Altiplano Expedition

Your journey begins in Chile´s northernmost city close to the Peruvian border, Arica. Upon arrival at the airport, pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is at leisure in the “City of Eternal Spring”. We recommend visiting the “Morro” – a tall rock overlooking the city and the coast. Arica´s railway station and the customs house were designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel.

Accommodation: 3*-Hotel in Arica

From the Pacific Coast, drive up to the highland today. An interesting stop on the way is the Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum in the Azapa Valley, where some of the world´s oldest mummies were found.
Continue up all the way to the small village of Putre, which is located at an altitude of 3,500 m (11,500 ft). Take it easy and give your body time to acclimatize; the nearby Jurasi Hot Springs are the ideal place to relax.

Accommodation: 3*-Hotel in Putre

One of Chile’s most impressive protected areas is located close to Putre: Lauca National Park. Apart from surreal views of volcanoes, it offers a diverse avifauna with more than 150 different species. Its spectacular Chungará Lake, located at an altitude of 4,500 m (15,000 ft), reflects the colossal volcanoes Parinacota (6,110 m/20,000 ft) and Pomperane (6,232 m/20,500 ft). Despite the relentless highland climate, there is abundance of flora and fauna – you might be able to observe flamingos, guanacos, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, condors and vizcachas.

Accommodation: 3*-Hotel in Putre

Your journey continues south today. Drive through the impressive landscape of the highlands until reaching the small village of Guallatiri. Today’s accommodation is located nearby, next to the river Lauca.

Accommodation: Basic and remote 2*-Hotel near Guallatiri

On your way south today, you pass by the National Reserve Las Vicuñas and the impressive Volcán Isluga National Park. An obligatory stop is the Surire Salt Flat, whose special conditions make it the ideal habitat for several species of flamingos. You might also have time for a quick dip into the Polloquere Hot Springs. The route then continues south to the village of Colchane, located in proximity to the Bolivian border. The road conditions and driving times on the highland vary, depending on the summer rainfalls from December to March (“Altiplano Winter”).

Accommodation: 2-3*-Hotel in Colchane

Leave the highland today and drive west towards the coast until reaching the oasis town of Pica. It gives its name to the Pica lemon, the main ingredient for the Chilean Pisco Sour. The fruits that grow along the side of the road here differentiate through their particularly strong and fresh aroma.

There are several points of interest in the surroundings, such as the nearby Pampa de Tamarugal National Reserve and a variety of hot springs.

Accommodation: 3*-Hotel in Pica

Your journey through Chile’s Altiplano ends today. Drive to the coastal city of Iquique, where you drop off your rental car at the airport. From here, you can continue your journey to another region of Chile or fly back home via Santiago.