Tierra Atacama Hotel, San Pedro

Arrive Calama airport. You will be met on arrival by a representative from the hotel and transferred to the hotel with any other hotel passengers  who were on youir flight.

Check in time is 15.00. Time to explore the hotel, enjoy the facilities or go into town.

Dinner is included.

After breakfast you will set off on your chosen full or half day excursion.

See Practical Information below for more information about possible trips.

For those on a full day excursion a packed lunch will be included whilst those on two half day excursions will return to the hotel for lunch.

At the established time you will be provided with a shared transfer for the 90-minute drive to Calama airport for your departure flight.

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.

Patagonia

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.

Easter Island

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

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.

Southern Chile and the Lake District

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.

By vehicle

Altiplanic Lagoons (Aguas Calientes & Tuyajto); 6 to 8 hours.

Difficulty: Easy

We will drive to the remote altiplanic lakes of Aguas Calientes, located over 4,000m/13,123ft above sea level. A visit to the Tuyajto salt flats is also included as well as Piedras Rojas (Red Rocks) which are wonderful rock formations.

Depending on the weather conditions lunch will be served at the salt flats, if not in a small restaurant in the town of Socaire.

Salar Tara ( Tara salt flat ); Duration: 6 to 8 hours.

Difficulty: Easy

Driving east from the hotel towards the Argentine border we find the Salar de Tara. This salt flat is 4,200m/13,780ft above sea level and is looked over by the majestic Licancabur Volcano. There should be good options to spot some of the local bird life as well as the curious Monjes de Pacana ( Pacana Monks ) natural rock sculptures. Lunch is in Tara.

The Tatio Geisers; 7 hours.

Difficulty; Easy (with acclimatization)

The Tatio Geisers are located at an altitude of 4,300m/14,190ft.

As dawn breaks huge steam columns which can reach heights of 12m burst upwards. Breakfast is served at the sight.

Afterwards visit to the Andean town of Machuca and if lucky en route you may spot vicuñas, foxes, vizcachas and Andean ostrich. We stop in the hamlet of Machuca before returning to the hotel by vehicle.

Machuca; 5 to 6 hours.

Difficulty: Easy

The small village of Machuca is located north of San Pedro at an altitude of 4,000m/13,123ft It is a typical village whose only street is lined by cactus roofed houses and the church is of special cultural significance. The surrounding countryside has many species of birds and llamas.

Puritama Hot Springs; 3 hours.

Difficulty: Easy

Not far from San Pedro are the Puritama hot springs. Hidden at the bottom of a steep sided gorge, and surrounded by vegetation, you will find 8 natural pools whose water temperature is around 33 Celsius.

Moon Valley; 3 hours.

Difficulty: Easy

Visit the Salt Mountain Range and its stunning scenery in the Death Valley and Moon Valley.  Includes short walks in areas with rocky outcrops. Great photo opportunities.

This excursion is offered in the morning when there are fewer people around.

Atacama Salt Flat (Chaxa Lagoon & Flamingo Reserve); 4-4.5 hours.

Difficulty: Easy

The journey starts with a brief visit to Toconao village where the square and the historic church are the main attractions. We then drive to the National Flamingo Reserve at the Atacama salt flat where three types of flamingo are to be found.

Walking & hiking

Cornices: 2.5-3.5 hours.

Difficulty: Easy

This can be done in the morning or in the afternoon.  From the old road to Calama the walk starts with visits to archaeological sites as well as a descent of the “huge dune” in the Death Valley, 2,600m/8,530ft.

Devils Canyon & Vilama; 2.5-3.5 hours.

Difficulty: Medium

A morning or afternoon excursion. Depart the hotel by vehicle and head to Devil’s Canyon to start the walk at 2,450m/8,038ft. The first hour is along flattish ground then along a dry river bed through some lime formations, passing some petroglyphs and finishing at the town of Vilama. Drive back to the hotel.

Guatin / Gatchi; 2 to 3 hours walk 1 hour by vehicle.

Difficulty: Medium

Drive to the Guatin Valley (2,800m/9,186ft) This is the confluence of two rivers; the warm thermal waters of Puritama and the other, the Purifica River.

This unique mix of warm thermal spring water and cold clear mountain snowmelt gives rise to a new river giving the Guatin Canyon a unique ecosystem.

Walk along the river by waterfalls with some rocky climbs and many Candelaria cacti.

Guatin / Puritama; 2.5-3.5 hours hike 1 hour by vehicle.

Difficulty: Medium

Morning excursion because of the temperature changes. Starting altitude of 2,800m/9,186ft. The walk is a steady uphill climb through the valley scattered with igneous rocks.

Arrive to the Puritama hot springs, a collection of 8 natural pools with water temperatures of 33 Celsius.

Machuca / Río Grande; 7 to 9 hours (5 to 7 hours hiking).

Difficulty: Medium

This walk takes place at around 4,000m/13,123ft. If you want to climb a volcano during your stay this hike is a good acclimatisation walk.

This walk follows the river with opportunities to spot llamas, alpacas and local birds. Stop for lunch in the abandoned village of Peñaliri. Continue walking to the town of Río Grande from where you will be driven back to the hotel.

Ruta Purilaktis;  4 hrs walk 2 hrs by vehicle.

Difficulty: Easy

Drive through the Domeyko Mountain Range to the starting point at 3,000m/9,843ft.

Hike along a small gully which then opens up to large rock formations marked by petroglyphs. The route has great views and after a gentle climb-descent finish at the Matancilla Valley, also known as Rainbow Valley.

Lunch then drive back to the hotel.

By bike

Devils Canyon / Catarpe;  2.5-3.5 hours

Difficulty: Medium

Cycle out of the hotel heading for the Salt Mountain Range and the Devil’s Canyon. The ride takes place at an average 2,400m/7,874ft. In the Canyon the ride is a constant gentle climb until reaching the Catarpe plateau.

The return journey follows the San Pedro River back to the hotel.

Windy Lookout Point / Moon Valley, the Dune; 2-3.5 hours.

Difficulty: Difficult

Morning or afternoon excursion. Cycle out of the hotel heading for the Salt Mountain range. Cycle along the cornices viewing the formations of Death Valley from above, before heading down into the valley.

Cycle through the valley before heading back to the hotel. There are some steep uphills and downhills during this ride.

Bike Ride through the Ayllus / Atacaman Communities; 1.5-2.5 hours.

Difficulty: Easy

Morning or afternoon excursion. Cycle through the nearby oases villages and the surrounding agricultural land where the way of life has been preserved over time.

Other options include volcano climbs, horse riding, cultural, flora and fauna and astronomy.

Chile’s climate varies greatly, owing to its sheer length, variation of terrain and varying altitudes and latitudes.

Lake District and Patagonia

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).

Easter Island

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.

Northern Chile

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.

Central Valley

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.

Andean Trails has 25 years of experience of putting together the best South America holidays.

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