DAY 01: TR IN ARICA + CITY TOUR AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL.
Reception and transfer to the hotel. Visit a fascinating city with a colourful past seen through its arquitecture and national monuments such as St. Mark's Cathedral and the ex-Customs Building, both designed and pre-fabricated by Gustav Eiffel. We contunue our tour along the south coast and places of interest such as the "ex" Alacran (Scorpion) Island and the southern beaches where we can see illustrated in murals, a concise history of Arica and the Fishmeal Industry, driving force of the city's economy, then on the Azapa Valley. The site of the Cerro Sombrero prehispanic settlement and its panels of Geoglyphs highlighting a herd of camelids. Cerro Sagrado (Sacred Hill) illustrating ancestral beliefs through its panels of geoglyphs.The Pukara de San Lorenzo, a defensive settlement constructed on artificial terraces. Visit the Arqueological Museum. Part of the University of and illustrating the complete evolution of the area from its most ancient inhabitants up till the arrival of the Spanish, about 10.000 years of history. Here in the museum are examples of the most ancient mummified remains in the world. Visit the Artesans Village and the oportunity to apreciate some of our local art and handicrafts. Visit the Morro of Arica another pice of history , where at the XIX century, remains the Pacific War. Back to the Hotel.
DAY 02: ARICA – POBLADO DE PUTRE:
08:00 Morning departure towards the altiplano. During our ascent we have the chance to enjoy a wide variety of landscapes, flora and fauna. We soon pass by geoglyphs on the yellow slopes that flank the route, some depicting figures of llamas and humans. Other highlights along the way are the village of Poconchile and its XVII century church, the Cardones Canyon with it`s u oto 4 meters high cacti, before we reach Pukara de Copaquilla, one of the ancient fortresses built by native Indians. Visit at the Socorromo village and its Andean/Colonial architecture and its pre-Hispanic farm terraces. Prior to entering Putre enjoy a panoramic view of the village. When arriving at Putre, lunch will be in a typical restaurant. After lunch we have the opportunity to enjoy a leisure strole around Putre. Dinner and accommodation at Hosteria in Putre.
DAY 03: PUTRE - LAGO CHUNGARA- ARICA:
08:00 Breakfast in Putre. Departure towards Lauca National Park and the Chungara Lake, located at 4517m.a.s.l. During the ascent you can see the Andean bogs and the its strange wildlife such as the llareta, a plant that grows only 1mm per year and the paja brava (straw), a wild spinifex like grass, very common in areas above 4,000m. Arrival at Chungara Lake, one of the most highest lakes in the world, surrounded by snowcapped volcanoes like the Guallatire with a constant fumarol and more than 6,000m high. We visit the Parinacota village and its 17th century church, now declared national monument, and the chance to meet some of its native inhabitants (the Aymaras) with their traditional customs and beliefs. Lunch on the route or in Putre. Return to Arica and transfer to hotel.
DAY 04: Arica.
Transfer to airport.