Day 1 Calama/San Pedro de Atacama
On arrival into Calama Airport you will be met and transferred to Explora Atacama. In the evening, one of the guides will meet with you in the lodge bar to tell you about the explorations planned for the following day and help you with the difficult task of choosing between the different options, all of them exciting.
Explora offers over 30 different explorations. On foot or horseback or by bicycle, a couple of hours to a full day, gentle or more physically demanding. Explorations are safe and made up of groups with a maximum of 8 people, accompanied by an expert bilingual guide. All guides speak excellent Spanish and English.
The Atacama Desert has one of the clearest skies in the world so tonight head to the astronomical observatory. Begin in the open sky with a brief explanation of the stars and the main constellations to then observe them using a telescope.
Day 2 San Pedro de Atacama
Day to explore Atacama. Suggested excursion options include:
– Atacama Salt Plains: a great option for your first exploration, as no acclimatisation is required. Transfer to the town of Toconao and take a gentle 45-minute walk towards Laguna Chaxa. Enjoy great views over the salt plains, with opportunities to see flamingos at some times of the year.
– Yerba Buena Petroglyphs: visit the petroglyphs in Yerba Buena before continuing to Rio Grande, one of the prettiest small towns in the Atacama region. Return by van to the hotel.
– Devil’s Gorge: a steep uphill drive will bring you to the Vilama lookout point, with panoramic views of volcanoes. Hike along Cordillera del Sal and then descend through Devil’s Gorge, surrounded by stunning rock formations.
– Ayllus (horseback ride): ride to the ayllus located in Séquitor, Yaye, and Checar, Atacameño social and farming communities that are also considered a small oasis in the middle of the desert. Here, vegetable gardens and the Atacama construction technique using adobe and straw roofs still prevail.
Day 3 San Pedro de Atacama
Another day to explore the region with your specialist guide. Suggested excursion options include:
– Altiplano Salt Plains: depart by van to the southern part of the Altiplano where you can see Miscanti Minique Lagoon, Aguas Calientes and Tuyayito Lagoon at over 39,60m above sea level. After a short walk, we’ll have lunch before returning to the hotel.
– Kari Ravine Canyon: hike through the ravine, a small canyon formed by water erosion, surrounded by enormous salt walls.
– Kamur: travel to the Valley of the Moon for stunning views over this otherworldly landscape and the Cordillera del Sal.
Day 4 San Pedro de Atacama
Another day to explore the region with your specialist guide. Suggested excursion options include:
– Copacoya: travel by van to El Tatio geothermal fields. From here we hike an ancient road with panoramic views of volcanoes. Descend to the bottom of a gorge and then hike uphill, until reaching a windy saddle with rewarding views. Picnic lunch at Tatio Geysers and return to the hotel.
– Biking Cejar Lagoon: an easy ride to the Atacama Salt Plains area until reaching a set of lakes where Cejar Lagoon is located. Time for a dip in the salty waters, before returning to the hotel.
– Horseback ride to Quitor Fortress: an easy ride through the northern oasis to the viewing place of the Quitor Fortress. Pass the Cordillera del Sal on your return to the hotel.
– Tatio Geysers: take a van to the Tatio Geysers. Along the way, an important part of the Andean Plateau fauna –including vicuñas, flamingos, foxes, and others– can be appreciated. We walk across the reserve with views to the Andes Mountain Range and the hot water springs from where steam rises. Return by van.
Day 5 San Pedro de Atacama
Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport for your onward flight.