South America Tours - Chile

Overland Discovery - Atacama Desert

11 Days / 10 Nights (Easy)

Season: All Year Round

The Atacama Desert is considered the most arid desert on the planet. Nevertheless, its highland topography allows the existence of oases with abundant flora, lakes of astonishing colours, active volcanoes and a variety of wildlife. It is also a rich reserve with countless curiosities, such as geysers, natural hot springs, unusual geological shapes, geoglyphs, etc.

This is perhaps one of the most beautiful and complete trips you can take in Northern Chile, and thanks to our 4x4 vehicles we can access the most remote places and camp in wonderful spots. Starting in Antofagasta and travelling all across the Atacama Salt Plains and three National Parks in northern Chile, our journey comes to an end by the Pacific coast, in Arica, a beach resort.

DAY 1: (SANTIAGO) - ANTOFAGASTA - TILOMONTE

Reception at Antofagasta airport. Visit of La Portada, a fantastic natural arch carved by the waves. Then, we get into the heart of the Atacama Desert.We cross the Atacama Salt Lake from West to East and can see the lithium mine, the flamingoes, and the strange salt formations the lake has created. We set our camp in Tilomonte oasis. (L,D)

DAY 2:      TILOMONTE - MINIQUES LAGOON – SALAR OF CAPUR

We visit Tulan archeological site and the village of Peine. In the afternoon, we drive to the heart of the cordillera, crossing the altiplano and visit Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons. We continue our travel and set our camp at the Salar de Capur. (B,L,D)

DAY 3:      SALAR DE CAPUR - LEJIA LAGOON - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

Excursion to the Salar de Aguas Calientes and Lejia Lagoon, located at the foot of the active Lascar Volcano. We reach San Pedro de Atacama, crossing Toconao village, the Jerez Valley. Excursion to the Moon Valley at sunset. Arrival in San Pedro de Atacama. Transfer to the hotel. (B,L)

DAY 4:      SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS - TATIO GEYSERS

Trekking in the salty mountain range to look at some geological curiosities. Visit of the archeological museum of San Pedro and the pre-inca fortress of Quitor. In the afternoon we go to Puritama hot springs (3400m) where we  enjoy a relaxing bath. Then we reach Tatio geysers and stay in a refuge. (B,L,D)

DAY 5:      TATIO GEYSERS - CALAMA*

We get up very early to go to the Tatio Geysers. Pictures of the geysers and optional swim in the natural swimming pool. Then we drive down to Calama. On the way, we visit Caspana, Chiu-Chiu, Lasana and the Loa geogyphs. Arrival in Calama (2250m). Transfer to the hotel. (B,L)

DAY 6:      CALAMA -  HUASCO SALT LAKE

The road leads us close to the Bolivian border. We do a short walk on Puruña Volcano, a small crater emerging from the flat areas. Then we follow the border, driving on a small altiplanic road. We set our camp at the Huasco Salt Lake. (B,L,D)

DAY 7:      HUASCO SALT LAKE  - VALLE ESCONDIDO

Long trip down to Pica Oasis, where we have a relaxing bath in the natural swimming pool. After a logistic stop, we visit Humberstone ghost-town and then cross the desert to reach the Altiplano once again. We camp in Valle Escondido close to the thermal baths. (B,L,D)

DAY 8:      VALLE ESCONDIDO - SURIRE SALT LAKE

We enter the Isluga National Park where we appreciate the altiplanic fauna (llamas, viscachas, ñandus, etc...) and cross several typical villages. We arrive at the Surire Salt Lake and set our camp close to the hot springs. (B,L,D)

DAY 9:      SURIRE SALT LAKE - LAKE CHUNGARA

We head north to reach the famous Lauca National Park, classified as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO. It is surely one of the most beautiful regions of Chile. We arrive at Lake Chungará, the highest lake in the world, a wild and deep blue surface from where we have a fantastic view on volcanoes Parinacota (6342m) and Sajama (6520m). We set our camp near the lake (4500m). (B,L,D)

DAY 10:      LAKE CHUNGARA - ARICA

Long ride down to Arica. We cross the Lauca National Park from East to West and visit Parinacota, Putre, Socoroma and the Copaquilla Fortress. We see the strange candelabrus cactus and the geoglyphs of the Lluta Valley. Arrival in Arica. Transfer to the hotel. (B,L)

DAY 11:      ARICA - (SANTIAGO)

City tour and excursion to Azapa Valley to observe dozens of geoglyphs. Transfer to Arica airport. Flight back to Santiago.  (B,L)

SERVICE DETAILS

Included Services

10 nights in Hotel, Pousada (Inn) or camping. Standard Room, including room and government taxes 
10 breakfasts

11 Lunches

07 Dinners

Land transfers as detailed in the itinerary
Guided Tours as detailed, including National park taxes. Tours can change due to operational, safety or weather condition.

Not Included  

Flights 

Optional Tours  

Travel Insurance

Meals not included in the itinerary. 

Drinks, Laundry, Tips, Telephone calls, and any other personal expenses etc…. 

Meals
Meals included in the program are detailed in the following chart.

Accommodation:

Double rooms can have separate beds or not. A third person depending on the hotel has the possibility of using a sofa bed. Consult for children policy.  

Payment:

Deposit of 30% to guarantee your reservation. The remaining amount must be paid a minimum 30 days before start of the tour. If reservation is made within 30 days of the tour full payment required to make a reservation.   

Cancellation:

Up to 30 days before full refund is given unless the flight tickets have been emitted. In this case there will be a penalty due to the cancellation of the tickets. This depends on the rules of the airline used.  No refund is given when a cancellation is made within 30 days of departure.  

Operation of tour:

Minimum of 1 pax to operate. 

Responsability:

Brasil Travel / Melchior & Hodson Ltda and/or agencies involved with the packages, flights and tours shall act only as agents of the tour members in making arrangements for hotels and any other services and do not assume any liability what so ever for any injury, damage, death, loss, accident or delay to persons or property due to an act of God, default by any hotel, company or person rendering any of services included on the tours or flights. Furthermore, no responsability is accepted for quarentine, government restrains, weather or other causes beyond control. No responsability is accepted for any additional expenses, omissions, delays, re-routing or acts of government authority.

Insurance:

Not included (optional)