Aymara Region 6-day Tour

Embark on a remarkable journey from Arica over the course of six days, exploring the captivating landscapes of the Aymara community in northern Chile, and traverse through some of the most breathtaking altiplano regions.

Aymara Region 6-day Exploration

Day 1

At the scheduled time, we'll meet you at your accommodation in Arica and begin our drive to the Presencias Tutelares. These stunning sculptures, crafted by the local artist Juan Diaz Fleming amidst the Chilean desert, are bound to leave you in awe.

Following a visit to the spectacular Apacheta viewpoint, we proceed towards the Aymara community region, making our way to Codpa. Here, we will stop at the Wine Museum for a taste of local culture and enjoy a picnic lunch. Our journey will then take us across the Vitor ravine to explore the town of Guañacagua and its charming church of San Pedro.

In the afternoon, a descent into the valley will reveal various crops of fruits such as pears and guavas, along with a visit to the petroglyphs of Cerro Blanco. The day will culminate with a delightful dinner at a rural lodging in the Caragua sector, where you can rest for the night.

Day 2

After indulging in a hearty breakfast, we will set off on a trekking adventure that will occupy the morning. This hike, spanning between six to eight hours, will take us to various mountains known for their ceremonial significance to the Aymara people, highlighting the Tangane and Pukare mountains with their captivating cave paintings. A picnic break will allow us to recharge during this excursion.

We'll conclude the day back at the inn in the Caragua sector, where a delicious picnic dinner awaits, followed by a restful night.

Day 3

Leaving Caragua, we will venture to the Belén sector to visit notable churches and the archaeological site of Guayguarane. This location offers insights into the lives of those who inhabited this area of the Andean foothills ages ago. Continuing our exploration, we will arrive at the Tambo sector to view ancient structures, specifically the Zapahuira colcas.

Our path will lead us to the Socoroma sector, where we will choose between a trek along the Inca trail or a hike up Calvario hill.

Later, we will savor a delightful traditional Aymara meal, featuring local specialties before ending the day with dinner and overnight stay in a rural house in Socoroma.

Day 4

After breakfast in Socoroma, we will visit the Putre viewpoint for panoramic views of the town and enjoy a short hike near its caves. Our next destination will be the Chucuyo viewpoint, where you can marvel at the volcanoes and lagoons sprawling across the extensive altiplano.

We will also make a stop at the Cotacotani Lagoons, a notable natural treasure of the region. Nearby, Chungará Lake offers a brief trekking opportunity for stunning views from the surrounding vantage points.

We will conclude the day at a rural lodge located in Parinacota or Chivatambo.

Day 5

A trip to Chinchillani hill and the Surire Salt Flats will kick off our day, allowing us to explore these fascinating locations. Following this, we will proceed to the Chilcaya Lagoons, set in a remarkable natural backdrop.

The highlight of the day will be a rejuvenating dip in the Polloquere hot springs, recognized as the most stunning natural pools in northern Chile. Depending on where we stayed the previous night, we will wrap up our day at a rural lodging in Parinacota or Chivatambo.

Day 6

On the final day, we will travel to the Caquena and Cospilla area before heading to the renowned colorful mountains of Suriplaza. Here, you can either admire these impressive mountains from their base or embark on a trekking adventure through the peaks. If you choose to trek, be prepared for a journey that ascends to altitudes of 16,732 feet (5,100 meters), 17,060 feet (5,200 meters), and 17,388 feet (5,300 meters).

Following a lunch break, we will visit the Cardones Ravine to see the famous candelabro cactus. Our experience will conclude with a visit to the geoglyphs and colcas in the Lluta sector, before returning you to your hotel in Arica by late afternoon.

Accommodation and Meals

Your stay will be arranged in shared rooms at rural houses, where both dinner and breakfast are included. Note that the accommodation options may vary based on availability and weather conditions.

Lunches are included and will typically take the form of a picnic enjoyed during one of our midday breaks throughout the tours.

The itinerary provides for five nights of accommodation distributed across the following locations:

Days 1 & 2:

Depending on availability and conditions, we'll lodge in one of the villages within the Caragua sector:

Caragua: Caragua InnCodpa: Samkanjama InnTicnamar: Uta Ticnamar Inn

Day 3:

Socoroma: Ensueño Socoroma Marka Inn

Day 4:

A stay in one of the following villages is planned for the night:

Parinacota: Uta Kala InnChivatambo: Lauca Cruzani Inn

Day 5:

Based on where we spent the previous night, accommodation for this day will be in one of the locations mentioned earlier in Parinacota or Chivatambo.