Destination : Desert & Altiplano
Program Type : Multiactive

Duration : 7 Days/ 6 Nights
Price : $2.455 / €1.866
(per person, based on two people) Taxes included

San Pedro De Atacama – Laguna Cejar – Salar De Atacama – Chaxa – Valle De La Luna – Peine – Lagos Del Altiplano – Puritama – Pukara De Quitor – Géiseres Del Tatio – Bofedal De Putana – Salar De Tara – Altiplano – Hierbas Buenas – Valle Arcoiris – Calama

Among oasis and perfumes, colors, rivers, valleys and silence, we will cover the desert and the Altiplano. San Pedro, surrounded by desert, has small magic streets in the shadow of the volcano Licancabur.

DAY 1: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – LAGUNA CEJAR

Adrian will be waiting for you at the airport in Calama to take you to your hotel in San Pedro. After lunch, a special place awaits you: Laguna Cejar. Depending on the season, we can float on salt-laden waters or take a stroll.

DAY 2 SALAR DE ATACAMA – LAGUNA CHAXA – VALLE DE LA LUNA

We will go to Salar de Atacama, a magical place where flamingos govern the region and co-exist in harmony with the passage of time. We will have the opportunity of getting acquainted with the Cordillera de la Sal and reach the Valle de la Luna to see the sun in its journey beyond the horizon. (Includes: lunch and snacks)

DAY 3: PEINE AND ALTIPLANO LAKES

During the day we will explore the most hidden corners of the desert. We will head south towards the town of Peine, following the old Inca route. The route, surrounded by magic and color, will make us feel like we are travelling through time. From Peine we will go to the hills at the foot of the Andes and climb the plateau. More than 4.000. high and pure beauty. (Includes: lunch)

DAY 4: TREKKING TO PURITAMA – PUKARA QUITOR

We will discover a different way of exploring the desert in the company of an expert. We will start at 3,200 m.a.s.l. and make our way through canyons. Step by step we will get to  the Puritama spa, to take a 33º C bath , surrounded by rocks, plains and blue sky. In this privileged place we will enjoy lunch. In the afternoon we will go to Quitor a pre-Inca archaeological site of the 12th century. (Includes lunch)

DAY 5: TATIO GEYSERS – PUTANA BOFEDAL

A special day. We will leave at night, still under the starlight, waking up to the rhythm of nature painted a thousand colors. At the top, we will learn what happens every day at dawn, while water erupts out from the depths of the earth. On the way back we will see the Bofedal Putana (swamp), a paradise for those who love bird watching. The rest of the day, we will enjoy the hospitality of the people of San Pedro. (Includes breakfast and lunch)

DAY 6: SALAR DE TARA – ALTIPLANO

Today the highest point of our tour will be 4800 m.o.s.l. We will slip through the wonders of the Altiplano and visit the area of the monks of Pacana, a volcanic rock sculpted by the wind, the eternal local artist. We will drive along an endless flat plain, with the chance to see plenty of vicuñas, reaching the Salar de Tara (4,300 m.a.s.l.), a surreal beauty spot. (Includes: lunch and snacks)

DAY 7: HIERBAS BUENAS – VALLE ARCOIRIS -CALAMA

After nearly one week of our journey we will continue our way discovering the wonders of the desert.. We will visit Hierbas Buenas archaeological site with lots of petroglyphs that will allow us to understand how pre-Hispanic civilizations had advanced knowledge of the behaviour of its most cherished ideal: Nature. We will also visit Valle Arcoiris (Rainbow Valley). Full of memories, wonderful photographs and renewed energy, we will start our trip back to the airport and into real life. As far as we are concerned, we will continue working to meet you again in another experience. (Includes lunch) Transfer to Calama Airport.

More Trekking?

If you want to combine this trip with more trekking, we offer you to change some vehicle/days  for one of these options:

FIRST CHOICE:
Trekking in the Valle del Altiplano – Machuca (4.000m.a.s.l.) and Rio Grande (3.200m.a.s.l.) Trek time: 5-6 hours approx. We will drive north through the Altiplano to start trekking near Machuca, where the descent into the valley begins. We will have the opportunity to see llamas and, if we are lucky a guanaco (they can not be seen easily). After picnic lunch we will continue down to Rio Grande, a village surrounded by farming terraced fields and small family farms. We will arrive then to Quaint where we will explore its narrow streets and church. From then on we will go back to San Pedro by car. (Includes picnic lunch)

SECOND CHOICE:
Trekking through the Callejon del Río. Height ranges: 2.500-2.600m.a.s.l. Trek time: 3-4 hours approx. After a short ride to el Valle del Rio San Pedro, we will take our luggage and start our journey upstream. We will see the pre-Hispanic engravings of the original cultures of the region and will cross the river bed walking in shallow waters.A very fun experience! We will enjoy a picnic, and then meet our driver again. (Includes picnic lunch)

Important Information

Due to the nature of trekking, it is important to note that our feet will get wet in the river waters, which can be cold in winter and slightly warm in summer (December-March). The duration of the walks depends on the pace and rhythm you want to follow, because the idea is to enjoy the journey and the nature of the place.

• Rates valid during season 2014
• Rates subject to the variations of the market

We believe that this experience is an ideal example of what can be done in the region. However, our idea is to adapt each proposal to the traveller’s specific needs. We are, therefore, willing to make all the necessary modifications and re quote it according to your interests.

Included

• Meals according to program.
• Drinks during picnics.
• Bilingual personal guide.
• Private transportation.
• General and park entrance tickets.
• Water and snacks while traveling.

Not Included

All kinds of drinks and meals in restaurants or hotels.

• Flights.
• Hotel.
• Tips.
• Personal insurance.
• Services not mentioned in the program.

Recommended Clothing

• Wind jacket, jacket for cold
• Trousers and shorts
• Hat
• Cap and gloves for the cold
• Towel.
• Bathing suit, sunglasses, sunscreen factor 30 +
• Sandals, comfortable walking shoes, tennis shoes /sneakers.