Discover the mystical beauty and inspiring geology of the Atacama Desert. Witness the fantastic colorful display of the Valley of the Moon at sunset. Visit the altiplanic lagoons Miscanti & Meñiques and spend a day visiting the Tatio Geysers. With more time, you can choose from a variety of day tours that explore this incredible region. Take an archaeological tour at the famous the Museo Gustavo Le Paige museum. Explore the Lasana valley and its preserved petroglyphs. The opportunities to explore this region are endless. Spend your nights in San Pedro de Atacama, where our lodge options provides relaxing accommodations while appreciating the traditional ways of life of the indigenous communities of the area.
Highlights
Discover the mystical beauty and inspiring geology of the Atacama Desert.
View turquoise lagoons contrasting with the desert reds and oranges.
Experience the Geysers of Tatio as boiling steam bursts into the sky.
Watch the moon rise over the wind-sculpted salt statues in the Moon Valley
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Upon your arrival at the Calama airport, A representative from the lodge will meet you and take you straight to San Pedro de Atacama, passing the stunning rock formations of the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains). After you are comfortably settled into your room, spend the first day of the trip relaxing or exploring the village.
Please select a flight that lands prior to noon (12:00 pm).
Order of tours subject to change
Day 2: Altiplanic Lagoons & traditional wool manufacturing of Socaire
Begin your adventure by heading south toward the "Puna" or Highlands/Altiplanic after breakfast, and be amazed by its landscapes featuring crystal-clear waters surrounded by vast expanses of salt flats and high-altitude deserts and habitat for a diverse array of wildlife. The Miscanti Lagoon (the largest in the region) is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Later, pay a visit to the Village of Socaire, where the local indigenous community still holds on to some of their traditional way of life. Experience the unique culture and traditions of the local people, including their distinctive architecture, handicrafts, and cuisine.
Get ready for an early morning wake-up call to witness the impressive Tatio Geysers in action. Boiling steam rises high into the air, sometimes reaching heights of up to 40 meters, creating a stunning visual display.
Head towards one of the entrances to the Andean highlands, traversing important altitude ecosystems with incredibly rich biodiversity such as the wetlands of Machuca and Putana. Make a stop at the small farming village of Machuca, then continue to the awe-inspiring natural spectacle of the El Tatio geyser field. Afterwards, return to San Pedro to explore another magnificent gift of nature known as the "Geyser Blanco" (White Geyser), where those with a daring spirit can take a dip in the thermal waters in the middle of the riverbed.
Order of tours subject to change
Day 4: Moon Valley | Return Home
1 Breakfast
Begin your journey from the hotel around 6:30 AM* and set your sights on the majestic and peaceful Salt Mountain Range. Enjoy breakfast while taking in the sunrise. Afterwards, embark on the final hike in the grand and stunning Valley of the Moon. Walk alongside sand dunes until you reach the lookout, where you will behold one of the world's most gorgeous and unique landscapes, accentuated by the warm hues throughout the valley.
*Exact pick up time will be communicated on the day of arrival.
Later, you will connect with two Ayllus (local families) in San Pedro and savor traditional Atacameñan dishes. Learn about the history, culture, and challenges of San Pedro de Atacama. (This excursion could be changed for a visit to a local Ceramic Workshop.)
Depart from your lodge and return to Calama airport to fly on to your next adventure or return to Santiago to fly home. It is suggested that you choose a flight departing from Calama (CJC) after 5:00 PM to allow sufficient time for the transfer to the airport.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
We were referred by a satisfied client and the booking of the trip was everything we wanted to do, and they listened to the types of hotels, sightseeing, etc. we wanted to do.
Jan S
1 month ago
Rapa Nui was on my bucket list for a long time so I worried that it would not meet my expectations. Our tour could not have been better. Our guide was knowledgeable and professional with an understanding of the island that made it come alive. I would and have recommended this trip to everyone that will listen.
elisa wright
2 months ago
Mary Curry is the BEST! I have worked with her for multiple family trips for over 10 years, and she is responsive, works within your preferences and budget, has great suggestions and has personal travel experience at many of the locations. We prefer active family vacations and Adventure Life and Mary Curry make sure that is what we get!
Heather Spanbauer
2 months ago
My tour operator was helpful. Unfortunately she was unable to get my single-supplement canceled. Not too many tours charge for that anymore and I almost canceled my trip because of that.
Joel
3 months ago
Excellent communication and coordination for our proposed trip. It couldn't have been smoother, and any question we did have was rapidly addressed. It has made the whole process nearly seamless.
