Arica City Tour & Azapa Valley: History, Beaches & Chinchorro Archaeology

We invite you to discover Arica, known as the "City of Eternal Spring," a coastal oasis where the Atacama Desert meets the Pacific Ocean. This full-day tour perfectly combines the colonial and republican history of the city with the astonishing archaeological wealth of the Azapa Valley. From serving as a key shipping port for silver from the Potosí Mines during the Viceroyalty of Peru, to becoming the cradle of the Chinchorro culture, Arica offers a journey through time connecting you with the oldest legacy of humanity. Expedition Highlights: Historical Landmarks & Eiffel's Legacy: We will begin the tour in the civic center to admire the San Marcos Cathedral and the Former Custom House (Ex-Aduana), both unique metallic architectural gems designed by Gustave Eiffel’s workshops. The Historic Morro de Arica: We will ascend the iconic coastal cliff, witness to one of the fiercest battles of the War of the Pacific in 1880. At the summit, you will visit the Historical and Weapons Museum while enjoying an unparalleled panoramic view of the city and the ocean. Scenic Coastal Route: We drive along the shoreline to visit the former Alacrán Island (now a peninsula and surf sanctuary), as well as El Laucho and La Lisera beaches, where outdoor informative panels display Arica’s evolution through time. Geoglyphs and Agriculture in the Azapa Valley: We will head inland into a fertile valley famous for its olives, mangoes, and passion fruit plantations. Here, we will marvel at the ancient geoglyphs of Cerro Sombrero and Cerro Sagrado, outstanding artistic expressions of the Andean worldview. Azapa Archaeological Museum: The absolute highlight of the trip is the visit to the museum that houses the Chinchorro Culture Mummies. Dating back over 10,000 years, these mystically prepared remains are globally recognized as the oldest mummies in the world and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.