Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works Day Trip

In the 19th century, salt was one of the most coveted products in northern Chile. Discover how salt was extracted at the Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works, two iconic factories in Tarapacá that have been declared World Heritage Sites, on our day trip.

Description

At the indicated 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, located in the Chilean region of Tarapacá, have been designated as World Heritage Sites due to their cultural and historical significance.

We'll learn about the importance of this industry for the region, where Iquique became a key hub for exporting sodium nitrate to Europe. The tour will start at the Santa Laura Saltpeter Works, where we'll see the large leaching machine and visit the old Administrator's House, now a museum showcasing life in this industry and its economic impact on Chile.

Our next stop will be the Humberstone Saltpeter Office, where we will explore significant parts of the factory, including old industrial halls and civilian buildings that formed a community with a theater, swimming pool, church, and other facilities.

After visiting the Humberstone Saltpeter Works, we'll return to your hotel in Iquique, concluding the trip after a total of 5 hours.