HD Arica & the Azapa Valley

Duration: 1 day

Highlights: Arica, Azapa Valley

Half day tour of Arica and the nearby Azapa Valley.

Itinerary

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
The first part of your tour will focus on the monuments and buildings set around Arica’s Plaza Colón, including the former Customs House, railway station, and the Church of San Marcos. The prefabricated, wrought iron church was built as a replacement for the previous church that was swept away by a tidal wave in 1869. Erected in 1876, this Gothic-style construction stands proudly over the main square, and boasts a beautiful, wooden door made at the Gustave Eiffel et Cie. workshops.

Continue south along the coast past the beaches of El Laucho and La Lisera, before arriving to the arid, rolling landscape of Cerro Sombrero and Cerro Sagrado, where you can observe the geoglyph art on the nearby hillsides, a clear indication that this area was an important trade route. Upon arrival to the Azapa Valley a visit will be made to the Golf Club to see at first hand perhaps the driest golf course in the world, with not a single blade of grass on the “green”. Continue to the superb San Miguel Archaeological Museum. Along with a fine collection of pre-Columbian artefacts and displays depicting regional cultures from the 7th century to the Spanish invasion, it is home to the Chinchorro Mummies, the oldest known mummies in the world, dating back some 7,000 years. This fascinating display has been the subject of numerous National Geographic articles.

On the way back to Arica, a visit will made to the excellent Pueblo Artesanal de Azapa, where a vast range of ceramics, knitted garments, pottery, stone carvings and other handicrafts can be found within a mock Paricanota setting. Once back in the city, visit The Morro of Arica; dominating the city and port of Arica, the Morro is the northernmost peak of the Coastal Range and the site of the decisive battle in the War of the Pacific. The History and Arms Museum offers not only an interesting insight into the War of the Pacific, but also a superb view over the city. After this visit there will be a scenic drive back to the port of Arica, taking in the sights of Arica’s main beaches.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Combine an introduction to Arica’s monuments and historic buildings, such as the Customs House and Church of San Marcos, with a journey outside the city to see the geoglyph art on the nearby hillsides. A visit to the San Miguel Archaeological Museum reveals its fascinating display of Chinchorro Mummies, the oldest known mummies in the world.
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN
00:00 - 00:15 Drive from pier to Plaza Colón
00:15 - 00:30 Visit to the Church of San Marcos
00:30 - 00:50 Visit to the former Customs House and Train Station
00:50 - 01:20 Drive to the Azapa Valley
01:20 - 01:35 Brief visit to the Azapa Valley Golf Club
01:35 - 02:00 Continue drive into the valley
02:00 - 03:00 San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum
03:00 - 03:20 Drive to the Handicrafts Village
03:20 - 03:40 Handicrafts Village
03:40 - 04:00 Drive to The Morro of Arica
04:00 - 04:20 The Morro Arica and the Arms & History Museum
04:20 - 04:30 Drive to the pier

Approximate duration: 4½ hours
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- Includes the services of an English-speaking guide
- Bottled mineral water included
- The chronological order of this tour is subject to change
- Activity level is Easy