Come explore San Pedro de Atacama and the Chilean highlands in a 4-day program. We will visit the Valley of the Moon, high-altitude lagoons, the famous Tatio Geysers, and enjoy an astronomical tour. Additionally, you can experience a 4-day program to discover the Salar de Uyuni, starting in San Pedro de Atacama and crossing the border between Chile and Bolivia. We will visit the town of San Pedro de Quemes and enjoy the best views of the Salar de Uyuni.
Day 1: Transfer to Kimal Hotel
Transfer: Airport Airport in Calama
We will be waiting for you at Calama airport and then transfer you to Kimal Hotel.
Day 2: Moon Valley - San Pedro de Atacama - Rainbow valley
Arcoiris Valley excursion
- Departure: 08:00
- Duration: 5 hours
- Includes: Breakfast
- Pickup / Dropoff: Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
We will visit the petroglyphs of Yerbas Buenas and we will cross the mountains of colors of the Rainbow Valley in the middle of the Domeyko Mountain in San Pedro de Atacama
It is located in the Río Grande basin, about 90 km from San Pedro de Atacama, very close to the Petroglyphs of Yerbas Buenas. It owes its name to the wide range of shades that can be observed in the valley's hills. The colors reflect the richness and varying concentrations of clay, salts, and minerals.
We start very early, heading 90 km from San Pedro to the Río Grande basin, where we reach the Rainbow Valley. Its name is given due to the variety of colors that can be seen in the valley's hills; earthy tones, reds, beige, greens, whites, and yellows. All combined with traces of white salt and a blue sky. The colors of this area showcase the ecological richness of clay, minerals, and salts. We will visit this place on a 1-hour hike, with a 1-hour return. Then, we will move to the Salado River area, where a small valley forms, and we can take a hike to appreciate the landscape.
Afterward, we will visit the Petroglyphs of Yerbas Buenas, and finally return to San Pedro de Atacama, where the activity concludes.
INCLUDES BREAKFAST
- PhysicalMedium
- NatureVery high
Tour through the Valle de la Luna
- Departure: 15:00
- Duration: 5 hours
- Includes: Breakfast
- Pickup / Dropoff: Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
Feel as if you were walking on the Moon and on Mars with this tour that will take you to know two classics of the Atacama Desert.
The Valley of the Moon is a sector in the Cordillera de la Sal and undoubtedly the most visited. Its mountains speckled with glimmers, enormous dunes, rock formations, and ravines make it a true spectacle to behold. You can see the Three Marias, the Canyon, the Amphitheatre, the Victoria salt mine, and the Licantay viewpoint.
We will start the tour departing from San Pedro de Atacama towards the Cordillera de la Sal in the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth, heading to one of its most picturesque spots: the Valley of the Moon. The names already give a clear hint of the landscape, where rock formations shaped by erosion, salt blankets, the Great Dune, and views that will make you feel like you're on another planet reign supreme.
We will visit the Three Marias, the Canyon, and the Amphitheatre. To conclude the journey, we will enjoy the sunset from the Licantay viewpoint, where you can witness how the desert changes colors, with towering volcanoes on the horizon, offering a breathtaking spectacle that will leave you speechless.
- PhysicalVery low
- NatureVery high
Day 3: San Pedro de Atacama - Toconao - Lagunas Altiplánicas (Miscanti & Miñiques) - Socaire
Tour to the Altiplanic Lagoons, Piedras Rojas and the Salar de Atacama
- Departure: 08:00
- Duration: 10 hours
- Includes: Breakfast, Lunch
- Pickup / Dropoff: Hotel in San pedro de Atacama
Learn about the different landscapes in San Pedro de Atacama visiting the Chaxa Lagoon, home of flamingos and other birds, Piedras Rojas, the Altiplánicas lagoons located at more than 4,000 masl and the town of Toconao.
We will pick you up at your hotel in the morning to begin the journey outside the city. The trip to Piedras Rojas and Altiplánicas Lagoons will take us through important tourist spots within the Atacama Desert.
To reach Piedras Rojas, or Salar de Aguas Calientes as it is also known, we will have to drive up to 3,800 meters in altitude and walk for 1 hour and 15 minutes to see these reddish rocks, as well as the lagoons and salt flats in the vicinity.
Subsequently, we will move to the Altiplánicas Lagoons Miscanti and Miñiques area, where our guide will provide explanations about the flora and fauna that inhabit the area. Likewise, we will make a stop at Chaxa Lagoon, where you can see flamingos. Similarly, we will pass through Socaire and the Tropic of Capricorn, where we will make a short stop for photographs. Then, we will return to San Pedro de Atacama to conclude our tour.
- PhysicalVery low
- CulturalMedium
- NatureVery high
Day 4: Tatio Geysers - San Pedro de Atacama - Machuca
Tatio Geysers Tour
- Departure: 05:30
- Duration: 8 hours
- Includes: Breakfast
- Pickup / Dropoff: Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
Tatio geysers are the highest geothermal field in the world. Meet the huge fumaroles that emanate from the earth and then visit the town of Machuca in the Chilean highlands.
In this incredible destination, we will explore one of the most significant geothermal fields in the world: the 'Geysers del Tatio,' located at 4,200 meters above sea level. This is the largest group of geysers in the southern hemisphere and the third largest in the world.
In the early morning, we head towards one of the entrances to the Andean highlands, where we will go directly to one of the most important geothermal fields in the world, the 'Geysers del Tatio,' with 80 geysers and their steaming fumaroles, a unique spectacle in the world. We will spend approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes there, then enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast before continuing our journey back. As we venture into the hills and mountains of the Andes, we will contemplate important high-altitude ecosystems with rich biodiversity, such as the wetlands of Machuca and Vados de Putana. Finally, we will visit the village of Machuca.
INCLUDES BREAKFAST.
- PhysicalVery low
- CulturalVery low
- NatureVery high
Astronomic Tour in the Atacama Desert
- Departure: 20:30
- Duration: 3 hours
- Includes: Breakfast
- Pickup / Dropoff: Hotele in San Pedro de Atacama
With over 330 clear nights a year, the Atacaman Desert is one of the best scenarios in the world for star gazing. Live the experience of watching them through telescopes and knowing our surrounding universe more deeply.
San Pedro de Atacama, in northern Chile, boasts one of the world's best skies for astronomical observation. Come and experience this incredible nocturnal spectacle.
What does this experience include?
9:00 PM: Transportation to Ayllu de Cucuter, where the sky opens up to connect us with the cosmos.
- Cosmological introduction and recognition of the celestial vault through constellations.
- Astrophotography and observation of at least 7 objects through high-end telescopes, including image stacking and deep space astrophotography with the Evscope. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to do personal and couples astrophotography, as well as enjoy slow-motion shots and deep space astrophotography at no additional cost.
11:00 PM: Return to the hotels
INCLUDES APETIZZER
- NatureVery high
Day 5: COLORFUL LAGOONS AND DESERTS
During this first day, we start very early from your hotel for the subsequent document procedures at Migration services in Chile and Bolivia, at a place called Hito Cajón.
Later, in a 4x4 jeep, we will visit wonderful and colorful landscapes and lagoons. The unique places we will visit include Lagunas Blanca and Verde, the surreal Salvador Dalí Desert, Polques Thermal Waters (for bathing). Continuing the day, we reach the Geyser Field (Sol de Mañana) at an altitude of 4,850 meters, and later, we arrive to observe the colorful Laguna Colorada, inhabited by hundreds of flamingos of the 3 species found in South America, along with other species of Andean birds and animals.
In the afternoon, we head to our basic hostel for some rest for the next day, Mallku Villa Mar.
We continue the journey towards San Pedro de Quemes, passing through the villages of Refugio, San Felipe, Chiguana Pampas, Military Post, Ollagüe Volcano Viewpoint, Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarcota, Honda, and Ramaditas Lagoons. All of this is done passing through the famous "Pasito Tuntún," where you cannot advance at more than 4 kilometers per hour.
In the evening, we will arrive in the town of San Pedro de Quemes, located in the Uyuni Salt Flats, very close to the volcanoes.
8:00 PM: Dinner and accommodation.
Day 6: VILLA MAR – COLCHA K HOSTAL DE SAL TAMBO LOMA
After breakfast, we begin the visits to the rock valleys, formed by deposits of volcanic materials that have shaped various figures of geological whims, such as the World Cup, Camel, Rock Cathedrals that create images of cities abandoned by time. Later, we reach Laguna Catal, a unique place surrounded by colorful rocks oxidized by minerals due to solar radiation.
Continuing our journey, we will visit the Anaconda viewpoint, passing through Quinoa crops and high Andean villages, with the presence of domestic animals (llamas, sheep, goats) until we reach our Hostel, with private room accommodation, private bathroom, and hot water.
Day 7: Uyuni SALT FLAT – Uyuni CITY – VILLA MAR
What you will visit:
- 1 Uyuni
- 2 Salar de Uyuni
Our experience begins very early in the dreamlike place of the Uyuni Salt Flat, heading to Incahuasi Island to witness a splendid sunrise surrounded by ancient Cardones cacti that reach up to 10 meters in height. The 360° view will surpass all our expectations for this incomparable natural site.
After our experience, we return to the base of the island to enjoy a delicious breakfast, prepared on salt tables characteristic of the area.
Continuing our experience in the salt flat, we engage in photographic sessions with creative perspectives using various objects, creating unforgettable memories of a lifetime. Later, we visit the Salt Museum, the Dakar Rally Monument, the Salar Eyes, and finally reach the outskirts of the salt flat at the town of Colchani, exploring the local craft fair with items made from camelid wool and salt. We then proceed to visit the Train Cemetery, concluding our tour program in the early afternoon.
The return journey is in the afternoon, passing through the mining routes of San Cristóbal, until we reach our hostel in a private room (rest).
Day 8: VILLA MAR – HITO CAJÓN – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
We depart very early for the highlands until we reach Hito Cajón for the respective transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, arriving around noon.
- San Pedro de Atacama:
- 04 nights of accommodation at Kimal Hotel
- Transfer Airport / hotel / airport
- Tour to the Valley of the Moon
- Tour to Chaxa Lagoon, the High-Altitude Lagoons, and Socaire
- Tour to the Rainbow Valley
- Astronomical tour through the Atacama Desert
- Excursion to the Tatio Geysers
- Tickets to all mentioned places
- Spanish / English guide
- Uyuni:
- 3 nights of basic accommodation with a private room
- Spanish-speaking guide
- Full board (all meals included)
- 4X4 jeep transportation
- Spanish-speaking driver
- Medical oxygen
- Sites mentioned in the program
- All not mentioned in itinerary.
Recommendations
- Bring warm clothes for the morning and afternoon tours, and light clothing for the rest of the day.
- The program applies to flights from:
-Arrival flight Santiago - Calama: 11:00 am.
-Departure flight Calama - Santiago: 6:00 pm.
- Each passenger must carry at least $400 Bolivianos to cover the entrance to the National Park, tips, souvenir purchases, etc. Currency exchange can be done in San Pedro de Atacama.
NOTES:
The mentioned value of the program in pesos is referential. It will depend on the exchange rate of the day.
The program is in regular service (shared). ***Please inquire for details and program costs privately. Tour start: 07:00 A.M. San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Tour end: 12:00 Difficulty: high & medium Time and Place of start: San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Group per transport: Maximum 4 people. There must be a minimum of 2 people for the group departure. Altitude: 4,900 – 3,650 meters.
Comfortable shoes, jockey, sunglasses, sun block, water and comfortable clothing.
- Go Chile assumes no responsibility for unpredictable events that may affect the schedule or order of travel programs, such as those caused by weather conditions, road closures or safety measures established by public authorities.