TAILOR MADE TRIPS TO CHILE AND OTHER SOUTH AMERICAN DESTINATIONS - TRAVEL PACKAGES TO CHILE, PERU, ARGENTINA, & EASTER ISLAND
Tailor-Made Travel throughout South America and Polynesia: Patagonian Travel Packages, Easter Island Tours, and Discovering the Atacama Desert.
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Request InformationTrekking through the desert to thermal springs, geysers, volcanoes and salt flats
TREKKING IN THE ATACAMA DESERT
This programme allows you to explore the area around San Pedro de Atacama, so you can get to know this arid desert from a different perspective. Fantastic walks that let you explore the most remote parts of the region, discover its secrets and the peace and tranquillity that the desert landscapes offer. Unforgottable hikes that take you through deep ravines(canyons), to sand dunes, along rivers, over volcanic rocks and through classic desert landscapes. This program is perfect for those who love trekking and who want an extraordinary holiday that will take them to the top of the active Lascar Volcano (5,580m).
PROGRAM
Day 1 WELCOME TO SANTIAGO
Morning pick-up from Santiago Airport. Transfer to the Galerias Hotel. Free Time. Tour of the city, starting in the “Barrio” (quarter) El Golf, where you see examples of the city’s avant-garde architecture. After this you visit the Barrio Cívico which contains the government buildings and the cultural centre. From here you take a walk through the main streets of the city centre towards the main square, “Plaza de Armas,” where you will be able to admire the splendour of the buildings that surround the square: La Catedral, El Correo, IIlustre Municipalidad de Santiago, etc. The tour then takes you to the Barrio Bella Vista, famous for its lively night life. Return and overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 2 SANTIAGO -CALAMA -SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to get the flight to Calama. Pick up from Calama Airport. Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Trekking from the “Cordillera de la Sal” to the “Valle de la Luna”. Watch the sun as it sets behind the desert landscapes of sand dunes and rocks. Overnight stay at the Hotel. (L)
Day 3 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA -SAN BARTOLO
Visit the archaeological museum and the archaeological sites of Quitor and Catarpe. Trekking through a splendid ravine to the “San Bartolo” Camp. Overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 4 SAN BARTOLO -RIO GRANDE
Trekking to the “Río Grande” where we camp for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 5 RIO GRANDE -MACHUCA
6 hour trek to the highland village of Machuca (4,000 m), where we camp for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 6 MACHUCA – PURITAMA SPRINGS - TATIO GEYSERS
Transfer and short walk to the Puritama thermal springs. (3,400 m). A day of relaxation in the thermal baths before travelling on to the “Geysers del Tatio” where we camp for the night. Sunset trekking. (B, L, D)
Day 7 TATIO GEYSERS - CASPANA -SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA*
Dawn departure to visit the Geysers del Tatio (4,300 m). Breakfast in front of the this amazing natural phenomenon. After breakfast visits to the Caspana and Chiu-Chiu villages. Return to San Pedro (via Calama). Overnight stay at the Hotel. (B, L)
Day 8 SAN PEDRO -TILOMONTE - PASTOR
Transfer to Tilomonte with stops along the way to visit the Toconao Village, Jerez Ravine, and the salt flats of Atacama. We take an Inca footpath to Pastor where we camp for the night, in full view of the Atacama salt flats. (B, L, D)
Day 9 PASTOR - MIÑIQUES / MISCANTI LAGOONS – CAPUR SALT FLATS
Trip to the Tulan archaeological site followed by a visit to Peine Village. In the evening we travel up to the highlands to visit the Miñiques and Miscanti Lagoons (4,200 m), continuing on to the salt flats of Capur where we camp for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 10 CAPUR SALT FLATS - LEJIA LAGOON
Full day’s trek along the Miscanti Lagoon, past the Chiliques and Leña Volcanoes before descending to the Lagoon at the foot of the active Lascar Volcano. Return to the camp (4,250 m). (B, L, D)
Day 11 LEJIA LAGOON - LASCAR VOLCANO - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Short transfer to the top of the Lascar Volcano from where we will climb up to the volcanic crater. (*) If the volcano is not too active we can take a walk to the mouth of the volcano. Otherwise we will climb an alternative nearby mountain peak - the group will decide which. Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Overnight stay at the hotel. (B, L)
Day 12 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA -CALAMA - SANTIAGO
Morning free. Afternoon transfer to Calama Airport. Flight to Santiago. Pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel. (B)
Day 13 SANTIAGO -VALPARAISO - VIÑA DEL MAR
Breakfast at the hotel. Free activity day or optional trip to Valparaiso. Overnight stay at the Galerias Hotel or similar(B)
The tour departs in the morning for Valparaiso, 120km from Santiago, a commercial port and stop off point for many cruise ships. The road to Valparaiso takes us through the “hermosa” Casablanca valley, famous for its white wines. We reach Valparaíso - a UNESCO world heritage site – with its blend of history and modernity, set in a large bay with a backdrop of high mountain peaks. The city climbs up the hillside, criss-crossed by streets, alleyways, steps and passages (the characteristic cerros and ascensores). There'll be a tour of the main tourist sites and then we continue along the coast and arrive at Viña del Mar, a garden city famous the annual International Music Festival that it hosts as well as for its beautiful beaches. Return to Santiago
Day 14 SANTIAGO - YOUR COUNTRY
Transfer to the airport. International flights no included . OUR SERVICE ENDS
Our own private services require a minimum of 2 travellers but can be fitted around your needs. Prices vary depending on the number of travellers. All our services include bilingual guides (English, French, Italian, German - depending on availability and your needs).
Our programme” Trekking in the Atacama Desert”
Program Include:
Internal flights economy class Santiago – Calama ( Round Trip)
Private transfers throughout your stay
A qualified bilingual guide for your tours in Santiago and Valparaiso
Meals specified in the programme (Br: breakfast, Lu: lunch, Di: Dinner)
Accommodation specified in the programme (5 nights in hotels, 7 nights camping)
Equipment for camping (tents, kitchen tents, sleeping mats etc)
Entrance and permits for the national parks
Communication and security equipment
All the tours mentioned in the programme
Qualified bilingual guides
Does not include:
International flights from your country - to Santiago Chile
Food and drink not mentioned in the programme
Sleeping bag
Porteadores (porters)
Single supplement
Early check in / late check out
Tips and other additional personal expenses.
Excess baggage - on internal flights in Chile checked baggage 20kg, hand baggage 5 kg.
Bank charges for the transfer of money to our Chilean current account (approximately 1% of total)
Travel insurance / read “Norms & conditions” carefully
Anything else not specified in the section: “included in the price”
Season: From March to November. Booking to be made at least three months before the start of the trip.
Minimum number of travellers : 2 People
Maximum number of travellers: 10 People
This programme allows you to explore the area around San Pedro de Atacama, so you can get to know this arid desert from a different perspective. Fantastic walks that let you explore the most remote parts of the region, discover its secrets and the peace and tranquillity that the desert landscapes offer. Unforgottable hikes that take you through deep ravines(canyons), to sand dunes, along rivers, over volcanic rocks and through classic desert landscapes. This program is perfect for those who love trekking and who want an extraordinary holiday that will take them to the top of the active Lascar Volcano (5,580m).
PROGRAM
Day 1 WELCOME TO SANTIAGO
Morning pick-up from Santiago Airport. Transfer to the Galerias Hotel. Free Time. Tour of the city, starting in the “Barrio” (quarter) El Golf, where you see examples of the city’s avant-garde architecture. After this you visit the Barrio Cívico which contains the government buildings and the cultural centre. From here you take a walk through the main streets of the city centre towards the main square, “Plaza de Armas,” where you will be able to admire the splendour of the buildings that surround the square: La Catedral, El Correo, IIlustre Municipalidad de Santiago, etc. The tour then takes you to the Barrio Bella Vista, famous for its lively night life. Return and overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 2 SANTIAGO -CALAMA -SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to get the flight to Calama. Pick up from Calama Airport. Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Trekking from the “Cordillera de la Sal” to the “Valle de la Luna”. Watch the sun as it sets behind the desert landscapes of sand dunes and rocks. Overnight stay at the Hotel. (L)
Day 3 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA -SAN BARTOLO
Visit the archaeological museum and the archaeological sites of Quitor and Catarpe. Trekking through a splendid ravine to the “San Bartolo” Camp. Overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 4 SAN BARTOLO -RIO GRANDE
Trekking to the “Río Grande” where we camp for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 5 RIO GRANDE -MACHUCA
6 hour trek to the highland village of Machuca (4,000 m), where we camp for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 6 MACHUCA – PURITAMA SPRINGS - TATIO GEYSERS
Transfer and short walk to the Puritama thermal springs. (3,400 m). A day of relaxation in the thermal baths before travelling on to the “Geysers del Tatio” where we camp for the night. Sunset trekking. (B, L, D)
Day 7 TATIO GEYSERS - CASPANA -SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA*
Dawn departure to visit the Geysers del Tatio (4,300 m). Breakfast in front of the this amazing natural phenomenon. After breakfast visits to the Caspana and Chiu-Chiu villages. Return to San Pedro (via Calama). Overnight stay at the Hotel. (B, L)
Day 8 SAN PEDRO -TILOMONTE - PASTOR
Transfer to Tilomonte with stops along the way to visit the Toconao Village, Jerez Ravine, and the salt flats of Atacama. We take an Inca footpath to Pastor where we camp for the night, in full view of the Atacama salt flats. (B, L, D)
Day 9 PASTOR - MIÑIQUES / MISCANTI LAGOONS – CAPUR SALT FLATS
Trip to the Tulan archaeological site followed by a visit to Peine Village. In the evening we travel up to the highlands to visit the Miñiques and Miscanti Lagoons (4,200 m), continuing on to the salt flats of Capur where we camp for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 10 CAPUR SALT FLATS - LEJIA LAGOON
Full day’s trek along the Miscanti Lagoon, past the Chiliques and Leña Volcanoes before descending to the Lagoon at the foot of the active Lascar Volcano. Return to the camp (4,250 m). (B, L, D)
Day 11 LEJIA LAGOON - LASCAR VOLCANO - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Short transfer to the top of the Lascar Volcano from where we will climb up to the volcanic crater. (*) If the volcano is not too active we can take a walk to the mouth of the volcano. Otherwise we will climb an alternative nearby mountain peak - the group will decide which. Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Overnight stay at the hotel. (B, L)
Day 12 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA -CALAMA - SANTIAGO
Morning free. Afternoon transfer to Calama Airport. Flight to Santiago. Pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel. (B)
Day 13 SANTIAGO -VALPARAISO - VIÑA DEL MAR
Breakfast at the hotel. Free activity day or optional trip to Valparaiso. Overnight stay at the Galerias Hotel or similar(B)
The tour departs in the morning for Valparaiso, 120km from Santiago, a commercial port and stop off point for many cruise ships. The road to Valparaiso takes us through the “hermosa” Casablanca valley, famous for its white wines. We reach Valparaíso - a UNESCO world heritage site – with its blend of history and modernity, set in a large bay with a backdrop of high mountain peaks. The city climbs up the hillside, criss-crossed by streets, alleyways, steps and passages (the characteristic cerros and ascensores). There'll be a tour of the main tourist sites and then we continue along the coast and arrive at Viña del Mar, a garden city famous the annual International Music Festival that it hosts as well as for its beautiful beaches. Return to Santiago
Day 14 SANTIAGO - YOUR COUNTRY
Transfer to the airport. International flights no included . OUR SERVICE ENDS
Our own private services require a minimum of 2 travellers but can be fitted around your needs. Prices vary depending on the number of travellers. All our services include bilingual guides (English, French, Italian, German - depending on availability and your needs).
Our programme” Trekking in the Atacama Desert”
Program Include:
Internal flights economy class Santiago – Calama ( Round Trip)
Private transfers throughout your stay
A qualified bilingual guide for your tours in Santiago and Valparaiso
Meals specified in the programme (Br: breakfast, Lu: lunch, Di: Dinner)
Accommodation specified in the programme (5 nights in hotels, 7 nights camping)
Equipment for camping (tents, kitchen tents, sleeping mats etc)
Entrance and permits for the national parks
Communication and security equipment
All the tours mentioned in the programme
Qualified bilingual guides
Does not include:
International flights from your country - to Santiago Chile
Food and drink not mentioned in the programme
Sleeping bag
Porteadores (porters)
Single supplement
Early check in / late check out
Tips and other additional personal expenses.
Excess baggage - on internal flights in Chile checked baggage 20kg, hand baggage 5 kg.
Bank charges for the transfer of money to our Chilean current account (approximately 1% of total)
Travel insurance / read “Norms & conditions” carefully
Anything else not specified in the section: “included in the price”
Season: From March to November. Booking to be made at least three months before the start of the trip.
Minimum number of travellers : 2 People
Maximum number of travellers: 10 People
