The Chilean Altiplano Tour

An incredible 10-day / 9-night journey with otherworldly plants, animals, and landscapes!

TOUR DETAILS

Tour Interest: Cacti and flora, fauna, landscape photography, adventure tourism, culture and history.
Tour Type and Mode: Overland, all inclusive.
Tour Duration: 10 days – 9 nights.
Tour Dates: Group Tour March 20th – 29th 2023.
Starts/Ends: Starts in Arica, ends in Calama, Chile.
Difficulty: Low to moderate – can be adjusted depending on fitness level.
Best time to Go: May – October
Price: $3,850 USD per person

*Group Tour March 20th – 29th 2023. $3,850 USD per person. Private tours are offered from January – May – Contact us directly for a quote.

Featured plants:

Browningia candelaris, Soehrensia formosa, Trichocereus/Leucostele/Echinopsis atacamensis, Lobivia ferox, Oreocereus leucotrichus, varicolor and hempelianus, Neowerdermannia chilensis, Haageocereus chilensis, Cumulopuntia boliviana (various subspecies), Corryocactus brevistylus, Maihueniopsis camachoi and Tunilla soehrensii (all Cactaceae), Azorella compacta AKA Yareta (Apiaceae), Tillandsia marconae and landbeckii (Bromeliaceae), Viola granulosa (Violaceae) Cistanthe (various species – Montiaceae), Nototriche (varios species Malvaceae), Malesherbia auristipulata (Passifloraceae) Senencio keshua (Asteraceae), Polylepis tarapacana (Rosaceae), Prosopis tamarugo (Chilean mesquite – Fabaceae) – famous desert tree from the pea family endemic to the Atacama + more!

National Parks and Places:

Arica, Putre, Lauca National Park, Las Vicuñas Natural Reserve, Salar de Surire Natural Monument, Volcán Isluga National Park, Puchuldiza Geysers, Laguna Roja (Red Lagoon), Iquique (Chilean Miami), Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve, Salar de Pintados (painted salt flats) San Pedro de Atacama, Death Valley, Moon Valley, Guatín Valley, Puritama Thermal Springs, Laguna Cejar – the floating lake + more.

Daily Itinerary

Day-1: 8:00am Pick up in Arica – Putre
Day-2: Putre – Putre
Day-3: Putre – Colchane
Day-4: Colchane – Colchane
Day-5: Colchane – Iquique
Day-6: Iquique – Iquique
Day-7: Iquique – San Pedro de Atacama
Day-8: San Pedro de Atacama – San Pedro de Atacama
Day-9: San Pedro de Atacama – San Pedro de Atacama
Day-10: San Pedro de Atacama – Calama Airport

Health Recommendations

Please consult your travel doctor before the commencement of this tour, ensuring you are fit for a low to moderate degree of physical exertion on short, uphill walks while experiencing altitudes of up to 4500 meters/15000 feet above sea level.

What’s Included?

All private transportation, transfers, and excursions from the beginning and end points of your tour. Bilingual English/Spanish speaking guide. Admission fees to all nature reserves. Accommodation on a single/twin/matrimonial basis. All breakfasts, box lunches, and dinners. Fresh water and snacks in the vehicle. Emergency supplies are also carried. Tour inclusions will begin from lunch on day one to breakfast on day ten. Your full-time tour leader will be your primary contact, accompanying you from your arrival to departure.

What’s Not Included?

International airfares, airport taxes, and visas. Tips to guides, drivers, hotel & restaurant staff, etc. Alcoholic drinks with meals in restaurants. Personal travel and medical insurance. Anything not specified under “What’s included?”

Arrival and Departure

Arrival: Arica International Airport – ARI, Departure: Calama Airport – CJC. It is recommended that you arrive at least one day before your tour begins. Please contact us if you have any questions about our tours or need assistance with planning.

Deposits

To secure your group tour booking, please transfer 30% of the overall price via bank transfer (transfer details provided upon request) or via PayPal to cactusexplorertours@gmail.com. Full payment can also be made via bank transfer or the PayPal Plugin Service Payment link below. We are happy to split any bank transfer costs 50/50 with you. Complete payments are required no later than 60 days before your tour departure when we will also send specifications of what you need to bring for your trip. We look forward to receiving you in Chile!

Contact us directly for private tours.