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ATACAMA DESERT TREKKING
Crossing The Atacama Oasis
moderate trekking
8 days -7 nights
Atacama Desert Trekking in San Pedro de Atacama allow us to discover the region behind the typical known places of this town, located in one of the oasis of the Chilean high plateau. Its geographical environment will give us the chance of covering amazing landscapes that resembles the lunar surface, big Salares (stone formations made of Salt) and the enigmatic Geysers with its huge columns on steam.

Here, we propose to combine sleeping in Hotels with a 3 nights crossing (at camp sites) that will lead us to visit the Atacama Oasis. An unforgettable experience.

Calama - San Pedro de Atacama
We welcome you at the Calama Airport and transfer you to San Pedro de Atacama. Will have the rest of the day to enjoy the town.

Lodging at Hosteria double or single. Meals we provide: none.

San Pedro de Atacama - Valle de la Luna
Early in the morning after breakfast, we will visit an area near town known as “La Cordillera de la Sal (‘’Mountain range made of SALT’’) with its very own particular formations. From there we’ll have an unforgettable view of Los Andes and the valleys around the town.

In the afternoon we’ll do a small trek to the Valle de la Luna; located at 17 km from San Pedro in the area of the Cordillera de la Sal, it has an especial appeal for its amazing resemblance to the lunar surface.

Lodging at Hosteria double or single. Meals we provide: Breakfast.
Salar Grande y Trekking to the Valley of San Bartolo
This day we’ll visit the Atacama’s Great ‘’Salar’’ (Stone formations made of Salt). It’s known all around the world as 3rd one of its dimensions. In it we’ll also get to see the flamencos that live in the region.

Later we’ll continue till Toconao, small towns known for its art craft. In the afternoon, we’ll start our trek thru the valley of Catarpé we’ll walk to the beginning of the river San Bartola; once there, 'petroglifos' (small incrustations of marine life in stone) can be found. Then we keep going until we reach the 2700 meters of high, where we’ll camp.

Lodging at Semi full Camping. Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner
Trekking San Bartolo - Rio Grande
Today, already acclimatized, we will begin to gain altitude, join a river-bed where we find weird stone formations and giants’ cactus that emerge from the arid desert. We will continue up to the 3500 metres high, around the area of Rio Grande, a small village where we have our second Camp site.

Lodging at Semi full Camping. Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner
Trekking Rio Grande - Machuca
After breakfast, we leave behind Rio Grande Village and we will go through an area of narrow rivers that create fertile valleys where the inhabitants take theirs “llamas” to graze. We will continue gaining altitude up to Vilarejo de Machuca (4100 metres) where we camp. From here, we have an astonishing view of the Licancabur volcano.

Lodging at Semi full Camping. Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Machuca - Geyser Del Tatio
Atacama Desert Trekking starts quite early in the morning. We will depart before dawn (4 AM) in order to go to the TATIO volcano, located 4500 meters over the level of the sea. First thing we’ll do once we arrive is to go to the geothermal field located in the mountain range of Los Andes. Early in the morning this place has an amazing steamy activity because of the high temperatures that are coming up from the craters.

The boiling water, the huge columns on steam and the water that runs underneath the surface makes of this, and unforgettable experience. We will have breakfast here, and then we’ll take a walk and those who want to might take a bath in the warm water near the geysers. (That’s why we recommend you to bring along besides warm clothing, a swimming suit, towel, sun block)

Hostería base double o single Meals we provide: Breakfast
San Pedro de Atacama
This is a day off so we’ll be able to choose between different options such as: the ascension of the Lascar Volcano or the Toco Mountain or just take a look around walking or by bicycle

Lodging at Hosteria double or single. Meals we provide: Breakfast.

San Pedro de Atacama - Tilcara
Alter breakfast we are transferred to the airport of Calama of bus station which will take us back to Argentina.

Meals we provide: Breakfast

Argentinian Explorer holds the right of changing the itinerary or cancel any of the activities when any natural cause (or any other cause of any type) justifies it in order to look after the group safety The tour can start in Salta (Argentina) and from there take the bus to San Pedro de Atacama. If this is the case, you will probable need an extra night in Salta.

INCLUDES. Incoming services Bilingual guide (Spanish - English) during all the activities. 4 nights in Hostería it bases double or single with breakfast 3 nights in Semi - Full Camp (included: tents and dinner tent or saloon. Not included: sleeping bag or insulating mattress) Transfer Calama Airport - San Pedro / Salta - Salta Airport All transportation as shown in the itinerary combining private and regular buses. 7 breakfast 3 box lunch y 3 dinners

NOT INCLUDED. Medical and life insurance. Tips. Drinks and beverages (all foods are without alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks). Flights or airport taxes. Optional excursions. Services not shown or detailed in the program.

Backpack, 50 lts or so Sleeping bag down or synthetic for -10º C Sleeping mattress Trekking shoes or boots Thermal underwear Trekking pants Fleece Breathable parka and over pants Gaiters Gloves Thermal socks The necessary spare cloth Wool hat Sun hat Sun glasses Sun screen (UV is very strong during the southern spring, from September thru December) Personal items Lamp Trekking poles (recommended, if you are use to them) Personal medication Personal documents to cross the border between Argentina and Chile.

 
Argentine and Chilean Trekking Full
Atacama Desert Trekking