Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works Day Trip

In the 19th century, salt was a vital product in northern Chile. This tour explores the Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works, iconic factories in Tarapacá, recognized as World Heritage Sites.

Description

At the scheduled time, pick up will be from your hotel in Iquique to head east to the Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works. These former industrial sites are significant for their cultural and historical value.

The tour will cover the impact of this industry on Iquique's development as a key hub, where ships transporting sodium nitrate, primarily exported to Europe, docked. The value of this resource will be explained during the visits to the factories located in the Tamarugal pampas.

The first stop will be the Santa Laura Saltpeter Works, where we will observe the leaching machine and visit the Administrator's House, now a museum showcasing life in the saltpeter industry. The economic benefits of nitrate exports will be discussed.

Next, we will visit the Humberstone Saltpeter Office and explore essential factory sections, including the old industrial halls and civilian buildings. This area featured various facilities, such as a theatre, a swimming pool, and a church.

After the tour of Humberstone, the return to your hotel in Iquique will conclude the 5-hour experience.