Santiago & San Pedro de Atacama
Golden dunes and spurting geysers
Spend 6 nights exploring Northern Chile’s Atacama Desert and the capital of Santiago! Feel like Indiana Jones as you traverse the lunar landscape of the desert, from El Tatio geysers to the Death Valley sand dunes.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Santiago (SCL)
- All airport transfers
- 2 nights in Santiago at the Hotel Torremayor Lyon, or similar
- Santiago Historical Downtown City Tour
- One-way, economy class flight from Santiago (SCL) to Calama (CJC)
- 3 nights in San Pedro de Atacama at the Altiplanico San Pedro de Atacama, or similar
- Archaeological Tour (Pukara de Quitor & Tulor) (morning)
- Atacama Salt Flat Excursion (afternoon)
- Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache (half-day morning tour)
- Moon Valley and Death Valley Tour
- Tatio Geysers & Machuca Tour
- One-way, economy class flight from Calama (CJC) to Santiago (SCL)
- 1 night in Santiago at the Hotel Torremayor Lyon, or similar
- Breakfast daily
Great Ways to Explore
-
Death Valley is renowned for its alien-like landscape - no wonder NASA tested their Martian rovers here!
- Keep an eye out for wildlife in the desert. Vicuñas, llamas, Southern viscachas, South American gray foxes, and culpeo foxes all call Atacama home.
-
Visit El Tatio geysers, the world's highest geyser field situated more than 14,000 feet above sea level.
-
At night in the Atacama Desert, don't forget to look up. This is one of the best stargazing locations on earth!
-
There's more than meets the eye in Chile's capital of Santiago. Get a lesson on the city's past on a tour of the historical downtown.
If you dream of going to Mars but don't have the funds, Chile's Atacama Desert is the next best thing! Under skies of infinite stars, discover the world's driest desert that's anything but a desolate wilderness.
Begin and end your adventure in Santiago, a city nestled between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. Often overlooked, the capital is now a destination for food lovers, artists and culture fiends who come for the city's exciting array of restaurants, museums, plazas, and parks. Go on a tour of the historical downtown and have the nights free to see the city on your own!
From Santiago, fly two hours north to Calama near San Pedro de Atacama. On five guided tours, explore the desert's singular landscapes that are quite unlike anywhere else on earth. Vast salt flats, active geysers and ancient archaeological sites are just a few of the extraordinary places you'll discover on this trip!
Helpful links for travel to Chile:
Visa & Passport Info
Vaccines & Medication Info
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Santiago (SCL)
- All airport transfers
- 2 nights in Santiago at the Hotel Torremayor Lyon, or similar
- Santiago Historical Downtown City Tour
- One-way, economy class flight from Santiago (SCL) to Calama (CJC)
- 3 nights in San Pedro de Atacama at the Altiplanico San Pedro de Atacama, or similar
- Archaeological Tour (Pukara de Quitor & Tulor) (morning)
- Atacama Salt Flat Excursion (afternoon)
- Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache (half-day morning tour)
- Moon Valley and Death Valley Tour
- Tatio Geysers & Machuca Tour
- One-way, economy class flight from Calama (CJC) to Santiago (SCL)
- 1 night in Santiago at the Hotel Torremayor Lyon, or similar
- Breakfast daily
-
Death Valley is renowned for its alien-like landscape - no wonder NASA tested their Martian rovers here!
- Keep an eye out for wildlife in the desert. Vicuñas, llamas, Southern viscachas, South American gray foxes, and culpeo foxes all call Atacama home.
-
Visit El Tatio geysers, the world's highest geyser field situated more than 14,000 feet above sea level.
-
At night in the Atacama Desert, don't forget to look up. This is one of the best stargazing locations on earth!
-
There's more than meets the eye in Chile's capital of Santiago. Get a lesson on the city's past on a tour of the historical downtown.
If you dream of going to Mars but don't have the funds, Chile's Atacama Desert is the next best thing! Under skies of infinite stars, discover the world's driest desert that's anything but a desolate wilderness.
Begin and end your adventure in Santiago, a city nestled between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. Often overlooked, the capital is now a destination for food lovers, artists and culture fiends who come for the city's exciting array of restaurants, museums, plazas, and parks. Go on a tour of the historical downtown and have the nights free to see the city on your own!
From Santiago, fly two hours north to Calama near San Pedro de Atacama. On five guided tours, explore the desert's singular landscapes that are quite unlike anywhere else on earth. Vast salt flats, active geysers and ancient archaeological sites are just a few of the extraordinary places you'll discover on this trip!
Helpful links for travel to Chile:
Visa & Passport Info
Vaccines & Medication Info
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Day 1. Welcome to Santiago!
Say "hola" to Chile! Arrive at Santiago international airport, then hop in a transfer to your hotel. Once you get settled in, head to La Vega Central Market in the Recoleta neighborhood to get a sensory and visual introduction into Chile.
Transfer to Santiago hotel
Check-in - Hotel Torremayor Lyon
Boasting an elegant style of Mediterranean architecture, Hotel Torremayor Lyon is a luxurious retreat of comfort, sophistication, and hospitality. As soon as you walk into the hotel's lobby, you'll feel immersed in peace and relaxation. Check-in with the friendly reception team, then head up to your spacious, air-conditioned room. Open the door to WiFi, LED cable TV, a minibar, plush beds, and much more. Unpack your swimsuit and head up to the glistening outdoor pool (open during spring and summer)! After a refreshing dip, make your way back to your room and freshen up in your sparkling bathroom. Hungry? Head to the elegant on-site restaurant, then unwind with a crisp cocktail in the lounge. And, well, if you're just too comfy to leave your room - room service to the rescue.
Day 2. Santiago
Enjoy a tour taking you to the highlights of Santiago's historical downtown, including Plaza de Armas, plus the Vitacura neighborhood and Alonso de Cordova Avenue.
Later, head to Barrio Italia for great shopping and Parque Metropolitano for a breath of fresh air in Santiago's "green lung."
Santiago Historical Downtown City Tour
Explore Santiago, Chile's capital, which is nestled in the central valley, right below the majestic Andes. Feel the legacy of the "Mapuche" natives, who inhabited this land during the Pre-Colombian era, as well as the modernity of a thriving, booming city. Stroll along beautiful streets, visit interesting museums, admire amazing architecture, and learn all about the city's fascinating history.
Depart from your hotel and get ready to explore! Journey towards the city center, where you will see all of the main attractions. You will visit the Plaza de Armas, where you'll see the Cathedral of Santiago, the Municipality, the Post Office Building, the National History Museum, and more! Stand in awe of the gorgeous Government Palace, where you'll have the opportunity to walk through some of the most traditional streets and neighborhoods in Chile.
The fun's not over yet! Head uptown along the Costanera Highway until you reach the elegant Vitacura neighborhood and the Alonso de Cordova Avenue. Check out the FABA handicraft shop, which specializes in lapis lazuli jewelry, a semi-precious stone found only in Chile and Afghanistan. To conclude a fabulous tour, enjoy a traditional pisco sour while appreciating the beautiful spectacle of colorful jewelry.
Day 3. Santiago - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama
Leave Santiago today and transfer to the airport for your two hour flight to Calama in Northern Chile! You'll then transfer to your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama where you'll be based for the next three nights.
San Pedro de Atacama is 7,900 ft above sea level, so spend the remainder of the day taking it easy and acclimating to the high altitude!
A Tip For Your Trip: Coca leaves steeped in hot water is a common remedy for altitude sickness.
Transfer to Santiago airport (SCL)
Fly to Calama!
Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama hotel
Check-in - Hotel Altiplanico
Enjoy the scenery and a taste of the local life while enjoying modern convenience at the Hotel Altiplanico. Lovely scenery stretches in every direction, with the Valley of the Moon about 9 miles away. The hotel itself features minimalist style architecture and natural fabrics.
Rooms are outfitted with panoramic terraces, private bathrooms with showers, and a pleasantly simple atmosphere. Guests can enjoy the outdoors on site, a full breakfast daily, an on-site restaurant, free parking, and the accessibility to Calama Airport and Tatio Geysers, both of which is about 60 miles away.
Day 4. San Pedro de Atacama
Today, learn about Atacama culture from pre-Columbian times up until the Spanish colonization. Visit the archaeological site of Pukara in the morning, then head to the Atacama Salt Flat in the afternoon where you'll see its famous colonies of flamingos!
Archaeological Tour (Pukara de Quitor & Tulor) (morning)
Visit one of the most important archaeological sites in Chile, Pukará de Quitor, a pre-Hispanic stone fortress dating back to the 17th century. Its great historical importance lies in the “Battle of Quitor,” where one of the first clashes between the Spanish conquistadors and the indigenous people took place.
You'll then learn about the “Culture of San Pedro” in the village of Tulor. Despite its age, the village has been well-preserved thanks to the dry conditions of the region. This ancient construction is probably the first settlement of the Atacama Salt Flat. Finally, visit the Church of San Pedro de Atacama, an adobe church from Spanish colonial times and the second oldest church in Chile!
Atacama Salt Flat Excursion (afternoon)
Begin the tour in Toconao village, towards the Jerez Canyon (Quebrada de Jerez) where you will be able to see the flora and fauna of this beautiful valley, located at an altitude of (8,153 ft. Once in Toconao, stop at San Lucas Church made of mud and straw with a separate bell tower. Visit the local handicraft fair known for its Alpaca wool and creative crafts made of cactus or volcanic stone.
Your tour continues to the fabulous Atacama Salt Flat (Salar de Atacama), the largest in Chile and the third largest in the world. Continue along a small path to the Chaxa Lagoon and be delighted by the different species of pink flamingos. The lagoon is a protected flamingo breeding reservoir and declared Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos (National Reserve). End the tour looking towards the Andes as you enjoy a colorful sunset!
Day 5. San Pedro de Atacama
Start your day with an incredible tour showcasing the hidden lagoons of Baltinache. Make sure you pack a swimsuit!
You will then visit two of the Atacama desert's highlights: the Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna) and Valley of Death (Valle de la Muerte)!
Moon Valley and Death Valley Tour
Feel like you've entered another planet at the Valley of the Moon (El Valle de la Luna), declared a Nature Sanctuary in 1982 and part of the National Flamingo Reservation. Formed by a depression surrounded by small hills with stunning sharp ridges, the valley's “out of this world” landscapes are truly a sight to behold. This valley is famous for its natural mineral sculptures, one of them being Las Tres Marias (The three Mary’s) formed by the wind erosion and resembling a lunar setting.
Next, visit Death Valley (El Valle de la Muerte) and its sand dunes, which are very popular for sandboarding. Explore its Mars-like landscape (another name for this valley is Mars Valley) and admire Its salt formations that are like works of art. End the tour with a magical sunset at Kari Viewpoint, one of the highest points of the Cordillera de la Sal.
Hidden Lagoons of of Baltinache (Morning Half-Day Tour)
Get ready to visit 7 saltwater lagoons! Bring your swimsuit along on this half-day tour, because you'll be able to swim in a couple of them. Look into the lagoons and stand in awe of the contrast between turquoise water and white salt. These unique lagoons make up some of the most beautiful landscapes in the region!
Day 6. San Pedro de Atacama - Calama - Santiago
Your last tour in the Atacama desert is to El Tatio geysers. Depart at dawn to see its fumaroles (smoke from the geysers) create amazing white steam columns which are best seen between 6am and 7am. Later, transfer back to Calama airport for your flight back to Santiago.
Transfer to Calama airport (CJC)
Fly to Santiago!
Transfer to Santiago hotel
Check-in - Hotel Torremayor Lyon
Boasting an elegant style of Mediterranean architecture, Hotel Torremayor Lyon is a luxurious retreat of comfort, sophistication, and hospitality. As soon as you walk into the hotel's lobby, you'll feel immersed in peace and relaxation. Check-in with the friendly reception team, then head up to your spacious, air-conditioned room. Open the door to WiFi, LED cable TV, a minibar, plush beds, and much more. Unpack your swimsuit and head up to the glistening outdoor pool (open during spring and summer)! After a refreshing dip, make your way back to your room and freshen up in your sparkling bathroom. Hungry? Head to the elegant on-site restaurant, then unwind with a crisp cocktail in the lounge. And, well, if you're just too comfy to leave your room - room service to the rescue.
Tatio Geysers & Machuca Tour
You will be picked up at dawn from your hotel and head towards the Altiplano to visit El Tatio geysers, one of the most important geothermal fields in the world! Thanks to extremely cold temperatures, you'll be witness to different geothermal manifestations and its fumaroles that easily reach 32 ft high and the geysers up to 27 ft.
After watching this delightful spectacle, relax with a refreshing dip in a hot pool. Taking the same way back, stop for a few minutes in the wetlands of Putana, where you can see different species against the backdrop of the Colorado Volcano. Finally, stop in the village of Machuca, a little town where the original Altiplanic architecture is reflected in the St. James Church.
Day 7. Depart Chile
Your desert Chile escape ends today. At the scheduled time, transfer back to Santiago airport for your flight home. Flip through your photos and start dreaming of your next adventure!