fbpx
TEMPLATE USED:
pageid: 5060

SANTIAGO & ATACAMA DESERT

from USD$ 3,100 / 6 days

Summary

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.

Overview

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.


Itinerary Details

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: Snacks.

Hotel

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.

Hotel

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

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

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

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

  • Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary (5 nights)
  • All transportation as specified in the itinerary
  • All activities as specified in the itinerary, including transportation, entrance fees, and meals.
  • Professional, Bilingual Guide during the activities
  • Trip Coordinator: a 24/7 point of contact, supporting you during your trip

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 

  • Day 1: Snack lunch
  • Day 2: Breakfast.
  • Day 3: Breakfast.
  • Day 4: Breakfast – Lunch.
  • Day 5: Breakfast.
  • Day 6: Breakfast.

Not included

  • International and domestic flight tickets
  • Travel insurance (It is mandatory to purchase an insurance that covers expenses related to COVID-19)
  • PCR or antigen tests
  • Voluntary tipping
  • Items of personal use
  • Stargazing activity
  • Any item (meal, beverage or activity) not mentioned on the itinerary

Why is this trip sustainable?
  • The food provided is locally prepared with regional products. 
  • You will travel plastic-free throughout your trip! We use reusable or glass bottles, as well as recyclable containers.
  • Our top recommended hotels include sustainability policies as part of their mission and operations.
  • We work in collaboration with local suppliers and communities in each location.
  • We keep our tour groups small, both to improve the experience for you and to reduce the impact on the places we visit.
  • We respect and value the lifestyles, beliefs, and traditions of the local communities we visit.

Our Health and Safety Promise

As the world continues to adapt to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that travelers, while eager to once again get out and explore the world, also want to be careful and only travel where and when it’s safe to do so. Just as you take your health and safety seriously, as well as the health and safety of the destinations and communities we visit, so do we. That’s why, in compliance with national and international health and safety regulations and recommendations, we’ve optimized our operations and tour itineraries to provide you with the safest itinerary possible.

This tour was specifically designed with social distancing in mind, avoiding overly crowded places without sacrificing the experience of discovering the destination. We only partner with hotels and tour operators that are similarly committed to putting their clients’ health first, frequently using cleaning and sanitizing services, and only offering tours and excursions when it’s fully safe to do so. All this and more are just some of the ways we’re innovating travel itineraries for a healthier, safer future. 

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding the health and safety procedures of this and other EcoChile tours, please let us know so we can answer your question or accommodate your request. Your safety is our top priority.

This listed price is based on two people sharing a double room. The price may vary due to the time of year you travel, the size of your group, accommodation availability and not counting special dates.
** Solo travelers or guests staying in single rooms must pay a single supplement. Otherwise, the rates would be readjusted upon request.
*** The single supplement is based on Regular tours, availability of which must be confirmed prior to reservation of the trip.
**** If the mentioned hotels are not available, alternative hotels will be provided of a similar standard

SANTIAGO & ATACAMA DESERT

Duration: 6 days

Price: from USD$ 3,100 / person

Customize This Trip

Other tours you might be interested in

Choose your options and build a customized trip
Find a perfect trip