Chile

Chile, Atacama Adventure Tour

8 days | 7 nights
Private tour
From On request per person
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Tour Description

Mirror-like salt flats, gushing geysers, and snow-capped volcanoes - Chile's north is a geological wonderland and encompasses some of the nation's most stunning natural scenery.

For the outdoor adventurers, this 8-day Chile Adventure tour takes you from the cosmopolitan capital of Santiago to the dramatic landscapes of the north, where you'll base yourself in the desert town of San Pedro de Atacama for 3 nights, launching yourself into new thrilling experiences each day.

In vibrant Santiago, tour its government offices and historical buildings by bike to gain an understanding of the country's colorful past and cultural identity, then journey to the mining town of Calama in northern Chile, where you'll travel onwards to San Pedro.

On a guided bike tour, visit the golden dunes and natural attractions of Moon Valley, and stargaze with passionate astronomers on an astronomy tour under the impossibly clear Chilean skies.

Embark on a half-day trek between the two rural villages of Machuca and Rio Grande, and spot alpacas and guanacos in their natural habitat.

Take flight in a hot air balloon ride during sunrise and ponder the rust-hued, lunar-like landscape of the Atacama from above before going on an equestrian expedition to the archaeological site of Piedra de la Coca.

See the Atacama Salt Flats, Chile's largest salt flat, on an adrenaline fuelling quad ride through the world's driest desert, and float in the salty waters of Cejar Lagoon.

This 8-day Chile tour is the ultimate adventure through the north of Chile, introducing active travelers who dare to brave the high altitude and desert conditions to the region's otherworldly landscapes, ancient cultures, and archaeological sites.

Destinations

Chile

Trip at a glance

Visits

ATACAMA DESERT: Bike Tour at Moon Valley, Astronomical Tour, Trek between Machuca & Rio Grande Villages, Hot Air Balloon Ride, Horseback Riding at Piedra de la Coca, Quad Safari to Cejar Lagoon

View other "Adventure" tours

Trip details

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVAL, SANTIAGO CITY BIKE TOUR

Morning

Meet and greet your private English speaking guide upon arriving at Santiago International Airport, and transfer to your downtown hotel to drop off your luggage.

Afternoon

After you've settled at the hotel, go on a guided bike tour of Santiago, and visit the urban green spaces and cultural highlights of a vibrant downtown. Take in La Moneda's elegant neoclassical facades, and continue biking to Plaza de Armas, the bustling heart of Santiago, enveloped by government offices and historical buildings.

Return to your hotel.

Evening

Free evening and overnight in Santiago.

Day 2 FLIGHT TO CALAMA, TRANSFER TO SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

Morning

Transfer to Santiago International Airport for your 2-hour flight to Calama, a mining town on the north bank of the Loa River in northern Chile's Antofagasta Region. Situated in the Atacama Desert, Calama is known as one of the world's driest cities, with a mere 5 mm of average annual precipitation.

Afternoon

From Calama El Loa Airport, transfer to San Pedro de Atacama on a 1.5-hour journey, traveling some 106 km southeast of Calama. Spend your afternoon at leisure in San Pedro de Atacama, and explore the desert town that will be your base for the next 3 nights.

Evening

Overnight at your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 3 BIKE TOUR AT MOON VALLEY, ASTRONOMICAL TOUR

Morning

Early this morning, make your way to Moon Valley in a private transfer for a half-day bike tour. Begin at Duna Mayor, a massive dune sandwiched between two peaks, and visit the Amphitheatre, a cliff formation that offers sweeping views of the entire Moon Valley. On your bike, pedal on to the Salt Caves, where you'll have the opportunity to weave your way through its winding narrow tunnels and see glistening salt crystals up close, then ponder the curiously shaped Three Marys, a series of three wind-worn rock formations that resemble three praying women.

Afternoon

In San Pedro de Atacama late afternoon, go on a 2.5-hour astronomical tour and learn from passionate astronomers how to observe the night sky. Together, you'll read sky maps and identify the different constellations in the dark night, then using the telescopes - the largest collection of any public observatory in all of South America, learn to photograph the moon. End the night with a warm drink while you discuss with your guide your incredible findings tonight.

Evening

Overnight at your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 4 FULL-DAY TREK BETWEEN MACHUCA AND RIO GRANDE VILLAGES

Early this morning, embark on a 5-hour trek between the two rural villages of Machuca and Rio Grande, along the winding Peñaliri River. Along the way, spot feeding flamingos, wild alpacas, and frolicking guanacos in their natural habitat, and identify native plant species that have become well adapted to the extreme conditions of the harsh desert environment. Trekking at a consistent altitude of some 4000 m above sea level, come to unobstructed views of ancient terraced fields and the altiplano countryside, crisscrossed by a network of free-flowing rivers. Stop along one of these rivers to enjoy your box lunch, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the water.

Evening

Free evening and overnight at your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 5 HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE, HORSE RIDING AROUND PIEDRA DE LA COCA

Morning

Begin your day with a thrilling hot air balloon ride, and reach the launch site just before sunrise by private transfer. With a hot drink in hand, take part in the safety briefing before the balloons are inflated and you're invited to climb aboard. Soaring at an altitude of 700 m, witness the early morning sunrise against a spellbinding backdrop of the Andes, Cordilleras, and the Salar. After an hour in the hot air balloon, indulge in a celebratory breakfast of croissants, fruits, and champagne. Then, return to your hotel.

Afternoon

This afternoon, journey to Piedra de la Coca on horseback and visit the ceremonial stone of the indigenous Atacameño. Start by passing Pukará de Quitor, a pre-Columbian stone fortress dating back to the 12th century, and zig-zag along Paso de Los Toros, an ancient cattle track that leads to the top of a cliff for an unobstructed view over the San Pedro plain and Atacama Salt Flats. Navigate through canyons on your way to Piedra de la Coca, where you can still see rock engravings and balls of chewed up coca leaves left behind as an ode to Mother Earth by early explorers. Enjoy a picnic and return to San Pedro by making your way down a massive dune behind Death Valley.

Evening

Overnight at your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 6 QUAD SAFARI TO CEJAR LAGOON

Morning

Race through the driest desert in the world on an adrenaline fuelling quad ride to the impossibly blue lagoon of Cejar Lagoon, some 20 km from San Pedro in the middle of the Atacama Salt Flats - Chile's largest salt flat. Widely recognized for its high salt content, you'll naturally float in the waters of the Cejar Lagoon when you jump in for a swim.

Afternoon

Spend your afternoon at leisure.

Evening

Overnight at the hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 7 FLIGHT TO SANTIAGO

Morning

Transfer to Calama El Loa Airport for your 2-hour flight to Santiago.

Afternoon

Upon arriving at Santiago International Airport, transfer to your downtown hotel.

Enjoy your evening at leisure.

Evening

Free evening and overnight at the hotel in Santiago. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Day 8 DEPARTURE

Your 8-day adventure tour ends with a transfer to Santiago International Airport, where your guide will assist with check-in for your onward journey.

MEALS
  • Breakfast at the hotel

Services

What's included

Accommodation

Nights
7 nights in 3* Premium Hotels

Meals

Bed & Breakfast plan
7 breakfasts + 1 lunch box

Transportation

Car
Private car & driver for all transfers except Astronomical Tour & Balloon Flight (shared Bus)

Orientation

Guide
Private English-speaking guide for all mentioned visits except Astronomical Tour & Balloon Flight (shared Guide)

Entrance Fees

All entrance fees to mentioned sites

What's not included

  • Domestic Flights:
    • Santiago to Calama
    • Calama to Santiago
  • International Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Extra Meals
  • Drinks
  • Tips

Prices


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