Treasures of the Desert Highlands
Get impressed by the magnificent landscapes of Atacama
5 Days / 4 Nights
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Travel Atacama Desert Chile - see beautiful deep blue water lagoons, discover the salt lakes, geysers, old rock fortresses and many other fantastic places the region has to offer.
Day 1 Calama - San Pedro - Moon Valley
Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama after arrival at Calama Airport. After the drive through the desert, the fertile oasis of San Pedro will certainly appear a total change of scenary. Of pre-Incan origin, this village and its surroundings are home to various archaeological sites. The fascinating museum with its immense collection of pre-Hispanic artefacts, among them astonishingly well preserved mummies - is certainly worth a visit. The local church built in 1577 by the Spanish conquistadores, who arrived here in 1540, is one of the many imprints of Spanish culture that have shaped the village. In the evening you will visit the mysterious Moon Valley just outside of San Pedro with its fascinating moon landscape that is becoming increasingly more beautiful in the fading sunlight. Overnight in San Pedro.
Day 2 Highland Lagoons - Atacama Salt Lake
In the morning you will ascend to an altitude of over more than 4000 m / 13,100 ft to visit the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons set in the highland below the homonymous towering mountain peaks. The deep blue colour of the lagoons framed by white banks and the mountains as a backdrop form an unforgettable sight. In the afternoon you will return to San Pedro, stopping at the gigantic Salar de Atacama, the biggest salt lake in all of Chile, where the RÃo San Pedro trickles off into the endless plains. Overnight in San Pedro.
(Breakfast/Lunchbox)
Day 3 San Pedro - Quitor - Tulor - Puritama Hot Springs
On your way to a relaxing bath at the tranquil hot springs of Puritama, we will stop at Quitor and Tulor, two sites of pre-Incan origin, which played a key role in the colonization of the valley. The fort Quitor was conquered in 1540 by the Spanish conquistadores, defeating the Incan troops who, in turn, had captured it from the pre-Incan cultures and extended the fortification. For the evening you can book an optional 3-hour astronomic excursion in the outskirts of San Pedro. Overnight in San Pedro. (Breakfast/Lunchbox)
Day 4 Salt Lake of Tara
After breakfast, you will enjoy a ride through fantastic volcanic landscapes and wide plains to the salt lake Tara, quietly tucked away in the Los Flamencos National Park; it is the most beautiful salt lake in the region surrounded by an incredible scenery. The region is known for its abundance of archaeological sites of interest and paintings. Llamas and vicuñas will accompany you throughout the trip.
(Beakfast/Lunchbox)
Day 5 El Tatio Geyser - Caspana - Chiu Chiu - Calama
In the early morning we will set out to see the breathtaking geysers of El Tatio - the highest geothermal field in the world - where various spurts of steam shoot up from the blowholes, and brilliant salt crust on the banks of boiling ponds reflect the metal-blue sky at dawn. Enjoy this natural phenomenon before continuing to the picturesque village of Caspana. Afterwards we will visit (if road conditions allow) the Pukara de Turi - the largest fort of the Incan culture in Chile. Declared National Monument in 1971, it is still an insider's tip in spite of its fascinating ambiance and structure. The excursion will continue to the tiny village of Chiu Chiu, located on the former "Inca Trail", the main trade route that cut through this valley. Trade continued well into the 19th century until the opening of the railway in 1890 offered a more efficient alternative. Chiu Chiu is known today for the oldest church in Chile. From there you will return to Calama to a connecting flight or an additional day in Calama.
(Breakfast/Lunchbox)
EXTENSION: Additional overnight in Calama to visit the largest copper mine in the world (Chuquicamata) on the following day (only Mon-Fri).
| Season (mm/dd/yyyy) | Categories | Class |
Double | Sgl Traveller | Sgl Supl | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/01/2009 - 04/30/2010 | USD 2129 | USD 3679 |
Program includes:
- 4 overnights with breakfast.
- 3 lunch boxes, transfers and excursions with driver and bilingual guide.
- Entrance fees.
