Activities in Northern Chile
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Servicios Astronómicos Maury y Compañía
Take a Tour of the Night Sky from San Pedro with Servicios Astronómicos Maury y Compañía. Tours leave nightly at 7:30pm and 10:30pm in winter and 9pm and midnight in summer (except around the full moon), and they alternate between Spanish, English and French. Bring very warm clothes. French astronomer Alain Maury ferries travelers into the desert, far from intrusive light contamination, where they can enjoy the stars in all their glory. He owns several chunky telescopes through which visitors can gawk at galaxies, nebulae, planets and more. Shooting stars are guaranteed.
reviewed
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Raices Andinas
A respectable little Aymara-run outfit recommended for encouraging better understanding of the local people. Tours into the mountains last from two days (around CH$50,000) to four (around CH$145,000); prices vary according to the number of participants.
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Cactus Tour
A small outfit, but frequently recommended for its excellent service, polite bilingual guides, comfortable vehicles and above-average food. Prices are marginally high, but the difference is noticeable.
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swimming beaches
A swathe of wide sandy beaches stretches from La Serena's nonfunctional lighthouse right to Coquimbo: there are so many that you could visit a different beach every day for a two-week vacation. Unfortunately, strong rip currents make some unsuitable for swimming. Safe swimming beaches generally start south of Cuatro Esquinas and include most beaches around Coquimbo. Those between the west end of Av Aguirre and Cuatro Esquinas (ie closer to town) are friskier and generally dangerous for bathers.
Look for the signs 'Playa Apta' (meaning beach safe for swimming) and 'Playa No Apta' (meaning beach not safe for swimming).
A bike path now runs all the way to Coquimbo. For quick …
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Termas de Puritama
These idyllic volcanic hot springs puddle together in a box canyon 34km north of San Pedro, en route to El Tatio. Maintained by the Explora company, it has changing rooms on site. Few tours stop here because of the hefty admission charged, but taxis will take you from San Pedro for around CH$5000. The springs are a 20-minute walk from the parking lot. The temperature of the springs is about 33°C, and there are several falls and pools. Bring food, water and sunblock.
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Altazor Skysports
Altazor Skysports, 500m south and 200m east of the Universidad del Mar (south of Iquique’s center), offers paragliding courses (CH$65,125 per day, including equipment and transportation). An introductory tandem flight costs CH$28,200; two-week courses are also available. Rental equipment and repair is available for experienced paragliders. Owners Philip Maltry and Marlene Carrasco speak German, Spanish, English, Portuguese and French.
reviewed
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Huntington Surf Shop
The secret's out: Arica's reputation for terrific tubes has spread worldwide. It now hosts high-profile championships and tempts surfing film crews to the area. July sees the biggest breaks. As well as Playa Las Machas, expert surfers also hit the towering waves of El Gringo and El Buey at Isla de Alacrán, south of Club de Yates.
The town's surf shops include Huntington Surf Shop.
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Gringo Surf Shop
The secret's out: Arica's reputation for terrific tubes has spread worldwide. It now hosts high-profile championships and tempts surfing film crews to the area. July sees the biggest breaks. As well as Playa Las Machas, expert surfers also hit the towering waves of El Gringo and El Buey at Isla de Alacrán, south of Club de Yates.
The Gringo Surf Shop rents boards.
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water activities
Other popular water activities include sailing (buddy up to a yacht-club member), surfing (hit Playa El Faro with local bodyboarders) and windsurfing (keep an eye on swimmers within 200m of the beach or you'll run afoul of the Gobernación Marítima). Playa Totoralillo, south of Coquimbo, is rated highly for its surf breaks and windsurfing potential.
reviewed
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Pozo 3
You can go swimming at Pozo 3, 3km east of San Pedro off the road to Paso Jama. The swimming pool here is well kept, and there are changing rooms. Gas-heads can rent ATVs, and you can camp for around CH$5000 per person, though you are better off camping in one of the spots closer to town.
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Turismo Colque
Turismo Colque remains the biggest company with the most departures to Uyuni, Bolivia, although it gets very erratic reports from travelers. The quality of the trip depends in part on the driver you get: ask around for recommendations. They can arrange pricier trips with an English-speaking guide.
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Academia de Idiomas del Norte
The Swiss-run Academia de Idiomas del Norte provides Spanish-language instruction. Classes are small (one to four students) and cost CH$225,300 to CH$280,000 per week, depending on intensity. Accommodations and meals with guest families can be arranged from CH$9500 per day.
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Thermal Baths
A cluster of thermal baths huddle amid rocky scenery 11km northeast of Putre. To get down and dirty, there’s also a red-mud bath. The gravel road branches right off Chile 11 around 8km from Putre. It’s a further 3km to the site.
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Playa Cavancha
Playa Cavancha is Iquique’s most popular beach. It’s pleasant for swimming but is sometimes crowded. There are also some decent surf breaks along its rocky northern parts, and a playground for children.
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Civet Adventure
Organizes small, all-equipped 4WD or bicycle adventure tours to altiplano destinations for three or more days, as well as camping and land-sailing trips in the Atacama Desert. German and English spoken.
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Vertical
Vertical sells and rents equipment. Wetsuit and board will set you back CH$7000 for two hours. Lessons start at CH$12,000, and they run surf and paragliding trips outside the city.
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Ruta Tropera
Sightseeing from the saddle is available from several places, including Ruta Tropera. Tours vary from two hours to epic seven-day treks, and day tours cost about CH$4500 per hour.
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Maui Girl
Maui Girl is located smack-dab in the middle of Playa El Faro, about 3km south of the lighthouse, and rents a board-wetsuit combo for CH$5000 per day.
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Mormaii Escuela de Surf y Bodyboard
Mormaii Escuela de Surf y Bodyboard offers lessons in surfing; prices for two/eight hours include equipment. Sand-boarding trips to Cerro Dragón are also available.
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Vulcano
Runs enthusiastic trekking tours to several volcanoes and mountains, including Sairecabur (6040m; CH$83,300), Lascar (5600m; CH$83,300) and Toco (5604m; CH$54,200).
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Latinorizons
Reliable and Belgian-run tour operator. Offers regular trips into the mountains, and an irregular trip on the old Arica-La Paz railway line as far as Poconchile.
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Colectivo de Arte Consciente
Conversions are possible – but not mandatory – at this Hare Krishna art collective. Classes range from spirituality lectures to vegetarian cooking courses.
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Elkinatura
For those seeking some action, Elkinatura rents bikes (CH$1500 per hour) and offers tours, horseback rides, rappeling excursions and more.
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Tour Aventura Valle de la Luna
This travel agency arranges excursions to remote parts of the desert, although trips are cheaper and more easily arranged from San Pedro de Atacama.
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