Northern Chile Wildlife Adventure. Take this tour and get a unique glimpse into the land, wildlife and people of northern Chile, the Atacama Desert and the Altiplano. Vast landscapes of strange and imposing beauty, unique birds, mammals and plants, and a cultural heritage that goes back thousands of years beyond the Inca empire, reflected in archaeological treasures, ethnic and cultural aspects of everyday life like agricultural methods, house building and food, all more than make for superb photography and a travelling experience that will treat your senses.
Northern Chile Wildlife Adventure
Photo Safari to the Atacama Desert & the Altiplano
Next departures: November 4 to 9, 2024 • April 21 to 26, 2025
6-day trip • Starts/Ends: Santiago or Arica, Chile.
If you’re into wildlife, landscape and/or cultural photography, this tour will appeal to you. No matter what your skill level as a photographer, from amateur to pro, you’ll be in for a treat! Travel in comfort through one of the most spectacular and picturesque parts of Chile, the northern Atacama Desert and High Andean plateau or Altiplano, an area teeming with wildlife, be it either birds, mammals or plants, and full of history and a rich cultural heritage dating back to pre-Inca occupation, still pretty much alive with customs, food and ways of life that have kept a strong tradition of agriculture and herding through the centuries. Add a pristine atmosphere that renders great luminosity and breathtaking nocturnal skies, the awe-inspiring landscapes of spots like Lauca National Park, Surire salt flat, the twin volcanoes of Parinacota, Andean bogs and blue lakes that reflect the surrounding snow-capped peaks, the driest desert in the world and picturesque, ancient villages scattered between mountain passes and green valleys, and you have a trip that would be hard to match in beauty, diversity and incredible opportunities for every kind of outdoors photography.
Puna Flamingo © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions
Trip Highlights
• Comprehensive visit to Northern Chile’s wildlife hotspots: Arica, Salar de Surire and Lauca National Park.
• Spectacular Andean birds such as Lesser Rhea, Puna Tinamou, Giant Coot, Andean Avocet, Andean Goose, and three species of flamingo including Chilean, Andean and Puna.
• Interesting mammals including Guanaco, Vicuña, Northern Huemul Deer and Vizcacha.
• Lauca National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, and one of Chile’s finest wildlife reserves.
• A study of the rich cultural history (and pre-history) from the people of the High Andes and the Atacama Desert.
• Ideal journey for nature photographers (of all levels) as well as nature enthusiasts. Northern Chile Wildlife Adventure
Itinerary in Brief
Day 1 • Morning flight to Arica – Azapa and Lluta valleys – Anthropological museum and geoglyphs – Arica (1 night)
Day 2 • Boat trip south of Arica for seabird and sea lion colonies – Drive to the highlands: Pukará de Copaquilla – Putre (3 nights)
Day 3 • Putre and surroundings – Socoroma
Day 4 • Los Flamencos National Wildlife Reserve: Surire salt flat
Day 5 • Lauca National Park: Parinacota, Bofedal de Caquena and Chungará Lake – Arica (1 night)
Day 6 • Flight to Santiago de Chile – End of the tour
Trip Map
Parinacota Volcano © David Couve, Far South Expeditions
Detailed Itinerary and Activities
Our Northern Chile wildlife adventure begins today! From Santiago airport you will catch a morning flight (c. 2.5 hours) to Arica, Chile’s northernmost city (18°S). Arica lies between the Pacific Ocean and the steep coast of the Atacama Desert and besides its natural riches, it is also a place full of history, as one of the decisive battles of the Pacific War between Chile and the Peru-Bolivia confederation (1879-1882) took place atop the cliffs guarding the bay, and long before that, its shores and coastal valleys were the home of the Chinchorro culture, who mummified their dead already around 8,000 BC, pre-dating the Egyptians by several thousand years. After your arrival, you will be transferred to our seaside hotel, a convenient base for our explorations of Arica’s coast. We’ll visit the Lluta river mouth to look for shorebirds, and from here we’ll drive east into the Azapa valley where we’ll visit the University Museum which holds an impressive collection of Chinchorro mummies, the oldest in the world. Later on we’ll explore the valley in search of a wealth of desert loving bird species such as Peruvian Sheartail and the odd-looking Slender-billed Finch. Azapa valley is renowned for being an olive growing country, and both its olives and olive oil are well known in Chile for their exceptional quality. This is also the place where we´ll visit a unique ¨hummingbird garden¨, an orchard whose owner has turned it into a small home preserve into which up to four different species of hummingbirds can be found flying around, feeding on the flowers and sometimes nesting on the trees, providing with great photographic opportunities. These places are also remarkable for the presence of some giant geogliphs that were left by the ancient natives in the slopes of hills dominating the valley. They date from at least 600-800 years BC and mostly depict scenes reflecting the semi-nomadic life of these ancient herders, like llama caravans, shepherds, birds and other wildlife and hunting scenes.
Overnight at Hotel Diego de Almagro, Arica (Lunch, Dinner) Northern Chile Wildlife Adventure
Early in the morning, we will take a short boat trip off Arica (c. 3 hours), to continue our search for the endemic seabirds of the Humboldt Current, especially the endangered Humboldt Penguin; other seabirds we should encounter include Peruvian Pelican, Guanay Cormorant and the stunning Inca Tern plus large numbers of South American Sea Lion. These seabirds have always been known for producing huge amounts of guano, a prime fertilizer and source of nitrates that played a key role in the rise and development of the Inca Empire, and after the arrival of the Europeans, helped to fuel the economics of the Spanish Crown and establish the American colonies ruled from the Viceroyalty of Peru. This boat trip along the coast south from Arica will give us some idea of the huge productivity of the Humboldt Current ecosystem as we contemplate the large seabird and marine mammal colonies present in the area. Later on we’ll drive east across the barren Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the planet, towards the mountains. Andean Swifts and Grayish Miners are possible bird species just before we reach the hyper-arid desert stretch, as we drive up to the highlands, to reach the foothills of the Andes and the charming village of Putre. We will make a few stops along this interesting road, particularly to study closely the remarkable Chandelier cactus (Browningia candelaris) plus other desert vegetation growing in the barren hillsides. Close to Putre, we´ll find a National Monument, the old Inca fortress or pukara of Copaquilla, a complex of some 400 stone buildings defended by a double stone wall, dating from the XIIth century.
Overnight at Hotel Q’Antati, Putre (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The picturesque Andean town of Putre is located at 3,400 meters above sea level (11,483 ft); this friendly Aymara village will be our base for the day. The “pre-puna” semi-arid bushy slopes are very rich in avian life: The gardens, cultivated terraces, eucalyptus groves and rocky walls surrounding Putre are the perfect habitat for Sparkling Violetear and Andean Hillstar, Golden-billed Saltator and Blue-and-yellow Tanager are among the range of exciting birds that occur here. If we’re lucky we might spot the rare Northern Huemul Deer or Taruca and herds of Guanaco in the surrounding hills. Today we´ll explore Putre and its surroundings, and take a short drive to visit the picturesque village of Socoroma, known for still using the agricultural terraces, a system for growing crops inherited from the Inca that has come all the way down to our present time. Its old houses and church are also a fine example of the ancient adobe construction technique, which has been kept alive through generations.
Overnight at Hotel Q’Antati, Putre (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
To see the Surire saltpan at sunrise is certainly one of the most fascinating sights of the whole Chilean Altiplano, as the lake holds one of the largest concentrations of the rare Puna Flamingo. Puna Rhea, Puna Tinamou Chilean and Andean flamingos, Andean Lapwing and a large variety of waterfowl including Andean Goose, Puna Teal, Crested Duck and Speckled Teal are also found here. Surire is reached after a nearly 3-hour drive from Putre, so an early start is required to see the lake at dawn. We guarantee that you won’t be disappointed! This salt flat is really a must for birders, especially if you like flamingos, for it is one of the very few places in the world where you can find all three species of High Andean flamingos in the wild, including the rare , range-restricted and endangered Puna Flamingo. The critically endangered and even rarer Puna Rhea is also present in the area, and the lovely vizcachas living in the rocky outcrops just by the ranger´s hut will delight you with their tameness and funny antics. But it´s not only wildlife photographers that will be delighted, for this site offers superb landscape photography as well, with its salt flat, mountains and rock formations.
Overnight at Hotel Q’Antati, Putre (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today we´ll visit the breathtaking Chungara Lake, truly one of the highlights of the trip, but before reaching it we´ll stop by the unique tiny village of Parinacota. Parinacota means ¨Lake of the Flamingos¨, and true to its name, the village is set among a group of lakes and ponds where these beautiful birds live. The hamlet dates from pre-incan days but it is better known for its old adobe and clay church, a fine example of XVIIth century Andean Baroque. The Altiplano (or High Andean plateau) is truly a ‘mecca’ for wildlife and we will have the whole day to discover its many secrets and stunning landscapes. Established to protect the highest lake in the world, Lauca National Park (and World Biosphere Reserve) supports a great diversity of High Andean (or ‘puna’) specialties. All three flamingo species – Chilean, James’s and Andean flamingos are often found here. Chungara Lake will be the highest spot during our entire trip (4,500 meters / 14,763 ft) and is surrounded by awe-inspiring volcanoes; this is a magnificent place and probably one of the most beautiful vistas that we will have during our whole Chilean Wildlife Adventure. The lake is full of birds including the striking Giant Coot and noisy Andean Gull. The surrounding bogs, locally known as bofedales, hold interesting mammals, all specialized to the high altitude, such as herds of Vicuña and charismatic Mountain Viscacha. The landscape of this area is dominated by the omnipresent and imposing Payachatas, meaning ¨The Twin Volcanoes¨, the Pomerape, 6232m/20,446ft and the Parinacota, 6,110m/20,046ft, situated on the border with Bolivia. The breathtaking sight of these magnificent twin snow-capped peaks reflecting on the blue altiplanic lakes is one of the gems of the high Andes and will probably be one of the most enduring memories from your trip to Northern Chile. After an evening drive we’ll be back in Arica to spend the night.
Overnight at Hotel Diego de Almagro, Arica (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
End of the trip (Breakfast)
Dates & Rates
Scheduled Departures
Trip Length | 6 days, 5 nights | |
Dates | 2024 | November 5 - 10, 2024 |
2025 | April 21 - 26, 2025 | |
November 3 - 8, 2025 | ||
Price per person (USD) | $3,298 (2023) | |
Single Supplement (USD) | $250 | |
Group trip (up to 8 guests), fully guided by a tour leader from our company.
Custom Private Departures
You choose the date. Available year-round. Departures from Santiago de Chile or Arica, Chile.
Do you also want to go to San Pedro de Atacama?
Check details of our Atacama Desert Explorer photo tour (6 days).
Notes
– The above price is per person in USD, based in single or double accommodation.
– January and February months are the rainy season in the Altiplano.
Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Arica?
Domestic flights Santiago – Arica – Santiago. Duration of the flight: 2.5 hours.
What the trip includes/excludes
The above price is per person in US Dollars. All payments are in US Dollars. Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.
The trip price includes: All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, and park entrance fees.
The trip price excludes: Domestic flights (Santiago – Arica – Santiago or other route), tipping, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, private excursions, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.
Important Information!
Read our suggested Packing List and Considerations about High Altitude Sickness.Read More!
Inca Tern © Jorge Valenzuela, Far South Expeditions
Tour Registration
To book this tour, please fill in our online registration form. We will process your booking and will send you a note with space confirmation and a transfer invoice with payment instructions within 24 hours. The transfer amount is 500 USD per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
Note: Inquiries received on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be replied to during the following working day.
Cancellation Policy
Notice of cancellation can only be accepted in writing from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.
Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
• If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the transfer amount minus 200 USD is refundable.
• If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the transfer is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.
• If cancellation is made less than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.
This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.