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.
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.
Please choose a flight that arrives before 12:00 pm (midday).
Overnight at Hotel Kimal, San Pedro de Atacama (3-star accommodation).
After breakfast, we’ll start our adventure by travelling south toward the "Puna" or Highlands/Altiplanic, to marvel at its landscapes with unique lagoons and salt flats filled with wildlife and vegetation. Here, Miscanti Lagoon (the largest in the region) will surely catch your eye to impress you.
Later, we will visit the Village of Socaire, where the local indigenous community still preserves part of their traditional lifestyle.
Overnight at Hotel Kimal, San Pedro de Atacama (3-star accommodation).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Prepare for an early wake-up call to see the amazing Tatio Geysers in action. From almost 900 meters below the earth, boiling steam bursts up to 40 meters over the surface of the earth.
We will heat toward one of the entries to the Andean highlands, passing through important altitude ecosystems of extremely rich biodiversity such as the wetlands of Machuca and Putana. We make a stop at Machuca, a little farmer´s village, to continue towards an overwhelming spectacle of nature: the geyser field ´El Tatio´. Before returning to San Pedro we explore another mighty gift of the earth, known as the “Geyser Blanco”, where the ones who have the heart can get into the thermal waters in the middle of the river.
Overnight at Hotel Kimal, San Pedro de Atacama (3-star accommodation).
Meals: Breakfast.
We will start the journey from the hotel close to 6:30 AM to head toward the Salt Mountain Range for breakfast at sunrise. Then, we will hike in Valle de la Luna, walking beside sand dunes to a viewpoint to witness the stunning landscape.
Exact pick-up time will be advised on arrival day.
Later, we will share with two Ayllus (local families) of San Pedro, taste Atacameñan products, and learn about San Pedro de Atacama's history and culture.
This excursion could be changed for a visit to a Ceramic Workshop.
To end the day, we will take a semi-private transfer to Calama airport.
Please choose a flight departing after 5:00 PM.
We recommend a flight departing from Calama (CJC) after 5:00 PM, as the transfer to the airport must depart with enough time.
Meals: Breakfast.
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).
*Optional upgrade at Hotel Altiplanico (4-star accommodation)
Regular departures are available every day on request from January to December.
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. Upon arrival, you will receive the itinerary for the upcoming dates. Tours will be as described in the itinerary (the order might vary).
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 reached on the fourth 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