Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works Day Trip

In the 19th century, salt was crucial in northern Chile. Discover the extraction process at the Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works, two iconic factories in Tarapacá, declared World Heritage Sites, on our day trip.

Description

At the scheduled time, we'll pick you up from your hotel in Iquique and head east towards the Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works. These former industrial sites in the Chilean region of Tarapacá are recognized for their cultural and historical significance.

The tour will highlight the region's industrial importance, with Iquique as a key hub. Ships transporting sodium nitrate, essential for export to Europe, docked at its port. We will explore these factories situated in the desert of the Tamarugal pampas.

Starting at the Santa Laura Saltpeter Works, we will view the large leaching machine used in production and visit the Administrator's House, now a museum showcasing life in this industry. The export of nitrate significantly boosted the country's economy.

Next, we will visit the Humberstone Saltpeter Office, exploring key factory components, including old industrial halls and civilian buildings. A city with a theatre, swimming pool, church, and other facilities was built nearby.

After the tour, we will return to your hotel in Iquique, concluding the experience after 5 hours.