SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA HIKING PROGRAM
3 NIGHTS/4 DAYS
Across Experience Chile has developed these excursions at Atacama Desert for people that love exploring on the day and rest comfortable at nights in a hotel or hostel in San Pedro de Atacama. You will travel every day among astonishing landscapes surrounded by Volcanoes and secret paths in valleys, salt flats, gorges and learn about Atacama history, culture, archaeology, flora and fauna along with our local guides.
Upon your arrival in Calama Airport, meet & greet with our local guide and transfer to your Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.
You’ll meet our guide at the lobby of your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama .
We’ll head toward the Salt Mountain Range, which forms a natural barrier between the Pacific Ocean and the Atacama Salt Flat. The hike starts at the Coyote rock, a strange rock formation and getting deep into the mountain range and its geologic forms. We’ll hike 2 hours by the Cari George, admiring beautiful views of Atacama.
We will walk crossing the Salt Mountain Range starting from a belvedere to get into a passage called the Moon Valley (Valle de La Luna). Unique landscapes and white paths are formed by the evaporating materials such as salt and gypsum. It's one of the tours that will make you feel like you are on another planet.
Once we reach the end of Kari George we head to Moon Valley, a valley of statuesque, rocky formations. Salt emerges to the surface, covering the surface with a dry, whitish layer that gives the place a lunar aspect. We’ll visit the statues of salt called “Las Tres Marias“ , the salt mine, the salt caves and we will walk up by the sand dunes of the area until we reach the summit of the Big Dune. Here, you will see the whole valley at sunset, while a spectacular change of colours happens in front of your eyes and enjoy a delicious cocktail.
Afterwards we return to San Pedro de Atacama by van and drop you off at your Hotel or in town.
/ Cocktail /
Hiking distance approx.: 7 km.
Time hiking approx.: 2 hrs.
Departure time: 15:30 hrs.
Recommendations: Bring sunscreen and an extra layer for wind.
After breakfast, we’ll drive towards Atacama Salt Flat and enter the National Flamingo Reserve. This reserve is formed by a gigantic depression of more than 3.500km2, located 2.300 masl; the biggest salt field in Chile and its large quantities of salt make the surface white and rough. The dryness and altitude of the salt field allow an excellent panoramic view of the area. The bottom of the salt field is composed of an enormous lake, which receives water from mountain rivers and melting snow. As it has no runoff, several small lagoons have formed, where we can observe the three types of flamingos living in the area, the English, the Andean and the Chilean. Then, we’ll head to Socaire village at 3.300 masl. to acclimatise and photograph the small church of San Bartolomé.
We continue our day driving to Miscanti and Meñiques lagoons. Both have crystalline water and intense blue colour, settled at 4.350 and 4.100 masl where we’ll walk and admire this beautiful place. Once our walk ends, we start our way back to Socaire town, where we’ll enjoy a local lunch and get some energy for our last stop.
Then, we will continue hiking to Aguas Calientes Salt Flat and Piedras Rojas area; limited to the west by the Caichinque volcanic complex, which formed the Medano hill. This last mountain is characterised by shades of grey and brown, contrasting with the sparkling white of the salt surface. Furthermore, its shores, colourful crop marginal lagoons, which in total add an area of between 2 and 3 square kilometres. Afterwards we return to San Pedro de Atacama by van and drop you off at your Hotel in town.
/ Lunch /Snack/
Duration approx.: 8 – 9 hours
Departure time: 08:30
Arrival time: 17:00- approx.
Recommendations: Bring sunscreen and an extra layer for wind.
We will be able to see the majesty of forms made by the erosion of the wind and water in the dunes and hills of clay and salt that surround the Death Valley.
As well we can enjoy a beautiful view of the Andes mountain range and the town of San Pedro de Atacama, also our walk pass through a tunnel which the Native people walked with their llamas, handicrafts in the direction to Calama to be able to make commerce or barter
Perfect excursion for the first day in the Atacama to adapt to the dry climate and the altitude (2,600 masl).
Duration approx.: 4 hrs.
Departure time: 08:30 AM
Arrival time: 12:30PM
Walking distance: 5 km approx.
Walking time: 2:30 hrs.
Difficulty: Easy.
Recommendations: Bring sunscreen and an extra layer for wind.
PM- HD HIKE RAINBOW VALLEY
We’ll head by vehicle towards Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs and visit this archaeological site. Then, we’ll start biking towards one of the most beautiful and unknown places in Atacama, The Rainbow Valley, where you’ll bike by hills of amazing colours like violet, grey, calypso, red and blue, super rich in minerals. You’ll visit the Moai area and visit the east part as well, being able to see tall cactus on the way./SNACK to RIDE/
Walking distance: 7 km approx.
Technical Difficulty: Medium - Soft.
Physical Difficulty: Medium - Soft
Departure Time from SPA: 13:30 hrs.
Arrival Time: 19:30 – 20:00 hrs.
Recommendations: Bring sunscreen and an extra layer for wind.
Today we'll set off very early and drive in the van towards Tatio geysers. We’ll reach the 4.350 masl and enjoy breakfast. Geysers are shaped by a series of fumaroles that erupt water and steam of volcanic origin.
Afterwards, we’ll continue to White geysers Area we will explore another powerful gift of the earth, known as the "White Geyser". We will take some photos and then begin our Hike through this beautiful bofedal full of native flora and fauna, if we are lucky we can meet vicuñas, foxes, vizcachas, and different types of birds, etc.
It is a photographic safari.
At the end of our walk, we will go to San Pedro de Atacama.
Duration approx.: 6 hrs.
Departure time: 05:30 AM
Arrival time: 12:30PM
Walking Distance: 3,5 km approx.
Walking Time: 1:30 hrs.
Difficulty: Medium (4,300 meters Altitude)
Recommendations: Bring sunscreen and an extra layer for wind.
TRANSFER OUT TO CALAMA AIRPORT
At scheduled time you will be transferred to Calama Airport for your departure flight.
-End of Services-
Included:
- Transfer in/out Calama Airport – San Pedro de Atacama
- Pick up and drop off at your hotel for your excursions.
- English speaking guide and professional driver