Northern Chile Highlights Self-drive
DAY 1: ARICA - AZAPA VALLEY (25 KM / 16 MI)
Upon arrival to Arica, pick up your car at the airport or downtown rental office. This city offers a variety of beautiful places to visit such as the impressive El Morro hill which towers over the skyline. Continue on the road exploring the north of Chile as you reach the Azapa Valley. This is a fertile basin where olives, tomatoes, and tropical fruits are grown. Additionally it is also famous for its archaeological sites and its museum known as “San Miguel de Azapa". Overnight in Arica.
DAY 2: ARICA – PUTRE (148 KM / 93 MI)
Today you will leave Arica and take the road to the highland village of Putre. On your way, you will enter the Lluta Valley where you will be able to observe the many geoglyphs that mark the old Inca trail from the coast to the highland. Putre is located at 3,600 m / 11,811 ft above sea level and is the capital of the Parinacota Province. Once having arrived, we suggest you take some time to adjust to the high altitude and start exploring this colonial town where you can observe traditional houses adorned with stone carved portals and window frames dating back from the 17th century. Just outside the village an amazing view of the Putre Valley can be enjoyed. Overnight in Putre. (B)
DAY 3: PUTRE – LAUCA NATIONAL PARK – ARICA (200 KM / 125 MI)
During this drive you will discover the captivating beauty of the Lauca National Park with its impressive variety of exotic flora and wildlife such as vicuñas, alpacas, Andean flamingos and many other species. Also at the park you will be able to visit the Chungará Lake known for being the highest lake in the world. Additionally you will be able to explore the village of Parinacota and its beautiful church. Afterwards you will continue your journey to Arica. In the afternoon, as you arrive and descend slowly back to sea level you will be able to enjoy views of the Lluta Valley. Overnight in Arica. (B)
DAY 4: ARICA – IQUIQUE (300 KM / 186 MI)
After breakfast head southwards in direction of dry “Pampa” desert situated at 1.000 –1,200m. / 3,280 – 3,940 ft. above sea level. There, various deep canyons intersect with this vast plain. From this location, continue on to the port city Iquique that developed during the heyday of the saltpeter mining in Atacama Desert in the 19th century. Overnight in Iquique. (B)
DAY 5: IQUIQUE – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (550 KM / 342 MI)
On today’s long drive you will be heading south through the Pampa del Tamarugal before turning east in direction of the famous Atacama Desert. Paved roads will be available during the commute. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)
DAY 6: ATACAMA SALT FLAT AND MOON VALLEY (100 KM / 62 MI)
Taking full advantage of being in San Pedro, a visit to the well-known Atacama Salt Flat and Moon Valley is a must. The Atacama Salt Flat is the largest salt flat in Chile surrounded by mountains and dominated by large volcanoes and the Andes mountain range. The Moon Valley is located in the Atacama Desert. It has various stone and sand formations which have been carved by wind and water. It has an impressive range of color and texture, looking somewhat similar to the surface of the moon. Overnight in San Pedro. (B)
DAY 7: EL TATIO AND PURITAMA (94 KM / 58 MI)
Before dawn break you will depart from San Pedro and head north to the famous El Tatio Geysers; a geothermal field flanked by soaring peaks. El Tatio is situated at 4.300 m. above sea level on the Altiplano. It is the highest geothermal field in the world and boasts spectacular scenery. At dawn you will be able to observe powerful spurts of steam that shoot out from various geyser blowholes and steaming ponds. Afterwards, on your way back to San Pedro continue on to the Puritama hot springs where you can enjoy some rest and relaxation as you soak in the natural thermal pools. Overnight in San Pedro. (B)
DAY 8: SAN PEDRO – CALAMA - ANTOFAGASTA (100 KM/62 MI TO CALAMA - 320 KM/199 MI TO ANTOFAGASTA)
After breakfast return your car to either the Calama or Antofagasta airport or city car rental office. (B)
Upon arrival to Arica, pick up your car at the airport or downtown rental office. This city offers a variety of beautiful places to visit such as the impressive El Morro hill which towers over the skyline. Continue on the road exploring the north of Chile as you reach the Azapa Valley. This is a fertile basin where olives, tomatoes, and tropical fruits are grown. Additionally it is also famous for its archaeological sites and its museum known as “San Miguel de Azapa". Overnight in Arica.
DAY 2: ARICA – PUTRE (148 KM / 93 MI)
Today you will leave Arica and take the road to the highland village of Putre. On your way, you will enter the Lluta Valley where you will be able to observe the many geoglyphs that mark the old Inca trail from the coast to the highland. Putre is located at 3,600 m / 11,811 ft above sea level and is the capital of the Parinacota Province. Once having arrived, we suggest you take some time to adjust to the high altitude and start exploring this colonial town where you can observe traditional houses adorned with stone carved portals and window frames dating back from the 17th century. Just outside the village an amazing view of the Putre Valley can be enjoyed. Overnight in Putre. (B)
DAY 3: PUTRE – LAUCA NATIONAL PARK – ARICA (200 KM / 125 MI)
During this drive you will discover the captivating beauty of the Lauca National Park with its impressive variety of exotic flora and wildlife such as vicuñas, alpacas, Andean flamingos and many other species. Also at the park you will be able to visit the Chungará Lake known for being the highest lake in the world. Additionally you will be able to explore the village of Parinacota and its beautiful church. Afterwards you will continue your journey to Arica. In the afternoon, as you arrive and descend slowly back to sea level you will be able to enjoy views of the Lluta Valley. Overnight in Arica. (B)
DAY 4: ARICA – IQUIQUE (300 KM / 186 MI)
After breakfast head southwards in direction of dry “Pampa” desert situated at 1.000 –1,200m. / 3,280 – 3,940 ft. above sea level. There, various deep canyons intersect with this vast plain. From this location, continue on to the port city Iquique that developed during the heyday of the saltpeter mining in Atacama Desert in the 19th century. Overnight in Iquique. (B)
DAY 5: IQUIQUE – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (550 KM / 342 MI)
On today’s long drive you will be heading south through the Pampa del Tamarugal before turning east in direction of the famous Atacama Desert. Paved roads will be available during the commute. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)
DAY 6: ATACAMA SALT FLAT AND MOON VALLEY (100 KM / 62 MI)
Taking full advantage of being in San Pedro, a visit to the well-known Atacama Salt Flat and Moon Valley is a must. The Atacama Salt Flat is the largest salt flat in Chile surrounded by mountains and dominated by large volcanoes and the Andes mountain range. The Moon Valley is located in the Atacama Desert. It has various stone and sand formations which have been carved by wind and water. It has an impressive range of color and texture, looking somewhat similar to the surface of the moon. Overnight in San Pedro. (B)
DAY 7: EL TATIO AND PURITAMA (94 KM / 58 MI)
Before dawn break you will depart from San Pedro and head north to the famous El Tatio Geysers; a geothermal field flanked by soaring peaks. El Tatio is situated at 4.300 m. above sea level on the Altiplano. It is the highest geothermal field in the world and boasts spectacular scenery. At dawn you will be able to observe powerful spurts of steam that shoot out from various geyser blowholes and steaming ponds. Afterwards, on your way back to San Pedro continue on to the Puritama hot springs where you can enjoy some rest and relaxation as you soak in the natural thermal pools. Overnight in San Pedro. (B)
DAY 8: SAN PEDRO – CALAMA - ANTOFAGASTA (100 KM/62 MI TO CALAMA - 320 KM/199 MI TO ANTOFAGASTA)
After breakfast return your car to either the Calama or Antofagasta airport or city car rental office. (B)
Price per person in US$
car type |
1 person |
2 people |
3 people |
4 people |
sgl. supp. |
Hertz G - Toyota Rav 4 or Nissan X-Trail or similar - till April 30, 2020 |
$1663 |
$1108 |
$923 |
$830 |
$356 |
May 1-Dec. 31, 2020 |
$1778 |
$1185 |
$988 |
$888 |
$382 |
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Notes: Based on Half Twin. The single supplement also applies for 1 person.
Hotels we use in this program: Diego de Almagro Arica (Standard City View Room), Hotel Qantati (Standard Room), Hotel NH Iquique (Standard City View Room), Hotel La Casa de Don Tomas (Standard Room) Included: - 7 nights including breakfast. - 8 days car rental (Hertz category G or similar) including unlimited free mileage. - Local tax. - Full CDW coverage with deductible (for details see rental contract). - Drop off charge, a roadmap and descriptions. Not included: In Chile car rental companies charge an additional airport service fee (Hertz rate: USD 7,- per day aprox.) when vehicle will be picked up from airport. This service charge is not included in the rates published above. This extra fee has to be paid upon returning the car. We strongly recommend that your clients join a guided tour to visit the El Tatio Geysers on day 7, or follow one of the several tour vehicles to get to the geysers due to the darkness and the very complicated road conditions. Please note: The Codpa Valley Lodge is located in a small oasis in one of the driest deserts of the world. This means that water and electricity are not to be taken for granted. The generators are working well, but however, occasional power outages can occure. There is always water, however sometimes with little pressure and guests are requested to think and act environmentally friendly and use water and electricity wisely. |
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