Itinerary

DAY 1 SANTIAGO / SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
TRANSFER HOTEL TO SANTIAGO AIRPORT
TRANSFER CALAMA AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL IN SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
CHECK IN HOTEL TIERRA ATACAMA
PM – VISIT TO THE DOWNTOWN SAN PEDRO ON YOUR OWN
DINNER AT THE HOTEL TIERRA ATACAMA

Breakfast at the selected hotel.
Transfer from hotel in Santiago to the airport, to flight to Calama. Upon arrival to Calama, reception at the airport and direct transfer to San Pedro de Atacama (1 ½ hours driving). The oasis of San Pedro de Atacama is located almost 2,500 mts above sea level on the northern border of Atacama Salt Flat, in an area of great archaeological and tourist interest in the middle of the arid Atacama desert.
The zone was the center of development of the Atacameñan culture, and later it was a point of advancement for the Incas. The history of San Pedro de Atacama is found in the Archaeological Museum of Padre Le Paige, in Pukara de Quitor and in the Village of Tulor, near the settlement. But not everything in the area is archaeological. It is flanked by the mountain range of the Andes and Domeyko, the desert climate, the active volcano, and the presence of big and small salt deposits. San Pedro de Atacama’s location is ideal for visiting a variety of other surrounding areas and nearby attractions.
Some of the surprising features of Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain Chain) include the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon); the Geysers of Tatio, at more than 4,300 meters above sea level, not even the altitude can stop the visitor from enjoying this spectacle; Los Flamencos National Reserve accounting for much of the rich fauna of these inhospitable places; and the villages of Toconao and Socaire show facets of a form of life inherited from the ancestral towns.

Accommodation at Hotel Tierra Atacama.
Tierra Atacama is a boutique hotel on the edge of San Pedro de Atacama. It was created by the Purcell family, long time owners and operators of the Ski Portillo, famous in Chile for its excellent skiing, food and warm hospitality. Like Portillo, Tierra Atacama provides guest experiences that combine outdoor adventure and sports with indoor comforts, hospitality and excellent service.

The architecture, interiors, grounds and spa of Tierra Atacama were designed by Chilean professionals with an aim of preserving local cultural influences while also creating a place
that allows guests to relax, spoil themselves and enjoy the good-life in this unusual part of the earth.

Their “living room” ambiance is casual and friendly; they want guests to be comfortable in the common areas just as if they were in their own homes. Tierra Atacama invites our guests to gather in their living room, library or bar, or perhaps outside around the swimming pool, in the gardens or on the terrace.

Before and after dinner the bar is a meeting place for old and new friends. If you haven’t been to Chile before, be sure to try Chile’s signature cocktail, the pisco sour, or taste the Chilean wines by the glass or bottle.
Enjoy one of the welcoming private corners of the hotel such as a seat by one of the terrace fire pits, or a chaise lounge next to the pool, or one of the outdoor shady decks. Take a siesta or watch the brilliant stars, bask in peace and wonder. The Uma Spa at Tierra Atacama offers many services for your pleasure and to help you
fully rejuvenate during your Chilean stay.

Dinner at the hotel and overnight.

DAY 2 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
AM – EXCURSION (OPTIONAL TOURS BY GROUPS)
LUNCH AT HOTEL TIERRA ATACAMA (IT DEPENDS OF THE TOUR)
PM – EXCURSION (TOCONAO & ATACAMA SALT FLAT)
DINNER AT HOTEL TIERRA ATACAMA

Breakfast at the hotel.
AM – OPTIONAL TOURS BY GROUPS
1. Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain Chain) included the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon)
2. Los Flamencos National Reserve

PM – OPTIONAL TOUR
4:30 pm The tour continues to Toconao – Atacama Salt Flat, along a straight road across the plain with the stately view of the Licancabur volcano. During the tour, we may observe unique native tree species of the region such as: tamarugo and chañar.

Arrival at the little village of Toconao with a short visit to the main square and the church. Highlights include its houses built in Liparita volcanic stones, the panoramic view of the quarry and the Jerez Valley. Afterwards, we move inland to the Atacama Salt Flat, located at the Flamingo National Reserve at 2.305 meters above sea level, a saline surface covering 400 km square, the largest salt deposit of Chile, formed in a depression without water outlets, that receives from the San Pedro river and many gorges, through which capture the water of the highland and filters into the salt flat.
The lagoon formation like the Chaxa has caused the proliferation of bird species like the flamingos.

(as alternative) Surrounded by this desert in an unpolluted environment, you may enter into the mystical world of the Yatire or Chaman, joining in Aymara ceremony to pay tribute to Mother Earth or Pachamama. Aperitif to toast with Pachamama.

Return to the village of San Pedro, arriving at the hotel at 8:00 pm.
Dinner at the restaurant in Hotel Tierra Atacama.
Overnight.

DAY 3 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA / SANTIAGO
AM – EXCURSION VISIT TO THE TATIO GEYSERS
TRANSFER HOTEL TO CALAMA AIRPORT
TRANSFER SANTIAGO AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL IN SANTIAGO

Departing at 4:00 am, from the hotel to the Geysers del Tatio located at 98 kms from San Pedro and at 4.300 m.a.s.l. We arrive at the geysers around 7:00 am. Enjoy a picnic style breakfast and a guided stroll through this geothermal field to see the geysers and pools of boiling water and mud. The area takes on an almost surreal look at sunrise. Once the sun has risen and the thermal activity is calmed somewhat, we move to the area of the hot springs for a rejuvenating soak in 40°C water. After that, we continue our trip to Calama, but first we visit the Caspana Village, located at 3.305 m.a.s.l and in a fertile valley in contrast with the desert.
The village is known for its typical terrace plantations and its native architecture. Then we keep traveling to Chiu-Chiu, a tiny village located 33 km from Calama and with only 322 habitants, very well known for being founded by the Spanish.
San Francisco’s church in Chiu-Chiu is considered by many people as the most beautiful in the area of the Atacama. It is now a national monument and, with its 120 cm thick walls, is a typical style of construction employed by the Spanish in the 17th Century. When crossing the river we discover the Pukara de Lasana, a 12th Century fortress. From Lasana there is only a short journey on an excellent highway to arrive at Calama.

Lunch at a restaurant in Calama and at the agreed time, transfer to Calama Airport (El Loa) to take the next flight to Santiago.
Transfer from Santiago Airport to the selected hotel.

END OF THE PROGRAM