Day 1: Airport – Santiago / Private Walking City Tour.
Day 2: Santiago – Private Tour “Valparaiso and Wines”.
Day 3: Santiago Airport – Calama / San Pedro de Atacama.
Day 4: San Pedro – High plateau lagoons and wool workshop.
Day 5: San Pedro – Tatio Geysers, Machuca village and Putana Wetlands.
Day 6: San Pedro – Moon Valley, Ayllus, and food tasting – Calama / Santiago Airport.
During this programme, you’ll visit some of the incredible places and cities in the Central and Northern zones of the country. You will have the chance to explore Chile’s capital and exciting neighboring areas, such as the Casablanca Valley, and the city of Valparaiso. Then, you’ll head north to enjoy some of the best of San Pedro de Atacama, the world’s driest desert. You will see natural attractions such as the high plateau lagoons, geysers, salt flats, and indigenous communities, and observe native flora and fauna.
Note: This tour will take place in the afternoon, depending on flight arrival time.
Your first day will serve to welcome you to the capital. A van will be waiting for you at the airport and will take you to your hotel, where you’ll check in. Once you’re settled in, you will have some time for lunch, and at 2 pm the City Tour around Santiago will begin. On it, you’ll visit all the attractions: the seat of government, the multicultural Plaza de Armas, the picturesque Mercado Central and La Vega, as well as the San Cristóbal hill and the historic centers such as Lastarria, Bellas Artes, and Central Santiago. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to taste samples of the local flavors at the typical markets and restaurants. Finally, you’ll be taken back to your accommodation.
Meals: Local Bites.
Eco Boutique Hotel Bidasoa
On day 2, you will be picked up from your hotel in the morning to begin your journey towards the city of Valparaiso. On the way, you’ll stop off at the Casablanca Valley for a wine tasting tour at the organic vineyard Emiliana.
Then, you’ll continue on towards Valparaiso, famous for its port, colorful architecture, and amazing street art, visible from the city’s hills. Once you are there, you will explore the World Heritage Site on foot, visiting the port, the Plaza Sotomayor y Aníbal Pinto, and the hills of Alegre and Concepción. You will also experience local public transport such as the trolebús and elevators; both national monuments. After visiting various streets, viewpoints and churches, you’ll have time to enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant (not included) on the Artillería or Florida hills. Finally, you’ll be taken back to Santiago.
Meals: Breakfast.
Eco Boutique Hotel Bidasoa
On day 3, a van will be waiting for you at your hotel ready to head to Santiago airport, where you’ll catch your flight to the city of Calama and begin your adventure in the Atacama Desert. Once you’re in the northern part of the country, you’ll be picked up from the airport by a driver who will take you to the town of San Pedro de Atacama.
During the hour-long crossing the Atacama Desert, you will see wind-sculpted salt structures, hills of changing light/color depending on the time of day, the rising Andes and Domeyko mountain ranges, and crisp blue skies. Upon arrival in San Pedro, your driver will leave you at the hotel. Following check-in, you’ll have free time to explore the cultural beauty of this special place, and in the evening, enjoy the unique and spectacular night sky.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel Desertica
Please Note: The itinerary may vary according to weather and road conditions. However, we will endeavor to make your guided tour as comfortable and timely as possible.
Semi-private Full Day Tour: Altiplanic Lagoons
After breakfast, our journey begins as we head towards the Miscanti and Miñique lagoon, at 4,200m/13,779ft. elevation. Surrounded by towering volcanoes, you can observe a variety of altiplano birds, flamingoes, foxes, and vicuñas.
Afterwards, we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Socaire, a humble hillside village famous for its simple homes without windows or terraces.
Full of delicious food, we’ll pay a visit to some local weavers, who will tell us all about their craft before returning to San Pedro for a free evening.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Hotel Desertica
Semi-private Full Day Tour: Tatio Geysers and Machuca Village.
Please Note: Pick-up at the hotel will be at around 6:30 am as the early morning hours afford the best opportunity to view the geysers in full glory and to best appreciate the unique early morning desert light. To take full advantage of this natural wonder, breakfast will be provided on-site.
We’ll start early today to explore some of the wonders of the Atacama desert. First, we’ll drive towards the village of Machuca where we’ll explore the small Andean town and the important and historic church there. Fortunately, we’ll have the church almost to ourselves as few tourists visit here at this time.
We’ll continue on to the Putana wetlands in the driest desert on Earth! You’ll have the opportunity to take in the beauty of this marvel and the active Putana volcano in the backdrop.
Continuing on our journey, we will visit the famous Tatio Geysers, considered the highest in the world at 4,320m/14,173ft, where you will walk across the geothermal field and learn more about the phenomenon of geysers. Finally, we’ll visit a thermal water river – the White Geyser – where you can take a dip in the relaxing warm water.
You’ll be brought back to the town of San Pedro de Atacama in the afternoon, where you can explore or rest.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel Desertica
Semi-Private Half-Day Tour: Moon Valley.
On your last day in the Atacama plateau, you’ll explore the famous Valle de la Luna, or Moon Valley. When you arrive you will see why the valley gained that name, as it looks like something from out of this world! You’ll enjoy breakfast as you enjoy the early morning light over the lunar landscape. Afterwards, we’ll visit an ancient dwelling known as the Ayllus of Coyo and Séquitor, where you can enjoy a tasting of typical atacameñan products before heading back to San Pedro de Atacama.
At a pre-arranged time, your driver will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the Calama Airport for the return flight to Santiago.
Meals: Breakfast.
End of EcoChile Services.
2024 – 2025 SEASON RATES
>> From USD$ 3,100 per person.
* Price based on double occupancy. Please note that international and domestic flights are not included in this price.
Price Includes
Semi-private Tours
The semi-private tours in this itinerary are personalized, high quality small group tours with a maximum of 10 people on each outing. The tour will be led by a bilingual guide (Spanish/English).
Meals
Not included
