THE GREAT NORTH

Previously Peruvian and Bolivian territories,
the extreme north of Chile was invaded during
the Pacific War in 1879. Today the country begins
with the city of Arica, situated at the mouth of the
Azapa river, the Great North oasis. The most pleasant
tours start with an excursion in the Azapa valley then
in the Lluta river valley which is full of geoglyphs and
petroglyphs. The route continues with a wide range of sites:
Putre, Lauca Park, Las Vicuñas National Reserve, the Salar
de Surire or Isluga National Park and its volcanoes. The principal
city of the Great North is Iquique, well-known for its port and free zone.
We also find oasis in the desert such as Pica, a fruit tree paradise where grow
mangos, guavas, oranges and grapefruit. That seems to be incredible when we know that we are in one of the most arid zone of the world...