Travel to Pica
Caravan Archaeologies Workshop/Taller de Caravanas Arqueológicas
Getting There
How to get to Pica, Chile
Santiago
Many international flights arrive in Santiago in the morning, and flights to Iquique can be found throughout the day. If you have several hours between your flights, you can stow your bags in safekeeping at the airport for a small fee and take an airport bus to downtown Santiago. Museums and restaurants are within walking distance of the bus terminal, and the historic section of the city is a pleasant diversion after a long flight.
You can exchange your money for Chilean pesos at the international airport.
Most nationalities do not require a visa to enter Chile; you receive a free tourist visa when you enter the country. Check prior to your trip.
Northern Chile reports few diseases (e.g., no malaria or zika) at this time; check with your local health clinic prior to your trip.
From Santiago, Chile (Arturo Benítez International Airport) you connect to the adjacent and attached Municipal Airport to fly to Iquique. A non-stop flight to Iquique (LATAM or Sky Airlines) is about 2½ hours, and we recommend that you book a flight that arrives prior to 1600 hrs so that you can enjoy the scenery in flight. We will meet you at the airport on 2 May for any flight that arrives by 1600 hrs and drive you to Pica, about 1½ hours. Sunset is around 1900 hrs. Make sure that you advise us of your flight information and contact details (traveller information).
Pica
Map and photos coming soon
The sunny town of Pica (population about 5000) lies in the foothills of the Andes in the Atacama Desert at 1300 m asl. The daytime temperature is about 20˚, and at night it can drop to a chilly 10˚. The hot springs in the north end of the town are bordered by magnificent stands of fruit trees for which Pica is famous: mango, orange, grapefruit, guayaba, date, and Pica lime; elsewhere in and around town are seen the desert-resilient tamarugo and algarrobo trees. Bring a swim suit for the hot springs, and sun protection for bright sunny days. The museum boasts excellent displays about the diverse peoples who have occupied Pica from antiquity through the historical nitrate era and to modern times.
Workshop Details
Participants’ costs that we cover:
Round-trip economy airfare to and from Iquique, Chile;
Ground transportation from the Iquique airport to and from Pica;
Hotel in Pica from 2-4 May and 5 May in Iquique;
Meals in Pica from 3-5 May and 6 May (breakfast) in Iquique;
Excursion to local caravan trails and sites on 5 May (bring comfortable walking shoes and clothing).
Chilean wine is excellent, and, is extra!
We will do our best to accommodate any dietary or other requirements that you have; let us know by filling out the ‘traveller information’.