Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in San Pedro de Atacama
Your flight touches down at Calama Airport where a local English-speaking guide meets you for the drive to San Pedro de Atacama, about 101 km away and roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road. You'll spend the morning and afternoon getting used to the altitude in town. After sunset, head out to a private observatory in the desert for stargazing. You'll have around 2 hours looking through professional telescopes at stars, planets, constellations, nebulae, and star clusters.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Astronomy experience in the Desert with professional telescope observation (approximately 2 hours)
- Airport transfer from Calama Airport to San Pedro de Atacama
Landmarks/POIs Atacama Desert - Day 2
Moon Valley
The morning is open for more acclimatization if you need it. In the afternoon, drive to Moon Valley in the Salt Mountain Range and walk through the great dune, amphitheater, and the Tres Marías rock formations. From there, head to Coyote Stone lookout for sunset facing the Andes while having a drink and taking in the view.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Moon Valley including exploration of dune, amphitheater, 'Tres Marías' formations, and Coyote Stone lookout (Kari)
- Sunset viewing with cocktail
Landmarks/POIs Moon Valley - Day 3
Salt Flat and Chaxa Lagoon
Travel south from San Pedro de Atacama to the Atacama Salt Flat, which is Chile's largest salt deposit and contains important minerals like lithium. Stop at Chaxa Lagoon to see up to three flamingo species and other birds in the area. Later, visit nearby Toconao town to learn about how locals live and their traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Atacama Salt Flat with access to Chaxa Lagoon
- Wildlife observation (flamingos and birds)
- Cultural visit to Toconao town
Landmarks/POIs Atacama Salt Flat Chaxa Lagoon Toconao - Day 4
Altiplanic Lagoons and Tropic of Capricorn
Head south toward the Sico border crossing with a breakfast break at a Tamarugo forest. Continue to Red Stones and walk around the area near Salar de Aguas Calientes III by Piedras Rojas, where you'll have lunch with mountain views. After that, check out the Altiplanic Lagoons to see Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons with volcano views in the background. Stop at the Tropic of Capricorn for photos and to learn about this geographic marker.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Tamarugo forest), Lunch (Lunch with local products with stunning view), Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Tamarugo forest
- Visit to Red Stones and Salar de Aguas Calientes III (Piedras Rojas area)
- Visit to Altiplanic Lagoons - Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons
- Stop at Tropic of Capricorn
Landmarks/POIs Red Stones Salar de Aguas Calientes III Piedras Rojas Miscanti Lagoon Miñiques Lagoon Tropic of Capricorn - Day 5
Tatio Geysers
Start early and drive about 1.5 hours to Tatio Geysers, which has over 80 active geysers at boiling temperatures and is the largest geothermal field in the Southern Hemisphere. After exploring the geysers, grab breakfast at a nearby wetland area while watching local wildlife. Then visit Putana wetland to see the active Putana volcano, followed by Machuca wetland for flamingo viewing before heading back to town.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at wetland area), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Tatio Geysers with observation of 80+ active geysers
- Breakfast at wetland area with wildlife observation
- Visit to Putana wetland and active Putana volcano
- Stop at Machuca wetland for flamingo observation
Landmarks/POIs Tatio Geysers Putana Volcano Machuca Wetland - Day 6
Laguna Cejar and Desert Lagoons
Head to the Laguna Cejar area and try floating in Laguna Piedra, which has such high salt content that you'll stay above water effortlessly. Continue to Laguna Tebenquiche and look at Andean volcanoes reflected in the water. End your day at Ojos del Salar to see two distinctive hills and get views of the Andes for photography.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Laguna Piedra with floating experience
- Visit to Laguna Tebenquiche
- Visit to Ojos del Salar
Landmarks/POIs Laguna Cejar Laguna Piedra Laguna Tebenquiche Ojos del Salar - Day 7
Departure
Have breakfast at the hotel and finish checking out by noon. Your transfer to Calama Airport gets you there in time for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Airport transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport
