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Northern Chile is a ten-day itinerary that will take you to discover the main destinations this wonderful country has to offer. From the sophisticated metropolis of Santiago, you'll set off toward the famous geological formations of the Moon Valley, the Great Salar de Atacama, and the Tatio Geysers. The tour will let you get to know unique places such as Iquique and the villages of Machuca and Parinacota. Immerse yourself in the history of a country with so much to tell, from its capital, to the ghost town of Humberstone, to the historic city of Arica, on the far border with Peru.
Upon arrival in Chile, you'll be welcomed by one of our agents who will accompany you to the hotel where you'll spend the night. In the afternoon, visit to the capital: Santiago de Chile. Founded in 1541, Santiago is a modern city located between the Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ocean. Its unique location gives it a climate favorable to producing quality wines. The main stop of our day will be the Metropolitan Cathedral, known for its imposing architecture. Next, a visit to the Palacio de la Moneda, residence of the President of the Republic, Cerro Santa Lucia, and Cerro San Cristóbal (depending on opening days). Finally, a visit to Patio Bellavista.
Return to the hotel and overnight.
Breakfast and departure for the Valparaiso and Viña del Mar tour. We head to the Pacific coast, where both cities are located, a must for Santiago residents' vacations and for celebrities from the entertainment world. Viña del Mar is internationally known for the International Song and Folklore Festival. The tour begins with a visit to Valparaiso, with its typical colorful houses perched on the hills that gradually descend toward the port. Here we visit La Sebastiana, home of the poet Pablo Neruda. Only the exterior view is included (a visit inside is possible on request – entrance not included). The tour continues to the modern Viña del Mar, with its beautiful beaches where you can breathe the air of the Chilean jet set. In the late afternoon, return to Santiago, where you'll spend the night.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to Calama, a mining town in the Atacama Desert. During the day, visit to the village of San Pedro de Atacama, and in the afternoon, excursion to the Moon Valley, where geological formations shaped by wind and water create a lunar landscape unique in the world. The sunset will captivate visitors with its light and colors over the Atacama Desert.
After this unforgettable experience, return to the hotel.
This day will be entirely devoted to the excursion to the Great Salar de Atacama. Departure early in the morning; the first stop will be the village of Tambillo, followed by Toconao with its ancient church dating back to the colonial period. The tour of the Great Salar continues with the Chaxa Lagoon, in the Los Flamencos National Reserve, where you can admire pink flamingos. Surrounded by the Andes, you'll be able to observe the Miscanti and Meñiques Lagoons, home to numerous species of birds and local wildlife. You may be able to see the Horned Coot up close, as well as foxes and vicuñas. Next, a visit to the Salar de Talar (or Piedras Rojas), so named for the reddish stones found there, containing the blue of the lagoon and the white of the borax dunes.
Box lunch and return to San Pedro de Atacama. Overnight at the hotel.
The day will begin before dawn, heading toward the Tatio Geysers. You'll be able to observe these extraordinary natural phenomena: geysers, fumaroles, and natural hot water pools. Breakfast will be served in front of this magnificent landscape, after which you can take a dip in the natural thermal pool in the geothermal field. Then, return to San Pedro with a short stop in the village of Machuca.
Upon arrival, the evening will be free. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, departure toward Northern Chile. The final destination will be Iquique; along the way, a stop at the Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve, home of the Tamarugo, the only tree species able to survive in the desert thanks to its deep roots that can reach underground aquifers. Next, the Geoglyphs of Pintados, depicting human and animal figures. Lunch will be served during the journey. Our route will then continue to the ghost town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Humberstone and Santa Laura. You'll be able to admire a completely abandoned town, with a truly complex history.
The day will end in Iquique, overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, you'll discover Iquique. Next, a visit to the Casino Español; Plaza Prat, known for its Clock Tower and the Neoclassical-style Municipal Theater, dating back to 1890. This will be followed by a stroll along Calle Baquedano, famous for its buildings constructed during the saltpeter industry era. The route will continue with a visit to the Regional Museum and the Astoreca Palace. The palace hosts an ethnographic exhibition, but the most interesting feature is the collection of seashells from all over the world.
The tour will continue toward the village of Colchane, with a stop at the Unita Center, home to the largest anthropomorphic figure in the world: the Atacama Giant. This majestic figure rises 86 meters and depicts the spiritual leader of the Tiwanaku civilization. Then, in Isluga National Park, a visit to the village of the same name, located at the foot of a volcano. In the evening, departure for Cariquima.
Dinner and overnight.
Breakfast and departure for the Salar de Surire, where you'll be able to admire the numerous lagoons surrounding the salt flat and the many pink flamingos. You'll be amazed. We'll leave this wonderful place to reach the Polloquere Hot Springs and enjoy a rejuvenating bath. The excursion will continue at the foot of the Guallatire Volcano, with a visit to the village of the same name, located in the “Las Vicuñas” National Reserve. The day will end in Putre, an ancient settlement founded by the Spanish to control the Indios.
Dinner and overnight.
During this day, a visit to Lauca National Park, natural habitat for numerous animal species and more than 150,000 bird species. You'll then continue toward one of the highest lakes in the world: Lake Chungará, at an altitude of 4,500 m, fed by the snows of the Parinacota volcano. On its shores, numerous animals such as flamingos, tagua (giant coots), condors, and vicuñas. Then a visit to the village of Parinacota and its small church dating back to the colonial period. The frescoes left by the Indios are undoubtedly the highlight of this site and depict Roman soldiers carrying Christ to Calvary. Box lunch and departure for the city of Arica, along the pre-Columbian route used to transport goods from the coast to the mountains and back. Before arriving at your destination, visit to the village of Socoroma, famous for its oregano terraces.
Arrival in Arica and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, the last day will be spent in the city of Arica, known as the city of eternal spring. This town faces the ocean, and its history is tied to the Bolivian silver trade. In the Azapa Valley, you'll take an archaeological tour and visit Cerro Sagrado, the San Lorenzo Fortress, and the San Miguel Archaeological Museum. Next, lunch featuring local specialties and a visit to the city center and El Morro, a stronghold overlooking the sea where the decisive battle for possession of the city took place, won by the Chileans against the Peruvians. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport or bus terminal, if your trip continues in Chile.
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