THE ANDEAN ALTIPLANO

In complete contrast with the lush south, the northern Altiplano region is home to deserts, long beaches, salt mines, and high volcanoes.

The provincial capital of the northern area is Arica.  This city also serves as the gateway to Bolivia and Tacna (in Peru), thus generating commerce between these three countries.  In the summer months, the city receives numerous tourists who come to enjoy the city’s beaches.

The entrance to the Altiplano, the city of Putre was laid out in 1850 and is the ideal place to stay while acclimatizing to the altitude as it is 3,500 m above sea level.  From Putre you can take a trip to Lauca National Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.  The Parinacota (6,342 m), Pomperape (6,282 m), Gallatore (6,060 m), and Acotando (6,050 m) Volcanoes can be seen from this park.  Within the park’s 137,883 ha, you can see typical altiplano flora and fauna, such as guanacos, rhea, and alpacas.  The parks’ inhabitants are of Aymara descent and conserve indigenous cultural traditions, including camelid herding, religious festivals, and music.

To the south of Arica is Iquique, an energetic city alive with commerce and interesting architecture, in addition to being home to an excellent climate and long beaches.

  THE ATACAMA DESERT

In order to visit this mysterious and marvellous desert, you must first stop through the city of Calama as the nearest national airport is located there.  Between Calama and the desert are the Luna and Muerte Valleys, basins surrounded by incredibly shaped hills.

San Pedro de Atacama is the main stopping ground from which you can visit nearby attractions.  Futhermore, San Pedro is home to hotels and restaurants.  This city is considered the archaeological capital of the country as it is the center of the Atacamenian and Iikanantas culture; there is a pukara (fortress) in Quitor and a great number of typical adobe constructions.   Tours leave from San Pedro to the Atacama Salt Lake - the largest saline deposit (100 km long) in Chile, the Puritana Hot Springs - with their spacious pools and rocks emanating warm water, and the Tatio Geysers - a geyser field linked to the Tatio Volcano.  At this field, vapor spews out of boiling water wells.  Or you can simply spend the nights stargazing in San Pedro.