Day 1 Arica – Putre (L)
At midday, reception at Chacalluta airport (Arica) and immediate departure towards Putre with box lunch included, admiring en route the church of Poconchile and the Cardones ravine with its curious chandelier cactus. Continuing to Putre, we will find the ruins of Copaquilla fortress and Socoroma village. Putre is located 3,500 m a.s.l., ideal place to acclimatize to the altitude. This town was of great importance in past centuries, as it was a forced passage of mule caravans traveling between Potosí and Arica. Rest of the day at leisure and overnight.

Day 2 Putre – Salar de Surire – Putre (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, depart to visit the Surire Salt Lake, located 127 kilometers / 79 miles southwest from Putre, at a height of 4,245 meters / 14,085 feet, where three types of flamingos live. These are the James, the Andean and the Chilean flamingos. Much of the journey is through protected areas such as the National Reserve of Las Vicuñas and the Natural Monument of the Surire Salt Lake. These mechanisms help protect the fragile ecosystem and wildlife of the highland area. On the way, visit the ancient stone villages of Aymara Indian communities, such as Ancuta, Guallatire and Viluvio. In Indian mythology, these villages are protected by the guardian spirit of the mountain, “Mallku” in native language, represented in this case by the Guallatire volcano with its permanent fumaroles. Box included en route. In the afternoon, return to Putre and overnight.

Day 3 Putre – Arica (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, depart to visit the Lauca National Park, home of llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and Andean birds. Visit the village of Parinacota, an Aymara Indian village. Visit the church, which is built in a baroque style and has been declared a National Monument. Continue by taking a gentle walk around the nearby lagoons. Travel on to the Chungará Lake, situated at 4,570 meters above sea level (15,081 feet) whose waters reflect the impressive nearby volcanoes. After a box lunch, back trip to Arica with option to take a relaxing bath in the warm waters of the Jurasi hot springs.

Day 4 Arica (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. At the agreed time, transfer to the airport to take your next flight.
End of our services

Optional: Transfer with excursion Arica – Iquique
Day 4 Arica – Iquique (B/L)
Drive towards Iquique, approximately 300 km (175 miles) to the south. On the way, view the geoglyphs of Chiza, Tiliviche, and then travel to the National Preserve “Pampa del Tamarugal”. You’ll arrive to the Giant of Atacama, representing a Tiwanaku chief on the old packhorse roads from the highlands to the coast. Just before arriving to Iquique, visit the abandoned nitrate plant of Santa Laura and Humberstone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once a thriving town for the workers. The trip continues to Iquique.
*Lunch en route (only in private service).

Includes:
PRIVATE: Transfers and excursions are in private service with English-speaking guide assistance.

SEAT IN BUS : Transfers and excursions are by coach (SIB) with English-Spanish speaking guide.
– Entrance fee to parks and museums duly mentioned in the program
– Meals as indicated in the program:

B= Breakfast L= Lunch / Box Lunch D = Dinner

Does not include:

– Tips to porters at airport and hotel – Meals not indicated in the program, drinks or any extras
– Flights
– Airport taxes

Important:

– Itinerary could be changed according to flight schedules, climate conditions, or in order to provide a better service. – The excursions in the high plateau (over 4,000 m a.s.l.) are not recommended for pregnant woman, children and people with heart problems
– In the High plateau (northern Chile), during the Bolivian winter (Dec / Feb), the excursions can be modified or suspended due to the excess of rain and, during the winter (Jul / Aug) the excursions can also be suspended due to the Snowfall that cuts roads