Chile Tours and Travel Packages

Multiple Destinations / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises / Fiord Cruises
Biking / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Wine Tours

7 DAY ATACAMA DESERT TREK

Moderate altitude trek, 5-6 hrs per day.Acclimatization necessary.3 nights Hotel in San Pedro & 3 nights basic Camping. Walk free of heavy packs. Carry small daypack only.Regular departures on Mondays, 2 pers. minimum. Trekking in Atacama Desert region will take us off the beaten path, into areas not accessible by vehicle andtrodden only by local natives and their llama or goat herds. We will encounter small villages, archaeological remains, Andean wildlife along with the most spectacular desert & mountain landscapes, always crowned by high dormant volcanoes. This program is an excellent complement to any of the Patagonia treks in order to witness Chile’s dramatic contrasts.

Day 1, Arrive to Calama and drive to San Pedro de Atacama (98km) with views of amazing rock formations at Cordillera de la Sal. Briefing lunch. Evening 3-4hrs walk into the silent Moon Valley, hike enormouss and dunes and admire sunset. Overnight Hotel in San Pedro.

Day 2, Enter Valle de Marte and start walking the Corniza trail (3hrs) over the ridge of sandstone mountains. Descend to San Pedro Valley and walk (1hr) to the remarkable fortress of Quitor (XII century). Walk (3km) to San Pedro. Evening visit to the Archaeological Museum.

Day 3, Enter the sparkling white Salar de Atacama and observe the flamingoes at Chaxa lagoon. Return to San Pedro (50 Km) and continue (6-8km) along the river valley until trek starting point. The trail follows a broad valley until winding into a superb canyon sculpted by erosion. In summer (Nov-Mar) we trek with sandals over the riverbed shaded by the immense walls that close above us. In wintertime, we avoid the freezing water and walk above the gorge. Arrive in the old mine of San Bartolo (2,700m/8,100ft) and set up camp.

Day 4, Start gaining altitude as we leave the riverbed and hike at plateau level. The trail follows the river canyon and some rare life forms, such as giant cactuses, emerge from the arid and barren desert. Arrive in the village of Rio Grande (3,500m/ 10,500ft) where we set up camp by the river.

Day 5, The trail follows the course of smaller waterways that form narrow and beautiful valleys inhabited by indigenous people and their lamas. We keep gaining altitude until reaching the green pastures of Machuca (4,100m/ 12,300ft) teeming with wildlife and a spectacular view of Licancabur.

Day 6, At 5am we start driving towards El Tatio (4,500m/13,500ft) on time to observe the geysers in action at sunrise. Breakfast in the open and walk around the geothermal field. If feeling acclimatized enough we attempt to hike over the 5,000m/ 15,000 ft on the slopes of an inactive volcano. Drive back to Puritama hot springs for a healthy bath. Farewell dinner and overnight in San Pedro.

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Day 7 , Drive back to Calama on time for your flight.

Price: Valid through April 2009
- USD 2,907 per person (2 people)
- USD 2,268 per person (3-4 people)
- USD 1,976 per person (5 people)
- USD 1,802 per person (6 people)

Departures including Christmas or New Year nights have a surcharge of US$100 per person

Departures: can start on any day

Flights
You have to take the first flight departing from Santiago to Calama (usually in Lan Airlines is LA 342 dep. 7:30 AM). The trip finishes at the airport of Calama on Sunday at 10 AM. If going back to Santiago you have to book the first flight departing from Calama (usually in Lan Airlines is LA 342 dep. 11:10 AM).

Included
- All ground transport private and domestic as indicated in the itinerary.
- 3 nights accommodation in standard double room in a 3s hotel in San Pedro.
- 3 nights accommodation in mountain tents, all camping gear included; sleeping bag and mat not included.
- All entrance fees.
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / BL = Box Lunch / D = Dinner.
- One expert English speaking trekking guide for each 6 clients; one English speaking assistant guide added for groups larger than 6 clients.

Excluded
- Air fares.
- Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trips).
- Optional tipping to guides and staff.
- Items of personal nature (laundry, sodas, alcoholic beverage other than our famous pisco sour and wine offered in dinners, etc.).

Group Size & Guiding Staff
4-6 travelers is the most typical group size plus our staff. Maximum is 10 clients.

Hotel
This program normally uses clean and cozy 3 stars hotels located in San Pedro center. This small town settled in the middle of the Atacama Desert has restrictions of water supply so some limitations in the use of water facilities could arise depending in the town supply circumstances, e.g. low water pressure, problems with laundry facilities, etc. Additionally consider prices in San Pedro to be higher than those you find in Santiago or other big cities, this is normal due to the cost increase in the supply chain in most items you find in San Pedro.

Tents
The tents arranged for this program are typical mountain tents with enough room for a 2 people overnight in comfortable conditions. We provide all the camping gear excluding mats and sleeping bags.

Transport
In Atacama the transportation is on minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 persons. When we have only 2 to 4 persons we use smaller vehicles, usually 4x4, driven by the tour guide. On the regular departure trips you might share the vehicle with other guests joining other tours. On the private departure, the vehicle will be of your use exclusively with the limitation of their use to the given itinerary and time schedules.

Weather
Summer - Farther north, in Atacama, the weather vary, and follows a desert hot-day / cold-night pattern. On a sunny day, daytime temperatures can be very pleasant, ranging between 15°C - 20°C (low 60s and low 70s F). Nighttime temperatures will most likely be in the 0°C - 5°C (23s and 40s F)
Winter - In Atacama the weather varies following the mentioned desert warm-day / cold-night pattern. On a sunny day, daytime temperatures can be pleasant, ranging again between 13°C -20°C (low 60s and low 70s F). Nighttime temperatures will most likely be in the -10°C - 0°C (23s and 40s F)
Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth! So any time of the year you come don’t expect rain at all – if it rains when you are there you might consider it almost a miracle!

Physical Demands
Trekking in Atacama requires a lot more physical preparation than most vacations. In this program you will be trekking between five to seven hours a day for 3 continues days, mostly on dry sandy terrain. In the last days the trail through the high lands (average 4,100mt/10,500ft) will also constitute a demanding factor. Although the treks themselves are not particularly strenuous, their length and challenging terrain will be more taxing than expected. Please keep in mind that the weather in Atacama changes from day to night causing the temperatures to drop considerably. These weather conditions can easily affect both the body and the morale. You need to be in excellent health and physical condition to enjoy such an experience.

What You Need to Bring
We will provide you with a complete list of what you need to bring for doing this trip once you go through the booking process.

Phone: 800-232-5658 or 1-512-443-5393 email

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Chile Tours and Travel Packages

7 DAY ATACAMA DESERT TREK

BOOKING REQUEST

Phone: 800-232-5658 or
1-512-443-5393
email

BOOKING
REQUEST