Culture, wildlife, and trekking in Parque Nacional Lauca and northern Chile

In addition to the specialized birdwatching programs, Alto Andino offers small group tours through the 4 altiplano wilderness areas of northern Chile: Lauca National Park, Natural Monument Salar de Surire, National Vicuñas Reserve, and Isluga Volcano National Park. These tours offer a blend of Aymará culture and an abundance of birds and wildlife, all dominated by volcanoes and punctuated by flamingos. In this case a professional Chilean guide is used.  Begin tours in Putre or Arica or Iquique. 

 All tours are private. Reservations are necessary.

Trekking:  we suggest about 10k per day at high altitude, with time for the hot springs and photography.  The van or 4WD vehicle will carry your heavy packs so only a day pack is needed.  Please inquire, as all tours are private, we can provide as much hiking each day as desired.    

Atacama desert culture, Altiplano wildlife,  Coastal marine mammals:   5 day tour northern Chile parks and seacoasts

Parque Nacional  Lauca - Reserva Las Vicuñas - Salar de Surire - PN Isluga:
  5 days starting from Arica (or 4 days starting Putre).  This is our popular itinerary with focus the first day on Inca and other pre-Hispanic archeological attractions, then a day in Lauca Park with naturalist guide. Afterwards you'll head out for a 3 day trip across the Vicuñas Reserve, Natural Monument Salar de Surire, and the Isluga National Park. Last day of tour is in fishing village for viewing marine mammals and other near-shore sea life.

details of tour                     more about Isluga Volcano National Park

 Volcanoes, hot springs, wildlife, and cactus along the backbone of the Andes

PN Lauca - Reserva Las Vicuñas - Salar de Surire - PN Isluga:
 3 days, 2 nights  starts Putre.  Spend a couple of days in Putre hiking and acclimatizing, then start the altiplano tour as described below.  

Day 1: Parque Nacional Lauca, Vicuñas Reserve, overnight altiplano in refugio or camping.
Day 2: Monumento Natural Salar de Surire, flamingos; caserios, Polylepis, Isluga church,  overnight altiplano.
Day 3: Giant cactus, descend through Quebrada de Aroma with bizarre geological formations, visit to enormous geoglif Gigante de Atacama, historical salitre station optional.  Tour ends in Iquique, Pozo Almonte for those going south by bus, or in Colchane for those heading on to Oruro.