San Pedro de Atacama, Moon Valley and El Tatio Geysers
Description
Pricing
Itinerary
Sub Trips
Hotels
San Pedro de Atacama is a small northern town with tremendous history and close proximity to many natural geographical wonders. From the geysers of El Tatio to the Valley of the Moon, from the historic town of Toconao to the mountain hot-springs of Puritama there are a host of natural and historic wonders here. Happily San Pedro remains unchanged with its unhurried, dusty streets unaffected by the small uninterrupted flow of foreign travelers who have come to experience something of the Chilean Desert. We offer a 4-day excursion including visit to the Tatio Geysers, Valley of the Moon, the historic town of Toconao and the mountain hot springs of Puritama. On this trip you will stay either at the Hotel Altiplanico, or at the Kimal.
Day 1
Santiago - San Pedro de Atacama - Moon Valley
Morning flight from Santiago to Calama. Reception at the airport in Calama and transfer to the town of San Pedro de Atacama.
Afternoon, half-day Moon Valley excursion
Departing at 3 pm (5 pm in the summer), this trip takes us through the Salt Mountain Range, visiting the Valley of Mars (also known as Death Valley) and the Three Marias - natural rock formations in the desert. We end up by climbing a huge sand dune in the Moon Valley, from which we will watch the sun set over the Andes. Evening, return to San Pedro de Atacama.
Day 2
Tulor, Quitor, Atacama Salt Lake and Toconao
Morning, half-day archeological tour to Tulor and Quitor. Departure at 9 am to visit the Padre Gustavo Le Paige Museum, which has an important anthropological collection of the Atacemeńan culture. Then continue to the indigenous fortress of Quitor where the first shepherds of this civilization lived. Continue on to one of the “ayllus” or settlements which reflect the social system and communal aspects of this subsistence society and the ruins of Tulor—a series of round rooms connected to each other and with communal patios. Today, this site is covered partly by the sands of the desert and represents an archeological enigma.
Afternoon, half-day excursion to the Atacama Salt Lake and Toconao. Upon leaving San Pedro de Atacama (3 pm in the winter, 4 pm in the summer), we head along the side of the huge salt flat and continue until arriving at Toconao, a village where the inhabitants dedicate themselves to working with the local liparite stone. Visit the old church and wander around the handicraft shops before a short visit to the Jeri Valley, an oasis in the center of the desert. Continue to the Chaxa Lagoon, where three types of pink flamingoes breed. Return to San Pedro de Atacama.
Day 3
Full day Tatio Geysers with Machuca Village.
Early departure (around 4am) from San Pedro towards the El Tatio Geysers.
A guided walk around the geothermal field as the fumaroles of steam which appear at dawn rise into the sky. Journey through the Andes mountains, with wonderful views of the Putana volcano and the peaks of Torcopuri. Return to San Pedro, stopping on the way to visiting Machuca, picturesque village of shepherds where the ancient llama caravans used to rest from their travels on the "Inca Highway".
Day 4
San Pedro - Calama - Santiago
Morning at leisure, then transfer to Calama airport to take the flight to Santiago.
Suggested Hotels by City and Category *
|
San Pedro de Atacama
|
| 3-star |
La Casa de Don Tomas or similar |
| 4-star |
Hotel Altiplanico, Kimal or similar. |
| 5-star |
Hotel Alto Atacama, Tierra Atacama B&B or similar. |
| Deluxe |
Hotel Tierra Atacama - All Inclusive (2 nights minimum).
Includes:
- American breakfast, lunch and dinner, open bar and excursions.
|
* Subject to confirmation at time of booking
4 days , from £1948
| Occupancy Type |
3-star |
4-star |
5-star |
Deluxe |
| Double | £1948 | £2086 | £2549 | £2880 |
| Single | £2713 | £2876 | £3535 | £3877 |
Prices shown above are per person, in Sterling (Ł).
Chile
Atacama Desert
El Tatio geysers
Valley of the Moon
