⏳ Duration
4 days
💚 Places of Interest
Arica
Valle de Azapa
Humedal de Lluta
Putre
Parque Nacional Lauca
Salar de Surire
Socoroma
A journey through volcanoes, salt flats, and highland villages of northern Chile
A journey through volcanoes, salt flats, and highland villages of northern Chile
Explore one of Chile’s most remote and awe-inspiring regions on this 4-day itinerary from Arica, with a comfortable base in the small highland town of Putre.
This is a compact yet immersive route, designed for travelers seeking extreme landscapes, living culture, and otherworldly scenery, all above 3,500 meters.
Over four days, you’ll ascend from the Pacific coast into the Andes, passing through fertile valleys, ancient cacti forests, and Aymara villages where traditional medicine is still grown and meals are cooked over wood fires.
You’ll visit Lauca National Park, Chungará Lake, the Surire Salt Flat, and the natural hot springs of Polloquere, combining easy walks with moments of silence, observation, and connection.
From the Chinchorro mummies to wild vizcachas on the high plateau, each day reveals a new face of Chile’s vast northern frontier.
This isn’t a mass-market experience, but a thoughtfully curated journey, for those who value authenticity, deep connection, and the quiet beauty of the altiplano.
Itinerary
Begin your journey leaving the Pacific coast behind as you head toward the high Andean plateau.
Before ascending, it’s worth visiting the Azapa Valley and the San Miguel Archaeological Museum, home to the Chinchorro mummies, considered the oldest in the world.
You then cross the Lluta Valley, rich in geoglyphs, Andean crops, and wetlands where it’s possible to spot flamingos, sandpipers, and terns.
The ascent through the Quebrada de Cardones is scenic: giant cacti, volcanic rock canyons, and natural viewpoints accompany you on the way into the mountains.
Before reaching your destination, you’ll stop briefly in Socoroma, one of the most picturesque Aymara villages in the area, known for its agricultural terraces and colonial churches.
In the afternoon, you arrive in Putre, a charming pre-Andean town and the perfect place to acclimatize at 3,500 meters above sea level.
📍 Overnight in Putre
This will be one of the most memorable days of the journey.
Early in the morning, you head south through the Las Vicuñas National Reserve, a vast and silent landscape where guanacos, vicuñas, and rheas roam freely across high-altitude plains and grasslands.
By midday, you reach the Surire Salt Flat, a surreal setting of turquoise lagoons, salt crusts, and slow-flying flamingos, all framed by dormant volcanoes.
After exploring the salt flat, you’ll enjoy a rejuvenating soak in the natural hot springs of Polloquere, under the open sky, with steam rising into the silence.
The return journey offers a new perspective on the landscape, as you make your way back to Putre for one more night in the high Andes.
📍 Overnight in Putre
You wake up to the dry, crisp air of the highlands.
Today, you’ll explore Lauca National Park, a natural gem where wetlands, high-altitude lagoons, and snow-capped volcanoes come together.
You walk near the impressive Lake Chungará, one of the highest in the world, reflecting the twin peaks of Parinacota and Pomerape.
Throughout the day, you may spot vicuñas, flamingos, coots, and other native highland species in their natural habitat.
You also visit the village of Parinacota, with its 17th-century colonial church, surrounded by wind and silence.
A picnic with local products rounds off the day before returning to Putre in the afternoon.
📍 Overnight in Putre
On your final day in the altiplano, we take a scenic, little-traveled route that winds through silent valleys, remote villages, and otherworldly landscapes.
We arrive at Suriplaza, a region of multicolored hills where the wind, volcanoes, and sky feel remarkably close.
We take a gentle walk at over 4,700 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountains painted in deep reds, greens, and ochres.
A picnic in the open landscape allows time to soak in the silence and vastness of the high Andes.
Afterwards, we begin the descent toward the coast.
Little by little, the landscape shifts, the altiplano gives way to desert, the cacti reappear, and the air grows warmer.
By late afternoon, we arrive in Arica, closing an unforgettable journey through Chile’s northern highlands.
📍 End of program
What to Know
Why Choose This Route with Ecordua
This itinerary is designed for those seeking more than just a destination.
It’s an invitation to discover the Chilean altiplano through connection — with its extreme landscapes, its living culture, and its people.
We take care of every detail — transportation, accommodation, guides, meals, permits — so you can focus on enjoying, breathing deeply, and letting yourself be surprised.
We work directly with local communities in Socoroma, cook with Andean ingredients, walk at the pace of the altitude, and share the silence of the salt flats as if we belonged there.
This is not a mass-market experience.
It’s a deep, meaningful journey — the kind we love to create at Ecordua.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to do this itinerary?
This trip can be done year-round, but each season brings its own character:
Between December and March, the weather is warmer and the days are longer, but it’s also the season of the so-called Altiplanic winter (or Bolivian winter), when occasional rains, thunderstorms, and temporary road closures may occur — especially in January and February. That said, it’s also a beautiful time, with green wetlands, dramatic skies, and milder temperatures.
Between April and November, the weather is drier and more stable, ideal for clear skies and full access to the region.
During winter (June to August), temperatures drop significantly, with freezing nights and the chance of snow in higher areas — but you’ll also find stunning landscapes and very few visitors.
We adjust every detail based on the season, so you can experience the best version of the altiplano — safely and authentically.
Is this itinerary physically demanding?
Not at all. The walks are short, easy, and taken at a relaxed pace.
The main factor to consider is acclimatization to altitude.
We recommend being in good general health and avoiding the trip if you have unmanaged heart or respiratory conditions.
We sleep in Putre (3,500 m / 11,500 ft), so the ascent is progressive and always monitored by our team.
What altitude will we sleep and travel at?
You’ll spend all three nights in Putre (3,500 m).
On day trips, the altitude can reach up to 4,500 meters (≈14,700 ft) — especially in places like Lake Chungará, Surire Salt Flat, or Polloquere Hot Springs.
We adapt the pace and meals to help with acclimatization.
We recommend avoiding alcohol the first days, staying well hydrated, and getting proper rest.
What type of accommodation is included?
We use local, charming lodges like Chakana Lodge in Putre, offering good heating, comfortable beds, and breakfast.
In remote areas like Surire, we can explore basic shelters or campsites if requested in advance and conditions allow.
The focus is on authentic, safe, and simple comfort.
Can this trip be done privately or in a group?
Yes, both options are possible.
Most travelers choose a private trip, especially those who want a flexible pace, more comfort, or are traveling with friends or family.
We can also organize small custom groups (4–8 people), ideal for sharing the experience while maintaining quality and personalization.
What other routes can I combine with this itinerary?
This trip is perfect for adding to a broader journey through Chile or South America.
You can easily combine it with:
San Pedro de Atacama, by road or flight from Arica to Calama
Santiago and surroundings, including vineyards, city hills, and Cajón del Maipo
Patagonia, flying from Arica to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales to visit Torres del Paine
The Lakes & Volcanoes Route, with stops in Pucón, Puerto Varas, or Chiloé
Argentina or Bolivia, by land connection to Uyuni or the Quebrada de Humahuaca
At Ecordua, we help you design a coherent, meaningful journey — connecting Chile’s diverse landscapes into a single, powerful narrative.
Map
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