Intensive San Pedro de Atacama 7 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 not later than 13:00 hrs for this program proposal.

In the afternoon (15:00 hrs), we shall move to the famous Moon Valley. Here we will contemplate the diverse colors of the desert, tectonic plates, and millenary dunes. This area will impress us with its unusual moon-like landscape and beautiful geographic formations. Further on, we will continue to the Great Dune, the Amphitheater viewpoint, and the Tres Marias Natural Monument to observe different geological formations, salt crystals, and much more of the fascinating uniqueness of the Salt Mountain Range. We will drive on to the Death Valley, where we will walk through colorful and unforgettable landscapes for those who love photography and unique scenery. We shall return to San Pedro de Atacama at approximately 20:00 hrs.

Includes: Mineral Water & Cocktail at sunset.

In the morning (9:00 am), we will visit the archeological site of «Pukara de Quitor,» a fortress strategically located on the slopes of the Catarpe Canyon. While exploring the ruins and narrow corridors of the fortress, we can climb slowly and see the plantations and oasis of San Pedro de Atacama from a magnificent perspective. We will continue through the beautiful Catarpe Valley, bordering the San Pedro River as well as the Salt Mountain Range. We will visit an ancient tunnel from 1930, meticulously carved through the Salt Mountain Range, used to traverse cattle from Argentina to Chile’s sulfur and copper mines. Further on, the mysterious Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat Canyon) will guide us across a labyrinth of clay and salt crystals until reaching the adobe Church of San Isidro, all of which is also immersed in one of the main Inca Trails of the area. We will return to San Pedro de Atacama at approximately mid-day.

Includes: Mineral Water & Snacks.

In the afternoon (13:30 hrs), we will depart from your lodging to the unforgettable Puritama Hot Springs, where we can enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural thermal pools with healing waters that have temperatures ranging between 30º and 35º Celsius. Here we will also enjoy a delicious cocktail, immersed in a wonderful canyon. The infrastructure of the Hot Springs offers dressing rooms, picnic areas, bathrooms, and easy access to the pools. We will return to San Pedro de Atacama at approximately 17:30 hrs.

Includes: Mineral Water & Cocktail.

In the morning (8:30 am), we will drive from San Pedro de Atacama to the Hierbas Buenas archeological site, a place where three mountain chains meet. Here we will find ancient petroglyphs from different pre-Columbian indigenous cultures that traveled from the Andean Mountain Range toward the Pacific coast with big llama caravans packed with diverse products from each vegetation level (High Plateau, Pre-Mountain Range & Pacific Coast). From here, we will continue to the unforgettable and beautiful Rainbow Valley, named due to its multi-colored and diverse tectonic layers exposed after centuries of strong earthquakes, floods, and wind—a truly unique site! We shall return to San Pedro de Atacama at approximately mid-day.

Includes: Mineral Water & Snacks.

In the afternoon (15:00 hrs), our team will take you to the calypso waters of the Cejar Lagoon. This lagoon is surrounded by salt formations, which enhance the entire landscape, and the saltiness of its water will let us float effortlessly, just like in the Dead Sea in the Middle East. We will also visit the Ojos del Salar Lagoons and the Tebinquinche Lagoons in the northern area of the Atacama Salt Flat. We shall return to your lodging at approximately 20:00 hrs.

Includes: Mineral Water & Cocktail at sunset.

Note: This visit can also be done on mountain bikes (beginner to intermediate level). Please indicate if you want to integrate mountain bikes.

In the evening (starting between 21:00 and 22:00 hrs in English), you will initiate an unforgettable astronomical circuit, departing from your lodging in San Pedro de Atacama to an area with total absence of artificial light. We will reach the astronomical facilities, where we will learn about ancient and modern astronomy and have the opportunity to observe the stars through telescopes in a clean, cloudless sky—an experience unique to the Atacama Desert, the best place in the world for stargazing.

Includes: Hot beverage, snacks, and transportation to and from your lodging.

In the morning (8:30 am), we will drive south to learn in depth about the ancient culture of the Atacameño Indian culture, its traditions, and traditional way of living. We will learn about the culture of pastoralism, cultivating the land in the arid desert, presented by a local Atacameño family. We will also have the chance to trek with llamas, that have been used since ancient times as a way to transport goods, as well as other uses. We shall return to San Pedro de Atacama at 11:30 am approximately.

Includes: Mineral water, snacks.

In the afternoon (13:30 hrs), we will drive up towards the Jama Pass, bordering the mighty Licancabur Volcano (5,916 m.a.s.l.). On the way, we will take an alternative route until we reach Las Vegas de Quepiaco where we will be able to observe a big variety of local birds, vicuñas, and other typical animals. Further on, we will visit the Pacana Monks: two impressive and gigantic volcanic rock obelisks carved by centuries of wind. We will enjoy a breathtaking landscape visiting unique viewpoints, surrounded by majestic volcanoes, before returning to San Pedro in the late afternoon (18:30 hrs).

Includes: Mineral water, snacks.

Very early in the morning (5:00 am), our route will start through an old sulfur mining road, until we reach the altitude of 4,350 meters above sea level, where the Tatio Geysers will show us its magnificence. In the Tatio, we will be able to 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 breakfast surrounded by this breathtaking landscape.

Further on, our route will guide us through the high plateau until arriving at the viewpoint of the small village of Machuca, where only five inhabitants live. On the way back, we will also have the chance to observe endemic giant cacti, known as Echinopsis Atacamensis, which we will find in a small oasis named Guatin. We shall return to San Pedro de Atacama at midday approximately.

Includes: Mineral water, breakfast at sunrise.

After a fascinating Atacama experience, we will depart from your hotel to the airport of Calama, on time for your departure flight.

Includes: Mineral water.