Arica, surfing and flagging… and French heritage
Vibrant, modern and cosmopolitan, the city of Arica, known for its carnival (the third largest of the continent behind that of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Oruro in Bolivia) is nicknamed the city of eternal spring, because the climate is always in its infancy. Its beaches are sought, especially by Bolivians who do not have access to the sea and find here the shortest passage, but also by the Chilean and Peruvians, who spend a family holiday there. The ribs of Arica are known for the power of the ocean that grabbed here: World Surfing competitions attract more and more sportsmen and women, but also novices who want to try it. Youth hostels and surf clubs have opened around the coast and give new impetus to tourism. In summer, the city is lively day and night thanks to numerous cultural events and a multitude of bars, restaurants, clubs and popular casinos.
The historic center of Arica downstairs is refreshing, with its tropical vegetation, its few pedestrian streets and two flagship buildings classified National Monuments, whose architecture will seem familiar to the French passage, because they were built by… Gustave Eiffel! The present house of culture at the Parisian look is housed in the former Port Customs office. But how did our famous tricolor architect find monuments for this lost region of Latin America? Gustave had a fervent admirer, Peruvian President José Balta, who was interested in the master's genius in metal constructions resistant to seismic tremors. After the terrible earthquake of 1868, which destroyed almost all the city, he legalized the orphan city of his 200-year-old Matriz church in Arica, a new Gothic cathedral designed by the French master. Seven years later, a new building was inaugurated at the Eiffel & Cie workshops: the Customs Office.
Oasis in the desert and shrine sanctuary
But the city of Arica, however pleasant it may be, is not the main attraction of the region. The situation, between Andean and coastal roads, attracted the first stands almost 11,000 years ago in search of a pleasant climate and well-irrigated fertile land. Just a few kilometers from Arica, the Azapa Valley contrasts with the white and arid desert surrounding the beautiful tropical landscape. If it rains almost never, the irrigation by natural rivers feeds the crops of goyaves, mangoes, bananas, papayas and especially olives - local gastronomic specialty - which abound here. We cross this refreshing greenery to visit the anthropological museum of the picturesque village of San Miguel de Azapa, one of the most remarkable in the country, which contains a spectacular collection of mummies. Some are exhibited in the national museums of Santiago and Valparaiso, because they are of paramount importance in the history of mankind.
The Chinchorro people, who lived before the Incas arrived on Chilean coasts from Ino (Peru) to Angostafa (Chile) between 5000 and 1500 BC, remained a conundrum for historians. How have they developed so early funeral rites such as this? What beliefs was this people referring to? Mystery. Their particularity stems mainly from their very early spirituality and their craftsmanship developed in embalming bodies. While techniques have evolved over the centuries, bodies are impressed by their state of conservation.
Inert geoglyphs
After the Chinchorros, the Tiwakanus prospered there between the Ve and the ninth century, and the Incas Quechuas benefited from this tropical climate to settle here and develop a elaborate barter trade. Thanks to the caravans of lamas, they brought the aji, corn, fish and seafood produced here on the Altiplano, and imported meat and quinoa from the Andes. They also had a mysterious spirituality, as evidenced by the geoglyphes and petroglyphs drawn on the landforms of the region of La Tropilla and Cerro Sagrado (the Holy Mount) between 1500 and 1,000 years BP. in the Lluta Valley. These giant stone engravings illustrate the daily life of the day. The village of San Pedro de Ataza is still at the center of an intense spirituality, but of fervor any syncretic today, between Andean rite and Catholicism. A little further, in the direction of the Bolivian border and the Altiplano, spectacular scenery is available to travelers who are pushing the shipment on these lost lands.
A Preserved Biosphere
At the end of this tortuous road, Lauca National Park finally reveals itself. It is located on the bolivo-Chilean border and combined with the Sajamen National Park of Bolivia. Prepare for landscapes of great beauty, spectacular scenography of crystal clear mountain lakes reflecting snowy cones of volcanoes. These lakes, lagoons and wetlands are a world biosphere reserve with exceptional flora and fauna. In this high mountain aridity is a natural reserve of vigognes (kind of lamas) and a salt desert, the salar de Surire, perched at 4,200 m above sea level.
The Lauca National Park counts the most remote two twin and active volcanoes in the Andean Cordillera, Parinacota (6,432 m) and Pomerape (6,282 m) in its border areas. Vertiginous stratovolcanoes baptized the Nevados of Payachatas, ancient gods for the inhabitants of the Altiplano Chilean and Bolivian. You can climb the volcano Parinacota up to about 5,000 m but it's a real 40 km expedition. Just for the visit, we can push the expedition to Parinacota, a small village at the foot of the eponymous volcano. A picturesque place declared historic monument that seems stopped over time. The most adventurous can switch across the border to climb the Bolivian Altiplano inland. And leave the land of Arica to other horizons.
Smart News
When is it? The Arica region is sunny all year round and enjoys a dry and temperate climate. But we will avoid full summer in January-February if we have to go through the Atacama desert, burning at that time.
Go there. Arica is far from everything, also counting 11 a. m. to 12 h bus coming from San Pedro de Atacama to Chile or Paz in Bolivia and more than 8 p. m. from Lima.
AIR FRANCE - More information on the site
AMERICAN AIRLINES - More information on the site
Useful. To best prepare his trip.
ARICA TOURISM OFFICE - More information on the site
