This trip will take you to the best destinations in northern Chile and Bolivia. Here you will witness the wildlife that thrives in one of the most arid parts of the world. This “off the beaten path” trip will be an out of this world experience!
Day 01 Arrival in Santiago (D)
Upon arrival in Santiago you'll be transferred to the Hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour around Santiago, visiting the city's most outstanding attractions:the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, Ahumada Boulevard and the Government Palace:La Moneda. Then, by vehicle, visit the main avenues of old Santiago, crossing the bohemian neighborhood of Bellavista and drive up San Cristobal Hill, for a magnificent panoramic view of the city and the Andes Mountain Range. Then visit the modern part of Santiago, including its chic neighborhoods, shopping and financial centers. Return to the hotel, where dinner will be served. Lodging at the Torremayor Hotel in Santiago
Day 02 Santiago / Arica / Putre (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Arica (flight not included). Reception at Chacalluta airport (Arica) and transfer to Putre, where you'll visit the San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum, which holds a very interesting collection of Inca artifacts that shows 12.000 years of human history, including the Chinchorro Mummies, the eldest artificially preserved bodies ever found in the world. We will have our lunch at a typical local restaurant. Short trek in Quebrada de Cardones, with the curious Bowninggia chandelier cactus. Continuing to Putre, we will find the ruins of Copaquilla fortress and Tambo of Zapahuira. Rest of the afternoon free to walk around the town and acclimatize. Lodging at the Hosteria Qantati in Putre
Day 03 Chungara Lake (B, D, BB)
Depart to Lauca National Park. Stop at several points of interest, as Cotacotani lagoons, the village of Parinacota and the surrounding wetlands, excellent to see fauna like llamas, alpacas, vicunas and birds. Here, we will visit the Chungara Lake, the highest in the world with 4.500 m.a.s.l and very rich in flora and fauna (especially Andean birds). Enjoy a short trek to observe this ecosystem. After picnic lunch, we will continue our trip until we reach a gravel road and to Las Vicunas National Reserve. Lodging at the Hosteria Qantati in Putre
Day 04 Surire / Isluga / Colchane (B, D, BB)
Today drive on scenic country roads to Surire salt flat, where it is possible to observe three species of flamingoes while enjoying a nice picnic lunch. We'll visit Polloquere geothermal field, and take a warm bath in the middle of nature! Drive around the salt flat and continue to Colchane, through Isluga National Park(3800 m). This route crosses several wetlands were it is possible to observe some Llamas and Alpacas and the Aymara shepherds who take care of them. Endemic species of Andean birds can be observed in this place. Arrive at 17:00 aprox. Overnight in a simple Andean Lodge, run by an Aymara family. Lodging at the Colchane Shelter
Day 05 Pisiga / Tahua (Bolivia) (B, L, D)
After breakfast at lodge, transfer to the Bolivian border. The Coipasa salt flat, extending over more than 2,000 square kilometers and at 3,600 meters above sea level is perhaps more beautiful but less famous than its counterpart Uyuni. The history of the Chipaya ethnic group in the Coipasa area dates back to 2,500 BC. On the route we will visit the church of Punta Arenas, the small village of Llica. We will see llamas, lambs and vicunas. Lodging in Tahua
Day 06 San Pedro de Quemez (B, L, D)
Today an unforgettable trip through 12,000 sq km (4,500 square miles) of fantastic landscapes awaits us. The Isla Incahuasi in the center of the Salar is famous for its particular fauna: rodents and birds, and flora:Giant cactus. On this island are some small remnants of the Inca civilization that ruled for about 150 years from 1350 to 1500BC. It is interesting to look at the corals, truly remnants of earlier times when Uyuni was under water. We will stop there for lunch. We will continue to visit Cueva Galaxia crossing the Bahia Mala Mala. Lodging in San Pedro de Quemez
Day 07 Ojo de Perdiz (B, L, D)
In the far south of the Bolivian altiplano (Sud Lipez, on the way down to Laguna Colorada) the landscape becomes even more incredible with multicolored deserts and lakes surrounded by salt flats and active volcanoes. The entire area, with scarce vegetation has been declared a national reserve and it is possible to see vicunas, viscachas, and flamingos, among others. Lodging in Ojo de Perdiz
Day 08 Hito Cajon / San Pedro de Atacama (B, L)
Today we depart early towards Laguna Colorada. On our way south we may meet with local quinoa and amaranth growers. These Andean cereals are highly energetic and are used by NASA during their space flights. We will visit the region of Sol de Manana, with its volcanic fumes and boiling mud, this is a landscape from the end of the world. We will see Tree of stone and the desert. We will continue to Laguna Verde. Then, transfer from Hito Cajon to San Pedro. Lodging at the Casa Don Tomas Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
Day 09 Quitor / Moon Valley (B, L)
Today we will start with a visit to the Padre Lepaige Museum in San Pedro. This is known to be one of the most complete museums in Chile in regards to anthropological items of the Atacamenian culture. After this visit we will continue to the ancient fortress of Pukara of Quitor. After lunch we will head to the Moon Valley, located some 40 kilometers through the Salt Mountain Range. After climbing a huge sand dune we will marvel at the sunset and the different colors it reflects on the dessert's mineral soil. Lodging at the Casa Don Tomas Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
Day 10 Tatio / Puritama (BL)
Today we depart quite early, around 4:00 am to the Geysers del Tatio. A picnic breakfast will be served in the Geysers before a gentle guided walk around the geothermal field, where you'll observe the natural steam columns, viewed at their best as the sun rises over the Andes Mountains. Return to San Pedro with spectacular views of the Torcopuri y Sairecabur volcanoes. On our return we will stop by Puritama Hot Springs to enjoy the thermal baths. Upon returning to San Pedro, the rest of the day is at leisure. We suggest visiting the market in San Pedro. Lodging at the Casa Don Tomas Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
Day 11 Calama / Santiago (B, D)
Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to Calama to take the flight to Santiago (flight not included). Upon arrival at the Arturo Merino BenÃtez Airport you'll be transferred to the hotel. Lodging at the Torremayor Hotel in Santiago
Day 12 Departure from Santiago (B)
At the appropriate time, you'll be transferred to Santiago airport for your flight back home.
