The Altiplano is a flat plateau located on top of the Andes at an average altitude of 13,000 feet. Its extraordinary natural wonders include active and dormant slender-coned volcanoes, clear blue lakes with abundant bird life, extensive steppes supporting diverse populations of llamas, vicunas, guanacos, and alpacas, immense sparkling white salt deposits, hidden hot springs, and the occasional tiny rustic village with picturesque colonial churches. Despite its beauty, the Altiplano plateau is a desolate and arid land where living conditions are extreme. Oxygen contained in the atmosphere above 13,000 feet is half of what it is at sea level; temperatures can drop 30ºC/86ºF from day to night; and, there are areas that have never registered any rainfall. All wildlife and native peoples have adapted to survive here, and modern travelers can appreciate this by venturing into this silent land. Trip Itinerary
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| ANTICIPATED ITINERARY, ACTUAL ROUTE MAY VARY |
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| Day 1 § Arica | Arrive in Arica (flights not included). Meet the guide for lunch and a trip briefing. Then enjoy a walk around the city and along the beautiful sandy beaches. Overnight at a local hotel in Arica. (L)
| | Day 2 § Arica/Putre | You begin your day with a visit to the fertile Azapa valley and a local museum. Later, drive to Putre (90 miles, 11,500 feet) to see amazing prehistoric drawings. Enjoy some wonderful Andean flora and have your first encounter with the Altiplano wildlife. Head back to Putre for dinner and your overnight stay. Spend the next 3 nights at a local hotel in Putre. (B,L,D)
| | Day 3 § Lauca National Park | Today you travel to Lake Chungará (14,500 feet), a lake which is crowned by the 20,000-foot-high volcanoes, Parinacota and Pomerape. The lake teems with wildlife, including tagua-tagua, vizcachas, vicunas, black and white geese, and flamingos. All of these animals dwell in the lake's shallows, so you are sure to have some wonderful wildlife viewing. Enjoy a box lunch in the midst of beautiful Lauca National Park. Later this afternoon, visit the town of Parinacota for a stroll around the lakes before you return to Putre for your overnight stay. (B,L,D)
| | Day 4 § Surire National Park | Today you head south to the Surire Salt Flat. Along the way you pass below the great Guallatiri volcano. Arrive at Surire National Park, a sanctuary for Andean birds. The park hosts three of the five species of flamingos along with ducks, suris, or lesser rea, and Andean avocets. Vicunas, foxes, and vizcachas are also commonly seen throughout the park. After a day of wildlife viewing, you return to Putre for your overnight stay. (B,L,D)
| | Day 5 § Putre/Arica | Today you leave Putre for your drive to Arica. Arrive at the airport in time for your outbound flight. Note: Your trip can continue to La Paz, Bolivia either by bus from Putre (6 hours) or by plane from Arica (1 1/2 hours). (B)
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| Duration |
5 days |
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| Land Cost From |
To Be Determined Details |
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| Single Supplement |
None |
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| please inquire about 2007/2008 pricing |
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| Grade |
I-II |
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| Group Size |
4-10 |
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