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Altiplano Immersion: Putre Village, Salar de Surire & Lake Chungará

A rare multi-landscape odyssey through the Chilean altiplano, taking in a colonial highland village, a vast flamingo-studded salt flat, and the highest navigable lake in the world — all in a single extraordinary journey above the clouds. For those who want the definitive Andean experience from Arica.

What to expect

Wind through the pre-Cordillera to Putre, a centuries-old Aymara village at 3,500 m lined with adobe houses and wildflower gardens. Continue to the Salar de Surire — a blinding white salt flat where three species of flamingo feed in mineral-rich lagoons against a backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes. The day culminates at Chungará Lake, whose glassy surface mirrors the perfect cones of Parinacota and Pomerape. All meals, naturalist guide, and 4WD transport are included.

Book it with
Nomades Arica
From USD 115 per person (day tour); multi-day 3D/2N private expedition from approx. USD 480 per person
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Good to know

For the single-day version, allow 10–12 hours total; confirm all-aboard time with your ship before booking. The 3D/2N format requires disembarking and rejoining the ship at a later port — verify with your cruise line. Altitude medication (acetazolamide) is worth discussing with your physician before travel above 3,500 m.

Sail there

Luxury cruises that call at Arica — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.

Oceania · Oceania Sirena
14 nights · calls at Arica
from $4,549
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Azamara · Azamara Journey
19 nights · calls at Arica
from $6,039
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Cunard · Queen Anne
19 nights · calls at Arica
from $2,999
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Holland America · Nieuw Amsterdam
36 nights · calls at Arica
from $4,529
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See all cruises to Arica →
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