Chile Holidays: Mountainbiking on the Altiplano

The Altiplano is a flat terrace placed on top of the Andes at an average altitude of 4000 m/13000 ft above sea level. Its extraordinary natural attractions include active and dormant volcanoes, clear blue and emerald lakes with abundant bird life, extensive steppes supporting diverse populations of cameloids (Llama, Vicuna, Guanaco and Alpaca), immense sparkling white salt deposits, hidden hot springs and amazing geysers and occasionally the tiny rustic villages with picturesque colonial churches where Aymara Indian shepherds graze their animals and grow their crops. Despite its beauty, it is a desolate and arid land with difficult life conditions to which wildlife and natives have adapted to survive.
This is an invitation to an unforgettable experience, enjoying the pleasures of mountain biking amidst the beautiful landscapes of the Andes Mountain Range. Accessible to everybody, this expedition combines cycling, trekking and overland in the nicest national parks of the high plateau. The quiet mountain bike rhythm, allows us to enjoy the landscapes, the fauna, the flora and dozens of Aymara villages all along the journey.

DAY 1: Iquique - Chusmina
Reception at Iquique airport. Short city tour and visit of the duty free sector. Transfer to Chusmisa. Visit of Humberstone Ghost City (former mine) and excursion to the Gigante de Atacama (geoglyphs). Arrival at Chusmisa, a small village located in a fertile valley. Overnight close to the thermal baths (3000m). Camp. (D)

DAY 2: Chusmina - Colchane - Enquelga
We drive to the altiplano. A succession of coloured mountains receives us, before reaching Colchane, Isluga, etc... on the Bolivian border and the Isluga National Park. A lot of animals live in this area. We set our camp at Enquelga thermal baths (3800m) at the base of Isluga Volcano (5530m). Preparation for the expedition. (B L D)

DAY 3: Enquelga - Aguas Calientes
Beginning of the ride. We take our mountainbikes and leave Enquelga to reach Aguas Calientes thermal baths, crossing Isluga National Park from South to North. Observation of hundreds of llamas and the local animals. We set our camp near the thermal baths and relax in the warm water (3800m). (B L D)

DAY 4: Enquelga - Surire
Ride to reach Surire National Park. We follow the Bolivian border straight to the North and finally reach the marvellous Surire Salt Lake, a fantastic white salt lake where hundreds of animals such as flamingos, llamas, pumas and condors live. We set our camp near the thermal baths (4100m). (B L D)

DAY 5: Surire - Paquisa
Long ride to Paquisa, a small village located half way between Surire and Guallatire. We set the camp wherever we like, near a small river (4200m). (B L D)

DAY 6: Paquisa - Guallatire
The ride continues along the river in the Vicuna National Park. We cross the river several times before arriving at Guallatire, the most important village of the area. Camp (4200m). (CB L D)

DAY 7: Guallatire - Churiguaya
We leave the Guallatire and enter one of the nicest national parks in the world: Lauca National Park, that has been classified as a world biosphere reserve by the UNESCO. We set our camp in Churiguaya, near a small river and hot springs (4300m). (B L D)

DAY 8: Churiguaya - Lake Chungara - Cotacotani
The ride continues to Lake Chungara, surely one of the most beautiful regions of Chile. Arrival at Lake Chungara, the highest one in the world, presents us, with a deep blue wild foreground, a fantastic view on the Parinacota (6342m) and Sajama (6520m). Then we take a ride along the Cotacotani Lagoon where we camp (4400m). (B L D)

DAY 9: Cotacotani - Arica
Long ride down to Arica. We cross Lauca National Park from East to West and visit the villages of Parinacota, Putre and the Copaquilla Fortress. We see the strange candelabrus cactus and the geoglyphs of the Lluta Valley. Arrival at Arica. Transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon (beach). (B L)

Rated: Moderate

We also operate a 8 day biking adventure in Patagonia (Austral Road) at the same price. Ask for information.

Departure dates
2005: January 14 - February 11 - March 11 - April 02 - May 01 - June 18 - July 13 - August 10 & 24 - September 14 & 28 - October 05 & 26 - November 16 & 30 - December 07 & 28
2006: January 18 - February 08 & 29 - March 08 & 22- April 12 - May 03 & 24 - June 14

Tour Tariff
N° of Participants	2	3	4	SGL Supp.
USD	$ 1826	$ 1781	$ 1436	$ 86
EUR	€ 1516	€ 1478	€ 1191	€ 71
GBP	£ 1022	£ 997	£ 804	£ 48

(*) Price last updated on 31 March 2005. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .
(**) All fixed departures are shared. We also organise private departures at other dates upon request.
(***) 15 % discount for departures between April and June
(****) If you bring your own bike: Discount USD 100/pers.
(*****) A logistic team carries the equipments and luggages.

Included: Lodging in hotels, hostels or camp, meals as specified, transport and transfers, bilingual experienced biking guides, common camping equipment

Not included: Flight to Iquique and to from Arica, other meals, tips, drinks whereas in urban centre, sleeping bags

Mountainbiking on the Altiplano

"Chile"