Active Atacama Highlights & Volcano Hike – Active / 6 days

At your arrival at the Airport of Calama, you will be welcomed by your Atacama Experience team. From there, we will drive to the Oasis of San Pedro de Atacama (one hour and a half driving time approximately).

Includes: Mineral Water.
Note: We recommend arrival flights arriving not later than 11:00 am, for this program proposal.

In the afternoon (13:30 hrs), we will drive towards the Llano de la Paciencia (Patience Valley), where we will cross a wide arid riverbed on our 4WD vehicles. We will follow a wider dirt road that was used by old salt mining family companies that traveled between San Pedro de Atacama and the city of Calama to sell or exchange their salt for other goods.

Continuing along this wide sector, we will find the Piedra de la Coca site, which is a giant rock with ancient petroglyphs done by the pre-Colombian indigenous caravans that traveled through the diverse altitude levels, from the highlands to the Pacific sea coast. We will reach the massive Salt Mountain Range, where we will cross through a tunnel built in 1930 and descend into the canyon of Catarpe (2 to 3 hours of trekking), where one of the most important commercial Inca trails of this region went through.

Here we will be able to contemplate the colors of the desert, tectonic plates, and millenary minerals of this geological treasure. We will reach the Garganta del Diablo Canyon (Devil’s Throat), where we will trek through a narrow natural labyrinth. Further on, we will reach the San Isidro Adobe Church, constructed in the middle of this magical landscape. Our 4WD vehicles will be waiting for us to drive us back to San Pedro de Atacama at 17:30 hrs approximately.

Includes: Mineral Water & Snacks.

In the morning (9:00 am), we will drive south to find, between majestic mountain chains, the beautiful Andean village of Toconao, known for its warm and friendly inhabitants, textiles, and incredible way of cultivating the desert. This village is mainly built with volcanic Liparita rocks.

From here, we shall continue to the impressive Atacama Salt Flat, the third biggest in the world, where three species of flamingos and other aquatic birds feed and refuge in this unique and isolated ecosystem.

We will continue our way, driving up the international road towards the Sico Pass (Argentina), climbing gradually into the High Plateau, with incredible sights of the volcanic mountain range. On the way, we will pass by the little farmer’s village of Socaire, filled with terrace plantations, until we arrive at the impressive High Plateau Lagoons, Miscanti and Miñiques, at 4,350 meters above sea level. Surrounded by volcanoes and fantastic panoramic views, we will be able to contemplate the biodiversity of this area and the different altitude levels we have gone through.

We will continue to the Talar Salt Flat and Piedras Rojas site to enjoy a breathtaking landscape from a unique viewpoint. We shall return to San Pedro in the afternoon (16:00 hrs).

Includes: Mineral Water & Outdoor Lunch.

In the morning (8:30 am), we will drive from San Pedro de Atacama to the Hierbas Buenas site, a place where three mountain chains meet. Here we will find ancient archaeological sites from different pre-Columbian indigenous cultures that traveled from the Andean Mountain Range towards the Pacific coast with big llama caravans packed with diverse products from each vegetation level. Here we will find impressive ancient petroglyphs that will reveal stories about these past nomads.

From the Hierbas Buenas site, we will begin our trekking to the beautiful Rainbow Valley (approximately 2 hours), which is named due to its multi-colored and diverse tectonic layers exposed after centuries of strong earthquakes, floods, and wind.

We shall return to San Pedro de Atacama at approximately 13:00 hrs.

Includes: Mineral water & snacks.

In the afternoon (15:00 hrs), we shall move to the famous Death Valley. Here we will contemplate the diverse colors of the desert, tectonic plates, and millenary dunes. Afterwards, we will visit the amazing Moon Valley, where we will be impacted by its unusual moon-like landscape and beautiful geographic formations. Further on, in the Quebrada de Cari (Cari Creek), we will see the different salt formations and crystals of the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain Range).

This circuit ends with an unforgettable sunset, enjoying a cocktail just at the right moment when the desert transforms with magical colors. We shall return to San Pedro de Atacama at approximately 20:00 hrs.

Includes: Mineral water & cocktail at sunset.

Very early in the morning (5:00 am), our route will start through an old mining road until we reach the altitude of 4,350 meters above sea level, where the Tatio Geysers will show us their magnificence.

In Tatio, we will observe different geothermal formations and its exuberant flora and fauna with animals such as vicuñas, vizcachas, and guayatas. After an incredible sunrise and exploration of the geyser field, we will have the chance to swim in the nearby thermal pools. We will have breakfast surrounded by this breathtaking landscape.
Further on, our route will guide us through the high plateau until arriving at the small village of Machuca (viewpoint), where only five inhabitants live.

On the way back, we will also have the chance to observe endemic cactus, known as Echinopsis atacamensis, in a small oasis named Guatin. Through majestic landscapes and vegetation terraces, we will drive on to the Puritama Hot Springs.

Includes: Mineral water & breakfast at sunrise.

Further on (approximately 10:30 am), we will continue to the Oasis of Guatin, where we will begin an unforgettable trekking experience through the Cactus Valley and pre-mountain range of the Andes. We will ascend slowly through the slopes, where we will find a great number of medicinal plants and, of course, impressive sights of the volcanoes that rise over 5,000 meters above sea level. After approximately 3 hours of trekking, we will reach the unforgettable Puritama Hot Springs, where we can enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural thermal pools. The healing water of the hot springs has temperatures that oscillate between 30º and 35º Celsius. Here we will also enjoy a delicious outdoor lunch.

The infrastructure of the hot springs offers dressing rooms, a picnic area, bathrooms, and easy access to the pools.
We will return to San Pedro de Atacama in the early afternoon (approximately 16:00 hrs).

Includes: Mineral water & outdoor lunch.

In the morning (7:00 am), we will depart from San Pedro de Atacama towards the main crater and base of the Toco Volcano. Climbing slowly through a small path, we will be able to appreciate incredible sights of the volcanic mountain chains and highlands of the Atacama Desert (approximately 3 to 4 hours of hiking). On the summit, we will enjoy views into the National Park Eduardo Avaro in Bolivia, the Green Lagoon, and impressive sights of the Atacama Basin.

After descending, we will return to San Pedro de Atacama (approximately 16:30 hrs).

Includes: Mineral water, breakfast, and trekking snacks.

We will depart from your hotel to the airport of Calama in time for your departure flight.

Includes: Mineral water.