Aymara Chile Cultural Experience Tour

Your adventure begins today in Arica, Chile’s northernmost city. You’ll be picked up from the airport and and a private transfer will take you to your hotel in Arica. Once checked in, enjoy some downtime getting settled and grabbing a bite for lunch.

In the afternoon discover the most important sights of the city on a guided tour, taking in the Plaza Colon, the Cathedral of San Marcos, the Cultural House and the Fishermen’s Mole. End with an ascent to Mount El Morro, which offers a wonderful panoramic view of the city to top of an incredible first day.

Explore the nearby Azapa Valley today and get ready for a whirlwind cultural experience!

First up on your Aymara Chile Cultural Experience tour is a visit to a large vegetable market, where local produce of the valley is offered for sale by its indigenous population. Here, you’ll learn about and are able to buy the leaves of the Coca plant, the Aymara’s remedy against altitude sickness. The trip then continues along the old road of Cerro Sombrero, past the geo-glyphs in Alto Ramírez and into the interesting Archeological Museum of San Miguel. The museum exhibits mummies of the Chinchorro culture – some of the oldest mummies in the world!

In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to help the local Aymara locals harvest vegetables and fruits such as papayas. It’s a great opportunity to learn about their traditional agricultural methods, but also about modernized approaches.

Leaving Arica behind, you’ll travel to the village of Belén this morning (130km) which is located 3,240 meters (10,600 ft.) above sea level. This village was founded in 1625 by the Spaniards and today it is home to just 140 inhabitants. On the way, you’ll stop at the canyon of Cardona and Lluta Valley to take in fascinating geoglyphs and petroglyphs.

An afternoon walk takes you to the Pukara de Huaihuarani, a Pre-Inca fortress that was declared a historical monument in 1983. It is located around 6km west of Belén and is still in its original (not restored) state. Enjoy great views over the traditional terraced fields with potato and maize cultivation here.

After a family breakfast, pay a visit to Socoroma, another picturesque Aymara community in the pre-Andean region, situated at 2,800 m (9,100 ft) above sea level. Its 130 inhabitants live mainly off alfalfa and oregano terraces. Then, continue on to Putre, one of the most important towns in the Chilean part of the Andean highland, the Altiplano. It was founded in 1580 and currently hosts around 1,200 inhabitants.

Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by the Yatiri (shaman of Aymara) and receive a woven bag containing coca leaves, in line with Aymara tradition. During the following ceremony, the Yatiri calls for the ancestors and the forces of nature (the “Pachamama” – Mother Earth). The ritual expresses gratitude for the fertility of plants, animals and people. It is also used to ask for protection and well-being, in exchange for coca leaves.

Today on Aymara Chile Cultural Experience Tour, visit the spectacular Lauca National Park! It was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1981. On the way, stop at an Apacheta, a ceremonial site that was used centuries ago by Lama caravans. Laying a stone here is a gesture of gratitude towards the Achachilas, the guardian spirits of the Andes highlands.

The Lauca National Park administration and visitor center is located in Parinacota, one of the most beautiful villages of the Chilean highlands. Its well-preserved church of Catholic missionaries has been declared a national monument. From here you’ll walk a picturesque hiking trail to Chungará Lake, located 4,517 meters (14,800 ft) above sea level. Soak up the view of Parinacota and Pomerape volcanoes during a picnic lunch.

In the afternoon, you’ll top off the day with a visit to the village of Chucuyo, where you can watch the local Aymaras making textiles before returning to Putre.

Your Aymara Chile cultural experience comes to an end this morning as you transfer from Putre back to the airport of Arica today. Take a flight back home via Santiago or continue your journey in another region of Chile. It is recommended to book an afternoon or evening flight for departure.