Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in San Pedro de Atacama
You'll land at Calama Airport and head out on a shared transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, which takes about an hour and a half. Once you check into your hotel, there's an optional evening stargazing tour at the Astronomical Observatory where you can learn about Andean cosmovision and look through a professional telescope to see the night sky.
Optional Activities
- PM Astronomical Observatory - 2 hours 30 minutes stargazing experience with certified astronomer and telescope viewing (8:30 PM-11:30 PM or 11:30 PM-1:30 AM)
Landmarks/POIs Calama Airport (CJC) San Pedro de Atacama - Day 2
Rainbow Valley
Start early in Valle de la Luna to see the Three Marías rock formations and Great Dune, then spend the afternoon at Rainbow Valley walking among the colorfully-striped mountains. After that, check out the ancient petroglyphs at Yerbas Buenas and explore Salado River Valley before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Buffet breakfast at hotel, served daily from 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM)
Included Activities
- Valle de la Luna guided tour - 8 AM to 2 PM (4 hours) including Three Marías formations, Amphitheater, Great Dune, and Quebrada Honda with Piedra del Coyote
- Rainbow Valley visit - colored mountains exploration with 1-hour walk to site and 1-hour return walk
- Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs - viewing of ancient indigenous rock carvings including camelids, birds, monkeys and dogs
- Salado River Valley - guided walk to explore the landscape
Landmarks/POIs Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) Cordillera de la Sal Los Flamencos National Reserve Three Marías (Three Watchmen) Amphitheater Great Dune Quebrada Honda Piedra del Coyote (Coyote Rock) Rainbow Valley Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs Salado River Valley - Day 3
Andes Mountains: Toconao, Atacama Salt Flat, and Piedras Rojas
You'll spend the full day heading toward the Andes Mountains, starting in the charming village of Toconao and then moving to Laguna Chaxa where flamingos gather. From there, you'll continue to the high-altitude village of Socaire, then see the Miscanti and Meñiques Lagoons at around 4,200 meters. The day ends at Piedras Rojas in the Talar Salt Flat, where red-hued rocks stand out against the Andes backdrop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Toconao village with its unique architecture and crafts
- Laguna Chaxa at the Atacama Salt Flat with flamingo viewing
- Socaire village visit including church and agricultural practices
- Miscanti and Meñiques Lagoons (approximately 4,200 meters altitude)
- Piedras Rojas geological formations at Talar Salt Flat
Landmarks/POIs Toconao Laguna Chaxa Atacama Salt Flat Socaire Miscanti Lagoon Meñiques Lagoon Piedras Rojas Talar Salt Flat Los Flamencos National Reserve Solcor Sector - Day 4
El Tatio Geysers and Machuca
Before dawn, you'll head out to El Tatio, one of the world's highest geyser fields sitting at 4,264 meters, where geothermal activity creates temperatures reaching 85°C/185°F. On the way back, you'll spot wildlife like vicuñas and rheas, then stop at the ancestral village of Machuca known for cheese production. The day wraps up at Laguna Salada where you can see flamingos and other birds.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- El Tatio geysers tour (3rd largest geyser field in the world) with geothermal pools
- Machuca ancestral village visit with herding and cheese production observation
- Laguna Salada wildlife viewing (flamingos, ducks, gulls)
Landmarks/POIs El Tatio Machuca Laguna Salada - Day 5
Laguna Cejar and Salt Flats
In the afternoon, you'll swim in the turquoise waters of Laguna Cejar, where the high salt content lets you float effortlessly. You'll also visit the Ojos del Salar (two natural water pools) and Laguna Tebenquinche, where you can take in views of the Andes Mountains reflected in the salt landscape while having a snack.
- Meals
- Snack
Included Activities
- Laguna Cejar swimming experience in high-salinity turquoise lagoon
- Ojos del Salar visit (two underground aquifer-fed pools with reeds and algae)
- Laguna Tebenquinche with Andes Mountain views and snack
Landmarks/POIs Laguna Cejar Atacama Salt Flat Ojos del Salar Laguna Tebenquinche San Pedro River - Day 6
Departure from San Pedro de Atacama
A shared transfer will pick you up from your hotel and take you back to Calama Airport, which takes about an hour and a half. Hotel check-out is available until noon, though you can request late check-out at the hotel reception if you need extra time.
Landmarks/POIs Calama Airport (CJC) San Pedro de Atacama
