Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1: Arica - Codpa Valley
Today we will meet at Arica's
airport or local hotel and start our
journey through one of the least
exploited and yet most beautiful
areas of northern Chile. Rich in
history and linking point for many
ancient cultures such as the Incas
and the intriguing Chinchorro.
Our first destination will be the
colourful Azapa Valley and its
archaeological museum, this
beautiful valley is located 13 Km/
8 mi from the district's capital.
Due to its unique weather, a great
variety of exotic agricultural products
can be harvested all year
around. At the museum one can
witness the Chinchorro mummies,
considered the oldest ever found
with 7600 years of age. After
lunch we will drive south towards
the Codpa Valley to arrive in the
small oasis of Codpa (1.855
m / 6.078 ft. above sea level),
probably the main connecting
point for both pre-Columbian and
colonial route networks. The valley
is irrigated with the waters of
the Vítor River and known for
its unique local Pintatani wine
of high alcohol percentage. We
will visit the old church and then
reach our final destination: right
above the wet fog influence from
the sea (Camanchaca) and the
frosts of the Andes the cosy and
charming Codpa Valley Lodge
makes it a perfect location to
explore in depth the environment
of the Andean Highlands, rich in
scenery, wildlife, traditions and
history. Dinner and overnight in
Codpa Valley Lodge. (inclusive: Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2

Day 2: Codpa Valley Lodge
This morning and after a great
breakfast you will be able to
choose one of the optional excursions
the lodge offers in order to
explore the beautiful landscapes
of this area. By doing so, one can
imagine the endless caravans
that travelled this immense territory,
participating in the trade
of different products that went as
far as Cuzco, the Incan capital.
After lunch you will have the
afternoon off to truly experience
the peace and quiet of this distant
region. A good suggestion
for the evening is to enjoy the
clear skies opportunity that this
region offers to contemplate an
incredible amount of stars while
tasting a delicious Chilean wine.
Overnight in Codpa. (inclusive: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3

Day 3: Codpa - Putre
Today we will visit Ofragia's
petroglyphs, an extraordinary evidence
of the presence of humans
in this region, which goes back to
10.000 years. The paintings also
portrait the violent awakening
of the old civilizations that once
fought to obtain control over this
territory. Then we take the road
to visit some basic and typical
Andean villages; where one can
see how people live in this abrupt
geography, these villages are
Timar, Tignamar and Saxamar.
After a short hike we will reach
the Chitune hot-springs where you
can reward yourself soaking in
these mineral waters. After lunch
we will follow the drive to Belen,
Chaquipiña and Zapahuira, a
strategically important trading
post for the Inca Empire. We then
will arrive to Putre (3.500 m. /
11.400 ft.); an important village
at the base of the remarkable
Tarapaca Volcano, this peaceful
village is a typical Andean settlement
with irrigation canals that
go along the streets, surrounding
agricultural terraces where alpacas
roam. The rest of the
day you are free to explore
the village on your own or just
relax. Overnight in Putre (inclusive: Breakfast)

Day 4

Day 4: Putre - Salar de Surire - Putre
After breakfast we will get in our
vehicles and start our climb up
towards the Surire Salt Flats. We
will cross several Andean villages
that will give you a good perspective
on what life is like up here
before arriving to our destination.
The Surire is a salt flat with
a surface of 11.298 hectares/
Codpa Lodge
27.900 acres located at 4322
m / 14100 ft above sea level.
Here you can observe 3 of the
6 flamingo species that exist in
the world as well as vicuñas and
suris - name given to the ñandu
or South American ostrich- which
is also the source for the name
of this unique place. Overnight in Pudre(inclusive: Breakfast, Boxlunch, Dinner)

Day 5

Day 5: Lauca National Park
- Lake Chungara - Arica
In the morning we will depart to
discover the fascinating beauty of
Lauca National Park and its spectacular
scenery of exotic plants
and wildlife, like vicuñas, alpacas,
rheas and Andean flamingos
among other species; it is a birdwatcher's
paradise. We will visit
the quaint and picturesque village
of Parinacota (4.392 m / 14.409
ft. above sea level) which with
its 149 inhabitants and beautiful
church dating back to the
XVII century has been declared
National Monument. After that
we will continue to the highest
lake in the world, Chungara
Lake. Besides its remarkable scenery,
the Chungara Lake impresses
with a unique wildlife and eco
system with over 130 native species,
among these flamingos and
rheas. Here we will take a walk
before enjoying our packed lunch
on the shores of the lake. Once
we are done we will start driving
down to coastal Arica to be transferred
to a hotel or the airport
(only flights after 7 pm). (inclusive: Breakfast, Boxlunch)

Extra Information

Inclusions -

- 2 overnights with breakfast in Putre and 1 dinner, 2 lunch boxes

Extras -

Note: Due the weather conditions, specially during the months of January and February the itinerary might be modified without prior notice.