monte Paine Grande, the Cuernos del Paine, the Glacier El Frances and the Monte Paine Chico, also known as Almirante Nieto. It will be an experience you will never forget.
