The Atacama Desert

Upon arrival into Calama airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.

The small oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama lies on an arid high plateau in the Andes Mountains in the heart of some of northern Chile’s most spectacular scenery. Overlooking the Licancabur Volcano, its dramatic surrounding landscape ranges from desert, salt flats, steaming geysers and hot springs to fascinating rock formations. The church, dating back to 1774 and featuring adobe, cactus wood and leather-bound beams and the Archaeological Museum are both worth a visit.

Overnight in Atacama

Archaeological Quitor & Tulor Tour
This morning you will be collected from your hotel for a tour of San Pedro de Atacama, the archaeological capital of Chile. The small oasis town is one of the main cultural settlements in Atacama located near the mouth of the main river that feeds the salt flat. It lies on an arid high plateau in the Andes Mountains in the heart of some of northern Chile’s most spectacular scenery. During this excursion, visit the most important archaeological sites of San Pedro de Atacama. In the XII century aborigines built the fortress of Quitor to defend their people to the attack of enemies, foreigners or border natives. Tulor village is the oldest archeological human establishment of the entire region and it was occupied between 300BC and 500AC. Also visit the Ayllus De Coyo, most important part of the archaeological route. There you will find circulars constructions, antiques Lickanantay’s residences and can appreciate the original fauna and flora. On completion of the tour, you will be taken to your hotel. Please note this is a small group tour.

Moon Valley Tour
This afternoon, you will be collected from your hotel to travel across Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain Range) to reach the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), one of the main attractions of this region. Located 19km from San Pedro de Atacama, the valley’s landscape resembles the surface of the moon with small but sharp crested hills created by the wind. This tour is available only in the afternoon when the setting sun brings out the best of the valley’s incredible colours. On completion of this tour, you will be taken to your hotel. Please note this is a small group tour.

Overnight in Atacama

This afternoon you will be collected from your hotel to visit the Salar de Atacama, one of the world’s largest salt lakes and the most important lithium reserves in the world. At Chaxa Lagoon, we will be able to enjoy watching a variety of bird species, including the three types of flamingos that inhabit Chile -Andean, Chilean and James’- and the pink color of their feathers. The deep blue of the Atacama sky, the altitudes of the Andean volcanos and the red sunset will bid us farewell before returning to San Pedro de Atacama. En route to the Salt Lake, visit the town of Toconao. The houses in this small picturesque village are built from bricks of white volcanic stone and its friendly inhabitants are famous for their fine wool knitting skills. On completion of the tour you will be taken to your hotel. Please note this is a small group tour.

Overnight in Atacama

Atacama Tatio Geyers
Early this morning you will be collected from your hotel for your full day tour to the Tatio Geysers. Located 90 km northwest of San Pedro, the Tatio Geysers sit at an altitude of 4,320 metres above sea level and are said to be the highest geothermal field in the world. See the 100 geysers erupt water and let off steam to heights of up to 50 metres. Surrounded by spurts of water and vapor, enjoy the beauty of the Andes in its natural scenery. Then visit “Pozón Rústico”, where you will delight in the thermal waters the mountain range provides. On the way back to your hotel, drive downhill through a wonderful landscape where you can spot guanacos, vicuñas, flamingos and other wildlife. Please note this is a small group tour

Later this afternoon you will be taken to the airport for your onward flight.