4200 m.a.s.l.
Altitude
medium (altitude)
Difficulty
8+
Age

We travel south, going up to the ´puna´ (highlands) to marvel at its unique vegetation, wildlife, lagoons and salt flats.  Here, Miscanti Lagoon – the largest lagoon in the Antofagasta region – is certainly the one that impresses travelers most. Later, we visit the village Socaire, where the indigenous community still preserves part of the traditional atacameñan lifestyle.

DEPARTURE TIME8:00-8:30DEPARTURE LOCATIONHotel
RETURN TIME
16:15-16:45
Departure and return time depend of the time of the year and will be confirmed in the moment of the reservation.
INCLUDED
Admission tickets Lunch Cultural Activity
Bilingual Guide Water Pick-up from your hotel

 

Highland Lagoons

Driving back towards San Pedro for about 50 kms., we will get to the lagoons Miscanti and Meñiques which – administrated by the indigenous community of Socaire together with CONAF (National Forest Corporation) – form part of the Flamingo National Reserve and are located at 4.350 and 4.100 meters respectively. They are magnificent reserves of crystal-clear water that impress with their intense blue color. Surrounded by a mountainous backdrop marked by the volcanoes Miscanti and Meñiques, the lagoons are the natural habitat of many rare and beautiful birds, including Chilean Flamingos, Puna Flamingos, Baird´s Sandpipers and Horned Coots amongst other species.

This visit will allow you to truly enjoy the overwhelming solitude and peace of this sanctuary of nature.

Socaire

We continue our journey towards Socaire, a village at 3.300 m.a.s.l. with around 360 inhabitants who traditionally work in agriculture, cattle-breeding, wool handcraft, mining industry and of late also in tourism. Here we have lunch at the ´Guest House´ (Casa de Huéspedes), a treasure of the indigenous community of Socaire.

After that we take the time to get to know the village´s traditional agricultural system in more detail, as well as the manufacturing process of wool. The agricultural land is arranged in the form of terraces. Remarkable is the cultivation of some peculiar products like horsebeans or purple potatoes that only grow in this area. Over the last few years, the craft production of fine textiles made of alpaca, llama or sheep wool – a process which starts with the breeding of the animals – has increased. The ´Weavers of Socaire´ (Tejedoras de Socaire) sell their products mainly in a local store. Apart from that they receive orders from retail and private parties all over Chile.

The origin of Socaire´s church dates back to the colonial era (). Of special beauty is the picturesque bell tower which is built on cut stone and adobe milled from the local region.

Additional information

Duration8 1/2 hours

Español

1

8:00-8:30 Recogida desde su hotel

Por favor estar listo a la hora indicada.     (La hora de recogida y retorno depende de la estación del año y será confirmada al confirmar la reserva.)
2

Lagunas Altiplánicas

Caminaremos por los senderos habilitados para llegar al punto más cercano a Laguna Miscanti (30 minutos aproximadamente) Luego, avistaremos Laguna Meñiques .
3

Almuerzo en Socaire

Almorzaremos en una cocinería del pueblo. Se puede optar por un menú vegetariano.
4

Actividad Cultural

Aprenderemos más sobre la agricultura ancestral y participaremos en una actividad enfocado en el proceso de la producción y elaboración de la lana por parte de las tejedoras de Socaire.
5

16:15-16:45 Retorno al hotel

English

1

8:00-8:30 Pickup from your hotel

Please be ready at the stated time.     (Departure and return time depend of the time of the year and will be confirmed in the moment of the reservation. )
2

Highland Lagoons

We walk on the established trails to get to closet o the Miscanti Lagoon (30 minutes approximately). We then sight the Meñiques Lagoon.
3

Lunch in Socaire

We have lunch at a local restaurant. A vegetarian menu is available, if desired.
4

Cultural Activity

We learn more about the traditional agriculture and we participate in an activity focused on the manufacturing process of wool production offered by the Weavers of Socaire.
5

16:15-16:45 Hotel

Español

¿Qué llevar?

  • Vestimenta: ropa cómoda, zapatos para caminar. Varias capas.
  • Ropa abrigada para la altura (polar, cortaviento; guantes, gorro).
  • Artículos personales: bloqueador solar, sombrero, lentes.

Para ver más recomendaciones Haz click aquí

English

What to bring?

  • Comfortable clothing, walking shoes. Several layers.
  • Warm clothing for the highlands (fleece and windbreaker, gloves, woolen hat)
  • Sunblock, hat, sunglasses, lip balm.

For more recommendations Click here

English

$96.500.-

 

  • Price includes:
    • Admission tickets
    • Bilingual Guide spanish – english
    • Pick up from your accommodation
    • Water
    • Lunch
    • Cultural Activity

 

The reservation must be confirmed at least 10 days in advance, paying the total value of the program.

SEMI-PRIVATE SERVICE: High quality standard services with a maximum of 10 passengers per group (except Astronomy Tour, max 13 passengers), most of them from hotels that work with us. Our bilingual guides (spanish – english) assure a personalized service.

The days and hours of the excursions may vary depending on the season and climatic conditions. The final itinerary will be confirmed upon arrival in San Pedro, but even during your stay it can vary depending on the mentioned conditions, we will be informing immediately about any changes.

Our semi private services are in base of 2 people, which means that when is only one person and there are no more reservations for the same excursion it will have to pay the minimum per two. If at the moment of the excursion more passenger book the same tour, we will make the devolution of the additional, less a percent (5%) of administratives cost

This excursion can be booked in Private Service

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