We
suggest the following itinerary, however we can adjust this schedule
according to your needs:
Day
1 - Santiago – Calama – San Pedro de Atacama: Private
transportation from your accommodation to Santiago airport in
time to connect with your flight to Calama. Upon arrival you will
be met at El Loa Airport and taken to your selected accommodation
in San Pedro de Atacama (approximately 60 miles away)
In
the afternoon a half day excursion visiting the Valley of the
Moon. In the evening, one of the most anticipated moments is the
sunset, and the best place to see it is in the “Cordillera
de la Sal” among the two valleys, Valle de Marte (Mars Valley)
and Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon). The valleys are saline
and clayed shapes, the product of mineralogical folds that occurred
hundred of millions years ago, creating mountains with strange
and capricious shapes. Here the sunset turns these mountains into
a lunar landscape.
Day
2 - Arqueological Tour – Half Day (9am to 12:30pm):
In the morning a half day Archaeological tour of the San Pedro
Region including the Museum Padre Le Paige and the Incan ruins
of Tulor and the adobe homes of Quitor dating back some 3000 years.
Free afternoon to explore the town
Day
3 - Lagunas Altiplanicas – Full Day (9am to 6pm):
Full day excursion visiting the Lagunas Altiplanicas. These lagoons
are located at 4.500 m. above the sea level and are of great beauty.
The surrounding landscapes of varying colors and unique flora
and fauna in these protected areas make for an outstanding excursion.
The altitude puts us very near mountains and volcanoes, some of
which are sacred and have inspired beautiful legends of the Desert
of Atacama. Along the way we can visit the town of Socaire, a
place where the ancestral traditions of their inhabitants have
lasted over time. Here the shepherds and farmers cultivate the
"pachamama" using the old system of Andean terraces.
Day 4 San Pedro de Atacama – Calama – Santiago (4am
to 4:30pm):
At 4am we begin our exploration to the highest geothermic area,
located at 4.300 mts. above the sea level in the Andean Range,
the Geysers of Tatio. The steam columns ascend over 50 meters
high, mixed with the fabulous beauty of the Andes, full of color
and with many animals, the most typical the Vicuña, an
American camel which has adapted to live in extreme geographical
and climatic conditions. The geothermic fields originate in magma
flows. The waters from the Andes pass deep into these hot zones,
until finally the water reaches the magma and returns as steam
and boiling water. In the afternoon transportation to Calama Airport
arriving in time to connect with your flight to Santiago. Upon
arrival transportation from Santiago Airport to your accommodation
in Santiago.
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