Northern Chile Highlights Self-drive
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DAY 1: ARICA – CODPA VALLEY (135 KM / 84 MI)
Pick up your car at the airport or the downtown rental office in Arica. From there you will start your drive towards the Codpa Valley. On your way out of town visit El Morro; a steep hill located south of Arica’s center. There you can observe part of the Azapa Valley, a fertile basin where olives, tomatoes, and tropical fruits are grown. It is also famous for its archaeological sites that date back to the 10th century AD and for its museum “San Miguel de Azapa”. Afterwards continue your drive south in direction of Iquique until arriving to the pristine highland valley of Codpa. Overnight in Codpa.
DAY 2: CODPA VALLEY – PUTRE (160 KM/ 100 MI)
Today’s scenic route will take you to the petroglyphs of Ofragía and pass the villages of Timar, Tignamar, Saxamar, Belen and Chaquipiña. Along the way you will also be able to visit the Tambo de Zapahuira. This resting spot and buildings are located 107 km from Arica and have been declared National Monument. Under the Inca Empire it also served as storage for textiles, food and arms. Once having arrived to the highland village of Putre located at an altitude of 3,600 m / 11,811 ft above sea level, you will be amazed at the surrounding sights and the nearby snowcapped volcano peaks. 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)
Pick up your car at the airport or the downtown rental office in Arica. From there you will start your drive towards the Codpa Valley. On your way out of town visit El Morro; a steep hill located south of Arica’s center. There you can observe part of the Azapa Valley, a fertile basin where olives, tomatoes, and tropical fruits are grown. It is also famous for its archaeological sites that date back to the 10th century AD and for its museum “San Miguel de Azapa”. Afterwards continue your drive south in direction of Iquique until arriving to the pristine highland valley of Codpa. Overnight in Codpa.
DAY 2: CODPA VALLEY – PUTRE (160 KM/ 100 MI)
Today’s scenic route will take you to the petroglyphs of Ofragía and pass the villages of Timar, Tignamar, Saxamar, Belen and Chaquipiña. Along the way you will also be able to visit the Tambo de Zapahuira. This resting spot and buildings are located 107 km from Arica and have been declared National Monument. Under the Inca Empire it also served as storage for textiles, food and arms. Once having arrived to the highland village of Putre located at an altitude of 3,600 m / 11,811 ft above sea level, you will be amazed at the surrounding sights and the nearby snowcapped volcano peaks. 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. |
Mitta D 1 - Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Plus or Toyota Corolla Cross 2.0 or similar - till April 30, 2025 |
$1804 |
$1216 |
$1021 |
$924 |
$459 |
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Notes: Based on Half Twin. The single supplement also applies for 1 person.
Hotels we use in this program: Aruma Codpa (Standard Room), Hotel Qantati (Standard Room), Diego de Almagro Arica (Standard City View 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 (Mitta category J 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 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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