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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 witness an intense sunset over the desert.
Then we head back to town and overnight in San Pedro.
We head south, passing by the villages of Toconao and Socaire on our way up into the highlands, also called the altiplano.
Our destination is at more than 4,000m, helping us to acclimatise. We visit Miscanti and Miniques lakes. Our lovely walk next to turquoise waters is surrounded by dramatic volcanic scenery.
We head next to the Salt Flat of Atacama, Lake Chaxa. With luck, we’ll spot Chilean Pink Flamingos and other birds in the salt flat, then return to our hotel.
Once we finish breakfast we board the van and are driven to our starting point within the Valley of Catarpe, just beyond some Inca ruins.
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.
It’s possible to see Atacameño people in the area, who live from agriculture and animal grazing.
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 or stay in village guest house and tonight we will have the first sample of the amazing starry nights of Atacama.
Approx. walking time: 4hrs
Trek distance: 13km/8 miles
Highest point: 2,700m/8,850 feet
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.
Eventually, we leave the canyon and start to climb up, following a very old path that was used by the llama caravans in pre-Hispanic time. Our final destination is Río Grande Village, one of the few original indigenous communities of Atacameño people that still remain.
We stay in a local guesthouse or camp on the banks of the river and, if we are lucky, we will get to know some of the local villagers.
Approx. walking time: 7hrs
Trek distance: 19km/12 miles
Highest point: 3,500m/11,480ft
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.
Tall cacti, some of them 12 metres tall, act as guardians of the valleys that cut the landscape. The puma and the mountain cat are rare, but we are in their territory, away from civilization. We may be lucky enough to encounter one.
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/13,123ft above sea level.
After approximately seven hours’ trekking we arrive at the village of Machuca. Here, out vehicle is waiting
for us and will take us back to San Pedro de Atacama.
Approx. walking time: 7hrs
Trek distance: 15km/9 miles
Highest point: 4,100m/13,451ft
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 Geyser fields.
At the agreed time transfer to Calama airport.
Mixture of hotel, local guesthouse and camping.
When camping, the tents are typical 2 person mountain tents. All camping gear is provided EXCEPT for 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.
Hotels are clean and cosy 3 star with private bathrooms. San Pedro is in the middle of the Atacama Desert and there are sometimes restrictions in water usage depending on the current circumstances. Guesthouses will be basic.
Additionally consider prices in San Pedro to be higher than those you find in Santiago or other big cities.
In this program you will be trekking between 6 to 8 hours a day for three continuous days, mostly on dry, sandy terrain.
You need to be in good health and physical condition to enjoy such an experience, although no previous trekking experience is required.
If possible, add in a day or two before the trek, to get used to the altidue.
On the 5th day, the trail is at high altitude (average 4,100m/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.
A support vehicle is on hand on trekking days and will transport all luggage to the camping point each day. During the treks, you will only carry your day pack, with things you need each day.
We can cater for almost all dietary requirements – please enquire for more information.
While trekking, food is prepared for you by our support team and served in a dining tent. Breakfasts will feature hot drinks, teas, coffees, cereals, porridge etc.
Lunches will be packed lunches, including sandwiches, crackers, fruit, meats and snack bars.
Dinners at camp /local guesthouse will typically involve soups, rice and pasta dishes and puddings.
At hotels, breakfasts will be continental style. If meals are included on trips, a local restaurant will be selected. Service is either a la carte with a variety of local and international dishes, or buffet style.
Fully qualified, English speaking guides lead you on the trek. Support staff, cooks, porters etc are all from the local area.
A flawlessly organized Patagonian adventure highlighted by the unforgettable Paine W trek and exceptional Ecocamp experience.
A beautifully organised Patagonian adventure combining the breathtaking scenery of Torres del Paine and Mt Fitz Roy with a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to Cape Horn, made seamless by excellent planning and attention to detail.
This hiking holiday in the Altiplano of Chile’s Atacama desert combines three days of treks with a vehicle tour to salt flats and altiplanic lakes.
We camp and stay in local guesthouses in or near indigenous villages, far away from civilisation, underneath some of the clearest skies in the world.
The Atacama desert is a top destination for travellers, located in the heart of Chile’s Altiplano at around 2,400m/7,874ft and only 100 km/62 miles from Calama Airport.
Being at altitude, especially in the tropics, is usually a pleasure as it isn’t so hot, there are few insects and the air is clear.
However, when gaining altitude, air pressure drops and the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs is reduced. Although we build plenty of acclimatisation time into our itineraries, certain ill-effects are possible. Nevertheless, all of these can be minimised or prevented if care is taken.
On reaching heights above 2,500m (approx. 8,200 ft), especially when ascent has been straight from sea level, heart pounding, mild headache and shortness of breath are normal, especially on exertion.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a syndrome known locally as soroche, whose symptoms can include of bad headache, dizziness and nausea).
To avoid AMS, you should:
Chile is the land of contrasts, from verdant vineyards to driest desert, deep fjords and towering glaciated volcanoes.
A narrow but incredibly long, snake-like country, Chile’s unusual geography features more than 5,000km of South Pacific Ocean coast. The country is almost 4,400km long but barely more than 160km at its widest.
It is best divided into general regions, all of which offer spectacular landscapes and identities of their own.
This variety means Chile is the land where almost every activity is possible. Hiking, biking, rafting and kayaking.
Or climbing, cruising, fishing, horse riding, wine tasting.
Or simply eating great food, relaxing and exploring.
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 range between 15°C and 20°C (low 60s to low 70s °F). At night temperatures drop to between 0°C and 5°C (30s to low 40s °F).
Winter: Daytime temperatures range between 13°C and 20°C (mid 50s to low 70s °F). At night temperatures fall between -10°C and 0°C (14°F to 32°F).
Good kit is vital for every trip.
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Be kind to your feet. Make sure hiking boots are broken-in. Bring moleskin or Second Skin for fast foot treatment and blister prevention.
If bringing a camera, include plenty of film or digital memory cards and spare batteries.
If concerned about airport x-ray machines and film, remove film from black canisters and place in clear plastic or net bags for manual inspection.
Stuff sacks are useful for organising gear. Use different sizes and colours to separate contents in your duffel bag or backpack.
Your daypack will typically carry your water bottle, fleece or wind stopper, rain jacket and trousers, camera and small personal items.
Bring a few outfits for city wear. These can be left in luggage storage at your hotel while on trips.
Trekking heaven. Paine National Park lies in Patagonia and features some of the best trekking in South America. With no altitude worries here, hikers enjoy an unrivalled mix of access to wild flora and fauna that exists in this massif. It is at once windswept, and then balmy. Paine National Park is a must see for walkers visiting South America.
Northern Patagonia is the least densely populated part of the country – spectacular virgin scenery make this a hidden gem and superb area for trekking, boating and horse riding.
And that’s before you think about possibly cruising through fjords, or kayaking them, flying to Antartica or staying at a working hacienda.
Iconic, Easter Island is an archaeological treasure. Here you will find the famous Moai stone statues, as well as caves and rocks decorated with etched petroglyphs and painted pictographs.
Northern Chile features the Atacama, the driest desert with the clearest skies in the world, is alive with active volcanoes replete with spitting geysers mixed with archaeological wonders and fantastic rock formations.
Central Chile is the heart of Chile and includes the capital Santiago. With its Mediterranean climate of hot dry summers and mild wet winters, this central valley produces some of South America’s finest wines, Colchagua Valley to name but one.
Here, the Andean mountain chain soars more than 6,000m above sea level. Chile’s traditional symbols such as huaso (cowboy) and cueca (national dance) originate here, an area which is rich in agriculture and produces most of Chile’s export fruit.
In winter, skiers are attracted to this tasting the promise of some fabulous snow on the huge peaks which overlook Santiago.
Lush and verdant, The Lake District area is the place to climb snow-capped volcanoes by day while relaxing next to stunning glacial lakes by evening. You can walk, bike, raft, cruise and drive your way around this beautiful region.
Central, southern and Patagonia Andes all present different challenges to mountaineers and trekkers. Options are varied in the central Andes with many of the Patagonian peaks remaining unexplored and unsummitted.
Chile’s climate varies greatly, owing to its sheer length, variation of terrain and varying altitudes and latitudes.
In the south of Chile, here temperatures drop a little compared to the rest of Chile.
It can be better to go in the Austral summer (Oct-March). Daylight hours are much longer at this time, with Nov-Feb being popular times to visit. October and March can be very colourful and vivid with less visitors, but weather can be more blustery.
In Patagonia, the weather is, putting it mildly, variable, and variable on a daily basis. It is usually cool and windy all year round but seldom does the temperature fall below freezing point. Some days start with snow and end in balmy sunshine. It is always interesting, and can range from 10°C-20°C in the summer, although the wind can make it feel chilly.
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also the South Patagonia Ice field influence makes the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rains and eventually snow. Even in summer (Dec-Mar) you should come prepared to find cold, strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfalls. The summer’s average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºC max, 2ºC min).
Winter visits to these southern areas are possible, but many hotels close and not all trips are possible. Daylight hours can be very short, but the lack of visitors can greatly improve chances of seeing wildlife in parks such as Paine.
The Lake District’s temperate climate can be said to resemble that of the UK, with rain possible but also enjoying long spells of fine, fresh weather in the summer (Oct-March).
Although sub-tropical and essentially a year-round destination, Dec-Feb are the most popular times to visit Easter Island as it is summer there and temperatures average 24°C. There can be colder days and it can be humid too.
The winter months (Jun-Oct) on Easter Island are not overly cold, but they can be cool. The average low temperature is 16°C but there is usually a wind at this time of year that makes the temperature feel cooler than it really is.
The wind rarely stops blowing at this time of year.
The north of the country lies in the tropical zone, but in the main is desert. It is dry and sunny all year round, but does get cold at night time in the high altitude areas.
In winter (June-Aug) the average daytime temperature is 22°C (72°F) and by night 4°C (39°F), descending to -2°C (28°F) in extreme cases.
During summer (Jan-Mar) the temperature fluctuates between 27°C (81°F) and a minimum of 16°C (61°F) at night, reaching maximums of 32°C (90°F), with occasional showers.
The wine growers love the central valley, which has a suitable Mediterranean climate of hot dry summers (Nov-March).
Then, temperatures range from 17°C in the evening and can go up to 30°C inland. It is cooler during the day on the coast.
During winter (May-Sept), which is essentially mild and wet, temperatures inland can vary from 5°C to 18°C during the day, and a bit warmer on the coast.
Autumn (Mar-April) and Spring (Oct-Nov) are lovely times to visit, although hotels in Santiago can book out in March, October and November, as it is conference season.
A flawlessly organized Patagonian adventure highlighted by the unforgettable Paine W trek and exceptional Ecocamp experience.
A beautifully organised Patagonian adventure combining the breathtaking scenery of Torres del Paine and Mt Fitz Roy with a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to Cape Horn, made seamless by excellent planning and attention to detail.
