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Atacama
Desert Ride
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Northern Chile |
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The Atacama Desert of Chile is a sparsely populated virtually rainless
plateau, running from the Pacific Ocean to the Andes Mountains. The
average width is less than 100 miles but it extends 600 miles south from
the Peruvian border. The mountains nearest the ocean are the Pacific
coastal range, with an average elevation of
2500
feet. The Cordillera Domeyko, a range of foothills of the Andes
Mountains, lies east. The Atacama is made up of salt basins (salars)
sand and lava flows. The landscape is so desolate it is sometimes
described as "moon like". In fact the Atacama has been chosen as a good
site to test the prototype of a future lunar rover.
In the heart of this desert is the village of San Pedro, at an altitude
of 7,000 feet and surrounded by a green oasis. Many years ago it was
considered the center of a Paleolithic civilization that built
impressive rock fortresses on steep mountains encircling the valley.
With narrow streets and a church constructed in 1577, San Pedro is a step back into the Spanish colonial times and even earlier at the Father
Le Paige Museum which chronicles man for 10,000 years.
The ride starts
in San
Pedro de Atacama and will take your through the Salt
flats to the Andean Highlands with visits to
historic sites of the area.
You will discover the 11th century desert and be connected with an ancient culture and their spirits. The magic of
Atacama, with the purest sky in the world, will leave an everlasting trail in your soul.
 IT-CHRT18-Ex
Rates include 2 nights in hotel,
7 nights camping, all meals,
wine with dinner, 8.5 riding days, English speaking
guide
10 days/ 9 nights 1,929
Single +$90
Dates 2008 :
01/15-01/24 02/03-02/12
03/11-03/20 03/23-04/01 04/02-04/11
05/02-05/11
07/17-07/26 08/02-08/11 09/02-09/11
10/02-10/11 11/02-11/11
12/02-12/11
12/25-01/03
Meeting: San Pedro
Airport: Calama
Transfer: included from Calama
Level:
Intermediate+
Tack:
Chilean
Saddles
Horses:
Criollos
Pace: Moderate with canters and gallops
Min/Max Riders: 2-5
Minimum Age:
12 years
Maximum Weight: 85 kg
Note:
... a shorter 6-day trip with 3 riding
days is also available with
2 nights hotel and 3 camping $ 1,045
.. see details
Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up in Calama and transfer to San Pedro de
Atacama. Dinner in restaurant and overnight at local hotel.
DAY 2 : San Pedro
to the Lagoon Tebinquiche
Meet the horses at the ranch. We leave towards
the south today - our destination is
Lagoon Tebinquiche (2400m), which is situated in
the Atacama Salt Flat. At the lagoon you can
have a bath, and occasionally you can observe
flamingo-colonies. After dinner at the bonfire
the clear and cloudless sky invites you to
become absorbed in it.
DAY 3 : ... „the plain
of Pacience“
We cross the Salt Flat westwards
to arrive to the Salt Mountain Range with its
fascinating rocks, built of salt and clay.
Through canyon and narrow tracks we cross the
Salt Mountains in its whole width and arrive at
„the plain of Pacience“, situated in between the
Salt Mountain Range and the Domeyko Mountains.
Looking on the Peak Quimal (4200m) we enjoy the
peace and silence of the place.
DAY 4 : ... Death Valley
Our track leads back to
the Salt Mountain Range, through the
breathtaking Moon Valley with its dunes and
caves of salt. After this we pass the Death
Valley, where we have a marvellous view over the
oasises of San Pedro and the highlands of the
Andes. Continuing westwards we arrive at the
„Piedra de la coca“, an indigenious
ceremonyplace where they spat coca as an
intercession for a safe journey. Rock engravings
invites you to study them.
DAY 5 : ...
Valley of the Rainbow
We ride towards the North and cross a deserted
plain. We reach the „Valley of the Rainbow“,
here the Salt Mountain Range changes its
appearance to a green and vegetationous scenery.
A settlements of the last century proofs the
copper boom in Chile.
DAY 6 : ... Andean Highlands
Río Grande appears eastwards, it is an
atacameñan village, where we start to climb into
the Andean highlands. We ride on paths of the
lama-caravans, in use by the highland peasants
for cattledrives towards the lowlands. We follow
a curvy little river, and observe the slow
change of the scenery to the terrasses of the
Andean Highlands. The river opens to the
„Boffedal“ (lama habitat) of Machuca, a village
situated at an altitude of 4015m, owning a huge
lamaherd. We camp aside a shallow lagoon.
DAY 7 : ... the River Guatin
Because the high altitude takes
its toll on human and animal, we continue
slower southeastwards after an extensive
breakfast and a good sleep. Also the Highlands
invite you to contemplate its vastness, the
grasslands and abruptly appearing canyons. The
aim of todays` trekk is Guatín, a river oasis at
3200m, offering you a refreshing bath and
relaxing in the soft sand.
DAY 8:
... Quebrada of the
Devil
Time to say „goodbye“ to
the Andean Highlands. We have lunch ashore a
sweetwater river, forming natural pools in the
rocks. Early afternoon we reach the „Quebrada of
the Devil“, a narrow canyon inside the Salt
Mountain Range. At its end you arrive to the
river of San Pedro and the settlement Catarpe,
our last camp. You can take a bath in the river
or walk to an archeologic site, an Incan
administration. One last time we sit around the
bonfire enjoying our dinner.
DAY 9 :
... Pukara of Quitor
The „Paso de los toros“, an ancient pass in the
Salt Mountain Range had been in use for
cattledrives from Argentina and winds high in
the Salt Mountains. To finnish our trekk you
visit the Pukara of Quitor, a prehispanean
fortress of the local tribe. Around midday we
reach the ranch, time to say „farewell“ to your
four-legged partner of the last few days. Dinner
and overnight in a hotel.
DAY 10 : Transfer to Calama airport after
breakfast.
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Six Day
Trip
6 days / 5 nights $ 1,045
with 3 riding days. 2 nights hotel and 3 nights
camping
2007 Dates:
10/13-10/18
11/20-11/25 12/18-12/23
2008 Dates:
02/20-02/25
03/23-03/28 04/20-04/25
05/20-05/25
06/10-06/15 06/18-06/23
07/10-07/15 08/20-08/25
09/20-09/25 10/20-10/25
11/20-11/25 12/19-12/24
Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up in Calama and transfer to San Pedro de
Atacama. Dinner in restaurant and overnight at local hotel.
DAY 2 : San Pedro
to the Lagoon Tebinquiche
Meet the horses at the ranch. We leave towards
the south today - our destination is
Lagoon Tebinquiche (2400m), which is situated in
the Atacama Salt Flat. At the lagoon you can
have a bath, and occasionally you can observe
flamingo-colonies. After dinner at the bonfire
the clear and cloudless sky invites you to
become absorbed in it.
DAY 3 : ... Death Valley
Our track leads back to
the Salt Mountain Range, through the
breathtaking Moon Valley with its dunes and
caves of salt. After this we pass the Death
Valley, where we have a marvellous view over the
oasises of San Pedro and the highlands of the
Andes. Continuing westwards we arrive at the
„Piedra de la coca“, an indigenious
ceremonyplace where they spat coca as an
intercession for a safe journey. Rock engravings
invites you to study them.
DAY 4:
... Quebrada of the
Devil
Time to say „goodbye“ to
the Andean Highlands. We have lunch ashore a
sweetwater river, forming natural pools in the
rocks. Early afternoon we reach the „Quebrada of
the Devil“, a narrow canyon inside the Salt
Mountain Range. At its end you arrive to the
river of San Pedro and the settlement Catarpe,
our last camp. You can take a bath in the river
or walk to an archeologic site, an Incan
administration. One last time we sit around the
bonfire enjoying our dinner.
DAY 5 :
... Pukara of Quitor
The „Paso de los toros“, an ancient pass in the
Salt Mountain Range had been in use for
cattledrives from Argentina and winds high in
the Salt Mountains. To finnish our trekk you
visit the Pukara of Quitor, a prehispanean
fortress of the local tribe. Around midday we
reach the ranch, time to say „farewell“ to your
four-legged partner of the last few days. Dinner
and overnight in a hotel.
DAY 6 : Departure
Transfer to Calama airport after
breakfast.
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