ATACAMA DESERT
Day 1 SANTIAGO, CHILE
Once you arrive in Santiago, Chile we’ll get you safely to your hotel for a short rest. Then, we’ll go explore the city together. You’ll get to see Plaza de Armas, a famous square in the heart of Santiago, the historic Cathedral, the Post Office building, and La Moneda Palace.We will also go to the Paris-London district and see the historic San Francisco church. And, at the end of our trip, we’ll take the cable car to the top of the 850m San Cristobal hill for beautiful panoramic views of the city and the Andes. Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel for a comfortable overnight stay.
★★★★ DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON
Day 2 SANTIAGO – CALAMA -SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – VALLE DE LA LUNA
We’ll head to the airport and take a flight to Calama. Upon arrival, you’ll be transported to San Pedro de Atacama, a trip that takes about an hour and a half. On the way, we’ll admire the panorama of the Salar de Atacama and the Andes mountain range. From there, you’ll enjoy a short break at the hotel before going on a trip to the Valle de la Luna, or Moon Valley, which features a breathtaking, otherworldly landscape. The night ends back at the hotel.
★★★★ CUMBRES SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Day 3 ATACAMA DESERT
In the morning, we’ll take a day trip into the Atacama Desert. First, we will go to the Laguna Chaxa flamingo reserve, which is located in the Salar de Atacama terrane (2300-2500m).There, you’ll enjoy a picnic breakfast and delectable cocoa leaf tea before venturing into the town of Socaire. Afterwards, we’ll travel toward Piedras Rojas until we reach Laguna Miscanti I Meñiques at an altitude of 4200m above sea level. We’ll take a break for a picturesque picnic lunch and then begin our return journey.
★★★★ CUMBRES SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Picnic Lunch
Day 4 EL TATIO GEISER – STAR GAZING
Early in the morning, we will go on a trip to El Tatio Geyser, located at 4320m above sea level.It’s the third largest geyser field in the entire world and is quite a sight to see.
At dawn in the summer months, the temperature in the geothermal field is often negative, which gives you the opportunity to admire the extraordinary spectacle of steam coming out of the geysers, making the area look like the landscape of an alien planet. We’ll take a breakfast break here and let you bask in the scenery. Then, we will go to the geothermal field where you can take a thermal bath. We’ll continue our journey past the Putana area, where you can see the fauna of the region. Our last stop of the day is the village of Machuca at 4000m above sea level.
After returning to the hotel, you’ll have time for leisure. Later in the evening ,you will enjoy an unforgettable stargazing tour. Night in the Atacama Desert is a unique and unrepeatable sensory experience . The Atacama desert has one of the most star-spangled skies in the world which can be observed thanks to the extraordinary diaphanousness of the desert air. During the tour, you’ll enjoy stargazing both with the naked eye and with a modern telescope.
★★★★ CUMBRES SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Picnic Breakfast
Day 5 LAGUNAS ESCONDIDAS DE BALTINACHE
In the afternoon, after leaving San Pedro behind us in the west, we will cross the Salt Mountain Range and make a 45 minute drive towards the Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache (Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache).
The intense crystal turquoise water of the seven salt lagoons greets us and provides a panoramic view over the salt mountain range, as well as the snowy peaks of the Andes. If you prefer, you can also take a relaxing bath in one of the lagoons.
Here, the water has such a high concentration of salt that you can easily float and enjoy the peaceful solitude before returning back to the hotel.
★★★★ CUMBRES SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Day 6 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA-CALAMA-SANTIAGO, CHILE
Day six is made for relaxation. You’ll enjoy a delicious meal before flying back to Santiago, Chile. Upon arrival, we’ll drive you to your hotel where you can enjoy some well-deserved downtime.
★★★★ CUMBRES LASTARRIA
Day 7 DEPARTURE SANTIAGO, CHILE
On your last day, we’ll transport you to the airport and say our good-byes. But, don’t worry! The memories you’ve made are sure to last a lifetime.
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You can see the best that nature has to offer when you tour the glorious Atacama Desert and the surrounding sites with South Adventure. For incredible nature tours and experiences you’ll never forget, travel with us. To learn more or book your trip, contact us today.
