San Pedro, El Loa (Atacama desert), Chile

Check out the Atacama desert, world's driest desert, learn about its history, geography, visit the salt flats and the "Moon valley" and see how the locals live and survive in this harsh environment.

Enjoy the surrealist landscape of Moon Valley at 2.500 meters above sea level located in The Salty Mountain chain South East of San Pedro de Atacama. Here you will be able to see beautiful and strange rocky formations which are the result of fluvial erosion, wind, rain and extreme temperatures.
We will walk through certain areas of this place watching unique landscapes and will be an unforgettable experience.
Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
Duration: 4 to 4.5 hours. Difficulty: easy

Thought to be an experience of pleasure and relaxation where you will feel peace. It is located at the green bottom of a ravine and it is divided into 8 ponds of thermal water at 35 Celsius degrees and it is at 3.500 meters above sea level.
Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
Duration: 3 hours. Difficulty: easy

Our exploration will go towards South and after almost 30 minutes we will stop at the little village of Toconao where we will see its square, church and craftsmanship. Then we will go on our exploration to reach one of the areas of Los Flamencos National Reserve located in Atacama Salt Flat. Here we can gaze at different kinds of flamingos in their habitat.
This is a pm exploration because the sunset is amazing.
Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
Duration: 4 to 4.5 hours. Difficulty: easy

At 4.300 meters above sea level we can see Tatio Geysers which is an impressive geothermal field and it is linked to all the geothermal activity of this zone. In this place we can see 12 meters high steam columns which emerge from little pools of boiling water. Here we will have breakfast after sunrise.
On the way back we will be able to see vicunas and if we are lucky we might see foxes, ñandúes and vizcachas. We will also stop at the little village of Machuca which is a shepherds village and it is surrounded by a unique landscape where you can see llamas and birds as well as its traditional architecture made of stones and straw used in houses and church. Besides you will also see the area full of Cactaceas.
Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
Difficulty: Easy, but there must be a previous altitude acclimatization.
Duration: 6 to 7 hours

We will set off from San Pedro de Atacama towards Miscanti and Meñiques lagoons which are located at 4.200 meters above sea level. The landscapes are perfect to stop for a while to watch how beautiful their mountains, colors and contrasts are. We will visit Chaxa Lagoon which is located in a national reserve called Los Flamencos.
Here you will be able to watch the different kinds of birds such as flamingos and others. This exploration includes lunch in a homely restaurant in the village of Socaire.
Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
Duration: 6 to 8 hours. Difficulty: easy

This route goes to the East and you will able to see interesting views of the volcanoes including the incredible Licancabur volcano and Tutelar mount. We will continue going up to the highest point of the route (4.700 meters above sea level). Here besides the colors and contrasts we will be able to see birds, salt flats and wetlands.
When the paved route finishes we will encounter the amazing rocky formations called Monjes de la Packana (Packana Monks). In this point the route which leads to Tara Salt Flat begins. Tara Salt Flat is a lonely and beautiful place where we will be able to enjoy an absolute silence and mystic atmosphere.
Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
Duration: 6 to 8 hours. Difficulty: easy

If you are one of those travelers who prefer to be in touch with nature and away from crowded cities then we have a new route for you to enjoy the beauty of Altiplanic Lagoons and their spiritual silence. At more than 4.000 meter above sea level we will take to the far Aguas Calientes (hot water) and Tuyajto Lagoons where you will be able to see the breathtaking landscapes.
It is a full day exploration which allows enjoying the peace of the desert as well as its salt flats, contrasts and colors. In this exploration you will also visit an area called Piedras Rojas (red stones) with impressive rocky formations which seem to be from other planet. If the weather is good we will have lunch in Tuyajto to watch its incredible landscape. After visiting this amazing place we will have lunch in a homely restaurant in the village of Socaire to taste its flavors.
Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
Duration: 6 to 8 hours. Difficulty: easy

Perfectly situated two kilometers from the village of San Pedro de Atacama, at the edge of the worlds driest desert, Hotel Cumbres stands as a tranquil oasis. It isa special place, where the ancient architecture of Atacameos Ayllu blends with modern style and sensibility. Amidst native wood and stone design elements, guests are filled with a deep sense of connection to their surroundings.

Aguas Calientes, Salt Flats, Tuyayito Lagoon and buffet lunch.

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Half day
·Duration: 2,5 hours
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 0
·Distance: 5 kms / 3 miles
·Max. altitude: 3,500 meters / 11.200 feet

Panoramic views of the volcanoes, wind eroded rocks, El Tatio Geothermal Fields, geysers, picnic lunch

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Full day
·Duration: 4,5 to 5 hours
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 2
·Distance: 7 kms / 4,3 miles
·Max. altitude: 4,500 meters / 14,400 feet
·Note! This is one of the acclimatization hikes required for high mountain ascents.

Panoramic views of the oasis, Atacama Salt Flat, Valle de la Muerte Dunes

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Half day
·Duration: 2 to 2,5 hours
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 0
·Distance: 4,2 kms / 2,5 miles
·Max. altitude: 3,000 meters / 9,600 feet
·Note! Family recommended

Cordillera de la Sal, panoramic views, volcanoes

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Half day
·Duration: 2,5 to 3,0 hours
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 0
·Distance: 6,5 kms / 3,9 miles
·Max. altitude: 3,000 meters / 9,600 feet

Vilama River, local flora, waterfalls, birdwatching, panoramic views

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Half day
·Duration: 2 to 2,5 hours
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 0
·Distance: 4,2 kms / 2,5 miles
·Max. altitude: 3,000 meters / 9,600 feet
·Note! Family recommended

Ancient cacti gardens, Puritama Hot Springs

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Half day
·Duration: 2 to 2,5 hours
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 1
·Distance: 5 kms / 3 miles
·Max. altitude: 3,500 meters / 11,200 feet
·Note! Family recommended

Valle de la Luna, Cordillera de la Sal landscapes, panoramic views

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Half day
·Duration: 3,5 hours
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 0
·Distance: 9 kms / 5,4 miles
·Max. altitude: 3,000 meters / 9,600 feet

Kari Ravine Canyon, salt walls

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Half day
·Duration: 2 to 2,5 hours
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 0
·Distance: 5,5 kms / 3,3 miles
·Max. altitude: 3,000 meters / 9,600 feet
·Note! Family recommended

Salt flats, salar de Aguas Calientes, panoramic views, picnic lunch

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Full day
·Duration: 4,5 hours
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 2
·Distance: 10 kms / 6 miles
·Max. altitude: 4,200 meters / 13,440 feet

Machuca, riverbed hike, picnic lunch

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Full day
·Duration: 4,5 to 5,5 hours
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 2
·Distance: 16 kms / 9,6 miles
·Max. altitude: 4,000 meters / 12,800 feet

Orchards of Toconao, laguna Chaxa, Salar de Atacama, bird watching, sunset

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Half day
·Duration: 1 hour
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 0
·Distance: 2 kms / 1,2 miles
·Max. altitude: 2,500 meters / 8,000 feet

Aguas Calientes Salt Flat, Tuyayito Lagoon, buffet lunch

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Full day
·Duration: 1 hour
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 2
·Distance: 3 kms / 1,8 miles
·Max. altitude: 4,500 meters / 14,400 feet
·Note! Family recommended

Licancabur Volcano, Cerro Toco, Quipiaco Lagoon, salt flats, panoramic views, picnic lunch

·Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Full day
·Duration: 1,5 hours
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 2
·Distance: 2,5 kms / 1,5 miles
·Max. altitude: 4,500 meters / 14,400 feet

Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs, colored rock walls

··Pickup/Dropoff: Your hotel In San Pedro.
·Type: Half day
·Duration: 2 hours
·Nights of acclimatization needed: 1
·Distance: 2 kms / 1,2 miles
·Max. altitude: 3,000 meters / 9,600 feet