TDS - Hiking Atacama, La Quebrada and trek to Rainforest

(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 120)

Day 7 San Pedro de Atacama – Purmamarca - Humahuaca

Early in the morning we will take a bus to Purmamarca. We will have some time to visit this beatifull city. In the afternoon we go to our Hotel in Humahuaca

Lodging: Lodge

Provided meals: Breakfast

(ID 26)

Day 8 Iruya - Humahuaca

Early in the morning we take a local bus and go to a small town located right in between the mountains, Iruya. From it we can have a special view since its right on the end of the valley. After enjoying the town we spend the night at Humahuaca.

Lodging: Lodge

Provided meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch

(ID 121)

Day 9 Sapagua – Comunidad de Hornaditas - Tilcara

We depart in our mini bus for Humahuaca to the Quebrada de Sapagua, where we’ll take a walk around the area. For there we continue to the small community of the Hornaditas, where we will be able to share the life experience of the natural inhabitant of the area, which open the door of their homes. Then, we start our way to our accommodation in Tilcara.

Lodging: Lodge

Provided meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch

(ID 46)

Day 10 Tilcara – Veranada de Yutos Pampa.

Early morning, we take a local transfer to “Alfacito” (2900 m OSL). There, we will begin our on foot crossing, with a slow and incessant ascent - we have to be careful about acclimatising- up to reach Campo Laguna (4200 m OSL). This is the highest point of the crossing. After lunch, we will descent to Yutos Pampa at 3200 metres OSL.

Lodging: Expedition Camp

Provided meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

(ID 47)

Day 11 Veranada de Yutos Pampa - Molulo.

We continue our crossing, ascending till the top of the Mount Cumbre Grande. At the end of the valley, the crowded forest can be appreciated. In the afternoon we arrive to the community of Molulo at 2950 meters of high. Estimated walking time: 6 to 7hs.

Lodging: Expedition Camp

Provided meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

(ID 48)

Day 12 Molulo – Abra del Potrero.

We will have a peaceful morning, and plenty of time to meet the local inhabitants and going around the area. After lunch, we will continue with our crossing. Gradually, you would notice the increase of vegetation; we will arrive then, to a place known as Abra Potrero. Walking time: 4 to 5 hs.

Lodging: Expedition Camp

Provided meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

(ID 49)

Day 13 Abra del Potrero – San Lucas.

We continue our adventure from the Abra of the Potrero (lowest point between two mountains). The thick forest gives birth to plain landscape. From the red land come the first trees. After undertaking a section of forest in continuous ascension we get to see the caserío of San Lucas, located at 2500 meters of high. Later, we slowly start the descent back to the town. Walking time 7 to 8 hours.

Lodging: Expedition Camp

Provided meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

(ID 50)

Day 14 San Lucas - Calilegua - Salta.

Last stage of the crossing between San Lucas and San Francisco. The path continues by the southern bank of San Lucas River, the vegetation is dense and the valley is deep. After crossing Valle Grande Valley, we will ascent to Peña Alta, which is the end of our long walk. There, a local transfer is waiting for us, to lead us through the small town of San Francisco and the whole Calilegua National Park arriving to Liberator San Martín Village. From there, we will move to Salta city. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours.

Lodging: Lodge

Provided meals: Breakfast

(ID 37)

Day 15 Salta - Aeropuerto de Salta

After breakfast we are transferred to the airport where our tour ends.

Lodging: None

Provided meals: Breakfast