Atacama Desert Explorer

Highlights

Highlights

• Stroll through the Atacama Salt Flats.
• Visit Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons.
• Explore San Pedro town.
• See the Tatio Geysers in action.
• Discover the magical Moon Valley.

Accommodation

Hotel Kimal 3*, standard room (nights 1-3)

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).

Included

Included

• All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary.
• 3 nights in Hotel Kimal (3-star accommodation) *
• Daily shared excursions as specified in the itinerary.
• 1 English speaking guide on excursions.
• Entrance fees to national reserves and indigenous communities visited.
• Meals:
  • Day 1: --
  • Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 3: Breakfast
  • Day 4: Breakfast

*Optional upgrade at Hotel Altiplanico (4-star accommodation)

Not included

• Optional upgrade to 4 Star Hotels.
• Flight tickets.
• Insurance. (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip)
• Voluntary tipping to guides and staff.
• Personal items.

Facts

Departures

Regular departures are available every day on request. 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

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.

Starting / finishing point

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.

Group size & guiding staff

20 maximum, plus staff.

Physical demands

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.

Weather

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. 

• Spring-Summer (October to March): Daytime temperatures usually range between 20 - 24°C (68-77° F). Nighttime temperatures will most likely range from 5 - 0°C (41 - 32° F)
• Autumn-Winter (April to September): Daytime temperatures range from 15 -20°C (59-68° F). Nighttime temperatures will most likely be -10 - 0°C (14 - 32° F)

What you need to bring

Once you book the trip, we will send you a pre-trip information booklet with useful and detailed information about your trip with us.

Itinerary modifications

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.

Altitudes

Maximum altitudes reached each tour day:

• Day 1: San Pedro de Atacama: 2,400 meters / 7,900 feet
• Day 2: Altiplanic Lagoons: 4,300 meters / 14,108 feet
• Day 3: Tatio Geysers: 4,200 meters / 13,780 feet
• Day 4: San Pedro de Atacama:  2.400 meters / 7,900 feet