Take in the raw beauty of the Atacama Desert, the driest desert on the planet, and admire its unworldly salt plains, geysers, volcanoes, and cultural history on this superb exploration.
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We arrive at Calama Airport and are driven straight to San Pedro de Atacama, past the impressive rock formations of the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains). Upon arrival, you will receive the itinerary for the upcoming days. We take the first day of the trip to relax and for example wander around the village, visit its handicraft shops church on our own.
Overnight at Hotel Kimal (3 stars) or similar, San Pedro de Atacama.
After breakfast, we’ll head south to explore the "Puna" region, featuring unique lagoons and salt flats, including the impressive Miscanti Lagoon. We will also visit the Village of Socaire to experience the local indigenous culture.
Overnight at Hotel Kimal (3 stars) or similar, San Pedro de Atacama.
Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Get ready for an early start to witness the Tatio Geysers, where steam shoots up to 40 meters high. We will travel through the Andean highlands, stopping at Machuca village, and then visit the impressive El Tatio geyser field. Before heading back to San Pedro, we'll explore the thermal waters of Geyser Blanco.
In the afternoon, we will visit The Moon Valley to enjoy the sunset and then return to our hotel to relax.
Overnight at Hotel Kimal (3 stars) or similar, San Pedro de Atacama.
Meals: breakfast.
Today we will depart from our hotel in a private transfer to board our flight onto our next destination. Until next time, Atacama!
Meals: breakfast.
Experience the Atacameñan (Lickan-Antai) culture through authentic tours that reveal their past and present life, shaped by the Andean worldview. These activities, which include traditional practices like preparing "Patasca," offer insights into local agriculture, cattle breeding, and ancient medicine. Note that participants may have other occupations, so activities are confirmed upon arrival. The natives are adapting to changes, a challenging process for descendants of old communities.
Overnight at Hotel Kimal (3 stars) or similar, San Pedro de Atacama.
Meals: breakfast, snack.
*Optional upgrade to Hotel Altiplanico (4-star accommodation) available upon request.
Located in the the historical center and magic splendor of the archaeological capital, San Pedro de Atacama desert area in northern Chile, Hotel Kimal invites you to enjoy its warm hospitality with the full range of services in a setting of traditional local architecture. Offering pool and outdoor hot-tub, bar and restaurant open all day, wellness therapies, different room capacities they have one of the very best location to roam around town, just a few steps from the emblematic Caracoles Street.
If this hotel is not available, a similar alternative will be offered.
Optional: Upgrade to Hotel Desértica, Turi Room (Nights 1-3) (4 star hotel).
Regular departures are available every day on request from January to December.
Upon arrival, you will receive the itinerary for the upcoming dates. Tours will be as described in the itinerary (the order might vary).
Excursions are subject to availability and the opening of the indigenous communities to carry them out. Alternatives will be informed in case the activities described in the itinerary are not available.
During the last week of the year bookings are available only on request and with higher rates due the low availability of excursions and accomodation options in the area.
Flights in and out of Calama must be between 8AM and 8PM, transfers for flights outside these time frame must be booked in private, with an additional cost.
The trip starts in the morning at Calama Airport. Please book any flight arriving before midday. The trip finishes at Calama Airport and we recommend booking an afternoon flight.
20 maximum, plus staff.
This trip does not demand physical activity other than walking at a normal pace over rather a flat terrain. Nevertheless, as you will be touring in high altitudes (the highest point is reached on the second day at Miñiques Lagoon is 4,300 meters / 14,108 feet). Oxygen deprivation or altitude sickness may occur. Guides will have oxygen tanks every day at disposition if someone feels sick during the tours.
In the Atacama region, there are hot days and cold nights. The Atacama Desert is considered the driest place on earth and rain is rare most times of the year. However, it should be noted that between December and March, Bolivia's wet winter weather can sometimes cause unexpected rainfall in the Atacama.
Once you book the trip, we will send you a pre-trip information booklet with useful and detailed information about your trip with us.
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
Maximum altitudes reached each tour day:
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Updated October 4th, 2022
Dear Traveler,
We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile.
Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:
In case you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!
Best,
The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia
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