Chile Ancient Cultures and the Atacama Desert

Orientation in Santiago

Your introduction to Chilean culture takes you from one of Latin America’s most modern cities to country towns surrounded by the magnificent Andes. In Santiago, practice your Spanish skills as you navigate the city, visit the Government Palace, and feel the energy and vibrancy of modern Chile. Then, spend the day exploring colorful markets, interviewing locals, sampling regional foods, and walking through colonial plazas in the historic country towns of San Felipe or Los Andes.

Homestay

From Santiago, head north to a small city located between the arid desert region of El Norte Grande and Chile’s lush Central Valley. For the next two weeks, play pick-up soccer games in local parks, attend school events with your host siblings, visit area beaches, and learn about the impact of mining on the local economy and culture.

Sample activities:
Explore the Elqui Valley vineyards; visit the Recova artisans’ market; travel to the seaside village of Caldera; enjoy the beach at Bahia Inglesa.

Sample host communities:
La Serena, Copiapo

Community Service

Take part in a community service project, helping to make a difference in the lives of the people in your host community.

Sample projects:
Work with local nonprofit social service organizations to repair and refurbish community buildings; paint a
community school and organize activities for children; renovate facilities in a home for the terminally ill.

Eco-Adventure in El Norte Grande

Journey to the land of the Incas, the Atacamenos, and the Diaguitas to explore the beauty of the North—from the world’s driest desert, the Atacama, to the northernmost tip of the Chilean Andes. Indigenous cultures and colonial history come together as you explore oasis towns, visit an Aymara community, and take part in a colorful festival in the small town of La Tirana. You also work on a community service project before heading into the town of San Pedro in the heart of the Atacama Desert.

Sample activities:
Visit an archaeological museum to see the remains of ancient Andean cultures; sand ski the massive Atacama dunes; hike the Andes to explore the Tatio geysers; visit the oldest colonial church in Chile; explore the world’s largest open-pit copper mine; observe dormant volcanoes, nesting colonies of flamingos, and the Chaxa lagoon; watch the sunset over “Moon Valley”; find a quiet spot to gaze at the millions of stars that light the cool, desert night.