We delve into the diverse world of geysers, valleys, and lagoons to learn about the worldview of the original Altiplano people and explore their culture through unique food tastings.
We’ll arrive at Calama Airport and drive straight to San Pedro de Atacama, passing the impressive rock formations of the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains). The afternoon is free for you to explore the little town of San Pedro.
Arrival flight must be before 12:00 PM (midday).
Overnight at Hotel Kimal (3 stars) or similar, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
Meals: None.
We’ll be picked up at around 6 AM (exact time will vary depending on the season) to experience an unforgettable sunrise in front of the Andes mountains. We’ll then stop by a traditional ayllu, an ancient self-sustaining unit of land developed by the altiplano people. Here we will taste traditional food specialties from the region and learn about their history. Everything here is locally produced - right down to the cups and bowls - which allows us to better understand the culture. We then head back to the hotel for lunch at around 11 AM.
After lunch (not included) we’ll head out around 4 PM for an afternoon of cultural fun to learn about the local Atacameño culture, their beliefs, and their history.
Overnight at Hotel Kimal (3 stars) or similar, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
Meals: Breakfast and Appetizer.
We’ll head south to the high desert and visit Laguna Miscanti, home to wild vicuñas. Next, we stop in Socaire to explore ancient Atacameño weaving traditions, returning to the hotel around 5 PM. After sunset, we’ll travel to the best stargazing spot in the Atacama Desert, where we’ll experience why it’s known for having some of the clearest skies on Earth. We’ll marvel at the celestial beauty and learn about the ancient Andean cosmovision, a tradition of stargazing that predates the telescope.
Overnight at Hotel Kimal (3 stars) or similar, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
This morning, we’ll journey into the Andean altiplano at sunrise, visiting the Machuca and Putana wetlands to explore vital ecosystems. Next, we’ll discover the small town of Machuca, known for its llama history. Around 9:30 AM, we’ll have breakfast at the famous Tatio Geysers, 4,320 meters above sea level, followed by a visit to ‘Geyser Blanco,’ where the adventurous can soak in the river.
By 2:30 PM, we’ll head northwest to walk through the charming town of Río Grande, explore the Rainbow Valley’s ancient rocks, and finish the day with sunset views from Death Valley.
Overnight at Hotel Kimal (3 stars) or similar, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
Meals: Breakfast.
After breakfast, we will drive to the Calama Airport to take our flight back to the capital... Adiós Atacama!
Departure flight must be after 5:00 PM.
Meals: Breakfast.
Located in the the historical center and magic splendor of the archaeological capital, San Pedro de Atacama desert area in northern Chile, Hotel Kimal invites you to enjoy its warm hospitality with the full range of services in a setting of traditional local architecture. Offering pool and outdoor hot-tub, bar and restaurant open all day, wellness therapies, different room capacities they have one of the very best location to roam around town, just a few steps from the emblematic Caracoles Street.
If this hotel is not available, a similar alternative will be offered.
Optional: Upgrade to a 4 star hotel.
Excursions are subject to availability and the opening of the indigenous communities to carry them out. If the activities described in the itinerary are not available, alternatives will be informed.
Regular Departures are available every day on request.
Flights in and out of Calama must be between 8AM and 8 PM. Transfers for flights outside these time frames must be booked in private, at an additional cost.
This trip starts and ends at the Calama Airport.
This trip does not require physical activity other than walking normally over rather flat terrain. Nevertheless, as you will be touring in high altitudes (the highest point reached on the fourth day at Miñiques Lagoon is 4,300 meters / 14,108 feet), oxygen deprivation - altitude sickness - will affect everyone to some extent. Guides will have oxygen tanks every day at disposition if someone feels sick during the tour.
Minimum 2 passengers.
Maximum 10 passengers per group.
We use 4x4 vehicles that seat up to 4 people.
We use an H1 Hyundai van or a Sprinter for larger group sizes.
The Atacama region's weather follows a typical desert pattern of hot days and cold nights. The Atacama Desert is considered the driest place on earth, and rain is rare at any time of year!
Once you book the trip, we will send you a pre-trip Information booklet with useful and detailed information about your trip with us.
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the trip guide's discretion and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change, or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
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Updated October 4th, 2022
Dear Traveler,
We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile.
Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:
In case you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!
Best,
The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia