Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Calama Airport to San Pedro de Atacama
Reception and transfer from Calama Airport to San Pedro de Atacama. Along the route we can appreciate the impressive rock formations of the Cordillera de la Sal. In San Pedro, briefing lunch. In the afternoon we do our first hike in the silent and amazing Valle de la Luna; we walk over sand dunes until we reach the point from where we will witness an intense sunset over the desert. Then we head back to town and overnight in San Pedro.
Day 2 – San Pedro to San Bartolo
Once we finish breakfast we board the van and go to the great Fortress of Quitor, which dates from the twelfth century and reveals the pre-Inca architecture in the region of Atacama. Then we start a walk to the mouth of River San Pedro, entering small canyons that border the stream. Our walk turns into an amphibious trek given that the trail crosses the river in different spots surrounded by strange geological formations. We finally enter a small valley that we cross until we arrive at the ghost town of San Bartolo, a former mining enclave, now abandoned. We camp there and tonight we will have the first sample of the amazing starry nights of Atacama.
Trek Start Point: Catarpe
Trek Finishing Point: San Bartolo
Approx walking time: 4 hrs.
Trek distance: 13 Km / 8 Miles
Highest point: 2700 m / 8850 feet
Day 3 – San Bartolo to Rio Grande
We start the day with a demanding trek which will make us gain altitude as we leave the river bed and move towards the plateau level. We will be able to observe the abandoned mines. The trail continues through the river canyon and we start getting glimpses of the giant cacti that emerge from the arid and barren desert. There are some areas of the valley that are so dry that scientists have not found any traces of life, not even bacteria. After crossing a section of the canyon we finally arrive at Río Grande Village, one of the few original indigenous communities of Atacameño people that still remain. We camp on the banks of the river and, if we are lucky, we will get to know some of the local villagers.
Trek Start Point: San Bartolo
Trek Finishing Point: Rio Grande
Approx walking time: 7 hrs
Trek distance: 19 Km / 12 Miles
Highest point: 3500 m / 11480 feet
Day 4 – Rio Grande to Machuca
Today we are beginning the most challenging day of the trek in terms of physical demand. Once we finish breakfast we start trekking towards Machuca Village. The trail continues along the course of small streams that give form to narrow and beautiful valleys inhabited by native people and their herds of llamas. We continue gaining altitude as we border steep desert canyons, until we reach the awesome bofedales of Machuca, over-water grass lands full of wildlife from which we can enjoy an amazing view of Licancabur Volcano, the sacred mountain of the Atacameño people. At this point we will have exceeded 4,000m/13.000ft above sea level. We camp next to a big bofedal and we dedicate our time to rest while we get acclimatized to the Altiplanic weather.
Trek Start Point: Rio Grande
Trek Finishing Point: Machuca
Approx walking time: 6 hrs
Trek distance: 15 Km / 9 Miles
Highest point: 4100 m / 13451 feet
Day 5 – Machuca to Guatin
After a hearty breakfast we leave the bofedales of Machuca and start descending through the canyon. It will be a long journey, though easier than the previous days as the terrain gradient will make ‘gravity’ support us through the complete journey. If we make good time, those who enjoy natural pools will have the option to visit the Puritama Hot Springs. We finally arrive to Guatin Village which still holds on to its ancient native customs and infrastructure. We camp near the Village.
Trek Start Point: Machuca
Trek Finishing Point: Guatin
Approx walking time: 7 hrs
Trek distance: 23 Km / 14 Miles
Highest point: 4100 m / 13451 feet
Day 6 – Guatin, Atacama Salt Flat, Miniques and Miscanti Lagoons, San Pedro
After all our hard efforts we will be transferred in a van to see the amazing Salar de Atacama, home to the Chilean Pink Flamingoes. Then we continue driving towards the speactacular Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons. Their turquoise waters make a wonderful contrast with the yellows and reds of the Altiplano. Return to San Pedro de Atacama arriving at the hotel.
Day 7 – San Pedro to Calama Airport
Day free to relax and wander around the town, visit its handcraft market, church and museum or an optional (not included in price) regular tour to the Tatio Geyserfields. At the agreed time transfer to Calama airport.
San Pedro Hotel
Clean and cozy 2 star hotels are used. San Pedro is in the middle of the Atacama Desert and there are sometimes restrictions in water usage depending on the current circumstances. Additionally consider prices in San Pedro to be higher than those you find in Santiago or other big cities.
Camping
The tents are typical 2 people mountain tents. All camping gear is provided EXCEPT for bedrolls and sleeping bags. Our team will be responsible for setting up the tents in the camping site. There will be also a big and comfortable dining tent for enjoying dinners and breakfasts.
Guiding Staff
The guide to passenger ratio is 1:4. Maximum group size: 10.
Transport
Transportation is usually by mini van that seats 8 to 14. In the cases of 2 to 4 people, a 4x4 driven by the tour guide is used.
Weather
Remember this is the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are the opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. The Atacama's weather follows a desert hot day / cold night pattern. The Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth so the chances of rain are minimal.
Summer: Daytime temperatures can range between 15°C and 20°C (low 60s and low 70s F). At night these can drop to between 0°C and 5°C (23s and 40s F).
Winter: Daytime temperatures can range between 13°C and 20°C (low 60s and low 70s F). At night these can be between -10°C and 0°C (23s and 40s F).
Physical Demands
In this program you will be trekking between 5 to 7 hours a day for four continuous days, mostly on dry sandy terrain. On the 4th day, the trail is at high altitude (average 4,100mt / 10,500ft), in itself a demanding factor. Although the treks themselves are not particularly strenuous, their length and challenging terrain will be more taxing than expected. Please bear in mind that the weather in the Atacama changes from day to night causing the temperatures to drop considerably. These weather conditions can easily affect both body and morale. You need to be in excellent health and physical condition to enjoy such an experience.
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