AVA - Adventure in Atacama

(ID 89)

Day 1 Calama Airport – Atacama – Valle de la Luna

We welcome you at Calama airport and transfer to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.
In the afternoon we leave behind the town towards Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain range) where we visit Valle de la Luna. It has an especial appeal for its amazing resemblance to the lunar surface. We enjoy the sunset and the color changing of the desert and its volcanoes. We toast with pisco sour, for our arrival to the most arid desert in the world.

Lodging: Lodge

Provided meals: None

Notes: In order to do Valle de la Luna excursion, flight must arrive before 1 pm at Calama airport.

(ID 90)

Day 2 Hiking Guatin – Gatchi / Hiking Quebrada del Diablo - Katarpe

In the morning, after breakfast, we drive towards the Quebrada de Guatin. In this rocky canyon, we begin to walk, following the course of the Vilama River, which we cross several times during our path, surrounded by centennial cacti. Then we return to San Pedro de Atacama and you have free time for lunch on your own. In the afternoon we drive from our lodge to Quebrada del Diablo, located in the Cordillera de la Sal. We walk on flat terrain on a dry riverbed with gypsum formations. Then we begin a gradual ascent, to a magnificent viewpoint of all the surrounding volcanoes. We continue walking along a route of old caravans where we will find some petroglyphs that are evidence of commercial activity in the area.

Lodging: Lodge

Provided meals: Breakfast

(ID 91)

Day 3 Salar de Atacama – Altiplanic lagoons

After breakfast we leave the hotel towars Atacama Salt flat. We visit Chaxa Lagoon where we can see flamigos and other migratory birds. We continue in our vehicle to altiplanic lagoons Miscanti and Miñiques, located at the foot of these volcanoes, at 4000 meters above sea level. The contrast of colors and the landscape is breathtaking. On our way back to San Pedro de Atacama we stop at a small town called Socaire, located 3500 meters above sea level, where we enjoy lunch and visit its typical church.

Lodging: Lodge

Provided meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch

(ID 92)

Day 4 Geyser del Tatio

This days start quite early in the morning. We will depart before sunrise (4am) in order to go to the TATIO volcano, located 4300 meters over sea level. First thing we’ll do once we arrive is to go to the geothermal field located in the mountain range of Los Andes. Early in the morning this place has an amazing steamy activity because of the high temperatures that are coming up from the craters. The boiling water, the huge columns on steam and the water that runs underneath the surface makes of this, and unforgettable experience.
Here we will have breakfast, and then we’ll take a walk and those who want to might take a bath in the warm water (between 25ºC and 30ºC).near the geysers.
Later we visit the town of Machuca with its beatiful church.

Lodging: Lodge

Provided meals: Breakfast

(ID 93)

Day 5 Hiking Machuca – Rio Grande

After breakfast we drive in our vehicle to the town Machuca to start our 4.000 meters above sea level walk, following Peñaliri River, observing ancient places of human settlements, sorrounded by a bautiful flora and fauna atacameña. We travel through a central valley in direction of the Domeyko mountain range, enjoying a landscape of the Altiplano of the north of Chile, finishing in the Village of Rio Grande dedicated to agriculture.

Lodging: Lodge

Provided meals: Breakfast

(ID 94)

Day 6 Volcano Toco Ascent

After breakfast we drive to 2400 meters above sea level, to start our walk. After 1 hour and a half we reach Cerro Toco, an ancient sleepy volcano with easy access. Once at 5.000 meters above sea level the ascent to the summit will take us between 2 and 3 hours, reaching 5.616 meters of altitud. We enjoy the fantastic view of the other summits and altiplanic lagoons. We descent in about one hour and return to San Pedro de Atacama in our vehicle.

Lodging: Lodge

Provided meals: Breakfast

(ID 95)

Day 7 San Pedro de Atacama - Calama

At the indicated time, according to the flight schedule, we transfer to Calama airport/ Hito Cajón Border

Lodging: None

Provided meals: Breakfast