TERM: From August 01, 2015, to September 30, 2016

DEPARTURE: Calama Airport

ARRIVAL: Calama Airport

Day 1 / CALAMA AIRPORT - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - VALLE DE LA LUNA

Arrival at Calama. Airport reception and transfer to selected Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. In the afternoon, we tour the Valley of the Moon. 19 Km. away from San Pedro, in the Cordillera de la Sal is The Valley of the Moon, declared a nature sanctuary and Natural Monument, protected by the uniqueness of its scenery. It is formed by a depression surrounded by small hills with impressive sharp ridges. The tour is an imaginary trip to landscapes that do not correspond to our world, but only to other planets. Thus, we see The Valley of the Dinosaurs, the Valley of Death… Where a spectacular view of the environment is obtained. Still en route to the Valley of the Moon, where we will find geological formations that are the result of successive folding of the earth's crust. Towards evening, the appearance of a bold palette of golds and reds. At the end of our excursion, we will head back to our selected hotel in San Pedro de Atacama (including accommodation).

Day 2 / SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR

In the morning we will know the richness of the Atacama culture, or LikanAntai, where we will gather rich information about who and how people lived in this area, from pre-Columbian times to the colony. We will learn a little of the customs and traditions of the different cultures that inhabited the area. So, we visit the most important archaeological sites such as the village of Tulor and the “Pukara of Quitor”. The village of Tulor is the oldest housing vestige on the Atacama Basin, first human settlement, miraculously preserved, "Cradle of the LikanAntai". The Pukara of Quitor, building of the twelfth century witnessed decisive historical events that are part of the local culture. Return to selected hotel (includes accommodation).

Day 3 / SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - TATIO GEYSERS TOUR - SALAR DE ATACAMA & TOCONAO.

Departure during the morning from the hotel in San Pedro de Atacama, to go to the Tatio Geysers, geothermal center with geysers that are seen only very early in the morning. After watching this beautiful spectacle, in a majestic natural environment, we have breakfast. On our return, we will be able to see the majesty of the Andes whose peaks seem within the reach of our hands. Moving on, we find Machuca, a small settlement of Llamas shepherds. The village is adorned by houses of adobe and thatched roofs. A greenish bog gives it a special charm. In the afternoon, we go to the Atacama Salt Flat, Toconao, little Atacaman village, with its church and its small bell tower, built only from mud and straw. We’ll visit their crafting workshops, rich on alpaca wool articles and cactus handicraft. The National Reserves will definitely monopolize our attention, for the beauty that they protect, and wildlife that often is endangered. The Salar de Atacama is part of it, and in the Chaxa lagoon, you can find a significant number of colonies of flamingos that have made it their favorite place for nesting. The geomorphology of the Salar makes it a unique and special landscape, its rugged surface, difficult to access, becomes the perfect location for many species of birds. Return to the Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama (including accommodation).

Day 4 / SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS

In the afternoon we head to the Puritama hot springs that flow at 33.5 ° C, bathing a deep rocky basin, forming staggered pools. Many minerals with healing properties for rheumatism and therapeutic bath emanate from the walls of the Puritama river. This beautiful place has restrooms and dressing rooms connected to the pools by wooden walkways. Return to the Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama (including accommodation).

Day 5 / SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - CALAMA – OUT

At the appointed time, transfer to Calama Airport to board the flight to Santiago

END OF SERVICES
RECOMMENDED FLIGHT SCHEDULES

• Santiago (SCL) / Calama (CJC): Flight must arrive at Calama before 10:30 hrs.
• Calama (CJC) / Santiago (SCL): Flight must departure from Calama after 17:00 hrs