• +56 9 9876 3210
  • info@giralatina.com
  • contacto@giralatina.com
Facebook Instagram Linkedin
Contact

Chile: Norte de Chile

Discover a land of contrasts

Northern Chile is a region of astonishing contrasts, home to the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world, and a sky so clear that it is considered one of the best places for astronomical observation. Here, desert landscapes mix with colorful Andean towns, ancient civilizations and modern copper mines, offering a rich mix of history, culture and nature.
Huasco Valley
Known as the Garden of Atacama, the Huasco Valley stands out for the large number of small towns and agricultural villages in the area. Enjoy ecotourism, agrotourism, and cultural activities in the surrounding area.
Get to know in depth the strength of rural traditions with origins in the Diaguita culture strongly rooted in the valley. Transport yourself to the immensity of space under one of the clearest skies in the world and meet the stars with indigenous denominations.Have fun in the Llanos de Challe Park with beautiful cacti and wild guanacos running free.
The pleasant mild weather throughout the year makes this valley an ideal destination for those who enjoy trekking the surrounding areas.
Ancestral cultures and travelers from all over the world mingle in this ancient village with dirt streets and adobe houses.
Visit the old square to learn about its inhabitants’ customs. Surrender to the calm pace of its people and do not miss its old church. Soak up the local art in Pueblo de Artesanos and let yourself be seduced by the local and international cuisine proposals of its restaurants.
Interesting tours will let you explore the area’s many attractions: active geysers, lagoons that stand out for their intense colors, and dazzling salt flats. Cycle through the desert or enjoy the Valley of the Moon.
Once night falls, what better way to enjoy the infinite stars twinkling over the driest desert in the world!
A must-see for tourists following the “Inca trail”; this is an oasis of shade in the middle of the desert. Inhabited by communities from Atacama, its easy-going pace is only interrupted by religious festivities which, depending on the patron saint, include confetti, flour or algarrobo drinks (fermented drink made from the pods and seeds of the algarrobo tree).
Try the typical food of the north and don’t forget to visit the San Francisco Church, built in the 1600s. It is the oldest church in Chile and was built using millennial indigenous techniques. Go in and marvel: it is made out of mud and cactus wood.
Get up before dawn to enjoy the show just as the sun rises, with the craters of El Tatio as the main attraction. Located 4,200 meters above sea level, its fumaroles (smoke from the geysers) create amazing white steam columns which are at their best between 6 and 7 in the morning.
On your morning outing see how the local endemic wildlife (viscachas, vicunas, nandues) and other birds leave their hiding spots, looking for their breakfast among the yaretas (fern like plants) and giant cacti. Tired? Finish your day in the healing hot springs that the destination offers.
Center-stage of many surprises, the 3,000 square kilometer salt lake is an unbeatable sight. Home to Andean birds and a large lithium reserve, its thick crust forms heaps that crackle at sundown, when temperatures drop quickly.
The Atacama Salt Flat is one of the main attractions of the Los Flamencos National Reserve. Be amazed by the large number of long-legged birds that nest and feed in its “watery eyes”, like those of the Chaxa Lagoon. Keep your eyes wide open to try to spot the differences between the Andean, Chilean and James flamingos.
The peculiar rocky formations and dunes of Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) and the changing colors of Mars Valley (Valle de Marte) and the Salt Mountains are an attraction that you can’t miss while visiting the Atacama Desert. At night, both places become the most romantic spot for stargazing.
Found just a few minutes from San Pedro de Atacama, you can get to these mystical settings on bike, trek around them and enjoy sandboarding on the dunes. Visit them and appreciate the overwhelming shadows that the desert displays.
Take advantage of the beaches of La Serena during the spring and summer, walk along the long Avenida del Mar or go shopping at Recova, the area’s most famous market and arts & crafts fair.
In Coquimbo, you can’t miss La Herradura beach and Barrio Inglés’ nightlife. You can also try your luck at the casino. If you come during Chile’s Independence Holidays (September 18th / 19th) the party is at La Pampilla, a classic place to dance cueca, cumbia or salsa, taste typical dishes and have wine or pisco drinks.
If you have a sports soul, come and enjoy the many adrenaline spots of La Serena and Coquimbo: trekking, sport fishing, surfing and paragliding are some of the activities waiting for you.
The Caleta San Pedro, a local food spot, is located close to La Serena. It brings together a select group of 10 restaurants, experts in the preparation of seafood based dishes. Don’t miss out on specialties like the crab pie, razor clams with parmesan cheese and seafood empanadas.
Enjoy the spectacular ocean view while you taste a seafood mix with a glass of good local white wine and share recipes with the chefs from the area. The cove’s secret of success: the fish and shellfish come directly from the sea to the kitchen. Superb!
Uninhabited islands with impressive animal presence and white sandy beaches are what the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve offers, a union of the Chañaral, Damas and Choros islands.
On the islands you will be able to connect with nature meeting sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, and Humboldt penguins that form their colonies in this area and give the reserve its name. If you visit during the warm season, between October and April, you may even see first-hand giant humpback, blue, and fin whales.
Besides admiring the beautiful beaches of Damas Island, you can also rest on them, dive in its waters and tour its trails until you reach lookouts with spectacular views of the reserve while the sun sets on the sea.
Coming face-to-face with bottlenose dolphins, diving in crystal-clear waters and resting on one of the most beautiful beaches of the north of the country: Punta de Choros, a peaceful fishing village awaits you.
Unwind at one of the several camping sites there and then discover penguins and sea lions on a boat trip to the Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve, which includes the Damas Island and the Choros Island. It’s an adventure that will let you take the best pictures of this true treasure of the Chilean coast.
Located in the heart of the Elqui Valley in the middle of the scenic landscape of the Andes foothills, this small town is synonymous with leisure, relaxation and good drinks.
Birthplace of the best hand-distilled piscos in the country, you can’t miss out on tasting this delicious spirit made from the muscatel grapes. When mixed with cola it is called piscola and is the favorite drink for Chileans when it’s time to party. Be sure to try it!
Visit this forest growing in the middle of a coastal desert area, more than 1,250 km away from its normal habitat, a real testimony of what the Atacama Desert was like more than 30,000 years ago.
Walk through this land of gentle slopes with trails that will take you to lookouts from which you can see different animal species such as hawks, partridges, Humboldt penguins, and Andean foxes.
In this forest you will be able to see up close more than 440 species of trees and native plants and breathe the pure air of a millenary nature.

Iquique will steal your heart.

Spend your day in front of the ocean, sunbathe on a deck chair, discover the Pacific seabed diving, or get on a jet ski to ride the waves. On its beaches nothing seems impossible and the nightlife is intensely felt in its bohemian establishments, where cultural mix is a constant.
Visit its Free Trade Zone, a business center for Mercosur and Asia Pacific countries, a true shopping paradise, where you will find everything from electronic products to fine perfumes.
Enjoy its fine cuisine in restaurants overlooking the ocean and treat yourself with a traditional mango sour: a drink based on the creamy tropical fruit, one of the city’s treasures along with guavas, grapefruits and lemons grown in its oasis.
Walk around downtown Iquique and let yourself be transported to a time where ladies wore taffeta and used parasols, and men handlebar mustaches. Be amazed by the buildings that maintain the glamour of the abundance of saltpeter times.
Start by admiring the architecture of the Arturo Prat Avenue Customs Office, which also houses the Navy Museum, or walk along the Passenger Pier. There you can get a boat to visit the exact site where the Esmeralda corvette sank during the famous Iquique Naval Battle.
A visit to this quiet village is a trip from which you’ll return completely renewed. Set among salt flats and geoglyphs, discover the village of Pica, famous for fruits like the mango, guayaba, grapefruit and the famous pica lemon.
Come see this desert miracle that gets its water from underground aquifers that accumulate in a sort of port called cocha, which attracts swimmers seduced by its pleasant temperatures and surrounding vegetation.
The history of white gold involves two nitrate mines that became the largest nitrate deposits in the world at the beginning of the XX century.
The transformation of the nitrate deposits into a community with its own language, organization, customs, and creative expressions enchants to this day those touring these ghost towns in the middle of the Atacama Desert.
Visit the Humberstone mining camp and the industrial area of Santa Laura and relive the days of nitrate glory and the memories of one of the most glorious periods of the country’s history.
Here in Antofagasta there is a mix of stories about mining towns in the middle of the desert. The city awaits you with clear starry skies and beaches that are perfect for the family and sports. Travel through history, exploring the corners and mysteries of the saltpeter offices. These old villages, whose boom happened at the turn of the last century have become actual “ghost towns”. Enjoy the clear skies of the Atacama Desert to see the stars at the best astronomical observatories of the country.
Visit the beaches close to town, with white sands and calm waters. If you love surfing or bodyboarding, don’t despair, there are also waves to test out your skills!
This peculiar rocky formation resembles a white arch. Set in an area where strong waves crash into the cliffs, behold the power of nature reflected in these stone walls, which are actually mountain tops of the Coastal Mountain Range.
Walk along the coastline towards Tocopilla to reach the natural monument that is over 40 meters high. On the way, bring out your artistic side taking pictures of this beautiful natural sculpture from the different vantage points that surround it.
Chuquicamata can be seen from Calama bringing nostalgia for its inhabitants, who had to move to the city nearby as the mine advanced. Truly amazing in terms of size and structure, don’t forget to visit the biggest open pit copper mine in the world. Go on one of the free tours arranged by Codelco, the company that runs the mine, and visit its facilities. You will learn about copper extraction processes and you’ll be able to take pictures next to the enormous trucks that work there.
Do you love to feel the sun on your skin and the warm sand cradling you as you relax? Then you must visit Arica. Its kind weather and warm ocean beaches invite you to enjoy romantic sunsets. Additionally, you can enjoy water sports such as surfing and bodyboarding, while admiring the immensity of the Morro de Arica National Monument.
Soak up history visiting the San Marcos Cathedral and the Archaeological Museum of San Miguel de Azapa, where you will find the oldest mummies on the planet and tour its valleys full of exotic fruits.
The local cuisine and the classic Azapa olive bread are a pleasure not to be missed. The fusion of flavors reflects its streets’ diversity. And if gambling is your thing, visit the casino just steps away from the ocean.
Codpa is the perfect place to unwind. Grab a bike and cycle along its valleys, enjoying its pleasant temperature and, if you want to, take a romantic walk under the starry skies.
Lift your skirt or roll-up your pants to participate in the traditional wine-harvest festivities. This is a unique ritual you will not forget. Raise your glass and make a toast with the famous Pintatani wine, an artisanal liquor that they guarantee is made with the first grape variety found in Chile.
One of its main attractions is the wonderful Lake Chungará, one of the highest lakes in the world, located at the foot of the Payachata twin volcanoes. If you are passionate about history, there are places of archaeological and historical interest that you should visit, such as the town and church of Parinacota, the village of Chucuyo and the Chungará, Ajata and Cruzane ranches.
Camp at the foot of volcanoes and in caves, in front of the reflection of beautiful lagoons, or fish in the park’s rivers with a splendid view that will make you forget that you are in one of the most populated regions of Chile.
Lower your voice and open your eyes. Visiting this village, declared as a National Monument, is an opportunity to take in the local culture. Learn about the skillful works of the alpaca wool weavers that live there and visit its stone church, built in the 17th Century.
A mystical destination located at the heart of the Lauca National Park, its adobe buildings hide legends of spirits and superstition. Don’t be scared, the locals guarantee that the Parinacota Volcano protects its visitors.
At over 4,200 meters above sea level, this incredibly white salt flat invites you to stare at its beautiful deep blue inner lagoons hidden in the middle of the world’s driest desert.
The cushion bogs of this natural monument are the home of different families of flamingos, like the Chilean, Parina and James kind. Get your camera ready to snap pictures of rheas, vicunas and llamas that roam freely in the area.
Famous for its olives and tropical fruit, San Miguel de Azapa invites you to enjoy a day in the countryside or to bike around its valleys. Enjoy its calm pace and the clarity of its night skies, where stars seem to shine brighter by the minute.
Visit the San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum where you’ll find thousand-year-old remains of the Chinchorro culture. Are you a scientist at heart? Then follow the path of the geoglyphs in the desert and visit the Pucará de San Lorenzo. The altiplano will always surprise you with a new adventure.
We are a company specializing in organizing and managing business trips focused on cultural exchange and seeking opportunities between China and Latin America.
The Company
Gira latina
Contact
Badajoz 100, Oficina 614, Las Condes, Región Metropolitana

DREAM WORKS BOLIVIA 2025

en_USEnglish
es_ESEspañol zh_CN简体中文 en_USEnglish