Chile : Tours : Chilean and Bolivian Highlands

Arica is ideal as a tourist area and place to live. Its pleasant climate draws tourists all year round, and invites them to participate in all kinds of activities. It is a vast oasis in the middle of the desert. Travelers can enjoy some of the cleanest water, whitest sands, and freshest air in the world. Some of the main tourist attractions are just miles away: Las Vicuñas National Reserve and National Park boast mountains and volcanoes. Chungara lake, Cotacotani lagoon and the town of Parinacota are found here as well. The culture dates back a thousand years and is unique in the world because of the archeological discoveries uncovered from the large desert. You can see them in the San Miguel de Azapa Museum where some of the most ancient mummies are also on display.

Day 1. Arica - Azapa Valley - Arica
Arrival to Arica. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Arica. In the afternoon we will have a comprehensive regular city tour of Arica visiting the beaches, the San Marcos Cathedral and the Casa de la Cultura (Culture House) which were both designed and built in the workshops of Gustavo Eiffel, the Morro de Arica (Arica hill) where we will appreciate a magnificent panoramic view of the city. We will then stop at the fishermen's pier to watch the pelicans and sea-wolves. Our route then continues along the Azapa Valley where we will observe geoglyphs, prehistoric cave paintings and drawings on the hillsides. We will also visit the archaeological museum of San Miguel where we will see an exhibition of the "Chinchorro Mummies", which are vestiges of a mysterious group of fishermen who developed this mummification process approximately 5000 BC. The mummified bodies and fragile remains of their material culture were preserved in excellent condition by the desert sands. Return to the hotel. Overnight at the Hotel in Arica.

Day 2. Arica - Putre
Breakfast at the hotel. We will depart in the morning by a regular service to Putre. On route we will visit picturesque villages and sites of archaeological interest such as the Lluta Valley, Cardones Gorge with its cactus candelabra, Pukará de Copaquilla, Tambo Inca de Zapahuira, until we finally reach our destination. Dinner and overnight at Las Vicuñas Hotel in Putre.

Day 3. Putre - Parinacotga - Chungara Lake - La Paz
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we will depart visiting the historic town of Parinacota and then continuing on to Lake Chungará , one of the highest in the world at 4.570 meters (15.000 feet) above sea level and also declared a World Biosphere Reserve. We will enter the Lauca National Park where we will be surrounded by snow capped volcanoes and mountains. We will also be able to appreciate the majesty of Lake Chungará overlooked by the spectacular Payachatas volcanoes which are the "Mallkus" (Gods) of the Andes. The local fauna includes Guanacos, llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas and Vizcachas (a hare like rodent). Box lunch included. At the agreed time we will connect with a scheduled bus service to La Paz in Bolivia late in the afternoon. Arrival to La Paz.

The Program Includes

• 1 night of accommodation at Arica Hotel in Arica (Superior Category), breakfast included.
• 1 night of accommodation at Qantati Hotel in Putre (Tourist Category), breakfast included.
• Regular transfer, according the program.
• Entrance fees to Museums.
• Bus Ticket.
• Box Lunch.

Notes

• Minimum 2 passengers in S.I.B. services. Operates all year round. Private services upon request.
• Due to high altitude (4500 meters / 15000 feet during Lake Chungara excursion) this program is not recommended for pregnant women, children under 8 years old, and people suffering from heart conditions.

Rates

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Cancellation Policy

Once the reservation has been confirmed by Gotolatin, the following charges will apply for cancellations made by the passenger, according to the program departure date:

• Between 30 and 15 working days before the beginning of the program
  Charge of 30% of the total program value per passenger
• Between 15 and 7 working days before the beginning of the program
  50% of total program value per passenger
• Between 7 and 0 working days before the beginning of the program
  No devolution applies
• There are no refunds for portions of the program not used, hotel accommodations, etc.
• We recommend considering Travel Insurance for any reason.