Atacama Desert
The Atacama is a lunar landscape in places, lush river canyons in others. In some parts, rain has not touched this parched land for the past three hundred years while summer can bring brilliant rainstorms in the mountains that surround the Alto Atacama Hotel.
For the past one hundred centuries, the San Pedro area has been an epicenter of human activity. The relative abundance of local fauna and flora has created fitting living conditions for the first inhabitants of our continent, despite the fact that it is such an inhospitable region.
The Licanantay, Aymara and eventually Inca cultures left their traces as evidenced by the vast quantity and variety of archeological remains in San Pedro. Fortresses like the Pucara of Quitor and the ancient settlement of Tulor are just a few of the literally hundreds of sites left by the original people.
One of the most surprising aspects of Atacama is the variety of animal and plant species that have been able to adapt to the extreme conditions that dominate the driest desert on our planet.
Atacama is the habitat for three species of Flamingos, mammals such as the Zorro Culpeo, Llama,Vicuña and at lesser altitudes the Guanaco. Rodents including the Vizcacha can be spotted sunbathing in the midday sun. There are dozens of bird species, the most characteristic being the Tagua Tagua which builds its predator –proof aquatic nests, or the Suri, the Ostrich of the Altiplano.
The Northern skies of Chile are famous for being some of the clearest in the World. The combination of an extremely dry climate, high altitude and the distance from any source of environmental pollution makes them a perfect and clear window into the Universe.
Itinerary
Day 1
Reception at Calama airport. Transfer to the hotel. On arrival choice of excursion for that day will be dependent on arrival time. (D).
Day 2
Choice of 2 half day excursions or one full day excursion. (B,L,D)
Day 3
Choice of 2 half day excursions or one full day excursion. (B,L,D)
Day 4
Choice of excursion dependant on departure time. Transfer to Calama airport. (B,L).
Included in the price are the transfers from and to the airport, accommodation for the number of nights booked, full board and open bar with standard drinks and wines, early check in and late check out subject to availability, use of the spa and pools, 2 half day excursions or 1 full day excursion.
Not included are gratuities, premium spirits and wines, spa treatments and therapies, extras.
Excursions Menu
The choice of excursions are as follows:
BY VAN
LICKANANTAI CULTURE
Length: Half day
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 2440 m.a.sl.
Required acclimatization: Not required
Route: We head out from the Alto Atacama to the Pucará de Quitor parking lot. From here we go via Quitor to the municipal parking lot in San Pedro de Atacama. Visit the Gustavo Le-Paige Museum, the Church, main square, and handicrafts market. Ending with a visit to the Tulor Village. Return to the Alto Atacama Hotel.
TOCONAO – ATACAMA SALT FLATS (Chaxas Lagoon)
Length: Half day
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 2300 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required
Route: Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel in a van to the small village of Toconao, "Hidden Valley" in Kunza. We visit the church, square, bell tower, and local handicrafts. We continue the route to the Soncor sector of the National Flamingo Reserve. At the Chaxas lagoon, we see a 14 minute explanatory video (optional). We walk a 400 meter circuit in about 30 minutes to observe the flora and bird life of the area. Sunset with appetizers, return to San Pedro de Atacama to the Alto Atacama Hotel.
SUNSET IN THE VALLEY OF THE MOON
Length: Half day
Difficulty: easy
Altitude: 2550 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required
Route: Head out of the Alto Atacama Hotel via Quitor, to the crossroads with Licancabur Street following the road to Calama, take road towards Kari Lookout, after we drive to the Tres Marías, central crater, and amphitheatre and continue to the Sunset spot, located in front of the amphitheatre or back to the Kari lookout.
CAVE PAINTINGS
Length: Half day
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 3250 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required
Route: Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel in a van towards the Hierbas Buenas area, where we will see petroglyphs that reflect on the continuous movements of ancient shepherds. We continue to Santiago de Rio Grande (currently a pastoral-agricultural area), where we can observe the architecture, handicrafts, and crops, before continuing on to Matancilla and its Rainbow Valley ( great mineral reliefs made up of copper oxide, sulphur, iron, and gypsum crystals). Return to Alto Atacama Hotel.
TATIO GEYSERS
Length: Full Day
Difficulty: medium
Altitude: 4321 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Yes. At least two full days, of having been in San Pedro de Atacama.
Route: Head out from Alto Atacama Hotel in a van towards the Tatio Geysers, easy walk on a trail within the geothermal field, where we can observe the geysers, fumaroles, springs, and local fauna. On the road, we will see beautifully contrasting landscapes. Very low (below zero) temperatures in the morning, on our return, we will visit the small village of Machuca, and then return to San Pedro de Atacama and to the hotel.
TREKKING
TREKKING VALLEY OF THE MOON > KAMUR
Length: Half day, 9 km.
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 2600 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required
Route: Head out from Alto Atacama Hotel via Quitor to the crossroads with Licancabur Street, take the highway to Calama and detour to the Valley of the Moon, entering the park through main entrance. We will stop at a sand dune where the trek begins. We come down the dune and continue through the canyon to the left, at the first fork, we take the right hand path. We pass the first lookout, which looks upon the central crater in the Valley. We continue our route and at the second fork, we take the left hand path to get to the second lookout. We cross the great crater and continue to the Tres Marías Lookout, where we will see the sunset.
TREKKING VALLEY OF THE MOON > WATERFALL
Length: Half day, 4km
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 2600 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required
Route: Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel via Quitor to the crossroads with Licancabur Street, take the highway to Calama and detour to the Valley of the Moon, entering the park through main entrance. After the Tres Marías, we begin our trek, heading north, and entering a canyon in the Cordillera de la Sal range, where we will be met with fresh juices and chocolate to recover lost energy.
LOS COLORADOS
Length: Half day, 6 km.
Difficulty: Medium. Not recommended for people with vertigo.
Altitude: 2550 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required.
Route: Head out from Alto Atacama Hotel via Catarpe to the old tunnel to Calama. Our trek begins here across the ridge of the Cordillera de la Sal range, to the Great Dune of the Mars Valley through which we descend, ending our trek.
ALTO KATARPE
Length: Half day, 5 km.
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 2550 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required
Route: Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel via Catarpe to the old tunnel to Calama. Our trek begins here, across the ridge of the Cordillera de la Sal range, almost to the end of the Catarpe Valley where our van awaits.
KARI RAVINE
Length: Half day
Difficulty: medium
Altitude: 2650 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required
Route: Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel via Quitor, to the crossroads with Licancabur Street, taking the road to Calama, then the Kari Ravine detour. From here we walk along the path towards the Kari Ravine, until we reach the Kari Canyon. Return to Hotel.
QUEZALA RAVINE
Length: Half day. 4.2 km
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 2810 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required
Route: Head out from the hotel in the van along the highway to Toconao, after crossing the border station, to the village of Talabre, at the foot of the Lascar volcano, with its constant fumaroles. South of Talabre, we come to the Quezala Ravine which we enter to observe its testimony of human existence more than 12,000 years ago. At the foot of the Lascar volcano, we come to the village of Talabre and south of it is the Quezala Ravine, where we will observe petroglyphs. The trek continues above the ravine for about 1 hour.
LOS CARDONES RAVINE
Length: Half day. 6.1 km.
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 3166 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: One night in San Pedro.
Route: From the hotel drive in the van on the shortcut to Puritama highway, stopping at the Guatin entrance. From here, begin the trek down the Vilama river ravine. At the Apacheta, we break from the rivers path climbing to the top of the ravine to finish the trek.
TAMBO - KATARPE
Length: Half day. 3 km.
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 2510 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required
Route: Drive out in the van from the villa to the Katarpe Ayllu (20 minutes).
Visit the church in Katarpe, and afterwards a walk over the plains and ravines up to the ancient Inca tambo of Katarpe.
Return to the hotel in the van (10 minutes).
KATARPE - EL DIABLO RAVINE
Length: Half day. 2.8 km
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 2530 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required.
Route: Head out in the van from the villa to the Katarpe Ayllu (15 minutes).
Visit the church in Katarpe and then walk through the spectacular Cordillera de la Sal range ravines. Coming out of the El Diablo Ravine, we will be in the midst of the high walls of salt, clay, and gypsum for the final 45 minutes of the trek. Return in the van to the Alto Atacama hotel (10 minutes).
JERE VALLEY
Length: Half day, 4 km.
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 2475 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required.
Route: Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel in a van to the village of Toconao, "Hidden Valley" in Kunza. Then we take a detour that reaches the Jere Valley, where we can see small plots with fruits and vegetables being grown... we will also observe the flora and fauna of the area. Return to San Pedro de Atacama and to the hotel.
MOUNTAINBIKE
QUITOR AYLLU AND SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Length: Half day, 10 km.
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 2460 m.a.s.l.
Route: We leave the hotel on the bicycles crossing the beautiful Quitor Valley, and its colourful cropland.
Visit the town of San Pedro de Atacama.
We continue to the Quitor Ayllu and back to the Alto Atacama Hotel.
KATARPE VALLEY
Length: Half day. 15 km.
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 2460 m.a.s.l.
Route: Head out from the hotel riding 500 meters, to the foot of the Quitor Pukara, where we will cross the San Pedro River, to enter the Katarpe valley, to the church 7 km away.
CEJAR LAGOON
Length: Half day 21.6 km.
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 2410 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Not required
Route: Heading out from the Alto Atacama Hotel, we cross the Quitor Ayllu, passing by the town of San Pedro de Atacama, the Conde Duque Ayllu, continuing through Yaye and Solcor to the Solor Ayllu, and then to the Poconche Ayllu, taking the detour on a dirt road that takes us to the Cejar Lagoon (1 hour approximately) and returning to the Alto Atacama Hotel.
INCA PASS
Length: Half day, 29 km.
Difficulty: Hard
Altitude: 2600 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Yes, two nights in San Pedro.
Route: Head out from Alto Atacama Hotel to the Katarpe Valley. We take the detour towards the old tunnel, where we will climb until reaching the base of the ridge. First point of interest. Here we begin a descent that takes us to the Coca Rock, second point of interest. We continue the descent to the Llano de la Paciencia, where we connect with the road that takes us back to San Pedro de Atacama through the Mars Valley. We will come down the dunes while observing the geological formations. Return to the hotel via an interior road of the Quitor Ayllu.
DESERT VALLEYS
Length: Half day. 43 km.
Difficulty: Hard
Altitude: 2470 - 2750 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Yes, two days in San Pedro
Route: We pedal out of the hotel at an altitude of 2470 m.a.s.l. Heading south east, to cross the San Pedro River after 500 meters and continue up through the Quitor valley, observing foxtails, breas, carob trees, and chañares, among other flora.
At km 6, we take an old road at the fork that used to connect San Pedro de Atacama with Calama, with a strong grade for 2.5 km until reaching an old tunnel dating back to 1930. Inside, there is landslide material that does not allow motor vehicles to cross. It is, nevertheless, completely safe to ride through it.
After crossing the tunnel and a well deserved rest stop, we continue our way down through the formations left by water that once flowed down the soft slope of the western face of the Cordillera de la Sal range, opposite the Llano de la Paciencia, until we reach the "Coca Rock" (where we observe that this great rock has small cavities where the ancient shepherds placed the coca leaves they chewed onto the rock). We continue pedaling south until we reach the current Calama-San Pedro Highway.
Up to here, the route is the same as on the Coca Rock excursion, except that now, instead of taking the direction of San Pedro de Atacama, we cross the highway through the Llano de la Paciencia to the western entrance of the Valley of the Moon, so that we then cross the Cordillera de la Sal range, heading east, passing the Tres Marías (wind carved rock formation, named by Father Gustavo Le Paige), the central crater of the Valley of the Moon, and the great dune.
We continue our route across the vichufita (compacted salt and mineral) road to the international highway, and arrive in San Pedro de Atacama after riding these 38 exhausting kilometres.
DESCENT FROM THE BASE OF THE SAIRECABUR VOLCANO
Length: 4 hours, 44 km.
Difficulty: Hard. Experts only
Average altitude: Between 2470 to 3800 m.a.s.l.
Route: We leave the Alto Atacama Hotel early, with the bikes loaded onto the van, while we drink water constantly. Drive to the base of the Sairecabur volcano, where we will see an old sulphur mine. We do a final check on our GIANT bicycles, before we go downhill on the Devils Hill to the Puritama hot springs.
FULL DAY
HIGH ANDES LAGOONS
Length: Full day
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 4200 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Yes, at least two days prior in San Pedro de Atacama.
Route: We head southwest out of the Alto Atacama Hotel in the van, passing the village of Socaire before reaching the High Andes lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques (Approx 2hrs 30 min.). The beauty of the area is given by the lagoons surrounded by the high points of the Andes mountain range and the flora that lends the wide variety of color. We can also observe local fauna here. A buffet lunch and return to San Pedro de Atacama and the hotel.
HIGH MOUNTAIN VILLAGES
Length: Full day
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 3322 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Yes, at least three full days in San Pedro de Atacama.
Route: We head out of the Alto Atacama hotel in the van towards Guatin, taking the detour to Machuca. After doing at water crossing at the Putana Vado, we can observe its bird life; we then take another detour towards the Tocopuri police outpost, and the Chita pass to Caspana. On this road, we will see a large amount of fauna from this area. We will walk through the fields in this agricultural area, and see the liparita stone based architecture. Lunch will be in this village. We continue to the tiny village of Chiu- Chiu, its church, and if there is time, to the Lasana Pukara before reaching the El Loa airport in Calama.
PUJSA SALT FLAT AND THE PAKANA MONKS
Length: Full day
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 4300 m.a.s.l. (passing to 4690)
Required acclimatization: Yes, at least two days in San Pedro de Atacama.
Route: We head out in the van from the Alto Atacama Hotel towards the Andes Mountains, passing the Quepiaco Vegas, and the rock formations known as the Pakana Monks. Afterwards, we go back 9 kilometres to the Pujsa Salt Flat where we can observe the flora, fauna, and landscapes of this area of the Andes. A buffet lunch and return to San Pedro de Atacama and the Alto Atacama Hotel.
AGUAS CALIENTES SALT FLAT AND TUYAJTO
Length: Full day
Difficulty: Medium
Altitude: 4300 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Yes, at least two days in San Pedro de Atacama.
Route: From the hotel, we take the van on the highway towards the Sico Pass, passing Toconao and Socaire, then a dirt road about 70 kilometres to the Aguas Calientes Salt Flat, where a buffet lunch is prepared, while we enjoy the Andean scenery.
ROUTE OF THE SHEPHERDS (Trekking)
Length: Full day 5 hours.
Difficulty: Hard
Altitude: 4015 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Yes, at least two days in San Pedro de Atacama.
Route: We head out of the Alto Atacama Hotel to the village of Machuca, from where we descend alongside the river of the same name. The return to the hotel is from Rio Grande.
THE ROUTE OF THE LLARETAS (Trekking)
Length: Full day. Walking 4.5 to 5.5 hours 8 km.
Difficulty: Hard
Altitude: 4000 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Yes. At least two days in San Pedro de Atacama.
Route: Copa Coya is a hill 5000 m.a.s.l. West of the geyser area, which we will go around in a trek lasting 4 to 5 hours, passing through sandy ravines and in between native high mountain flora.
The trek begins with a descent through a stony area, with a barely marked trail, which is in essence animal track. We come to the lowest point of the walk, in the ravine, to start back up a moderate uphill which becomes stepper near the end. The van will be waiting at the end of the walk with a picnic sandwich lunch.
MOUNTAINEERING
TOCO VOLCANO (5604 m.a.s.l.)
Description: Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel in the van to the abandoned sulphur mine (1 hour 15 minutes approx). It begins the rise through a steep trail all the way to the summit.
Beautiful panoramic view of the Bolivian lagoons and of the volcanoes in the Andes Mountain range.
Length: Half day. Walking 2 to 3.5 hours.
Difficulty: Hard
Altitude: 5612 m.a.s.l.
Elevation change: 365 mts. (5212 to 5612 m.a.s.l.).
Acclimatization Required: Yes (at least 3 full days and have done at least one trekking excursion over 4.000 m.a.s.l.).
MOUNT KIMAL (4280 m.a.s.l.)
Description: We leave early from the hotel, on the highway towards Calama, taking the detour to the Valley of the Moon through the Llano de la Paciencia. At kilometre 5, taking the road that goes right, through the antennas on the Domeyko range, following through to the base of Mount Kimal, where we can see the vestigial remains of old mountain camps, which is where we begin our ascent.
Length: Half day. Walking 2 to 3.5 hours.
Difficulty: Difficult
Altitude: 4280 m.a.s.l.
Elevation change: From 3430 m.a.s.l. To 4280 m.a.s.l.
Acclimatization Required: Yes (at least 3 full days and have done at least one trekking excursion over 4000 m.a.s.l.)
Gardens
After twenty years of continuous study of the altiplanic territory, Veronica Poblete developed the concept of an Andean Park, a tribute to the traditional landscaping of the Altiplano.
Alto Atacama’s park is a microcosm of the desert; and of the way in which life prevails in an unforgiving territory. The landscape, botanical species and ecologic factors of Atacama were her inspiration. The architectural style, culture and the art of historical and contemporary inhabitants were her theoretical bases.
All this, entwined with the artistic testimonies drawn on ancient stone walls produced the patterns which ultimately led to the design of the Andean Park at Alto Atacama.
The proposition was the following: that every line etched during the course of the project was to be done so using Andean materials and local hand labour; every plant was to be sown using native seeds collected within the altiplanic area and grown in local soil. All material gathering was a daunting task as everything was gathered by hand and stones were to be transported from their settings on donkeys and then on to trucks. Even the tiles and stone bricks were hand carved on site to make the Alto Atacama Andean Park a true testament to the cultures that once walked this desert.
Commitment
VISUAL HARMONY
The first step towards a project that can be sustainable in time was to make it be harmonic with its surroundings, Alto Atacama blends with the landscape in a way that doesn’t interrupt the lines and features of the Catarpe valley and the Cordillera de la Sal.
NATIVE PLANT SPECIES
Alto Atacama’s Andean Park was conceived as a way to restore and revive ancient agricultural techniques that still pulsate in the Altiplano. Veronica Poblete, our landscaper, used only local plant species in the park, the high endemism of the plants of Atacama naturally transform our park into a sanctuary of life.
WATER TREATMENT
Atacama is the driest desert in the world in when it comes to annual rainfall, but due to the special geologic conditions that rule here, there are large amounts of underground water that allow for the oasis of San Pedro to exist. We want our passengers to enjoy the luxury of water in the desert but always with responsibility. The pools in Alto Atacama have a discreet size and all water is treated to achieve maximum purity. Alto Atacama has a modern water treatment plant that allows the water to be re used for our park and that eliminates any trace of organic and non-organic elements when it goes back to the cycle.
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
Atacama has a human history of 10.000 years, therefore we encourage our guests to experience and enjoy local culture with respect in mind, understanding and appreciating local ways as an example of a culture that remains robust and proud, that welcomes visitors and that is open to show traditions and to tell stories, not just to be photographed. Humanity is the living conscience and memory of the Earth, let Atacama speak through its people.
TRAVEL ETHICS AND GUIDES
Deserts are some of the most static surfaces in the World, eroded only by wind and the rare showers that fall in some parts of the desert. Therefore it is of absolute importance to be respectful with this terrain. Whatever mark is left behind will stay here for a long period of time. At Alto Atacama Hotel we are aware of this and we train our guides with the Leave No Trace principles
One of the top priorities is to minimize the impact on the environment, when we travel by van we only do it on marked roads, never off road and we do the same when mountain biking and hiking.
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