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Wildlife
trip through the Andes highlands
Arica Chile's northern gateway, located in the Tarapacá Region.
Bordering on Peru, Bolivia and the Pacific Ocean. From the coast,
desert and the unique Altiplano, the High-Plateau, we will enjoy this
particular trip, visiting a museum harbors the world's oldest mummies,
predating the Egyptian ones; the stunning Altiplano, a high-altitude
steppe; quaint Aymara villages blend into the treeless expanse that
unrolls under a truly gigantic sky; herds of llama, guanaco, vicuña
and alpaca roaming green wetlands; the huge Lauca National Park within
its boundaries is the world's highest lake, Chungará, alive
with waterfowl and nestled at the foot of the twin Payachata volcanoes.
Farther south is the Las Vicuñas National Reserve, a wild country
where animals roam free and man is but a visitor. Finally, still farther
south is the Surire Natural Monument, a stunning white salt flat speckled
with ponds full of flamingos.
Wild hot springs, lots of wild fauna and some picturesque villages
make the trip definitely worthwhile. The climate is mild on the coast,
warmer during the day and colder at night in the Central Plain, and
cool in the Altiplano. You can safely forget about rain, except in
summer at the Altiplano. |
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| DAY 1 ARICA
- PUTRE |
| Reception
at the airport and transfer to Putre. Excursion with brief stops to
observe the transition from coastal desert to Andean foothills, with
their great variety of cactus. Arrival in Putre at 3500m. Overnight
stay in Las Vicuñas guest house. |
| DAY 2 PUTRE
- SURIRE SALT FLAT - PUTRE |
| Breakfast.
We get an early start for the Surire salt flat at 4300m. Visit Las
Vicuñas Nature Reserve, stopping on the way to at the native
Aymará villages of Ancuta, Guallatiri, and Viluvio, "towns
of stone". Finally, among high Andean snowed peaks as Guallatiri
volcano, we reach the Surire Salt Flat, nesting place for flocks of
rosy flamingos. Box lunch. Return back to Putre. |
| DAY 3 PUTRE
- PARINACOTA - LAGO CHUNGARA - ARICA |
| Breakfast
at the guesthouse. Morning excursion to Lauca National Park, with
its lovely landscapes and fascinating Andean plants and animals. Visit
to Lake Chungará, whose waters mirror the imposing Payachata
Volcanos, and to the Aymara ceremonial village of Parinacota, one
of the oldest in the region. Box lunch along the way. In the afternoon,
return to Arica through the Lluta Valley with its numerous petroglyphs
and geoglyphs and its important archaeological sites such as Tambo
Inca de Zapahuira and Pukra de Copaquilla. Arrival in Arica and transfer
to the hotel. |
| DAY 4 ARICA |
| Breakfast.
At the agree time transfer to the airport. |
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Min. 2-4 people
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US$ 550
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5-9 people
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US$ 470
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Single supplement
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US$ 90
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INCLUDED :
- 2 nights accommodations in Putre with breakfast and dinner,
and 1 night in Arica with breakfast.
- Box lunches in day tours.
- Expert bilingual guide.
- All private transportation, vehicles equipped with supplemental
oxygen in case of need.
- Entrance fees to national parks.
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NOT INCLUDED :
- Any form of personal insurance .
- Meals not mentioned.
- Tips, extra expenses such as laundry, meals and drinks not mentioned
in the itinerary, other expenses.
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| REQUIREMENTS:
The hikes are optional and relatively easy, though some will be in
Andean heights of the altiplano. Participants should be in good physical
condition, but no special abilities are necessary. In the mountains,
the climate is cold at night, while the deserts will be very hot during
the day. |
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ALTUE ACTIVE TRAVEL
Encomenderos 83, 2nd Floor, CP6760254, Santiago, CHILE
Tel: (56 2) 2321103 - (56 2) 2332964 / Fax : (56 2 ) 2336799
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