North of Chile Trekk SPA – Arica

CODE STHA 01: NORTH OF CHILE TRELL SPA – ARICA 

Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Maximum Altitude: 5000 – 5300 m.a.s.l. / 16404 – 17388 ft.
Service Type: Private – All Inclusive
Activity Type: Trekking & Hiking (Landscape Observation)
Theme: History and Local Culture
Minimum Passengers: 1

Description
A trekking and hiking journey through the Extreme North of Chile, connecting San Pedro de Atacama with Arica via ancient caravan routes that cross the desert and the Andean Altiplano. The itinerary combines medium- and high-mountain hikes through geoglyphs, salt flats, high-altitude lagoons, and volcanic landscapes above 4,600 meters (15091 ft.). Protected areas such as Lauca National Park, the Lauca Biosphere Reserve, and Suriplaza are explored, with hiking options adapted to different fitness levels. Each day blends extreme nature, Andean biodiversity, and ancestral culture. An active and immersive experience designed for travelers seeking authentic adventure while walking the Norte Grande of Chile.

DAY 1: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – QUILLAGUA – PINTADOS GEOGLYPHS – PICA
09:00 AM Pick-up from your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama to begin the journey north toward the Tarapacá Region. Along the route, we observe abandoned saltpeter offices and the new era of copper mining, one of the desert’s main economic activities. We pass through the village of Quillagua.
We visit Pintados geoglyhs, the largest geoglyph complex in northern Chile—evidence of human and caravan activity dating back to the 11th century. These panels reveal Andean culture and its connection with the lowlands and the coast, guided by stars that form part of their worldview. A 1-hour interpretive walk allows observation of the different panels. Lunch.

In the afternoon, we continue to the oasis town of Pica.
05:00 PM Arrival in Pica and transfer to accommodation. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 2: PICA – HUMBERSTONE – HUARA – CARIQUIMA – COLCHANE
Breakfast
09:00 AM Departure to visit the Santiago Humberstone Saltpeter Office, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, illustrating the economy and society of the early 20th century in the Atacama Desert (2-hour visit). Lunch in Huara.
We continue to the Giant of Tarapacá, the largest anthropomorphic geoglyph in the world, located on Cerro Unitas. We ascend through the Tarapacá Gorge, stopping at the Pachica viewpoint, an example of a fertile valley surrounded by desert. Crossing the pre-cordillera, we reach the Valley of Happiness, part of the Aroma Gorge, with rock formations shaped by ancient geological processes.

Before the end of the day, we arrive at Cariquima, visiting its church and admiring the giant columnar cacti. Continuation to Colchane.
06:00 PM Arrival in Colchane.Dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: COLCHANE – VOLCÁN ISLUGA NATIONAL PARK – SALAR DE SURIRE – LAS VICUÑAS NATIONAL RESERVE – PUTRE
08:30 AM Departure toward Volcán Isluga National Park, home to an active volcano rising to 5,500 m.a.s.l. (18044 ft.). Along the way, we stop at the village of Isluga to observe its 18th-century architecture, where Catholic religion blends with Andean traditions.
Passing through Enquelga, we enjoy views of Isluga Volcano before crossing the Altiplano toward the Lauca Biosphere Reserve a landscape of high plains, volcanoes, and hills that tell the geological history of the region, where local people raise llamas and alpacas.
Arrival at the Salar de Surire Natural Monument, a unique high-altitude ecosystem. We continue to the Polloquere Hot Springs, where you may enjoy a relaxing bath in a pristine natural setting. Picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, we visit a RAMSAR wetland, vital habitat for flamingos, and enjoy a 1-hour walk to observe wildlife and landscapes. We then cross the Las Vicuñas National Reserve, passing the village of Guallatire and its stone-and-adobe church, surrounded by wetlands and dominated by Guallatire Volcano (6,071 m.a.s.l. / 19917 ft.).
Continuation to Putre, admiring Altiplano scenery of plains and volcanoes.
06:00 PM Arrival in Putre. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: PUTRE – COTACOTANI LAGOONS TREK – PUTRE
Breakfast
08:00 AM Full-day excursion into Lauca National Park, a high-altitude ecosystem recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve and one of the most biodiverse parks in Chile. We reach Lake Chungará (4,529 m.a.s.l. / 14858 ft.), home to local fauna and offering views of the Parinacota Volcano (6,342 m.a.s.l. / 20807 ft.).
We continue to the Cotacotani Lagoons, where we begin an 11 km trek (approx. 4 hours) at 4,600 m.a.s.l. (15091 ft.), heading toward the village of Parinacota (4,440 m.a.s.l. / 14435 ft.). The route crosses lagoons and wetlands, with frequent sightings of vizcachas and camelids, always accompanied by the twin Payachata Volcanoes (Parinacota and Pomerape)
Arrival in Parinacota, one of the most representative Altiplano villages, known for its colorful 18th-century church. Return to Putre.
05:00 PM Arrival. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: PUTRE – SURIPLAZA – PUTRE
Breakfast
08:00 AM Departure north through the Arica & Parinacota Region, passing the foothills of Taapaca Volcano (5,860 m.a.s.l. / 19225 ft.) with panoramic views of the pre-cordillera and Altiplano. Observation of ancient llareta plants at 4,760 meters (15616 ft.) before reaching Suriplaza, a volcanic zone of intense red colors and dramatic landscapes above 5,000 meters (16404 ft.).

Hiking options:
– Option 1: Observation and soft hike / 1 hour / Max. altitude: 4,900 m.a.s.l. / 16076 ft.
– Option 2: Moderate hike / 2 hours / Max. altitude: 5,160 m.a.s.l. / 16929 ft.
– Option 3: High-demand hike / 4 hours / Max. altitude: 5,300 m.a.s.l. / 17388 ft.

Box lunch and trail rations.
Return to Putre.
Optional: Visit to the Jurasi Hot Springs.
05:00 PM Arrival in Putre. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: PUTRE – SOCOROMA – ARICA
Breakfast
08:00 AM Departure to the village of Socoroma, where we begin a 2-hour trekk to Phusiri Collo (3,500 m.a.s.l. / 11482 ft.), a sacred site tied to ancient local legends. The walk follows old valley paths and passes agricultural terraces where Chile’s finest oregano is cultivated. Lunch.
We continue to the Lluta Valley, observing the Giant and Eagle geoglyphs, evidence of intense caravan activity between the Altiplano and the coast. Descending through the Cardones Gorge Natural Monument, we encounter the endemic candelabro cactus. The journey ends through the fertile Lluta Valley, an oasis amid the desert that opens toward the Pacific coast and the city of Arica.

05:00 PM Arrival in Arica and transfer to accommodation.

End of service.

Other Routes
– Altiplano Express Arica -Iquique Panoramic
– Biosphere Lauca & Misssion Route Panoramic
– Lauca Biosphere Arica – Arica Soft Trekk
– Lauca Biosphere Connection SPA Trekk & Hike