Day 1: ARICA - PUTRE

A.m Reception at Chacalluta airport (Arica) and immediate departure towards Putre, visiting “San Miguel de Azapa” Archaeological Museum that contains a very interesting collection of Indian artifacts that shows 12.000 years of human history, with the Chinchorro Mummies, the oldest artificially preserved bodies ever found.  We will have our lunch at a typical local restaurant.  Short trek in “Quebrada de Cardones”, with the curious Bowninggia candelaris cactus.  Continuing to Putre, we will find the indian ruins of Copaquilla fortress and “Tambo” of Zapahuira. Rest of the afternoon free to walk around the town and aclimatate. Dinner

Day 2: Putre – Lauca National Park, Chungara Lake-  Guallatire

Lauca National Park was declared Biosphere Reserve by Unesco in 1981. Stop at several points of interest, as Cotacotani lagoons, the indian town of Parinacota and the wetlands surrounding this place, excellent to see fauna, like lamas, alpacas, vicunas and birds. Here, we will visit the Chungara Lake, the higest in the world with 4.500 meters of elevation and very rich in flora and fauna (specially andean birds).  Short trek to observe this ecosystem. After pic nic lunch, continuing our trip we will get into a gravel road and to “Las Vicuñas” National Reserve and at noon will arrive to Guallatire village, at the foothills of an active volcano. Overnight in simple Andean lodge in Guallatire.  Dinner.

Day 3: GUALLATIRE- ISLUGA- COLCHANE

After breakfast, drive on scenic cross country roads to Surire salt flat, where is possible to observe many flamingoes of three different speciesm while enjoying a nice pic nic. Visit Polloquere geothermal field, and take a warm bath in the middle of the nature! Drive around the salt flat and continuing to Colchane, through Isluga National Park. This route cross several wetlands were is possible to observe Lamas and Alpacas flocks and the Indian shepherds who take care of them. New species of Andean bird could be observed in this place. Arrive at 17:00 aprox. Overnight in a simple andean Lodge, run by an Aymara Indian family. Dinner.

Day 4: COLCHANE - IQUIQUE

After breakfast, we will start descending towards Iquique. Crossing mountains and valleys we can appreciate how the water and the wind have carved curious designs on the rocks. Colorful cliffs and strange rock formations will surround us. Going lower we will start to see more and more cactus groups of different species from tiny round ones to giant columnar. Visit the Geoglyphs of Unita, were is the Atacama Giant, an anthropomorphic geoglyph of 86 meters long.  Lunch in route and visit Humberstone and Santa Laura saltpeter ghost towns, declared World Heritage by the Unesco in 2005.  Arrive to Iquique at 19:00 app. Hotel

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Optional Day 5: Iquique (free) for relaxing, enjoying the beach, do laundry, etc

Includes:

• Lodge at Guallatire and Colchane.

• Breakfast, Lunch and dinner for every day, except day 4.

• Private transportation and private Spanish-English guide

No incluye:

• Lodge at Putre and Iquique

• Dinner day 4

• Insurance

• Tips at restaurants.