Guallatire - in Aymara, the place of “guallatas” (Andean goose) – is a pre-Hispanic village located 83km away from Putre. It comprises around 50 houses and lies on the plain below the volcano Guallatiri. The houses are arranged in narrow alleys, and the village structure is dominated by the picturesque church which dates back to the 17th century.
As common in the region of Arica and Parinacota, on 24th of June the day of “San Juan” is celebrated. After a church service, visitors can witness a procession through the streets of the town. During the rest of the year, the villagers focus on raising farm animals like lamas and alpacas, which is why most of the local commerce revolves around meat and wool.
The climate in Guallatire is influenced by the altitude steppe, meaning that temperaturas are low and usually vary between -5° and 15°C.