Volcanoes and salt flats of the Chilean Far North and Bolivian South Lípez - Valparaíso - 17 days

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Santiago de Chile

  Arrival of the international flight in the morning. Private transfer to the hotel, located in the historic center. Guided walking tour of the capital.

• day 2

  SANTIAGO – ARICA

  Early morning domestic flight, then transfer to the hotel in Arica. Free visit of this Pacific port with such a pleasant climate. Two free meals.

• day 3

  ARICA – LLUTA – POCONCHILE – PUTRE

  150 km. We depart for 5 days in a private vehicle with a driver and a French-speaking guide. That day, we will head northeast through the valley of the Río Azapa. On the way, we will be able to admire pre-Columbian geoglyphs, evidence of the ancient Tiwanaku caravans. Visit to the San Miguel de Azapa archaeological museum and its collection tracing 10,000 years of history, notably the famous Chinchorro mummies. We pass through the Lluta valley. Visit to the church of Poconchile, one of the oldest in the country. The road climbs quickly and the landscape changes completely, shifting from green oases to a desert populated by immense candelabra cacti. Stop at the 12th-century Pukara de Copaquilla, then at Socoroma, a traditional Aymara village. Arrival in Putre, at 3,400 m altitude, founded by the Spanish in the 16th century. It is an excellent place to acclimatize to the altitude. Lunch included. Dinner on your own.

• day 4

  PUTRE – LAUCA NATIONAL PARK: PARINACOTA, LAKE CHUNGARÁ – PUTRE

  Exceptional day on the Altiplano, in Lauca National Park, at the foot of the twin volcanoes Pomerape and Parinacota at 6342 m. A world biosphere reserve, it is the habitat of vicuñas, guanacos, viscachas, rheas, condors, and many other birds that we will observe on the shores of Lake Chungará (4517 m), one of the highest in the world. Walk to the Chucuyo bofedales, the Cotacotani lagoons, and in the village of Parinacota. Entrance (included) to the Jurasi hot springs. Return to Putre for the night. Lunch (picnic) included. Dinner at your leisure.

• day 5

  Putre – Vigognes Reserve – Guallatire – Salar de Surire – Isluga Volcano – Colchane – Cariquima.

  We leave Lauca Park heading south, skirting the mountain range and passing very close to the active Guallatire volcano (6,071 m). Walk on the Surire salt flat at 4,245 m, classified as a natural monument. Bathing in the hot thermal waters of Polloquere. We continue at the foot of the Isluga volcano (5,500 m) to the small villages of llama and alpaca breeders, located in the Isluga Volcano National Park; short walks. Visit to Cariquima, known for its weaving. Night in a family guesthouse. Picnic lunch and dinner included.

• day 6

  CARIQUIMA – GIANT OF ATACAMA – SALTPETER GHOST TOWNS – PICA

  We leave the Altiplano to descend to the oasis of Pica. Possible bath in the hot mineralized waters of Chusmiza at 3200 m; beautiful pre-Columbian terraces. Near the village of Huara, in the middle of the desert, is the astonishing Atacama Giant, one of the largest geoglyphs in the world, measuring 86 m high. Visit of the old saltpeter works, classified as National Monuments of Humberstone and Santa Laura, in the middle of the desert. The epic of white gold represents a large part of Chile's history… We continue via the sanctuary of La Tirana, the oasis of Matilla, to arrive in the charming little village of Pica, at 1200 m altitude, surrounded by orchards. You must taste the fruits of this oasis: mangoes, guavas… and the pisco sour with Pica lime, famous throughout the country… Possibility to enjoy the thermal waters of the Cocha. Night in a family hostel. Full board.

• day 7

  PICA – PINTADOS GEGLYPHS – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

  Early in the morning, visit to the Pintados geoglyphs: 400 representations engraved on the slopes of the mountains, including geometric, zoomorphic, or anthropomorphic figures. We cross the Pampa del Tamarugal and its trees particularly well adapted to the desert. Then, we head towards the Atacama, crossing the desert due south towards Calama, located at 2300 m altitude. In total, 420 km and about 5 hours of travel to the village of San Pedro de Atacama, a magnificent oasis at 2350 m altitude, at the foot of the Licancabur volcano. Lunch included en route. Transfer to the hotel in the village. VALLEY OF THE MOON, SALT CORDILLERA Afternoon excursion in private service with French-speaking guide to the Salt Cordillera and the Valley of the Moon, with strange rock formations sculpted by the wind. Numerous stops and short walks to appreciate the grandiose landscapes and the extraordinary geology of the region. Entrance fees included. Dinner at leisure.

• day 8

  SALAR DE ATACAMA, QUEBRADA DE JEREZ, MIÑIQUES AND MISCANTI LAKES

  Full-day private excursion with guide. Visit to the salar, a vast salt desert at the foot of the mountain range, rich in borax, lithium, and various salts, which attracts a large number of flamingos, avocets, and other endemic species; observation and walk. Then, visit to the village of Toconao, the liparite quarries, and its fertile valley, the Quebrada de Jerez. Walk near the highland lakes Miñiques and Miscanti, nestled at the foot of their respective volcanoes, at an altitude of 4120 m. Observation of the many birds present. Lunch included in the village of Socaire. Overnight at the hotel in San Pedro. Entrance fees included. Dinner at leisure.

• day 9

  Rainbow Valley

  Geoglyphs - Río Grande. Morning excursion in private service, with guide. Discovery of the Yerbas Buenas valley, a junction point between the Domeyko mountain range, the Salt mountain range, and the Andes. Observation of petroglyphs along this ancient communication route. The colorful Arco Iris valley combines a palette of colors on its eroded clay layers. Breakfast on site… The visit ends with the village of Río Grande, where the Atacameños, in addition to agriculture, work with pottery. Return in the early afternoon. Entrance fees included. Two free meals. Same hotel.

• day 10

  SAN PEDRO/CHILE – HITO CAJÓN/BORDER/BOLIVIA – LAGUNA COLORADA

  4 days of excursions in private service with a French-speaking guide. Beautiful route that climbs and brings you closer to the perfect cone of the Licancabur volcano (5960 m), on the Bolivian border, at 4400 m. There you will meet your Bolivian driver and his 4x4 jeep, who will accompany you during these 4 days in Bolivia. Walk along the edge of the laguna Verde and laguna Blanca, at 4300 m; bath in the hot thermal waters of Polques; laguna Chalviri; then visit the colorful solfataras of Sol de Mañana at 4850 m; crossing the Salvador Dali desert; walk along the beautiful laguna Colorada, whose waters shift from pink to violet depending on the light. You are at 4280 m, a nesting place for thousands of flamingos. Crossing the Siloli desert, stone tree sculpted by the wind… Night at the desert hotel. Full board (picnic at noon).

• day 11

  J11: Ojo de Perdiz - Lakes - San Pedro de Quemez

  Magnificent day on the Altiplano, allowing the discovery of the beauties of South Lipez: colorful, highly mineralized lakes and lagoons of Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota, Honda, and Ramaditas. Numerous flamingos, short walks along the lakes, eroded rocks, viscachas and vicuñas, views of the active Ollagüe volcano, Chiguana salt flat. Arrival at San Pedro de Quemez, a large village located at 3880 m, south of the salt flat. Hotel in the village. Full board.

• day 12

  SALAR DE UYUNI

  Visit of the existing caves on the edge of the salar (Galaxy Cave), then the famous Uyuni salt flat, covering 12,000 km². An unforgettable day on this immaculate and impressive expanse. Walk on Incahuasi Island and its giant cacti. 360º panoramic view of the salar and the surrounding volcanoes. Crossing this sea of salt; discovery of the "eyes" of the salar; visit of the museum built of salt and the village of Colchani, where the inhabitants live from the artisanal exploitation of salt! Accommodation in the beautiful Luna Salada salt hotel, 25 km from Uyuni, at an altitude of 3,650 m. Full board.

• day 13

  UYUNI SALT FLATS – SAN PEDRO/CHILE.

  Journey back via other interesting tracks of the Bolivian Altiplano to enjoy more beautiful landscapes. Arrival around 5pm in San Pedro de Atacama. Lunch included. Dinner on your own. Night at the same hotel.

• day 14

  TATIO GEYSERS. CALAMA-SANTIAGO FLIGHT.

  Located at 4320 m altitude: early departure, 3 hours travel (private-guide). Arrival in the early morning, the sun illuminates a field of bubbling geysers in the heart of an ancient crater. Breakfast on site; possibility to bathe in the thermal waters. Throughout the journey, superb views of the cordillera and its colorful volcanoes; observation of local wildlife: vicuñas, viscachas, Andean geese, ibises, coots. Stop at the village of Machuca. The landscape changes completely as you descend. Swimming and walking at the PURITAMA hot springs in a magnificent setting of natural pools of hot water surrounded by vegetation, yet in the heart of the desert. Picnic on site. Entrance fees included. Return to San Pedro. Free time. Private transfer to Calama airport for your evening domestic flight to SANTIAGO (2 h). Private transfer to the same hotel in the historic city center as on arrival. Dinner at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 15

  VALPARAISO

  Private vehicle route passing through the Casablanca valley and its vineyards, then through Viña del Mar and the coastal road for a beautiful viewpoint over the entire bay. 1h45 drive to reach the picturesque and incomparable port of Valparaíso. Accommodation in a family B&B on one of the countless colorful hills overlooking the bay.

• day 16

  VALPARAISO

  Guided tour of this atypical city, listed as a World Heritage site. Walk on foot through the heart of the colorful hills, along narrow streets and stairs climbing up the cerros; funiculars and elevators, old neighborhoods with tin houses, street art, numerous viewpoints overlooking the bay... Suggestions for your free time: boat ride in the bay; visit to Pablo Neruda's house. Meals at your leisure.

• day 17

  VALPARAISO - SANTIAGO.

  Transfer to the airport for your international flight.