CHILEAN HIGH UPPER NORTH

The far north of Chile is an area that begins at the border with the Peru, and ends south of the Antofagasta region. The main towns are Arica and Iquique.

This is the driest area of the country.

In this part of Chile, excursions and expeditions are possible from Arica.

ARICA

Arica, a port and seaside resort, is located right on the border with Peru. It's nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild, sunny, dry climate.

The first traces of human life date back to 7000 BC with the Chinchorro culture. This culture is responsible for the world's oldest mummies..

The town of Arica used to belong to the Peru. The Antofagasta region belonged to Bolivia.

Then, when Chile gained independence, it wanted to push its borders further north. So it declared “The Pacific War” on Bolivia and Peru, or “The Saltpetre War” as Chile's coveted territory was rich in saltpetre, a natural nitrate used to make gunpowder.

The highlight of this war was the capture of Morro de Arica by the Chileans in 1880. The town of Arica then became Chilean. A historical museum, declared a National Monument in 1971, tells the story of this war.

A soft sandy coastline, diverse wave patterns, and temperate waters are characteristics that make "the city of eternal spring" a must-see in northern Chile. The city of Arica is now known as a place to relax. With its 22 km of coastline, it boasts several beaches. The most famous of these is Chinchorro Beach. This beach offers warm waters and is ideal for swimming. Due to the characteristics of its waves, the site is popular for surfing and other water sports and activities such as bodyboarding, waterskiing, windsurfing, and kayaking.

The Asoagro Terminal is an emblematic site in Arica, a market where all the region's agricultural wealth converges. Here, you'll find local products from different geographical areas, from alpaca meat from the highlands, to varieties of potatoes and corn from the Andean foothills, and tomatoes and olives from the Azapa Valley. You'll travel and discover part of Arica's gastronomic heritage by visiting the "Agro."

Arica is also the starting point for exploring the Chilean Altiplano.

TRAVEL IDEAS FROM ARICA AND IN REGION

The Lluta Valley is located north of Arica and is one of the three major valleys in the Arica and Parinacota region, along with the Azapa and Codpa valleys. It is crossed by the CH-11 highway, the international highway leading to Putre and Bolivia.
This valley produces various vegetables, the most notable being corn. One of its main attractions is its rock art, as large geoglyphs and petroglyphs can be seen on the slopes. At the mouth of the Lluta River lies one of the most important wetlands in northern Chile, which has become a birdwatching destination.

Lauca Park, with its village of Parinacota, volcanoes, and lakes, including Lake Chungará, one of the highest lakes in the world.

The Jurasi Thermal Baths, located at an altitude of over 3,500 meters, offer a unique experience with warm thermal waters and the feeling of being alone amidst the Altiplano mountains.

The Isluga Volcano National Park, composed of several lagoons and hills, owes its name to the Isluga Volcano, which reaches an altitude of 5,550 meters and its permanently snow-capped peaks.

The Salar de Surire, located at an altitude of over 4,200 meters, offers a contrast between a white sand desert and intense blue lagoons with its numerous pink flamingos.

The Azapa Valley is known for its numerous geoglyphs and, above all, for being home to the Archaeological Museum of San Miguel de Azapa, which traces the ancient Chinchorro culture, the ancient people who lived in Arica.

The ghost towns of Humberston and Santa Laura, former nitrate mining towns abandoned around 1960.

The Andean towns of Putre, Colchane, and Pica.

The Arica region is a mix of desert landscapes, high plateaus, and snow-capped volcanoes. The scenery is breathtaking!

Combination idea: From Arica, you can travel to Peru, for example, to explore the famous Lake Titicaca. You can also travel to Bolivia to discover South Lipez and more.

IQUIQUE

Human remains dating back 4,000 years have been found in Iquique Bay. Nomadic and semi-sedentary groups arrived at the site, taking advantage of the area's now-disappeared watering holes and the diversity of sea products.

In 1556, during the Spanish period, the Huantajaya silver mine began, which led to the development of the port of Iquique. With the proclamation of independence from Spain in 1821, the city became Peruvian. It experienced growth with the exploitation of saltpeter. Then, following the War of the Pacific, it officially came under Chilean control in 1883.

Due to the economic wealth generated by the nitrate industry, Iquique was the first city in northern Chile to have trams, some of which were double-decker (imperial) and also animal-drawn and battery-powered in 1916.

In 1975, during the military government, the Iquique Free Trade Zone was created. During this same regime, the Diego Aracena International Airport was built.

Iquique is the capital of the Tarapacá region. Its name means "Place of Rest" in Aymara. With its vast beaches, free trade zone, colonial architecture, the Esmeralda Museum, activities, the largest urban dune in the world, and paragliding, this city has become a major tourist destination in the north of the country.