San Pedro de Atacama

Challenging and quiet, the Atacama Desert is considered the driest on the planet. Mountain ranges, volcanoes, with their eternal snow-covered summits, mysterious geoglyphs, gigantic geysers, impressive salt lakes with their colonies of flamingos, lagoons of intense blue color and thermal water swimming pools in the middle of magical indigenous towns. San Pedro de Atacama is considered the archaeological capital of Chile and the center of the Atacama culture.

Feel the immensity of the Atacama Salt lake with the imposing view of the Licancabur volcano, the magic of the quiet Valley of the Moon at dusk, the mystery of El Tatio Geysers and the moving feeling of the archaeological museum Le Paige with iys collection of objects that illustrate the evolution of the people that inhabited the Atacama territory during eleven thousand years of development.

Climate: Fall (March - May 23ºC); Winter (June - Aug 22ºC); Spring (Sep - Nov 23ºC), guarantee sun and clear skies.Summer (Dec - March 27ºC). During the year and at nights the average temperature varies between 2ºC and 6ºC.

Access: Daily flights from Santiago to Calama (2,30 min.) Land Transport Calama - San Pedro de Atacama (105 Km. - 1,30 min.).

Highlights:
• El Tatio Geysers
• Moon Valley
• Atacama Salt Lake

El Tatio Geysers Tour (San Pedro de Atacama)

Exploration to the highest geothermal field, located at 4,300 meters above sea level in the Andean Mountain range.The steam fumaroles, that reach 50 meters of height, are mixed with the imposing beauty of the Andes, multiple colors and with varied fauna, among which outstand the Vicunas, American camelidae of elegant walking and adapted to live in extreme climatic and geographic conditions.

The geothermal field has its origin in the Earth magma, the cordilleran waters originated by defrosting filter through the cracks of the layers of the soil, reaching deep and hot zones, and finally when getting in contact with the magma, raises violently in the form of steam and boiling water, causing the fumaroles and spurts that rise because of the abrupt change of temperature.

When returning, nature provides a stirring landscape of mountains and volcanoes 5,500 above sea level, as well as important birds in the small rivers that follow their way to the great Atacama Salt Lake.

Available: from Monday to Sunday
Tour duration: 8 hours
Departure time: to be confirmed
Includes:
• Transfers in/out from you hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
• Guide
• Breakfast

Moon Valley Tour (San Pedro de Atacama)

In the evening, one of the most expected moments is the sunset and the best place to appreciate it is the Mountain range of the Salt, with its Mars and Moon Valleys that are saline and argillaceous conformations product of the mineralogical folding that have taken place for one hundred million years and that originated small mountains of capricious and sculptural forms that at sunset resemble a Lunar landscape.

We head toward the valley of the moon, around 10 kms. away from San Pedro de Atacama, declared natural sanctuary, is part of Los Flamencos National Reserve within the Salt Mountains (range).

Beautiful and attractive place full of colors and formations that create a geological spectacle similar to the moon s surface. Visit to the Tres Marias statues , the salt cave , we will go upward to the gran duna ( great dune )
to see the entire splendour of this beautiful panorama.

Available: From Monday to Sunday
Departure time: 16.00hs
Tour duration: 4 hours
Includes: Trasnfers in/out hotel in San Pedro de Atacama; Bilingual Guide

Atacama Salt Flat, Toconao & High Plain Lagoons Tour (San Pedro de Atacama)

Departure to the Gaps High of Miñique and Miscanti, located 138 km of San Pedro de Atacama and at an altitude of 4,300 meters. We take the road to Toconao, this is going straight into the plains with views of the volcano Sunset, on the route be able to observe species of native trees in the area as the tamarugo and de, in the km 38 arrival to the people of Toconao, brief visit to the main square and the church, highlighting their houses built in volcanic stone (Quarry).

Panoramic view of the beautiful contrast that occurs between the greenery of the Valley of Jere and the desert, we continue brief visit to the village farmer in Socaire. Then ascend by the cordillera de los Andes to reach the gaps of Miscanti and Meñiques of intense blue and white shores, located in the National Reserve Flamingos, surrounded by imposing hills and volcanoes created a unique landscape in this region.

Guided Walk on the sector. Then returned and visited the Salar de Atacama and travel the Lagoon Here where we can witness the flamingos and other types of birds. At dusk. Return to San Pedro at 14:00 Approx.

Available: from Monday to Sunday
Departure time: 06.30am / 07.00 am
Tour duration: 6 hours
Includes:
• Transfers in/out from your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
• Guide
• Entrance Tickets
• Lunch

Archaeological Tour (San Pedro de Atacama)

Visit The Pukara Quitor dating back to the 12th century, important defensive fortress of the Atacama culture, located 3 Km. San Pedro de Atacama, with an area of 2.5 hectares and a strategic location, this defended by a ravine barrier on the river, a quebradilla and a wall in the most accessible that gives the valley.

It is an impressive construction that climbs a steep hill, in their homes and walls used stones, together with mortar of earth. Exit toward Ayllus (social system of subsistence and community work)

Crossing one of the Ayllus more distant came to the Village Archaeological Site of Tulor, with a seniority approx. 3000 years, miraculously preserved to be buried by sand, composed of rooms circulars communicated among themselves and with patio in common. It is a visit exciting. Return to San Pedro.

Available: from Monday to Sunday
Tour duration: 4 hours
Departure time: to be confirmed
Included:
• Transfers in/out from hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
• Bilingual Guide (spanish - english)

Witnesses to the Pacana & Salar de Tara Tour (San Pedro de Atacama)

Morning departure from hotel destination to visit one of the most impressive landscapes of the Altiplano. Accessed by international Paso Jama road until you reach the "Witnesses to the Pacana"

We stop to admire the beautiful panoramic view across the Salar de Atacama and the Oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. At km 41 to an altitude of 4,200 m, this crossing or diversion to Hito Cajon north LICANCABUR appreciate the majestic volcano of 5916 M. altitude.

We continue between high mountains, where it is common to find groups of ostriches, at km 75 may see small lakes where flamingos and other birds live in the km 91 pass through the hills of the Pakana, then surrounded the Farellón of Tara, a wall of rock carved with sculptures, little further, an esplanade, where we see the Moai of Tara, also known as the Pakana Witness, are a set of columns such rock structures that were preserved in the geological times as evidence of violent volcanic events occurred during the Tertiary period, then, panoramic view of the Cathedrals of Pakana, arrival at the Salar de Tara located at 4500 meters, with wonderful scenery and its unique ecosystem of the Salt Lake where the presence of numerous highlights being the most common birds flamingos chilensis.

Available: from Monday to Sunday
Tour duration: 8  hours 30 min
Departure time: 08.00am (to be confirmed)
Includes:
• Transportation in/out fom your hotel from San Pedro de Atacama
• Guide Tour
• Breakfast and Box Lunch

Important: You can not make this trip unmedicated hypertensive patients, aged 75 years and pregnant with heart problems.

Puritama Hot Springs (San Pedro de Atacama)

The hot springs are a welcome break to return from a day of exploration. The pools with water at 35 ° C and rich in minerals, allow give the visitor the relaxation required after a journey that begins early and extends throughout the day.

Available: from Monday to Sunday
Duration: 4 hours
Departure time: to be confirmed
Includes:
• Transfer in/out from hotel in San Pedro de Atacama)
• Guide
• Snack

Recommendation: Bring swimsuit, towel, sandals, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable clothing.

Arica
Border capital and as such, has an active commercial and cultural interchange with Peru and Bolivia. The colonial town of Putre, the ritual village of Parinacota, the surprising Chungará lake, surrounded by snow-covered volcanoes, defined archaeological expressions like rock art located in the foothill of some hills declared as National Monument and that represent a valuable testimony of the past, colonial churches founded at the beginning of the XVII century on lands of Indian towns, the historical Morro de Arica, the fertile Valley of Azapa, and calm beaches, are some attractions to visit in the Plateau.

Climate: Fall (March - May 23ºC), Winter (June - Aug 22ºC) and Spring (Sep - Nov 23ºC), guaranteed sun and clear skies. Summer (Dec - March 27ºC) .

Access: Daily flights from Santiago to Arica (3 hrs: 30 min.).     

Highlights
• Archaeological Museum San Miguel de Azapa
• El Morro de Arica
• National Park Lauca
• San Marcos Cathedral
• El Laucho Beach

City Tour Arica

Visit to a fascinating city that has a spectacular past which can be appreciated in its Achitecture designs and National Monuments the Cathedral San Marcos of Arica and the former customs building both built by Eiffel. Visit to the fishery market. The tour leads us to the Costanera (promenade avenue), then visit to former Isla del Alacràn ( scorpion´s island) and La Lisera Resort. The fishery industries are the heart of the commercial activity in the city.

Ascent to the historical hill, battlefield of one of the most relevant battles of the Pacific War. We visit the soccer stadium Carlos Dittborn (worlcup host stadium ). Ampliación 21 de Mayo ( may 21st avenue), handicraft Village ( souvenirs and handicrafts), Diego Portales Avenue, Costanera Norte, Chinchorro beach and resort, General Velásquez. Return to hotel or residence.

Available: from Monday to Sunday - to be confirmed
Tour duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Departure time: 09.00hs / 16.0hs
Includes:
• Transfers in/out hotel in Arica
• Guide
• Morro Museam Tickets

Archaeological Tour Azapa (Arica)

Tour starts towards the great mysteries of the area showing the archaeological ruins on the slopes that enclose this transverse valley where for thousands of years the Andean men down to the coast. We will join the Valley along the old path penetrating through olive plantations, mango and passion fruit to access the housing estate Cerro Sombrero and geoglyphs stands LA TROPILLA.

Sacred Cerro Alto Ramirez, with all the ancestral beliefs expressed in geoglyphs.

We will visit the Archaeological Museum of the University of Tarapaca, where we can see the evolution of ancient inhabitants of Arica until the arrival of the Spaniards, highlighting the mummies of the Chinchorro Culture complicated preparation, the oldest in the world. Back to the hotel.

Avaialble: From Monday to Sunday (under confirmation)
Departure time: 09.00hs / 16.00hs
Tour duration: 3 hours
Includes: 
• Transfers in/out hotel in Arica
• Guide
• Arqueologico Museam San Miguel de Azapa tickets

Lauca National Park & Chungara Lake Tour (Arica)

The excursion starts along the international road to Bolivia and across the Valley of LLuta. Picturesque settlements of archaeological interest will be visited : LLuta´s Geographs, Poconchile village and its church of 17th Century, Ravine of Cardones and its 4 meters height candelabrum cactuses. Pukará of Copaquilla a pre-incaic defensive village, Tambo of Zapahuira. Panoramic view of Socoroma and Putre.

Entrance to the Lauca National Park a real sanctuary of nature surrounded by volcanoes and snowed peaks Parinacota , the Pomerape, the Quimsachatas and the Guallatire volcano. The Chungará lake stands out at 4.500 mts above sea level embellished by an amazing landscape of the Chilean high plains and of big variety of birds.

Among these beautiful sceneries we will find the Parinacota Settlement that has an Andean-Colonial architecture, being the main attraction its church from the 17th century and the population of aymara origins.

Visit to Putre settlement, Lunch. Return to Arica.

Available: from Tuesdays to Sundays
Departure time: 07.00am / 07.30am
Tour duration: Full day / 12 hours
Includes: 
• Transfers in/out hotel in Arica
• Specialized Guide
• Breakfast, Lunch
• Oxygen equipment

Tour Inner Valleys, Archeological and Cultural (Arica)

Early morning we head for the mouth of LLuta river where we will find an important panel of geographs (drawing lines).

Visit to the Poconchile´s Church and the Molino´s settlement which is an old farmers area. From Poconchile we´ll go overland from valley of LLuta to the valley of Azapa.

Visit to San Miguel´s settlement , church and cemetery, then visit to the museum of San Miguel de Azapa , visit to the craftsmen´s village a place gives us the chance to be in touch with the artisans, lunch in a restaurant in valley of Azapa. Visit to the agricultural and livestock market to taste the Azapa´s black olive.

Soon afterward we head for the Cerro Sombrero and Cerro Sagrado to see the geographs representing a important cultural background, lastly visit to Pukará de San Lorenzo , the pre-incaic village that entails a great defensive character.

Available: From Monday to Sunday (to be confirmed)
Departure time: 08.00am
Tour duration: 8 hours
Included:
•Transfers in/out from hotel in Arica
• Bilingual Guide.
• Museam Tickets
• Lunch

Tiliviche, Unita, Pintado, Salitrera and Iquique Tour (Arica)

Trip to the inner pampa in search of the route of the ancient civilizations that specially dwelled the ravines or valleys within the bounds of the vast territory of the driest desert in the world.  We continue along the dry but beautiful route to the very steep slope of Tana where is possible to see the Tiliviche lines (geographs) drawn on the ravine.

Then we go deep into La Pampa del Tamarugal, tamarugos (xerophilous plant) forests that contrast with the panorama. We continue the trip to Huara village by getting the road that leads us to Unita hill ,a 86 mts line drawing figure on ground (geograph), called the Atacama Giant.

Stop in Pozo Almonte settlement for lunch.

Visit to the geographs of Pintado, visit to the former Saltpeter Mining town of Humberstone . Arrival at Iquique.

Available: From Monday to Sunday (under confirmation)
Departure time: 08.00am
Tour duration: 10 hours
Includes:
• Transfers in/out from hotel in Arica
• Bilingual Guide (Spanish / English)
• Lunch
• Tickets