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The Atacama
desert, in the north of Chile, is the driest place on earth. The
desert is so dramatic that, at first sight, it appears never to have
sustained any life. However,
pink flamingoes together with Llamas, Vicuñas y Guanacos and many
other species of fauna and flora can be found living in perfect
harmony in the many oases and lakes located in the area. The volcanoes
that crown the Atacama desert are among the tallest
on earth and their summits used to be sacred sanctuaries for
the ancient Incas.
Moderate altitude trek, 5-6 hrs per day. Acclimatization necessary.
3 nights Hotel in San Pedro & 3 nights basic Camping. Walk free of
heavy packs. Carry small daypack only. Well trained participants can
continue with 3 day Licancabur Ascent. Regular departures on
Mondays, 2 pers. minimum. Trekking in Atacama Desert region will
take us off the beaten path, into areas not accessible by vehicle
and trodden only by local natives and their lama or goat herds. We
will encounter small villages, archaeological remains, Andean
wildlife along with the most spectacular desert & mountain
landscapes, always crowned by high dormant volcanoes. This program
is an excellent complement to any of the Patagonia treks in order to
witness Chile’s dramatic contrasts.
 ZZ-CHHKC01
2008/09 Rates include accommodations in hotels and camp, meals as indicated. English speaking
guide.
7 days/ 6 nights
$ 2,907 p/p (2 people)
$ 2,151 p/p (3 people)
$ 2,267 p/p (4 people)
$ 1,976 p/p (5 people)
$ 1,805 p/p (6 people+)
Single + 185 (San Pedro only)
2008/09 Dates:
The trip starts
every Monday all year round.
Christmas surcharge $150 p.p.
Max Group size: 2-10
What´s included
- All ground transport private and domestic as indicated in the
itinerary. - 3 nights accommodation in standard double room in a 3s
hotel in San Pedro. - 3 nights accommodation in mountain tents, all
camping gear included; sleeping bag and mat not included. - All
entrance fees. - Meals as indicated on the itinerary: B = Breakfast
/ L = Lunch / BL = Box Lunch / D = Dinner. - One expert English
speaking trekking guide for each 6 clients; one English speaking
assistant guide added for groups larger than 6 clients.
BREAKFAST=B BOX LUNCH= BL
LUNCH= L DINNER= D
Itinerary
Day 1 (Mon)
Arrive to Calama and drive to San Pedro de Atacama (98km) with views
of amazing rock formations at Cordillera de la Sal. Briefing lunch.
Evening 3-4hrs walk into the silent Moon Valley, hike enormouss and
dunes and admire sunset. Overnight Hotel in San Pedro;(L)
Day 2 (Tue)
Enter Valle de Marte and start walking the Corniza trail (3hrs) over
the ridge of sandstone mountains. Descend to San Pedro Valley and
walk (1hr) to the remarkable fortress of Quitor (XII century). Walk
(3km) to San Pedro. Evening visit to the Archaeological Museum; (B,
BL)
Day 3 (Wed)
Enter the sparkling white Salar de Atacama and observe the
flamingoes at Chaxa lagoon. Return to San Pedro (50 Km) and continue
(6-8km) along the river valley until trek starting point. The trail
follows a broad valley until winding into a superb canyon sculpted
by erosion. In summer (Nov-Mar) we trek with sandals over the
riverbed shaded by the immense walls that close above us. In
wintertime, we avoid the freezing water and walk above the gorge.
Arrive in the old mine of San Bartolo (2,700m/8,100ft) and set up
camp. - (B, BL, D)
Day 4 (Thu)
Start gaining altitude as we leave the riverbed and hike at plateau
level. The trail follows the river canyon and some rare life forms,
such as giant cactuses, emerge from the arid and barren desert.
Arrive in the village of Rio Grande (3,500m/ 10,500ft) where we set
up camp by the river.(B, BL, D)
Day 5
(Fri)
The trail follows the course of smaller waterways that form narrow
and beautiful valleys inhabited by indigenous people and their
lamas. We keep gaining altitude until reaching the green pastures of
Machuca (4,100m/ 12,300ft) teeming with wildlife and a spectacular
view of Licancabur.(B, BL, D)
Day 6 (Sat)
At 5am we start driving towards El Tatio (4,500m/13,500ft) on time
to observe the geysers in action at sunrise. Breakfast in the open
and walk around the geothermal field. If feeling acclimatized enough
we attempt to hike over the 5,000m/ 15,000 ft on the slopes of an
inactive volcano. Drive back to Puritama hot springs for a healthy
bath. Farewell dinner and overnight in San Pedro;(B, BL, D)
Day 7 (Sun)
Drive back to Calama on time for your flight. (B)
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Hotel
This program normally uses clean and cozy 3 stars hotels located
in San Pedro center. This small town settled in the middle of
the Atacama Desert has restrictions of water supply so some
limitations in the use of water facilities could arise depending
in the town supply circumstances, e.g. low water pressure,
problems with laundry facilities, etc. Additionally consider
prices in San Pedro to be higher than those you find in Santiago
or other big cities, this is normal due to the cost increase in
the supply chain in most items you find in San Pedro.
Tents
The tents arranged for this program are typical mountain tents
with enough room for a 2 people overnight in comfortable
conditions. We provide all the camping gear excluding mats and
sleeping bags.
Transport
In Atacama the transportation is on minivans that normally seat
from 8 to 14 persons. When we have only 2 to 4 persons we use
smaller vehicles, usually 4x4, driven by the tour guide. On the
regular departure trips you might share the vehicle with other
guests joining other tours. On the private departure, the
vehicle will be of your use exclusively with the limitation of
their use to the given itinerary and time schedules.
Weather
Summer
Farther north, in Atacama, the weather vary, and follows a
desert hot-day / cold-night pattern. On a sunny day, daytime
temperatures can be very pleasant, ranging between 15°C - 20°C
(low 60s and low 70s F). Nighttime temperatures will most likely
be in the 0°C - 5°C (23s and 40s F)
Winter
In Atacama the weather varies following the mentioned desert
warm-day / cold-night pattern. On a sunny day, daytime
temperatures can be pleasant, ranging again between 13°C -20°C
(low 60s and low 70s F). Nighttime temperatures will most likely
be in the -10°C - 0°C (23s and 40s F)
Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth! So any time of the
year you come don’t expect rain at all – if it rains when you
are there you might consider it almost a miracle!
Physical Demands
Trekking in Atacama requires a lot more physical preparation
than most vacations. In this program you will be trekking
between five to seven hours a day for 3 continues days, mostly
on dry sandy terrain. In the last days the trail through the
high lands (average 4,100mt/10,500ft) will also constitute a
demanding factor. Although the treks themselves are not
particularly strenuous, their length and challenging terrain
will be more taxing than expected. Please keep in mind that the
weather in Atacama changes from day to night causing the
temperatures to drop considerably. These weather conditions can
easily affect both the body and the morale. You need to be in
excellent health and physical condition to enjoy such an
experience.
What You Need to Bring
We will provide you with a complete list of what you need to
bring for doing this trip once you go through the booking
process.
About the Itinerary
The numbers in brackets (distance-kms/miles, time-hrs) are
approximated and refer to the trekking portions exclusively. In
general the itinerary submitted and the estimated of time is
reasonable for well-fit passengers, considering also good
weather conditions and occasional stops for sightseeing and
pictures.
Itinerary Modifications
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any
itinerary under the sole discretion of the trip guide and based
on operational considerations. The trip guide can also modified,
change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on
safety/weather considerations.
Additional Information and References
Once you book the trip we will send you a pre-trip Information
booklet with useful and detailed information about your trip
with us. Not sure about us? We will be happy to provide you with
references of satisfied past travelers.
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